Strap in Gleeks, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Welcome to Season 4 and the second half of the series. This half will be... interesting, and this season will be a roller-coaster in particular for many reasons; new characters with slightly familiar personalities, the second of three significant Wham Episodes, Ryan Murphy showing more of his ass storytelling-wise... and, though we obviously didn't know it at the time, this was the swan song for Glee's resident Gentle Giant. Real Life Writes the Plot in what would turn out to be very tragic circumstances. However, it's not all bad, in that we do have a future superhero amongst the pack, so let's get it on.
We start Season 4 in a dance studio, and amongst the dancers we see a familiar nose. Welcome to the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, and it's newest pupil, one Rachel Berry. The class is Dance 101, and the instructor is one Cassandra "Cassie" July, played by Kate Hudson, and is basically Quinn Fabray crossed with Sue Sylvester, a dangerous amalgamation. This is the first of many appearances by the bitchy blonde who antagonizes Rachel (wait a minute...), and she proceeds to run down the freshman, assign names and generally torture as you do. Upon seeing Rachel react to said name assignments, she stops the music, and poor Rachel gets all of her attentions, "earning" the nickname "Schwimmer". Cassie correctly assumes the small town locale, then, after Rachel trips, tells her she sucks. As Rachel slowly realizes that it's one thing to get to NYADA, but another to stay there, for the first time this season we hit the Title Card.
...and we see Jacob Ben Israel. I can't be bothered to care enough to get angry, besides it's one of only two appearances this season, so we can grit our teeth. He does his usual creepy interactions with the remaining members of New Directions, the major plot point being Tina has an assistant, Dottie Kazatori, whom as you would come to expect this season, treats here like shit. Tina's character will go all over this season, and we soon find out why; as you'd guess, Mike and Tina are no more, the long-distance thing getting to them. There'll be another example of that in a few episodes as we cut to the rest of the remaining ND members as JBI says Rachel was the star and the question is who will be Title Drop? Cut to Rachel's dorm and a V/O about how it's nice she's missed and how she's missing everybody, including a certain ex of hers whom she hasn't spoken to since they split. We then see her slightly dubious campus lodgings, featuring a roommate who enjoys her copulations. We then cut to the coed bathrooms as she exclaims that for privacy purposes she showers nocturnally. However, in this case she's not alone as we, per custom, hear some good pipes as the owner of said pipes emerges. This is Brody Weston, played by ex-Neighbour Dean Geyer and let's go and spare you the trouble and say it now: He's the Disposable Love Interest for the season, designed to basically be a more generally intelligent and wordly Finn, matching up with a "new" Rachel. However, because the idea was for Finchel to find themselves then eventually reunite, we know he won't last the season. We'll of course find out why later on. Anyway, despite having a train pass to go see the woman who's supposed to cause this feeling, Rachel takes one look at Brody and immediately the bottom falls out of her undershorts. Sigh. Brody is in Cassie's class as well, and while tough, he did get a gig in the chorus of Working, so her methods are effective. He too has body rituals, saying the body is both paintbrush and canvas; Rachel seems to gel with him, and innocent flirting ensues, Brody saying she's there because she's the best of the best, and that she needs to start believing that. Oh, and he's straight. As Rachel ponders all that, we cut to a sidewalk where Kurtchel are conversing; seems they've been at it every three hours. Kurt asks about Brody, and since the meeting JUST happened, of course she denies she likes him. Rae? The giggling schoolgirl tone isn't helping. After some Blatant Lies designed to paint Kurt a better picture than reality, we then see that Kurt's at what's now his old stomping grounds, arriving to meet one Tracksuit Toddler. Yes, in between seasons Sue's had her child, one that she's named Robin and wow Sue's glowing.
