#in which rachel has a SUPER-AWESOME ACCEPTING THE CALL SCENE

[swan2swan]

Thinking about how Rey was denied the plot she deserved in The Last Jedi, where she had a choice between accepting the power she had been blessed with and the burden of responsibility that went with it, or just forking responsibility over to someone else and hoping that things worked out...ultimately, that was kind of her story, but her choice was never involved. Again, we didn’t see her standing over the unconscious Kylo Ren, and she kept trying to get someone else to do stuff. She never said “I want to do this”. 

Or even “this is what needs to be done”. 

She deserved better.

#they all deserved better #star wars #swan reads animorphs #in which rachel has a SUPER-AWESOME ACCEPTING THE CALL SCENE #which is also...very grim and dark #it's terrifying really #because it's like ''yeah no you're stuck with this'' #and it might not be healthy

[kawaii-kozume]

Ocean Eyes

Rated G. Soldezangelo. 4261 Words.

"Hey, Harley? Have you seen Graham?" Leo Valdez was currently undertaking the worst task in the shelter: Cleaning the cages. He swore he latched the cat carrier that contained their most wily of their cats but now that he was ready to put the cat back, the carrier was open and said cat was nowhere in sight.

"I saw him chasing something in the back room. Why?" The younger boy turned to Leo, holding a stack of newspapers he was going to hand off to Leo.

“Uhh, he’s not in the back room. I was just in there.” Nyssa twisted her body around Leo and something floated above his head. He glanced up and saw a container of cat food floating above him.

“So, Graham’s missing again.” Leo stated. He loved being able to work with his siblings, but sometimes they seemed to have low awareness of what’s going on. “I’ll head out to find him.”

“He can’t have gone far. Take some flyers.” Nyssa called back from further up the line of cages.

"Oh, yeah!” Leo said. He threw on his jacket and popped into the back room to pick up pre-printed Have you seen this cat? flyers. Honestly, Graham just needed to find a home already. Leo's been told he's been there for forever. He would absolutely volunteer for him, but his mother would kill him if he brought another cat home. It was already difficult enough to remember the three they already had. He walked into the coffee shop next door and asked the patrons if they’d seen a sandy bengal/manx cat on the streets. They shook their heads and Leo moved on. He finally found someone who'd seen the cat. It was a girl with red hair, around his age standing at a flower booth.

“That looks like the little guy I saw down by the pier. He wasn’t on it though, just hanging out at the start of it.” She said. She watched him not unkindly. Leo’s eyes widened. Why the hell was this cat like this? He’s been found by the shoreline so much Leo needs to make a note to just start looking there.

"Awesome! Thank you so much!" Leo called already sprinting off towards the beginning of the beach. He chucked his shoes off to the side and started wandering around asking people about Graham.

"He was down that way a little."

"Oh yeah! He chased after a seagull a couple minutes ago. Down that way."

"A young man around your age picked him up and started walking with him. He's blond and was walking with another man." An older man said. Leo was stunned. Who would pick up a random cat?

"Which direction did they start walking?" Leo asked. The man pointed north.

"Thank you." Leo was off trying to find these people, which in hindsight, Leo probably should have asked for more details on the two. He was starting to lose hope with the sun beating down on him when he saw a tawny tail flick out from under someone's arm. Leo walked up and tapped the stranger's shoulder.

"Hi there, sorry to bother you, but I think you found my cat." He started. "I can take him back to the shelter now and be out of your hair."

Leo was prepared to receive a cat, apologize and leave, grumbling to the same cat as he walked back across the beach to his shoes and back to the shelter. Leo was very much unprepared for the stranger to turn around, cradling Graham like a baby. He was also unprepared for how attractive the stranger was. He had bright blue eyes and freckles splattered across his nose and cheeks. His smile was warm and open. Leo nearly took a step back.

"Hi, sorry for scooping him up. I was a little worried about him being so close to the water." The stranger said.

"Oh, um, it's okay." Leo just wanted to grab the cat and leave. This was getting awkward for him.

"He's cute. You said he's a shelter?" Another person walked up to their conversation. This must've been the other one the man mentioned.

"Uh, yeah." Oh gods . Leo thought. The new man was also really attractive. His dark eyes glittered with a hint of mischief and Leo wanted to run away from anything that could happen. He had his dark hair in a low ponytail to stay out of his face from the wind off the waves. Leo watched as the dark haired man held up a popsicle to the blond and the blond took it without letting go of the cat.

“What’s his name?”

“The cat’s?” Leo asked. The blond smiled around his popsicle and reached up to take it out of his mouth.

“Well, I think Neeks was asking me for yours, but the cat’s will do too.” He said. Leo felt his cheeks heat up. Was Blondie flirting with him?

“The cat’s name is Graham Cracker, or Graham for short.” Leo flipped on his charm with a smile. “I’m Leo.”

“Nice to meet you, Leo. I’m Will. This is my boyfriend, Nico.” Will held the cat out to Nico who accepted him with barely hidden excitement. Leo had an internal panic. He flirted with a taken man? Oh gods, it’s just his luck. How in the world was it fair that they were both so stupidly nice looking and they look even better next to each other? To be fair to them, he wouldn't remember them in the morning so really is it so bad?

“And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Graham.” Nico cooed at the cat. Will glanced over and watched with fondness. Leo decided it was time to move along and get back to the shelter, mostly to escape this awkward situation.

“Well, um, I gotta get back to the shelter.” Leo held out a hand towards Nico for the cat. Nico looked up with a small frown. His glittering eyes dulled for a moment as he handed the cat over to Leo.

“Hey, our friends are having a party here tonight. Would you wanna, come hang out?” Will asked. Nico leaned into him and watched Leo with interest.

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t do parties, really.” Graham squirmed in Leo’s arms, trying to escape again.

“No pressure, but the offer stands.” Will and Nico walked off, continuing along the shoreline as Leo turned around to go the other way.

“You are one difficult, little cat. Why’d you have to go for the most attractive people on the beach?” Leo scolded the cat affectionately the entire way back to the shelter. He tried to focus on helping customers and his siblings, but he couldn’t shake the invite out of his head. Maybe he’d go, just to say he tried.

***

The sun was setting on the horizon as Leo locked up the shelter. Harley and Nyssa had begun walking home but not before Harley gave Leo a tight hug and Nyssa turned on location sharing for both hers and Leo's phone.

"I'll be okay, promise, mi hermana. And I'll be home before 2." Leo had reassured his sister before they left. He pulled his windbreaker closer to him as he got closer to the sea. He saw the party before he got close enough to be noticed.

There was a fairly large group of people hanging around a lit bonfire. Some were a short distance away passing a volleyball back and forth, some were passing drinks around and some had set up a folding table for beer pong. Leo looked around, trying to see if his acquaintances were already there, but he couldn't see them. Before he could leave though, a familiar redhead came up to him.

"Oh hey! You're the cat guy, right? Did you find him?" She asked. Leo reached into his pocket for his wire before answering.

"Yeah! Thanks for pointing me towards the beach. Some people held onto him before I could get him." Leo explained. His hands worked on twisting the cool wire and he waited for the woman to move on to someone else.

"Are you here for the party? I didn't know we had mutual friends." She gave a soft chuckle. Well, shit, now what does Leo say?

"Oh, um," Before Leo was able to make a fool of himself, someone let their hand fall on his shoulder.

"Hey, Rachel. This is Leo. He's new around our scene. Neeks and I ran into him today and invited him." Will had appeared next to Leo like a saving angel. Rachel's smile grew at Leo.

