In "Dance with Somebody," the latest installment of FOX's Glee, the end is nigh for McKinley's graduating seniors, and everyone begins to feel it. Kurt (Chris Colfer) text-cheats on Blaine (Darren Criss), who is pulling away, scared of losing Kurt when he leaves for college. Will (Matthew Morrison) tries to push his wedding up to May, worried that his favorite students won't return for it. Santana (Naya Rivera) admits she's going to miss Rachel (Lea Michele), with whom she has finally become friends. And Quinn (Dianna Agron) gets a lot closer to Joe (Samuel Larsen). All of this happens while singing a loving tribute to the recently departed Whitney Houston.
Reviews for this episode: Turmoil / New Love / Goodbyes
Now the goodbyes begin. "Dance with Somebody" is the first episode in which characters begin to have their closing scenes together, finishing plots the series probably won't have time to address again before the end of the season, which will be probably the last episode a number of central characters will be in, not counting inevitable returning guest spots.
Along these lines, Rachel and Santana's moment and awesome "So Emotional" is fantastic! The two haven't had a lot of story, other than perhaps Santana picking on Rachel, but it still feels deserved that they have this moment. Both have grown, and considering the talent that they share, there should be some type of acknowledgement here, as there is. The picture-in-the-locker bit may be slightly hokey, but fit perfectly within this story. Wonderful!
And Puck (Mark Salling), too, does something surprising, giving his friends shot glasses and leading a locker room toast. Who knew Puck could express his bromantic tendencies in such an eloquent way?
Even better is Burt's (Mike O'Malley) emotional bedroom scene with Kurt. Burt tells his son that they will always have a special connection, but it definitely feels like the closing of an important chapter. Burt has been a source of strength for Kurt through a hard time in his life, and this conversation proves that the relationship is mutual. The two's interactions have been a highlight of Glee, and it's heartbreaking that "Dance with Somebody" may be the last gleeks get of Burt.
Students graduate. That's life. Will's attachment to this particular class is kind of unhealthy. True, they are the first group of students with whom he lives out his true teaching dream. But that doesn't mean they will be his last. And surely he understands that, as much as he will miss them, they need to live their lives. Isn't the point of being a teacher to help them on that path? Sadly, Will doesn't seem to get it, even after Emma (Jayma Mays) talks him down from his crazy rushed wedding. Will's sadness is valid, but he is not dealing with it well.
One gets the impression in "Dance with Somebody" that the kids are very attached to Will, or at least each other in the group he has built. They all show up for his non-mandatory practice, and sing a gleeful, yet tear-jerking, rendition of "My Love Is Your Love." Will they come back for Will's wedding, perfectly scheduled for November sweeps? It seems quite possible.
Reviews for this episode: Turmoil / New Love / Goodbyes
Five weeks left until graduation! Let the count down begin! You can do so by watching Glee Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. In Lexington, FOX is channel 7 (analog), 910 (high definition cable), and 388 (satellite).
If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of the Glee reviews I've ever written. To purchase Glee DVDs, streaming episodes, music, and more, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: Glee - "Dance with Somebody" on Blogcritics.
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