And from there... remember when we said we'd have new characters with slightly familiar personalities? Well, we meet the first one, one Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin), Sue's new "head bitch" and who's basically the Unholy Trinity merged together and diluted down to their most dubious traits. At the moment, she's on diaper duty, but not before laying down a Santana-worthy quip about how gay people were all successful overachievers. As this naturally hurts Kurt where he lives, he is not pleased. Sue of course then rubs it in just a bit more, leading Kurt to reveal he's starting community college the following week. Oh how you prove her right, Porcelain. From there's it's to the choir room where Will hold court over the now senior ND members (well, minus Joe and Sugar). Will says that a Nationals win and thus new popularity should make this an easy recruitment drive. He's right; as soon as the signup sheet is put up, it's a veritable stampede to fill it in. He then says that though big voices are gone, huge ones remain. And speaking of, we meet another new cast member. Well, sorta new; since Vocal Adrenaline lost last season, a certain "star performer" became redundant thus requiring a transfer. Yes folks, New Directions just got "Unique". As Brittany implies through confusion, Unique is basically Kurtcedes' love child. However, it seems ND is generally displeased, since they remember the hoopla Unique got at Nationals, they fear she'll be the "New Rachel". Will, naturally, disagrees with the "star" concept, saying they won Nationals as a team. As Unique sits down, she stakes her own claim to the title and the battle lines are therefore drawn and the challenge is laid out: Auditorium, 5PM, high notes at 10 decibels. Cut to said auditorium and the fight is on with Jepsen as the weapon and Artie as judge; we'll get his choice later as we go to break.
We return to the Lima Bean, where Blaine asks Brittany how Santana is, Brit-Brit saying she's really busy. We're gonna say Foreshadowing and move on to see Kurt works there now, and of course we see Kitty there too because yeah. After the obligatory bossing around, and the expected proof that this isn't really the best job for him, we cut to Cassie showing joy for a student who opted out of being her T.A. due to Wicked rehearsals which were due to her recommendation, proving that she'll rain hell on everyone only to toughen them up for Broadway. As he leaves, she gets melancholy; after pouring herself a strong one, we suddenly cut back to Lima where ND wants Artie's decision. And then... we see a young brunette walk by and announce her plan to audition. This is Marley Rose, essentially a more grounded Rachel... and an alternate universe doppelgänger of one Kara Zor-El. Yes, as with Grant Gustin last season, three years before flying to National City, and one year after showing some surprising Fanservice on Homeland, Melissa Benoist makes her major series debut here. As she leaves, Unique approaches, only to be told of the pecking order, and that while there is a truce between ND and the more dubious elements, both sides know it's only a matter of time before improper order is restored. As Unique leaves, Kitty and two random Titans arrive. Said titans decide to go in on the new lunch lady, one who is rather on the large side. ND feign laughter, Brittany offering a non-sequitur that is of course mistaken for a crack. However, when Artie is called on for a quip, the pull of popularity is too much to resist, so he goes in as well. Now, insults aren't usually random, they serve a purpose; we see that purpose as we reveal Marley sitting at the next table over, not too happy. We then see why as we cut to the school kitchen where we see said lunch lady, one Millie Rose, knitting as her daughter approaches. Mama Rose is knitting an outfit for Marley to audition with, seems they live a simple lifestyle with such elements as sewing name brand tags on handmedowns. Millie says that the audition needs to be special, and Marley is understandably worried. Mama Rose dismisses, saying she has a gift and the world needs to see it. As they embrace, it's back to Cassie's studio where she immediately goes in on Rachel; she instead offers token reasons for her current inadequacy. Cassie cares naught, saying anyone can have her slot if she doesn't want it hard enough. She's right of course, but Rachel, still not completely adapting to her surroundings, simply points out the booze on her breath. Cue proverbial needle scratch. Okay, yes Rachel, having any member of any faculty of any school show up blitzed is never a good thing. However, it seems as though Cassie's a functioning alcoholic, which can work in some circumstances. Nonetheless, in this context, this is grounds to say the following for the first time this season: Rachel, you're an idiot. Cassie demurs, calling it "Listerine" before offering evidence of the "functioning alcoholic" theory, such as cueing up a Gaga/JLo mashup and surprising us with Kate Hudson's own impressive pipes, Rachel properly chastised as we go to break.