"Awesome! Well, I'm headed off to find Annabeth." She nodded to Leo and then turned around, heading towards the group with the volleyball.

"Sorry we're late. Getting this one to come out is like pulling teeth, even if it's a party with our friends." Will shot a look to Nico, who rolled his eyes and scanned the crowd.

"There's a lot of people here." Leo stated.

"Yeah, our friend group is more like an extended family. Makes holidays hectic, but fun as hell. Hang with us and we'll introduce you to people as we go." Will said. Nico had made his way to one of the coolers and lifted a bottle towards Will and Leo.

"You want a drink?" Will asked.

"Um, how bout an ice?" Leo replied.

Will nodded then moved his hands around, catching Leo's attention. He must've looked confused because when Will turned back to Leo, he let out a warm laugh.

"Sign language. It's easier in large groups like this, and if anyone goes nonverbal, or has hearing problems, I can still communicate with them." Will explained. He started walking further into the party area as Leo followed.

"Goes nonverbal?" Leo asked. He had an idea what Will meant but he wanted to make sure before assuming. Nico got back with three open bottles and handed them off to the other two.

"Well, a good portion of our group is neurodivergent. It's not a bad thing, just means we adapt how we interact sometimes. Sometimes when we get overwhelmed, our brains don't form sentences well or we have problems verbalizing, sign language kind of cuts out having to put sound out." Will explained. It made sense to Leo. Sometimes Harley would go through a shut down and it sounded like what Will was saying.

"Plus he's premed so he's better off learning sign language anyways." Nico added. Will looked away, pink coming up to his cheeks.

"Dude, you're premed? Good shit, you gotta be like, super smart." Leo blurted. He regained composure after seeing Nico's expression. It was an amused one that used the unsettling, mischievous eyes.

"Yeah, it's- I mean, it's not a big deal. I'm just trying to do what I can." Will was intentionally downplaying the situation and Leo let him.

"C'mon, I wanna watch Percy wipe the floor with Jason." Nico said, grabbing Leo's wrist. He started walking towards the game of beach volleyball. More people had shown up and apparently someone brought a portable net.

Leo glanced back to see Will talking to someone else. He did look over at Leo and Nico, though. There was something in his gaze that Leo couldn't explain. Maybe longing? But that was dumb, why didn't he just come with Nico if he wanted to be with him? Nico stopped in front of him and sat down in the sand next to Rachel and two other girls, one blond and one brunette.

"Hey guys, how are the teams split and who's winning?" Nico asked. Leo, deciding not to worry about introductions right now, let his gaze move to the court. There were three guys and a girl all hovering around the middle of the net. They seemed to be negotiating rules.

"Jason and Thalia versus Percy and Frank." The blond replied. Nico perked up when the blond mentioned Frank. Leo watched him turn to scan the crowd.

"Frank's here? Is Hazel?" He asked, obviously excited to talk to Hazel.

"Yeah, I think she's around somewhere." The brunette answered.

"Nice." Nico murmured to himself.

"So, you gonna introduce us to your friend?" The brunette asked, eyeing Leo. Leo tried to look friendly and smiled at her.

"Ah, this is Leo. Will and I met him earlier today. He's tagging along tonight." Nico explained. "Leo, this is Annabeth and Piper."

The blond, Annabeth, smiled back at Leo, but it didn't quite meet her eyes.

"Nice to meet you." She said. Leo noticed the other girl was looking away from him. Annabeth elbowed her. She turned to face Leo and gave him a wobbly smile.

"Sorry about her, she gets really emotional over her friends." Annabeth said. "She loves getting new friends as a result."

"Oh, awesome! I also love getting new friends." Leo felt like it was best to not explain that each friend was a new one to him.

"Oh! They're starting!" Annabeth said. "Good luck, Percy!"

"Go Thals!!" Piper shouted. Leo took a sip of his drink.

"Who are you rooting for?" Leo asked. He watched who he assumed was Percy toss the volleyball up and hit it over the net to start the game.

"Percy and Frank. Always do." Nico replied. "Percy's a good friend of mine and Frank is Hazel's boyfriend."

Nico talked as if Leo was supposed to know who Hazel was but he was sure he'd never met a Hazel in his life. Unless these people were his friends? But if they were friends then why didn't Nyssa or his mom mention them? He wouldn't have had friends. If he did, they'd have left by now.

"Who's-?" Before Leo could finish talking, another girl with dark skin and eyes that glittered with mischief sat down next to him.

"Hey, Neeks." She said. Neeks seemed to be a nickname for Nico but only people he was really close with. Nico reached around Leo and tapped the bottle she was holding with his.

"I was wondering where you were." Now Leo wasn't usually an easily irritated person, but this was the third person at this party who showed up and Nico hadn't offered him and introduction. So Leo decided to do it himself.

"Hi there, the name's Leo. And what precious name fits a precious lady like you?" He asked. He did pretty well if he said so himself. It must have worked because the girl ducked her head as if she were shy.

"Hi Leo, I'm Hazel. I'm Nico's sister." She said with a lilt in her voice as if she was laughing. Leo froze. Man, he freezes a lot around this group. He glanced at Nico who was giving him a borderline dangerous look.

"Oh damn, I'm sorry. I didn't-" Leo started to apologize.

"No, don't worry about it. How would you have known?" She said. "This is our first time meeting, after all." She seemed sad with that fact.

"Yeah, of course. I'm gonna, um," Leo fumbled, trying to find the right words that didn't make it sound like he was moving in on Will. "I'm gonna go see where Will went."

Leo got up without checking to see how Nico took it. He walked around the bonfire in search of the blond, taking sips of his drink while he did. He hadn't had much to eat today so he felt a pleasant hum in his arms as he finally found Will, chatting with a couple of people.

"Hey, Will. Wondered where you'd gotten to." Leo said, resting a hand on Will's shoulder to steady himself.

"Oh, hey, Leo." Will wrapped an arm around Leo's waist to help him stay steady. "Leo, this is Grover and Juniper. They're some childhood friends of mine."

Leo smiled and nodded at them but was hyper aware of the heat coming off of Will's arm against his back. What would Nico think? Is this normal for Will? To prop up strangers he just met? What if after tonight they never talk to him again?

"Hey, Sunshine, heads up." Nico's voice came from somewhere on Will's left and at the same time, Leo wriggled out of Will's clutches. He felt bad about everything and was debating on going home. But when he got the nerve to look at Nico, the other looked away with an expression so haunting, Leo wished he could sleep right now so he'd forget it.

Nico looked like a man who'd been through a lot and lost something extremely important to him. And he was looking at Leo with that expression. Leo spent a couple more minutes standing with Will, Grover, Juniper and Nico but he was starting to get itchy. Not physically but mentally. Like, he was so close to remembering something important. It was the same feeling when he remembered his own name the first time. Then when he remembered his siblings. But this seemed much more intense. He knew he must have been frowning but he wandered away from the group, walking through couples by the fire, past the table where the ping pong balls were landing in the sand more and more as the night went on and past the interim volleyball court where he watched Jason spike the ball into the sand on the other side. There was something, comforting about all of this. Like this was a safe haven for him. But he couldn't place why.

He glanced back to Nico and Will. Something about them was inviting from the start. Since he tapped on Will's shoulder, he'd started feeling this sense of security. Nico turned back and locked eyes with him. Leo gasped softly, concerned he was really overstepping. He considered running as Nico excused himself and made his way over to Leo who's heels were being lapped at by the water. Leo turned around to face outward towards the moonlit horizon.

