Glee 5×20 Review: The Untitled Rachel Berry Project

The Glee season 5 finale did something I was not expecting. It made me look forward to the shows return for a sixth and final season. I’m not saying the episode didn’t have its faults, but the things it did manage to deliver made it one of the best episodes throughout the season.

The best part of the episode was how relationships were handled. Blaine (Darren Criss) told Kurt (Chris Colfer) about his lies and Kurt stormed out. The moment Blaine started to play the piano I knew trouble was coming for the engaged couple. However, the drama ended before the episode’s end and I couldn’t help but be surprised how the writers handled the two characters. Kurt has grown a lot throughout the season and his maturity can be clearly seen. He forgave Blaine and told him he understood where he was coming from. June Dolloway (Shirley MacLaine) wasn’t so understanding and I felt angry whenever she mentioned Kurt as Blaine’s friend and not as his fiancé. Kurt didn’t go down without a fight and there was an amazing scene where he told her he wasn’t Blaine’s friend, he was the love of his life. In the end, Blaine invited Kurt to perform “America Boy” with him, and June finally accepted Kurt. I think it’s the shows way to confirm that those two aren’t going anywhere.

Sam and Mercedes’s relationship came to an end this week. Sam found it hard to abstain from sex and wait until marriage. Their friends also advised the two to breakup because Mercedes was going on tour. It was a fashion photographer that opened their eyes to reality. The female photographer kissed Sam and he ran to Mercedes telling her about it. The two broke up, but still remained friends. I feel it was the right thing to do. There’s no point in being selfish even when you are in love.

Coming to the things I had trouble with in the episode. The show has been trying to find its ground ever since introducing the new Glee club and Finn’s death. When the show permanently moved to NY, I started to like the episodes, but even it felt as if the story had no clear direction. Rachel (Lea Michele) got her Broadway show but it was quickly dropped with her wanting to do something else this season. Mary Halloran, played by the amazing Kristen Schaal, wrote a pilot script for Rachel’s own TV show and it was fun to watch those scenes. However, do people really let go of their dreams so soon? It’s weird to realize that we’ve been seeing her pursue her Broadway dream for five years only for her to let it all go when she obtained it.

Santana (Naya Rivera) wasn’t present in the finale. I guess it had something to do with the rumors about her not being happy with the show and Lea Michele. I’m not even sure if she’ll return next season. Santana was one of the highlights of Glee.

The finale showed the character going their different ways. Sam went back to Lima and I have no idea why.  Mercedes went on tour with Brittany as her backup dancer., Artie remained in film school, Blaine moved in with Kurt, and Rachel headed to L.A to shoot her pilot. They all promised to meet back in six months. I’m looking forward to the show’s return. Hopefully the writers will have enough time to think about what they want to do in the sixth and final season of a show that took the world by storm when it debuted.

What did you think of the final? Please share in the comments below!

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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