We return to see ND plus Kurt at auditions; we first see a new background character, "Stoner Brett", then one De'Wanda Umber with some Skrillex, which it should be noted, has no words. Me thinks both of them didn't get the memo. Cut to the signup sheet, and we see a new face scare off the extra already there. His name is Jake (Jacob Artist)... and let's wait until later in the episode to find out his connections. He goes into The Fray, however he is cut off halfway through due to time constraints. The boy is, displeased, taking it out on the surrounding instruments. Sorta kinda familiar, huh? Back to NYADA, where Madame Carmen Tibadeaux arrives. This is in a "round room": perfect acoustics, and literally nowhere to hide. Freshmen will sing there, and at a "Winter Showcase" at the end of the semester, invitation to which is predicated on performance here. Brody calls this a "freshmen reaping", as it appears the Madame will straight up expel if the performance is lackluster. We of course see an example of that as a poor unsuspecting girl tries her hand, but is dismissed promptly. This is all designed to shake Rachel's already shaky confidence. Fortunately for her, she's gets some unsuspecting help, as at that very moment in Lima, it's Marley's turn to audition and as one is an analog for the other, both partake of the most obvious song Rachel could sing at that moment. And as with Grant Gustin, if you only know Melissa Benoist as Supergirl, prepared to be surprised, as her pipes are arguably on par with Lea Michele's. As we see all Rachel needed was to sing and she's back in her comfort zone. Afterwards, both ND and the Madame give props as we go to break.
After a deleted scene in which Sue tells Will he has to tighten up his standards so as not to weaken the group, we return to him putting up the audition results up. Both Marley and Jake loiter, then Marley zooms up. She's in, and as she leaves (and in the process gives Jake an eye), Jake walks up and to no one's shock, doesn't find his name up there. The boy is displeased as we cut to the choir room where Kurt is laying down sheet music as Blaine and Tina arrive, minion Dottie producing a cupcake bribe to the arriving Artie. Also arriving is Unique in all her glory; when Joe points out they agreed she was to only wear dresses on stage, Kurt calls everybody out, only to be correctly called out by Tina over three years of Kurtchel arguing over solos. Artie then gives his choice: Blaine. He is pleased, no one else is. However, Will is pleased to officially welcome Marley to the group. After resident fashionista Sugar gives Marley's supposed "J-Crew" outfit the side eye, we cut to Millie stunned that her kid was the only one out of the whole group who got in. After Marley spells out the primary difference between her and her predecessor; namely, pop radio vs Broadway, she reveals the one reservation about her joining, ND making fun of Millie, as under duress as it was. Millie reveals she keeps Marley at arms length when out in public because she wants her to succeed, apparently taking the name calling in stride. Cut to the courtyard where Klaine talk, Blaine telling Kurt he needs to get to New York as staying in Lima is breaking him. Blaine? Future events of your own doing will dictate you should've hushed. Kurt asks about them, and again, future events will prove this all the more heartbreaking. In the meantime, the presence of cups leads to some "Pitch Perfect" Imagine Dragons, Klaine embracing as we go to break.
We return to the cafeteria, where after a token protest from Brittany over Blaine being Title Drop, it's back to insulting Millie. However, Marley has had all she can stands and she can stands no more, throwing herself on the social grenade by outing Millie as her mom. ND drop faces as we cut to Rachel in a courtyard, pining over pictures of Finn. Brody arrives and you can pretty much tell he has a thing for her. Anyway, he says she killed in with Tibadeaux and she says what we said earlier, that singing is her comfort zone while she's out of hers otherwise. Brody makes a point, she came to, whether she realizes it or not, reinvent herself. He takes a selfie as a "new" memory, to add to the old ones, the idea being to embrace the new her. Yeah, see, "new" Rachel, "new" Finn. Of course, there is the matter of the "old" Finn, but we'll deal with that later. Cut back to Cassie's class, where we see that "new" spirit in action, Rachel declaring she'll be the best, Cassie declaring she'll break her. Cut to Lima Airport where Papa Burt prepares to say goodbye. Kurt offers token protests, but Burt says that after everything Kurt's gone through, NYADA or not, he can finally be himself. They finally separate, tears in eyes, and pride in Burt's heart as we go to break. We return to Marley at her locker when Sam arrives to apologize, saying he gets her deal, as he too had his mom sew designer tags onto dubious clothes. He says the thing about ND is that labels are left at the door; the rest of ND arriving to apologize as well. Unfortunately for them, Marley and Unique quickly realize that even a moment of weakness can be capitalized on, as Kitty and her Titan henchmen arrive. The hands behind the back serve as the tell and sure enough, out come the Big Quenches as Marley and Unique are officially welcomed to McKinley in improper fashion. Disorder is restored and ND are back at the bottom of the heap.