"You're starting to remember something, aren't you?" Nico asked, soft enough he couldn't wake an owl. Leo's head whipped to look at him.

"You- I- We- Uh, wait." Leo stuttered. He took a breath to organize his thoughts as best he could.

"You do know me. How? And why didn't you say anything sooner?" Leo asked, starting to become upset. If Nico knew him, why didn't he say something? Or Will for that matter? Wait, what if the reason was that Leo himself had dated one of them before the accident.

"We don't say anything because we all decided it would be best for you to not have to feel pressured into a relationship you have no recollection of. We want you to have the best healing process possible." Nico told the ocean. He had yet to look at Leo.

"So you know then? About the accident, about my memory, about everything?" Leo asked. Nico took a shaky breath.

"Everyone here knows about the accident. This was your family before the explosion." Nico said. Leo shook his head then fell back into the sand. The water continued to lap over his feet.

"I want to know everything. About you. About our friends. About our situation." Leo sighed. He hated this. He hated knowing but not quite knowing. He knew Nico was special. But so was Will. And he didn't understand.

Nico flopped down next to him and continued to stare out at the sea. "Well, after you woke up and didn't recognize your mother, she told Will and I. We came rushing to you as soon as possible. When we walked in, you didn't recognize us either. The doctors told us you had short term memory loss but they said it could be possible that you recover. Something about the neurons being resilient and reforming. But until then, you'd wake up each day and not remember anything." Leo tried not to watch the tear running down Nico's cheek.

"The first day, we were there as soon as you woke up. But five people hovering over you freaked you out. So the next day, Will and I met you at the shelter and explained who we were to you."

"And who is that?" Leo asked, almost afraid of the answer. Nico got a pained look on his face.

"I don't want to tell you. It's difficult, alright? Maybe by the end of the night." Nico didn't look at Leo. In his peripheral, Leo registered that Will was walking over to the two.

"Anyways, in doing so, we kind of scared you away. You got skittish when you saw us that day. That's when we decided not to mention it." Nico continued. Will had sat on the other side of Leo.

"But, we still wanted to see you. So we had to get creative about it. First two weeks, we came in and pretended to be looking at adopting a cat. Graham Cracker, specifically. Which isn't a lie, we love Graham, but he serves a different purpose now. The next couple weeks we'd see you on your lunch break and invite you to hang out that night. Always our friends are having a party, join us kind of invite." Will and Nico were trading off explaining and Leo was taking it all in.

"So we learned you liked being invited out more and more. Then you remembered Harley and Nyssa. Our hope grew. We hatched a plan with Harley. Every morning, Harley would leave Graham's cage open. He'd escape and we would 'find' him and keep him safe until you showed up." Nico smiled at Leo now.

"Then, we'd invite you to the nightly party." Will finished.

"So, wait, you guys do this nightly?" Leo asked, looking back at the group.

"Well, yeah. Everybody wants to hang out with you, but they don't wanna scare you. So we have nightly parties, we get you down here, and there's a rotation of who gets most of your attention. Like Nico's probably said: This is your family."

Leo sat in silence for a while and the other two just sat with him. Everyone knowing him and being his friend would explain why he felt so content with them all. He still wasn't sure about Will and Nico. He knew they weren't like the others but he couldn't let himself believe that it was like that .

"So say I believe you, what do I do now?" He asked eventually. Will sat up from where he was laying in the sand.

"That depends, what do you want to do now?" He asked. Leo looked out to the ocean. The cold water sounded like it could shock his system and help.

"I wanna go for a swim." Leo said before getting up and shedding his windbreaker, shirt then his shorts until he was down to his boxers. He ran into the surf, ignoring Nico's calls. He was right, the water was freezing. And it did shock his system until all he could think about was the cold. He felt someone come up behind him and he turned around, coming face to face with Nico.

"Th-this water is f-f-freezing. C'mon." Nico's teeth clacked together and all in one moment, Leo remembered what it was like to kiss him. His lips, soft from overuse of chapstick and his dark eyes hiding behind closed eyelids. Leo knew he probably shouldn't have given in, but in that one moment, he wanted nothing more than to feel those feelings again. He grabbed the back of Nico's neck and pressed his lips to Nico's, startling the other man. But kissing for them was as easy as breathing. Nico sighed and Leo felt like he was closer to being whole than he had all day. When they pulled apart, Nico had a soft smile on his face.

"Will's gonna be jealous I was first tonight. You've kissed me first every night for the last two weeks." Nico whispered, barely audible over the waves. "C'mon, you're gonna get hypothermia."

Leo, for his part, was a bit overwhelmed. Did Nico say first?

"Did you say first?" Leo asked as Nico dragged him out of the water by his wrist. Will was standing by the shoreline with two towels. How he knew Leo was going to do this was beyond Leo, but he was prepared.

"Yeah, first. Leo, you're our boyfriend. We don't like to tell you unless you instigate or say something first." Nico said. Leo allowed Will to wrap the towel around his shoulders. He looked up at the blond and grinned.

"How did I manage to score not one, but two incredibly sexy boyfriends?" Neither answered but Leo didn't need an answer, really. He just wanted to try and fluster them.

"So, can I kiss you now?" He asked Will. Will seemed shocked but before he could say yes, Leo was already leaning up, pressed against him and meeting his lips. It was quick and soft, but enough that Leo remembered a garage with a guitar in it. He laughed.

"You're a musician. Premed and a musician. Is there anything you can't do?" Leo laughed. His smile faded though as he fully processed their relationship.

"How many times have I not come back to you two?" Leo asked, afraid to hear the answer. Will pulled him forward and held him to his chest. Nico leaned on Leo's back and let Will speak. His voice rumbled through Leo's head as he said the best words in Leo's life.

"Every single day since the accident, you've always come home to us. And we'll continue to fight for you to remember it."

#pjo #soldezangelo #sam writes

[miasswier]

miasswier’s ultimate glee ranking: no 11

11: Puppet Master

Written by: Matthew Hodgson Directed by: Paul McCrane

Overall Thoughts: Okay, this episode is on some serious fucking drugs, but I actually love it? Like… it’s hilarious but also has some pretty good content, too. It’s one of the episodes I’ve re-watched the most, and genuinely one of my all-time favourite episodes of this show. I KNOW IT’S ON DRUGS. But for once they made it work.

What I Like:

We get two (2) Klaine scenes in this episode, which is super rare for episodes where Blaine is in Lima and Kurt is in New York. Plus, many references to their engagement. It brings me so much joy.

Blaine-centric episodes are always fantastic, but I think what I like about this one is it gave Blaine the opportunity to be absolutely ridiculous, as opposed to his usual role as the straight man. Plus, I adore Blamtina, but it was also so cool to see him interacting with Jake, Becky, and Sue as well, who are characters he rarely gets to interact with (I think this is actually the only episode that Blaine and Jake have a one-on-one scene).

Kurt gets his own storyline, separate from what Blaine is going through! It’s so rare for Kurt to get a storyline that flows parallel to Blaine’s, but is also totally separate. He is also the main character in this storyline, not just the sidekick to Rachel or Santana’s protagonist. It’s nice.

Sue gets a storyline that isn’t just her being cartoon-y and crazy. She is competent, she is a leader, and she does it all in high heels and a face full of make-up. It’s awesome.

