Recap: "The Rhodes Not Taken"

Yes! It’s the episode Gleeks everywhere have been waiting for: Kristin Chenoweth guest stars on Glee. Find out what’s going on at McKinley High after the jump (spoilers ahead):

This week, Mr. Schue learns that Carmel High is intentionally flunking students to keep them in rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline (no wonder those actors are so old-looking), so he enlists alcoholic dropout April Rhodes (Chenoweth) to replace Rachel. The sinful April wins the club over by corrupting them, and Emma confronts Will about the compromises he’s making. Is Emma right, or is she just jealous of Will’s “first crush”? (Emma’s poor luck in love keeps getting more and more hilarious. The episode implies that she once had an “online flirtation” with Andrew Cunanan.) Meanwhile, Rachel’s prospects are limited to future YDN-reporter Jacob who just wants to see her “over-the-shoulder boulder holder.” Finn swoops in to put the moves on her again, but he's actually wooing her to come back to glee so he can get a music scholarship. Finn, we didn’t know you were capable of manipulative scheming! Shameless. The truth comes out, and Rachel lets him have it -- a welcome change from her tiresome moping. FlyBy loved that she also has a verbal catfight with Glinda the Good Witch Chenoweth herself. April gets her moment in the spotlight, repents (a bit), and steps aside in time for Rachel's overdue return and the finale.

Musical Numbers

“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey

The song is a good throwback (we were starting to wonder if New Directions was bothering to amass a repertoire or just burning through new song after song) and it serves its purpose of highlighting the club’s dependence on Rachel. But the number is weak, and not just because it’s short. Quinn’s voice cracks, and based on Mr. Schue’s non-reaction, it’s not part of the plot.

C

“Maybe This Time” made famous by Liza Minnelli

April and Rachel both make it their own and skip the Liza impression. Chenoweth nails it, of course. The song’s perfect for her character, and she plays it effortless, funny, and sympathetic. Rachel cleverly turns the optimistic song on its head, making it about unraveling desperation. But while actress Lea Michele hits the notes beautifully, she just doesn’t leave herself quite enough room to act, coming across more shell-shocked than dejected.

A-

“Cabaret” made famous by Liza Minnelli

Rachel camps it up in this snippet, but fascist art director Sandy Ryerson is right – it’s boring. The song’s about living life to the fullest, so why is she holding herself back?

D

“Alone” by Heart

Goodness, does Chenoweth have some crossover appeal. Why is the woman not a pop star yet? April belts and brings back the 80s, while Mr. Schue provides spot-on backup vocals. If only the performance were a little longer.

A-/B+

“Last name” by Carrie Underwood

Glee’s songs are usually very literal choices, so we were a bit thrown by this one. It apparently serves the purpose of introducing April’s character … before she leaves. The choreography is tepid, and the performance is only saved by the strength of the song itself and by April’s sass.

B

“Somebody to Love” by Queen

With Finn’s thin, airy voice sliding up to its pitch, the song’s weak start had FlyBy skeptical. Why tackle this without Freddie Mercury? But as it progresses, the arrangement weaves the main vocal line into a duet and emphasizes the collaborative elements of the song’s choral ending. The choreography is simple, but with Rachel finding her voice again and Mercedes getting a chance to shine, it’s more than enough. Bring on the first competition.

A

Missing Plotlines

Sue’s Corner

Sue’s barely in this episode. We’re sure she’s busy cooking something devilish up – can’t wait to find out what. Best Only line of the week: “I was aroused, then furious.”

The Short Version

Kurt gets drunk. Puck spills the beans on Quinn. FlyBy loves Kristin Chenoweth. Rachel (finally) rejoins New Directions, the “world’s worst Benneton ad.”

Seconds before someone runs out of the practice room in distress: 25

Is Fox-owned Myspace.com a plot point: Yes

Overall: A. Great character development. The strongest collection of musical numbers since the pilot. This episode is going to be a classic when we look back.