From there, we start the first home stretch of the season with Will getting a file from the receptionist, then summoning Jake to his office. After Jake rails on Will for his incomplete audition, we then find out why some of his behavior seemed so familiar... he takes after his half-brother Noah. Yep. Seems Papa Puckerman had a eye for the ladies; in fact, Jake is the product of the affair that led to Daddy Puck bailing on his family. Will mentions how ND changed Puck and that he stopped the audition because he knew Jake had it. However, delaying the inevitable, Jake blows Will off, saying he likes the chip he has on his shoulder and isn't knocking it off for anyone. Cut to the auditorium for some Adele, Marley watching ND rehearse before Blaine leads her onto the stage to join in as, like brother like brother, in a callback to the pilot, we see Jake watching them before departing, though not without returning the eye gaze Marley gave him. Hmm. However, more relevant scenes occur as we intercut to Rachel seeing more Finn pics and finally breaking down; you can be "new" all you want, but sometimes emotions are triggered without warning. She calls Kurt and confesses the truth about everything, and that she really needs someone. Fortunately, Kurt's only a fountain away and they embrace, Kurtchel where they belong, but with a long road ahead of them, and for us. Hold on tight gleeks, this ride's only getting started.
Next Time: Once again, it's Brittany, bitch.
Songs:
- Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen, performed by Blaine, Brittany, Tina, and Unique.
- Sister Christian by Night Ranger, performed by Brody Weston.
- Americano/Dance Again by Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull, performed by Cassandra July with the NYADA dance class.
- Busters Get Popped by Stoner Brett Bukowski.
- Kyoto by Skrillex, performed by De'Wanda Umber
- Never Say Never by The Fray, performed by Jacob "Jake" Puckerman.
- Ave Maria by Franz Schubert, performed by Beatrice McClaine.
- New York State of Mind (Barbra Streisand version), by Billy Joel, performed by Rachel and Marley Rose.
- It's Time by Imagine Dragons, performed by Blaine and the Cheerios.
- Chasing Pavements by Adele, performed by Marley with New Directions.
Tropes:
- Commuting on a Bus: Santana, who would only make five appearances in the first thirteen episodes.
- Counterpoint Duet of Differences: New Directions' veteran members.
- Distant Duet: Marley and Rachel's - not the first, but they weren't the go-to that these next two seasons love.
- Double-Meaning Title: Who will become the Rachel of glee, the fact that the grads now have expies who are either called so ("new Santana Lopez" - Figgins' habit) or just by the original characters' name ("nice haircut, Mercedes, I thought you graduated?" - Brittany's habit), and because the old kids are becoming new people.
- Expy: The new kids of the graduated ones.
- Because of the old characters calling the new kids the old kids' names, Kitty uses insults praying on the one difference the new kid has with their graduated counterpart to try and make the audience forget.
- And Sue returns the favor: "Kitty's my new head bitch. She's like a young Quinn Fabray, except she's not pregnant, manic depressive, or in and out of a wheelchair."
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Fake American: At least, supposing Brody is American. He's played by South African Dean Geyer, and his accent is all over. - Female Gaze: Rachel gets a good eyeful of Brody when he steps out of the shower.
- Ms. Fanservice: Cassie, new Rachel.
- Significant Name Overlap: In-Universe. Remember the name of that seven-year-old that Brittany dated as a joke for two minutes—Wes Brody? Now reverse that.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Jake has just transferred, and when he signs up for glee club he only puts down the name "Jake". Will asks him for a little more - a full first name and a surname perhaps - but he refuses. Even though Puck doesn't know about him, he knows about his brother and doesn't want to be just "Puck II".
- Running Gag: Rachel discovers Brody...singing in the shower. Minus the
Ho Yay of early discoveries. - Shout-Out: Blaine and the Cheerios! not only dance to "It's Time", they do the cup song.
- Title Drop:Jacob ben Israel: Which one of you is the New Rachel?
Everyone: I am! - Three Minutes of Writhing: "Americano/Dance Again"