Bree gets smacked in the face with the reality of what she did to Marley. Look, I hate how Glee is always pitting girls against each other, and characters like Bree always seem to be out to do nothing but tear other girls down (I mean, Santana, Quinn, and Kitty were all sort of introduced with the same goal in mind). What I like about how this story went down was that it didn’t feel like “haha Bree, now you’re being punished for being such a slut.” Instead it was about Jake, and how Jake is not only hurting all the girls he’s messing around with (something that is rarely drawn attention to in these playboy characters), but he’s also hurting himself and his potential future children. Jake sleeping around and Bree having a pregnancy scare wasn’t Bree’s punishment, it was both of their wake-up call, and it’s so rare to see stories like this told that way.

That whole scene between Marley and Jake at the end is fantastic. Marley saying the words “It’s not my job to fix you, Jake” is quite possibly the most amazing thing she has ever said – especially when you think about who she was last year, and how Unique literally told her “he sleeps around and will hurt you” and two seconds later Marley agrees to go on a date with him. She’s come a long way, and I’m so happy that Marley’s endgame was single and nowhere near ready for another relationship.

While Blaine’s plot is obviously the A plot, it’s really hard to label any of the other plots as B, C, or D. I love that.

“Did you just touch me with a puppet?!”

Blaine ending the episode by giving/sending everybody the puppets he made of them was such a huge move, and one that I really wish had been given a more explicit explanation. As it stands, it just seems like Blaine is apologizing to everybody about being controlling by giving them a gift, when really it’s more about Blaine giving up control. He is accepting that he no longer needs to pull the strings, because his friends are their own people and they can pull their own strings in their lives. It’s a huge moment for him.

The scene with Blaine and Brad sfhioishfosio

Blina scene at the end I love those two so much.

Elliott saying he refuses to let the band disband even though they “failed”. He’s such a good friend I love him.

What I Don’t Like:

We’re still misgendering Unique. It’s not any better when you have her do it to herself. There’s actually a decent amount of casual transphobia in this episode.

And Artie being referred to as a “cr*pple”. It’s season 5, people. This was 2014. Isn’t ableism a little passé at this point?

So much sexism in the scene between Schue and Sue masquerading as enlightenment. Am I supposed to believe Will thinks highly of women when he literally says the words “she managed to be feminine and strong” as if that’s some kind of oxymoron. Dear lord.

They really squander Demi Lovato in this episode.

Even though I do love this episode, it is a massive filler episode, which seriously, is getting old at this point on the show.

Songs:

Into the Groove: Kurt actually gets to sing lead on a song for his band!!! It’s a fantasy sequence, but still. I love it.

You’re My Best Friend: So cracky but literally amazing. I’m in love.

Nasty/Rhythm Nation: I fucking love this mash-up. So well done and sounds amazing. Plus, the scene is awesome. A+

Cheek to Cheek: I don’t really connect with this song, and out of all the drug induced fantasies, this one is the most boring.

What Does the Fox Say: This song is on the level of “why” that I attach to “Gagnam Style”. Like… why? Why? Why.

Final Thoughts: This is one of my all time favourite Glee episodes. It’s so cracky and hilarious, and lets Blaine be comedic for one of the first times, showing he pulls it off perfectly. All the stories are interesting and dealt with well, and most of the music is fantastic. For a filler episode, it’s really enjoyable.

#ultimate glee ranking

[inevitablefandomships]

Season 7 opener:

Okay, so I just watched the season 7 opener and I’ve scrolled through the tag for a while and here’s what I think (no hate please, it’s just my opinion and everybody has a right to their own. I respect yours so please respect mine)

1. First of all, I see a lot of people who did not like that episode at all but honestly, I freaking loved it. I do have two things that I’m STRONGLY against but I think most of us are.

2. Holy shit Mike is back. Okay so when at the end of season 6 it was revealed that he was going to go back I was a little dissapointed because I really liked Mike’s character development with the whole clinic-I-wanna-use-my-talents-to-actually-help storyline. I think it gave so much authenticity to his character. I WAS worried to see that going forward in a new season because that would obviously mean less screen time with Harvey and I was desperate for them to leave all the seriousness that was the whole freud storyline. I wanted the dream team back too but I wanted them to keep Mike a little more down to Earth. So I was glad when Mike accepted BUT with the conditions he added on. This season opener seemed to stay loyal to that growth that Mike had (I’m still worried he’ll forget about the pro bono cases but we’ll just have to wait and see *fingers crossed*), I hope it carries on the rest of the season and beyond should the show continue.

But MAN did I get that dream team. Jesus the chemistry between mentor and prodigé was off the charts. I enjoyed them working together like old times sooooo much. You can actually see that they’ve both changed and grown so much throughout the seasons. It shows now that their relationship goes beyond the work place and that they are now friends. We see now that Harvey admits to actually enjoying working with Mike (something he never would’ve acknowledged back at the beginning) and we see Mike as a much more mature, capable and seasoned lawyer. And that just made for super entertaining banter scenes between the two. It’s safe to say that in my opinion they should keep this up going forward.

3. Okay now Harvey: I see that a lot of people want the old season 1 Harvey back and they hate season 7 Harvey, but guys come on. We’ve always known that Harvey is a GREAT, no, AMAZING lawyer that works hard and has the (not only book smart, but also) the street smart capabilities to get the job done, and get it done well. But let’s face it, a kind and humble person were not adjectives we would’ve used to describe Harvey at the earlier seasons.

Honestly this change has been coming for a while now. So many people have left him during the last two seasons that I think has made him realize that he needs to appreciate and let himself open up and trust the people around him. First Scottie (which I liked her but I found that their relationship was never great and a lot of that I guess had to do with them not being on the same mind set at the same time), then Donna (because again, he wasn’t really opening up and appreciating her the way he should have) and what I think was the last straw: when Mike went to prison TO PROTECT HIM. I think when that happened, it was his wake up call. It made him realize that he has people that care about him and he doesn’t have to be the lone wolf he had been up to that point.

I just LOVE Harvey’s character growth. When Jessica told him and Louis that she wanted to leave, he didn’t fight her on it or try to convince her to stay for the good of the firm, he let her. He just asked her if she was sure but he peacefully let her leave without putting up a fight because he KNEW that it was what she needed to do for her. He at this point already realized that everything doesn’t have to be about him OR the firm. I think that’s why he accepted Mike’s conditions for coming back too, because he realized that it’s something Mike needs for himself.

I think that the whole thing with being afraid to take over as managing partner was perfectly normal. When big changes are happening in our lives it’s perfectly normal to want to take a step back and think “Am I really up to this challenge? Can I handle this?” But in the end he did step up and showed that he can. Which we as viewers already knew but that internal conflict just made him seem more human. I think that’s what the show runners are going for with this change in his personality, to make him more human and more relatable which I’m all for.

4. The whole thing with his therapist was awful to watch. I do think that that is Havey’s way of trying to embrace the I’m-a-different-person-now-and-I-wanna-open-up-to-someone change but really Suits writters/show runners?!?!? His therapist?!?! It felt so random and like he was just picking someone out of the blue. I’m not upset because it was unethical and what not because like Harvey said, enough time has passed where he is no longer her patient and I don’t mind that she admitted to having fantasies about him because c'mon, she’s human not a robot and she’s allowed to feel those kinds of things. The fact that she never pursued those fantasies while he was her patient lets you know that she would never allow herself to be purposedly unethical (which I strongly support). Also, I did not think he just went running up to her just because he needed to be “shrinked” by her, I think he's honestly realizing that he wants to have somebody. Wrong person though Harvey. Yes I’m a HUGE Darvey shipper (but more on that later and I respect other ships). The thing that bothers me it’s that it just feels like the writters are shoving us that relationship out of the blue. I just cringed on those scenes.

