‘Glee’ returned on February 7th, with special guest star Ricky Martin in ‘The Spanish Teacher’. Besides offering some ‘muy caliente’ Latin numbers, the episode delivers some very surprising and emotionally memorable scenes.
'Glee' Season 3 has brought growth and transformation for almost every character. This episode marks some important turning points for Sue (Jane Lynch) and for Finn (Cory Monteith).
First, Sue (Jane Lynch) drops the bomb that she wants to have a child and wants Will (Matthew Morrison) to be the sperm donor. Will is shocked by her request, and tries to let her down easily, saying that it wouldn’t be fair to Emma (Jayma Mays).
Emma, on the other hand, boldly tells Sue that it is an inappropriate request. She also demands to know why she would choose Will, when she hates him so much.
Sue’s answer is totally unexpected and shows the depth of her heart:
‘I’m cunning. I’m vindictive. I spend a large portion of every day vibrating with a palatable sense of wild irrational rage. I don’t ever want my kid to feel that. And every time I’ve insulted Will or tried to stop him in his crusade to ruin pop culture by wiping his wooly behind with the American song book, he’s always risen up and met me with kindness. If goodness and optimism are somehow genetic, that’s what I want for my child.’
And, a race for tenure is on, and Prinicipal Figgins informs Sue that a student has filed a complaint against her and he’s concerned about her performance.
At the end of the episode, Becky (Lauren Potter) starts to confess to Sue that she filed the complaint. Sue stops her and tells her she already knows. Then she says:
‘Did you mean what you wrote? That you’re worried that I’m not as focused on the Cheerios as I used to be? Then you don’t need to be sorry. Thank you for the feedback. Oh Becky, but impending motherhood doth give me perspective. Oh Becky, I’m reminded of all my passions. Winning, my girls, destroying my enemies. Motherhood’s not gonna change that. If anything, it makes me want them far more. You’re an excellent co-captain Becky. You’re like me, not afraid to make the tough calls.’
Becky goes to leave Sue’s office then turns and says:
‘Coach, you’re gonna be a great mom.’
Sue is speechless but her expression speaks volumes. Throughout the course of the series, we’ve seen small flashes of Sue’s vulnerability: Her longing for her mother’s approval, her love and kindness toward her sister, her compassion for kids with cancer and presently, the way she loves and embraces Becky.
Jane Lynch is a master at showing us that a woman who often seems to have ice flowing through her veins is still redeemable and capable of love. At first glance, Sue seems like a terrible candidate for motherhood. But then when she so openly admits her faults and expresses the desire that her child turn out better, the thought of Sue being a mom doesn’t seem outrageous at all.
This life-altering decision to be a mom marks a significant change for Sue. She’s finally admitting some of her worst qualities are not something she cherishes, and she’s finally willing and even seeking a way to put someone else’s needs in front of her own.
This episode also addresses the questions swirling around about Finn’s sudden marriage proposal to Rachel. As previously reported, some Flint area Gleeks feel that Finn’s doubts about his future played into his decision to propose when he did. And, other local ‘Glee’ fans feel that it’s not impossible to fall in love in high school and live a long and happily ever after life together.
Joyce Hamilton of Flint is a mother, and grandmother who watches ‘Glee’. She offered these thoughts on February 9th:
‘Lots of couples from my generation married out of high school, and so did their parents. It seems like now, people wait much longer to get married. But, really, l believe that love knows no age. I think it is totally believable and really kind of romantic, that Finn and Rachel may end up with their happily ever after. It seems like after this week, they really do love each other in a ‘forever’ kind of way. Good for them.
But, to get a decent kind of start, they need to finish school, and see where that takes them professionally. They are going to have a much better shot at longevity if they have careers and a guaranteed means of supporting themselves, as well as finding their own identities.'
Hamilton makes a point. The best of marriages can fail due to financial pressures, or, the feeling that one person has held the other back.
It’s obvious when Rachel breaks the news to Mercedes (Amber Riley) and Kurt, that neither one of them think she should marry Finn any time soon. But, Rachel tells them she is certain Finn is ‘the one’ and she totally plans to follow through with going to NYADA and pursuing her Broadway career – with Finn at her side.
But, what about Finn? If one half of a couple is directionless and searching, doesn’t that spell relationship trouble or potential tension at the very least?
Kurt thinks Finn needs to chart a course for his own future and believe in himself, before he even considers marrying Rachel. He even brings him several college brochures from schools in New York to look at.
In the standout scene, Chris Colfer delivers Kurt’s speech as a loving (and brotherly) pep talk. When he basically tells Finn he shouldn’t jump into marrying Rachel right away, Finn gets defensive, saying that Rachel’s the only good thing that he’s got in his life at the moment.
Kurt’s reply is very sincere:
‘No, she isn’t Finn. Look, I get you’ve had a rough year, finding out who your dad really is and losing the scholarship, but you’re a star, Finn. Just as bright as Rachel. You just don’t believe in yourself…
Look, I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t marry Rachel. I love her despite all the crazy and I think that you’d be lucky to marry her – one day. But I don’t want you to turn yourself into nothing but the guy who holds her purse on the red carpet.’
He encourages Finn to figure out who he is and Finn says:
‘I’m not you and I’m not Rachel.’
Kurt continues with:
‘That’s the point, Finn. There are plenty of us, trust me. The one thing the glee clubs and theater programs don’t have is the hot, straight football player who can sing and sort of dance. You’re unique, Finn. Now I can’t see this proposal thing as anything else but you giving up on yourself.’
Finn reassures him again saying, ‘No, no it’s not.’ Then he takes pause and thinks and says:
‘At least I don’t think it is.’
Wait a second. Is Finn having second thoughts?
Kurt turns to leave with these parting words:
‘Your time isn’t up, Finn. It’s just beginning.’
It’s here that a light bulb seems to go on, or a weight seems to lift for Finn and he actually thanks Kurt for the talk.
The moment seems more indicative of Finn’s hope for himself being ignited, than thoughts of calling off the engagement. Is it possible Finn is starting to understand that he can have Rachel and make something of his life, too?
Rachel and Finn’s engagement symbolizes a promise to take each other along into their futures, whatever they may be. They can wait until they are both working with careers before they actually tie the knot. Maybe Rachel and Finn can truly have it all…
Overall, this week’s episode delivered some nice surprises and packed a lot of emotional punch outside of Ricky Martin’s smoking hot ‘Sexy and I Know It’ number and his amazing duet with Naya Rivera.
Plus, Martin makes David Martinez totally lovable and many local Gleeks would love to see him in a recurring role. Talk about duende!
Next week’s episode features Jeff Goldblum and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Rachel’s dads and the debut of ‘Glee Project’ winner Samuel Larsen in a ‘Glee’ Valentine tribute that is all about the love.
‘Glee’ airs Tuesdays in Flint on WSMH FOX66 at 8 PM EST.
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