5. Donna: wow, just fucking wow. Since the very begining I’ve LOVED her character. Sometimes her “I’m Donna and I’m awesome” lines get a little cliché but overall she just embodies confidence to an envious level. She is what every woman should aspire to be. She is strong, confident, determined, honest, goal oriented and beautiful inside and out. So it’s no secret that she’s always been my favorite character since the very first episode. I’m so glad she realized that she deserves better. She already is everybody’s go-to person when they need help and when Mike went to jail and everyone was scrambling to get the firm up and running she was right there next to Harvey, Louis and Jessica (along with Rachel too of course). And I see that a lot of people don’t find the whole senior partner thing believable but I do. I mean, she said it herself, she isn’t looking to do any legal work, she just wants to be involved in a more administrative level and take part in the desicions concerning the firm. In my opinion that’s fair, everybody in that firm listens to what Donna has to say because they all see her as a leader. So why not make her one officially? 5. I’m kind of excited to see Rachel lead the associates it makes me excited for her. Also I wasn’t that big of a Mike/Rachel shipper at the begining. I mean, I didn’t hate their relationship. I was just indifferent towards them. But idk if the writing is better now or what (maybe it was the whole prison experience) but I’m really loving their relationship now and I’m so glad they are happy together 6. As for DARVEY, sigh. I feel like I might die before I see these two together. They are just denying their feelings and it’s honestly annoying. And then the whole thing with the therapist just made me go like REALLY WRITERS?!?! REALLY?!?! And well that goes my rant. Thank you for reading if you got this far. If anyone wants to talk about any of these points POLITELY (wether you agree with me or not) you can hop on my ask and we’ll chat but I will NOT respond to hate

#suits usa #suits #mike ross #harvey specter #donna paulsen #rachel zane #louis litt #darvey #season 7

[spaceorphan18]

Finding Kurt Hummel: Goodbye

Masterpost

3x22: Goodbye

On the flip side of things - we have an episode that a lot of people really don’t like, and I kind of enjoy, actually.  Sure the last ten minutes are super frustrating, and yet, like five minutes are spent with Finchel discussing chair choices for their wedding, but I think it’s nice, and far more entertaining than a lot of what’s been coming before it recently.  It gives all the seniors a moment to shine, and closes up the first half of the show in a way that really does seem adequate for the first half of the show.  

Forever Young

It seems a little weird for a show that’s only been on the air for three years to be this nostalgic about itself.  But the sentimentality, which I realize is only found on TV - as most people are more than happy to leave their high school years behind, seems appropriate for this episode.  It’s not just about the seniors leaving, it’s the fact that the show is really a different show after this, as we move on to what is essentially a mash-up of Glee: The Next Generation and Glee: The College Years.  So, bring on the flash backs of the pilot.  

There’s really no reason for them to be singing this again -- but it’s adorable, and if anything, we get to see how much taller Kurt has grown! And to think, this really is only the half way point of the series. 

So -- even though this episode feels and functions a lot like a series finale (Glee had a handful of episodes that do this from here until the actual series finale), there are some plot lines that don’t have a steadfast resolution -- and one of them is Klaine.  There’s a dangling thread of worry placed over this episode, mostly coming from Blaine’s direction, as every time the word senior is mentioned, he freaks out.  

And dear Kurt, look at him, he just adores Blaine to pieces, and really isn’t worried about their upcoming separation as well.  Which are the seeds, that have been really planted all year when you look for them, of the upcoming breakup we’re gonna get in season 4.  Cause here’s me overly simplifying the situation.  Blaine, at this point, has too little faith that his relationship is going to work out.  Kurt, on the other hand, has too much faith.  They have so, so much growing from this point, so much to learn about love and relationships and growing up, but we’re on the edge here of a lot of messiness that makes their relationship all the more meaningful once we get on the other side of it.  

As for this particular scene itself -- I think Will has some letting go issues he might need to work on as he over romanticizes this particular group, lol.  But no -- it’s a nice moment, and it’s interesting that this kind of set up is going to come back in the actual series finale.  Everyone is wistful because yes, things are going to change, and you never do go back to what you once were. 

Kurt’s Vignette

Kurt:  When I first got to McKinley, I was afraid to make eye contact. I didn't talk about my politics, I didn't share what was in my heart I oh, let's just call the Cadillac pink and be done with it. I was in the closet. And most days, I was also in the Dumpster. But McKinley has made me a stronger, more socially conscious, fashion-forward person. And perhaps I played some small part in making it possible for tadpole gays all over Lima to be themselves in public. Not a bad legacy for someone who once pretended to be in lust with Rachel Berry so I wouldn't have to date Mercedes Jones. Now if can just get through the next few days without turning into a hot mess teary train wreck.

Something that I think is neat about this episode is that each of the seniors get their own little segment and Kurt gets to kick the whole thing off.  As he glides down the hallway (literally -- they have him on a moving track or something), we get his inner monologue about how far he’s coming from when he started high school: he was getting thrown in dumpsters, he was really in the closet, and he was pretending to have a crush on Rachel to get out of dating Mercedes.  And look how far this bb has come.  

I mean, he waves at a basketball player as he walks by, a neat little touch, that Kurt’s much more accepted than he ever was at McKinley.  He’s even grateful for all his luck because he can even inspire those McKinley tadpole gays.  (And how cute that they actually show the tadpoles.) 

Kurt’s sentimentality is interesting to me.  Because right in the moment, I can see where he’s feeling it -- reflective that high school sucked for most of the time he’s been there, but his senior was actually really good.  And I mean, think about it as someone who does not know what’s coming up -- during Kurt’s senior year he’s not getting beaten up, he has a good relationship with his dad, he has a boyfriend, whom he spends a majority of his time with, whom he loves, and whom he has sex with, he has a great group of friends (especially Mercedes and Rachel), and a brother whom he adores, his show choir just won nationals, and he feels he has good future prospects ahead.  In a way -- he’s in a better place then the end of season 2 (but why did that feel more hopeful?).  

Interesting, though, that I think the sentimentality is in the moment.  There’s an interview done by Chris Colfer where when asked about Kurt and future high school reunions Chris stated explicitly that Kurt would be no where to found.  And I do feel that to be generally true.  He’s feeling love for this place because change and growth and optimism, but down the line, I think the moment passes. 

So -- Burt is waiting for Kurt in the auditorium.  And I love the little exchange at the beginning about what Burt can give Kurt as gifts -- because it shows that Burt still doesn’t get his son a lot of the time, but they’re different people than they were, and love each other despite those differences.  

And we get this nice little moment of reflection -- where Burt talks about raising Kurt as a kid, and how it can be hard for a parent when that kid stops being generic kid and starts being themselves.  But the cool thing is they were able to figure it out.  (And how adoring Kurt is -- he loves his dad so much.  I’m not usually one for family stories, but I love this one.) 

So Burt has a unique way of gift giving as we’ll see....  

Oh, the looks on Kurt’s face as he realizes what his dad is doing -- a recreation of the Single Ladies dance, completely with Tina and Brittany.  And it is pretty priceless.  I’m guess they didn’t tell (or show) Chris before filming -- because this seems like pretty genuine laughter from Kurt throughout this whole thing.  

We also get lots of flashbacks to the original Single Ladies dance, as a fun reminder, and a way to show just how much Kurt has come.  But it’s interesting, this is only the half way mark.  We still have a lot more Kurt story, and a lot more growing up for him to do.  

Looking to the Future while Missing the Present

So, next we get our only real Klaine scene in the episode.  And I remember at the time that it felt a little frustrating that we didn’t get, well, more.  And -- I mean after a season of looks and glances and not a whole lot of promise, it’s hard to take.  But -- as I look back at the whole picture, I do understand more of what the writers were going with here.  Because this particular episode is about endings, and changes.  And while Klaine is definitely going to get it’s own change (and more Klaine thoughts in a second), their story isn’t ending - not by a long shot.  In fact, I’d argue we’re right in the middle of it, where the fairy tale is going to turn into a story about growing up and becoming a real couple.  

So -- First of all, we get Kurt talking about how awesome his dad’s gift was -- and Blaine’s reminds him that he, too, got Kurt a gift, which Kurt dismisses.  So, there’s a clue... Blaine wants to then talk about the future, because they haven’t been talking about /that/.  And Kurt’s pretty dismissive about that, too.  But here’s where Kurt’s just not paying attention -- because Blaine is pretty much bracing himself for the fact that his relationship is over.  He’s been incredibly insecure, arguably, since the beginning of the second semester, and considers the end of the relationship inevitable.  (Hence my earlier comment that Blaine doesn’t have enough faith in his own relationship.  There are other Blainey elements in this, too, but that’s for another discussion.) 

Meanwhile, Kurt just doesn’t really get it.  He doesn’t even want to get it.  To him, he’s got his entire future planned out -- they’ll eventually both be in New York, they’ll have careers and eventual marriage (at age 30) and grow old together and live in a home where they’ll bicker like the old married couple that they are.  He has no worries about the state of their relationship.  And /that/ is the problem.  He is kind of blind to the fact that Blaine’s kinda downward spiraling (or I may argue, intentionally ignoring the signs).  

And all those promises he keeps making -- that they’ll be fine, that they’ll be together forever, that Kurt’s always going to love him -- may be a band-aide for the moment, but aren’t going to stop the bad things from happening to his relationship.  Because relationships are hard work, yo, and Kurt’s not putting in the time right now.  And in a way that is understandable.  There are things in life going on that take his attention away like college and moving and it’s nice to cling onto something supposedly stable.  But you know, talk to your boyfriend, Kurt! 

Meanwhile -- something I’d like to address going into season 4.  Both Kurt and Blaine, being characters who are coming from this fairy tale romance stage, throughout the next few seasons have an issue of idealizing the other one.  Blaine holds onto Kurt as this kid whom he saved, and as someone who in turn saved him.  Kurt holds on to Blaine as this picture perfect boyfriend, the white knight he met at the foot of the stairs.  The problem is, despite being fictional characters, Kurt and Blaine are real people and not living in a fairy tale, (though they are in a happily ever after musical, lol, I’m digressing.)  The neat thing is that I think by the time we get to season 6, and get through most of this mess, the two of them like each other for their faults and all -- and I think that’s pretty cool. 

And that’s not to discredit the foundation they have at this point (something that gets them through all those hard times).  They are two kids who genuinely like each other as well as love each other.  They do understand each other, even if they have the worst communication problems.  And their love is very much real, even if some times relying on just love to get them through is a pratfall that befalls on them.  

I also want to give a shout-out to the ‘Never Say Goodbye’ moment.  It’s the one promise Kurt never breaks, and while it is an intentional throwback to another iconic Klaine moment (a Klaine moment about change, interestingly), I kind of love this one.  Glee v.1 might be nearing it’s end, but Klaine is never over. 

All of this reminds me -- I always wanted to write an Old Man Klaine fanfic about Kurt chattering away to some caretaker about Blaine, as Blaine yells about J-Lo in the background, lol. 

I’ll Remember

So. Okay.  We get into what may be my least favorite Kurt solo.  And, it’s partly because I’m just not a fan of the Madonna song (though, ha Madonna seems such a good Kurt choice).  But the context here bugs me a little. 

Kurt dedicates this song to all the men in this room.  And you know what -- seriously? This feels like just another moment for the writers to throw in their commentary on masculinity instead of giving Kurt a real character moment.  Yes, the part of the line that says: it doesn’t matter that we’re gay or straight, it matters that you saw me as the same -- is a poignant piece of writer, especially as Chris cries those pretty tears.  

But the whole thing seems incredibly hollow.  Sure, Finn has made an impact, and that is important.  I’ll even give minor credit to Sam for not being an asshole, and even lesser credit to Mike, even though they have no relationship.  But Artie? Joe? Rory? Really? And then Puck?  Kurt’s never had a good relationship with Puck.  Not to mention the last few episode Puck has bonding with Blaine, and still making vaguely homophobic comments.  So, I don’t buy this moment Glee, I don’t.  

Wait -- does Will count in this? God I hope not. 

Meanwhile -- those in that room who’ve supported him a lot? (Blaine seems really excluded during this) Those are the girls -- Mercedes, Rachel, Tina, Brittany, eventually Santana.  I mean, even he and Quinn have shared some nice background moments.  I can go for giving the whole Glee club a sentimental speech, but singling out the guys? Ug, whatever Glee. 

Okay -- for the song itself.  I may not be a fan of the aesthetics of the actual song, I do think it’s an appropriate choice for Kurt here -- and Chris sounds lovely as he always does on it. 

And I'll remember the love that you gave me Now that I'm standing on my own I'll remember the way that you changed me I'll remember

I like this -- I like the acknowledgement of growing up, and how Kurt’s changed, but he knows he’s a better person because he’s had this group of friends.  It’s a really nice thought.  

Inside I was a child That could not mend a broken wing Outside I looked for a way To teach my heart to sing

OMG! I never knew there was bird analogy in this! What’s our Klaine-bird score now? Lol.  But, yeah, wow Kurt -- feeling broken inside, and how long did it take Kurt to let people in, to let other people help heal him?

No I've never been afraid to cry Now I finally have a reason why I'll remember (I'll remember)

Ha! How very Kurt.  But also -- this is very much Kurt saying goodbye, too (as insinuated by the earlier Klaine scene).  And while it’s sad -- Kurt’s going to look back fondly, and dare I say, pretty okay with moving forward in his life. 

The Pact

Hey Kurt and Finn are talking to each other by the lockers.  I don’t think they’ve had any kind of conversation since The Spanish Teacher.  It’s a little bit a shame they didn’t do more with the brotherly aspect of their relationship. 

So, Rachel bops along to let them know their college letters will be there soon.  (I’m going to skip over the fact that this is not how college acceptance letters work, since most people have replies by January, but whatever, Glee.)  They make a pact to go open them in the choirvroom.  They even pinky swear!

Now that I think about it, this scene is kind of unnecessary narratively, but I’ll take it over the cut yearbook scene where Rachel claims Kurt as her soul mate.  (Ug, don’t get me started.) 

FWIW -- there’s a deleted scene featuring Mike Chang, too - cause he doesn’t really get a vignette in this.  Check it out on youtube, it’s nice. 

And Other Stories

So -- the seniors all take a moment and sing You Give What You Get to the underclassmen.  And, it’s kind of a bittersweet moment as each of them take a moment to say goodbye to their friends.  Like -- all of the friendships/relationships between senior and non-senior are non-verbally touched upon here, and it’s kind of neat. 

Klaine is very much a background entity at this point.  I mean, there’s the cute moment where Kurt mimes reeling in Blaine like a fish, and they dance together a little bit, and kind of half hug and whatnot.  

But then there’s this moment -- and it’s so blink and you’ll miss but I think it’s a little fascinating.  By the end of the song, the seniors have all traded places with the underclassmen, and Kurt and Blaine exchange this look.  It’s this kind of wistful, okay here we go, we have to do this now look.  It’s a little heartbreaking, cause now it’s not just Blaine who’s sad, Kurt’s feeling it a little, too. 

Aaaand then we get Finchel arguing about chairs, lol.  Oh this episode....

I completely forgot that In My Life was a dedication to Finn.  C’mon, writers, stop, it’s a little gratuitous at this point. 

Meanwhile, my god, there are a lot of shared looks between Kurt and Blaine this episode.  I mean, I’ll take them all, but this might be the episode with most shared across the room looks.  And, oh Blaine, he’s just about to lose it.  Kurt’s all smiling and loving at him, though. 

And note, it’s a nice touch that they do the whole Klaine thing when they’re singing this line: 

But of all these friends and lovers There is no one compares with you

So -- this is Quinn’s sequence, which I won’t be talking much about -- just that she considers this group of people friends! And that includes Kurt, who pleasantly waves at her as she passes.  Man, there’s a whole lot of untapped Kurt/Quinn friendship stories to be told. 

Also, things that strike me as kinda weird -- during the Quinn/Puck hook up scene, the Klaine scene plays in the background.  Weird - did they not have other music to put there? Because that’s most definitely Klaine’s theme -- you played it earlier in the episode.  Give it back!

It’s a little weird to me, but not to Glee because Glee logic says it makes sense, that all the seniors are waiting for Puck’s test to see if he passed.  And he did.  And Kurt goes and hugs the teacher, lol.  I wonder if that was a Chris idea.  That feels like a Chris idea. 

Graduation

It’s now time for that graduation photo op! 

So the graduation pecking order is from least important to most important according to Glee logic.  Sorry Mike Chang :/ 

Oh Kurt, and your glorious high kick entrance.  <3 

So this is, like, a spouse moment.  I mean, c’mon, it so is.  Kurt’s a mess, and Blaine hands him a handkerchief, and has him dry his eyes before his moment.  I mean -- yeah.  I love it so much.  

Aww, I love Kurt and his little bow once he graduates.  And Burt’s in the audience being a proud papa.  What a sweet little moment. 

Coda

So -- you know how all throughout season 3 I’ve been whining about the NYADA story line? It’s because of this moment right here -- the moment that Kurt does NOT get into NYADA.  

The thing that really infuriates me about it, the reason they kept giving Kurt all of those highs, that moment with dad when he gets his acceptance letter, that awesome audition sequence, was because knew they were doing this.  And they did this so that Rachel could go to New York by herself. KURT’S ENTIRE COLLEGE STORY LINE WAS SET UP SO THAT RACHEL COULD WIN!!! And that is why I have issues with the writing of Hummelberry during this season (and next).  

Cause I mean yeah, while it’s shody a bit, Kurt is going to get the /better/ story line overall, where he gets to be a complete character and not have everything handed to him.  But yeah - I remember how pissed everyone was at this moment.  And I can still feel it.  Because it’s not just the sting of not getting in.  It’s the sting of feeling like we were set up.  And it is infuriating.  Sorry bb, you’re a sidekick in someone else’s show.  At least the next three seasons do untangle this knot a little. 

So, Rachel gets into NYADA -- and Finn can at least feign his happiness.  Kurt’s a little: well fuck this shit.  Yup, I’m with ya, kiddo. 

The Rachel vignette though is seriously the worst.  Oh no, all my dreams have come true but I shall martyr myself because my boyfriend and my best friend aren’t as wonderful as I am. God, shut up Rachel. 

(I don’t hate Rachel -- but I’m not going to like her for a while.) 

The Unbearable Heaviness of Finchel. 

I am going to take a quick second and talk about Finchel.  Yes, I know this car scene is problematic -- and yes, Finn should not be making choices for Rachel.  I’m totally agreed with that criticism.  But man, there is something vindicating to seeing her actually have to confront an issue she has no control over.  It’s frustrating that Rachel’s good things often times are handed to her by the writers -- so I’m kind of welcoming of this little scene, tbh. 

You know what, now that I think of it, I’m guessing the original ending of the series was the inverse of this scene, where they finally get back together for good.  Huh.  Anyway -- despite the fact that the ten minute Finchel end of this episode is irritating, and kind of dismissive of all the rest of the characters, it is pretty well acted. 

Anyway -- here we are at the end -- and while I’m totally on team group song, I can see why the writers went this way.  Rachel’s saying goodbye and going off to New York, and this chapter of the show has ended.  So, it’s one last goodbye at the train station as everything spins in, well pardon my expression, new directions. 

Idk -- it seemed like a good shot, tbh.  So yeah, while there’s nothing else for Kurt here, except trying his best to be a good friend to Rachel, we leave Kurt here in Lima for, what is probably, a kind of hard summer.  

And so ends season 3, and the show as we know it - for better and worse I suppose.  Because yeah, everything after this is different as the series really won’t be the same one after this.  

So -- goodbye season 3. It’s been fun.  I would say I’m going to miss you, but no.  I really won’t. 

#finding kh #kurt hummel #heads up this is way longer than you might expect -- but quality meta if I do say so myself ;)

[miasswier]

miasswier’s ultimate glee ranking: no 20

20: New Directions

Written by: Brad Falchuk Directed by: Brad Falchuk

Overall Thoughts: The emotions are so high in this episode, to the point where it almost plays like a series finale. And, honestly? I kind of love it. Not as much as the series finale we actually got, but more than most of the season finale’s we got, including the one for this season. It has a little bit for everybody, ties up most of the storylines pretty well, and gives a sense of closure while also managing to give hope, even though the whole point is that Glee club is done.

What I Like:

That the Santana/Rachel feud finally ends. I’ll talk a bit about this in the negative section, but I’m so glad these two are done fighting and are back to being friends. I particularly like the scene in the bathroom, and the way that Rachel is staring at Santana all longingly when Kurt and Mercedes are singing.

Brittany and Santana. These two mofos are so dang in love I cry.

Tina ultimately deciding to go to New York even without a plan, and then getting into Brown! I love Tina in this episode, and I’m so glad she got a focused storyline.

The whole “Chums” dream sequence is pure gold. Klaine making out in pastel, Sam always forgetting his clothes, Rachel having a terrible spray tan, everyone randomly being in New York and working at the Spotlight Diner for no reason? Hell yes. Can I please have twelve seasons of it?

That they sort of address the fact that Holly Holiday is the literal worst.

Blaine getting into NYADA!

Quinn and Puck making it official, and the fact that they were the “last” choir room performance (even though we know they weren’t really). Will is right, it brings everything back full-circle in a way.

Everyone’s faces when Puck talks about Quinn’s “magic garden”.

The graduation ceremony, and how their names are actually called in alphabetical order, and not just in order of who the show sees as more important. It drives me freaking crazy in season 3 how Rachel is the last one called even though her last name is “Berry”. AND this time it also worked with the surprise of Brittany, since her last name is actually the furthest down the alphabet. It’s such a dumb detail but I love it.

Sue and Becky’s hug on stage I fucking love them.

Kurt and Mercedes’s dumb fight over tots they are so dumb.

The video montage + Don’t Stop like damn here come the water works.

In particular I love how they gave Rachel Finn’s part, then Kurt Rachel’s at the beginning. And that Will finally got to sing the song. After all these years, he deserves it. AND how they come on stage based on when they joined. Gosh <3

The final scene, with Will alone in the choir room, and all the voices of the Glee clubbers saying awesome things. Again, all the tears.

What I Don’t Like:

It does sort of frustrate me that the way the Santana/Rachel feud was resolved was with Santana quitting and Rachel essentially getting her way. HOWEVER, I am not as annoyed after the bathroom scene, which shows Rachel actually taking the higher ground, admitting she was wrong to freak out so much about this, and not only offering Santana an olive branch, but also ten shows, which is more than a lot of understudies can boast of. I kind of wish they had let Santana accept that offer because it would have been fucking awesome to see them actually working together on the show as friends. But, that’s Glee for ya.

Kurt and Mercedes basically just being there to make Rachel and Santana’s plot move forward. GIVE MERCEDES HER OWN STORIES.

Mike once again gets nothing to do.

The very idea that Tina would get rejected by Ohio State with the highest GPA in the school, tons of extracurriculars, perfect attendance (or so Glee keeps saying), and salutatorian on her CV is so fucking ridiculous like give me a break. Also, you’re trying to tell me she got into Brown, but got rejected by Ohio State? Come on, Glee.

Holly Holiday isn’t in this episode nearly as much as she could have been, which I greatly appreciate, but I’m still annoyed by her presence nevertheless. Also, what was the point of that super offensive monologue she went on? Jesus Christ.

Songs:

I Am Changing: Starting off with a Kurtcedes duet is always a smart thing to do. I love them, fucking cuties.

Party All the Time: Despite my opinions on Holly Holiday, I do really enjoy this song. I find it so fun and dance-y.

Loser Like Me: SUCH AN AMAZING COVER. It works so well as an acoustic song, and having Blaine, Tina, Sam, and Artie sing it was such an inspired decision. I genuinely enjoy this cover more than the original, and it’s probably my favourite song of the episode.

Be Okay: Another amazing cover. Rachel and Santana’s voices go so well together, and the song is so fun and upbeat. Summery and awesome. Just gives good vibes.

Just Give Me a Reason: I almost feel like this song would have worked better if Puck sang the P!nk part, and Quinn sang the Nate Ruess part, but I still love it, and still think Puck and Quinn should have gotten more than a single duet.

Don’t Stop Believin’: Gosh, I know I should be tired of them covering this song by now, but I am not. This one isn’t as amazing as the Rachel solo, but I still love it so much, and it’s so fucking nostalgic and amazing. God.

Final Thoughts: This is one of those episodes where Glee just got it right. It’s nostalgic, it’s emotional, it gives closure, and it gives hope. I absolutely love it. Well done, Glee. Well done.

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[miasswier]

miasswier’s ultimate glee ranking: 42

42: Vitamin D

Written by: Ryan Murphy Directed by: Elodie Keene

Overall Thoughts: This is one of season one’s strongest episodes, hands down. Even though it focuses mostly on the Will/Emma/Terri/Ken fiasco and Finn and Rachel, it still includes enough of the ensemble cast to make this feel like the beginnings to the ensemble show that Glee would eventually become. Plus, it’s honestly hilarious.

What I Like:

The scenes were the kids are on “vitamin d” are legitimately funny. I was dying through both Finn and Rachel’s monologues. The performances were pretty funny too.

The scene where Finn just wants to take a nap and Terri keeps talking to him. Honestly, same Finn. Same.

Howard Bamboo makes another appearance! I love that guy, honestly. He’s really funny as well as incredibly sweet. I wish we’d seen more of him.

The first time we see Sue’s Journal! The start of something great, my friends.

I don’t know if this was on purpose, but I really appreciated that the show called out the double standard to which they were holding Terri and Emma. Even though Terri is manipulative and gross throughout this whole episode, she still manages to blur the lines between the “Terri – bad; Emma – good” dichotomy that the show has thus far held. Having her call out the fact that going after a married man – even if his wife is the devil – is super fucking shitty was actually a really great move on Glee’s part. For the first time Emma seems like a more complex character. We’re finally allowed to see her as someone who is flawed (thus far her only flaw has been her OCD, and like… a mental illness is not a flaw ffs), and not just a nice way for Will to escape the horrors of his marriage. It’s also nice because it makes the audience think – are we really in the right for wanting Will and Emma to be together? Even though most of their flirtation is occurring while Will is married? Again, I repeat, I don’t think Will and Terri are a good couple. Terri is manipulative and abusive and toxic and gross. Will should have divorced her in episode fucking one. But it’s still pretty iffy that we’re meant to support a relationship between a married man and a woman who isn’t his wife just because his actual wife is bad. I really wish that they’d made Emma’s crush one-sided until Will and Terri officially divorced. But whatever.

Finn and Rachel admitting that cheating didn’t actually make them feel good, and coming clean about it. Even if it caused lots of problems, at least they did the right thing.

THAT QUINN AND RACHEL SCENE!!!! Honestly why did they never make Faberry a thing? We could have had it ~all…… (also it’s one of the first scenes that actually legitimately passes the bechdel test, so).

Terri and Will talking about ants at the dinner table. Classic Glee comedy.

Kurt putting on sunglass to watch the girls’ performance

What I Don’t Like:

The way Emma accepts Ken’s proposal is actually really ugly. She basically tells him that she doesn’t love him and will only marry him if they act like they’re not a couple. It’s played for laughs, but it’s actually disgusting. Again, we’re definitely seeing another side to Emma in this episode – she really isn’t the all good to Terri’s all bad after all.

Will forcing Kurt to be with the boys. Just because your masculinity is so fragile you can’t imagine still considering yourself a man while preferring to spend time with women doesn’t mean that Kurt’s is. Kurt would have been way more comfortable with the girls, especially considering 4 out of the other 5 guys have contributed to Kurt’s bullying (we never see Mike or Matt doing so, but I mean, come on. Finn is presented as the only “nice” jock in the beginning of the show, and even he wasn’t stopping them from dumping Kurt in the dumpster. I can’t imagine quiet Mike and Matt were exactly standing up for him). It’s yet another example of Will being The Worst.

Terri is really just a terrible nurse and the fact that Figgins hired her at all just shows that McKinley is literally a dump.

Finn and Rachel singing lead…………. again. I get it. They’re the main characters of the show. But come on. It’s six episodes in and we’ve basically only heard them sing. It’s getting kind of old.

Songs

It’s My Life/Confessions Part II: Okay, so this is one of my all time favourite mash-ups Glee ever did. It’s got great rhythm, the songs mash well together, and Finn and Artie sound awesome. Plus, it’s just really energetic. I want to dance when I hear it. A+, Glee. A+.

Halo/Walking on Sunshine: Rachel singing Beyoncé has always felt wrong to me. While the song is just as upbeat and energetic as the boys’ number, I feel that the songs don’t mash as well as the boys’ choice, and having Rachel sing both parts while Mercedes does some background vocals just… doesn’t work for me. I’ve never been a fan of this number. I’m glad they stepped up their game in the season 2 mash-up competition.

Final Thoughts: Don’t miss this one. Vital to any re-watch, and super vital to a first watch. A really strong episode with a great comedic element that allots more time to plot than to songs, making it well-rounded and just overall really, really good.

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