Glee returns from its brief vacation with its tribute to the King of Pop ‘Michael,” which sees Rachel and Kurt awaiting news of their NYADA applications while the New Directions take on the Warblers for the rights to use Michael Jackson songs at the upcoming Regionals.
Don’t have the time to spare? Then here’s what you missed on Glee‘s ‘Michael!’
Santana, Blaine and the other New Directions traverse the halls of McKinley high thinking on their victory at Sectionals and the spectacle of Michael Jackson songs, when Mr. Schuester chimes in that there might be an opportunity to the group to pay more attention to Michael. With that encouragement, the group launches into an impromptu number of ‘Wanna Be Startin’Something’with Blaine in the lead, everyone taking on different Michael Jackson looks.
Finn finds Rachel in the hall and presses for an answer to his proposal, but while she loves and wants to marry him isn’t sure it’s something they should do right now. Rather than refuse outright, Finn reminds her of how it will strengthen their bond in New York, and asks her to take a few more days in her answer. Later over coffee, the New Directions discuss the significance of Michael Jackson when evil Warbler Sebastian (Grant Gustin) shows up to inform them that thanks to a tip from Blaine, the Dalton Academy Warblers have taken their idea of using Michael Jackson.
The New Directions commiserate and almost reach a point of blaming Blaine for what happened, but Finn encourages them not to complain, and Mr. Schue agrees that the best way to get in a competitive mindset is to start a week themed ‘What Would Michael Jackson Do?’To that end, the New Directions call for the Warblers to meet them in a parking garage where they perform a dueling rendition of ‘Bad’for the rights to Michael Jackson, which culminates in Sebastian throwing a slushie in Blaine’s eye that gravely injures him.
It turns out that Blaine has a scratched cornea and will need surgery, leading the group to suspect there might have been something in the slushie, though they can’t prove it. Will informs the group that Dalton has opened an investigation into the matter, when Artie objects launching into a tirade about how sick he is of turning the other cheek to others, and that Mr. Schuester doesn’t understand the depth of their frustration and anger. Swearing revenge on the Warblers, Artie imagines himself and Mike Chang in a full on shot-for-shot remake of Janet and Michael Jackson’s ‘Scream,’before Mr. Schuester tells him to go cool off.
Later, Rachel seeks Quinn’s advice on Finn’s proposal, when Quinn in turn reveals her fortuitous acceptance to Yale, parlaying the news into a lesson for Rachel that she shouldn’t take an anchor of her past into her bright future. Despite the harsh implications, Quinn advises that she break up with Finn. Remembering her own past loves, Quinn sings ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’before the group, and later thanks everyone in New Directions for their unending support through trying times that got her into Yale.
Santana finds Kurt still fuming about what happened to Blaine, but rather than stoop to petty revenge they both agree to take the high road in their battle against the Warblers. Speaking of rekindled fires, Sam then texts Mercedes to the auditorium, where he proposes a romantic duet of ‘Human Nature.’Though hesitant at first, Mercedes finds herself won over through the song, and the duet culminates in a kiss for the pair.
Some time later, Burt Hummel (Mike O’Malley) interrupts his son in class to bring a letter bearing results of his NYADA application, which reveal that Kurt is among the finalists being considered. He and his father share incredible glee at the news, but when Kurt tries to share his joy with Rachel she reveals that she’s yet to receive any kind of letter. The walls start closing in for Rachel, who laments the fact that she has no idea what her future holds beyond her relationship with Finn. Later, Rachel, Blaine, Finn and Kurt all visit an eye-patched Blaine before his surgery, and cheer him up with a performance of ‘Ben.”
Over at Dalton Academy, Santana confronts Sebastian and the rest of the Warblers, who won’t admit to putting anything in the slushie, and that it was meant for Kurt anyway. Santana questions his honor and Sebastian demands satisfaction, and the two circle around dueling cellists performing ‘Smooth Criminal!’In the end, Sebastian confesses to loading Blaine’s slushie with rock salt, and finishes with throwing a regular slushie in Santana’s face.
Having taped the conversation, Santana takes Sebastian’s confession to her fellow glee clubbers, but Kurt insists that they shouldn’t seek payback from everyone who wrongs them, but rather teach them a lesson. Before they all head to the auditorium however, Finn pulls Rachel aside to remind her that she responds more to song than ordinary words, and a shared duet of ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,’finally brings a ‘˜yes’to Finn’s proposal!
In the auditorium, the Warblers show up to hear the New Directions’announce that they’ve withdrawn their bid for Michael Jackson songs, adding that as show choirs they should be supportive of one another. They start a rendition of ‘Black or White’which the Warblers slowly rise from their seats and join in support, with the exception of Sebastian. Sebastian insists on maintaining their rivalry, to which Santana reveals to his fellow Warblers his confession of loading the slushie with rock salt, breaking their confidence in their leader.
Later, Rachel finds Kurt in the hall to announce that she too is a finalist for NYADA, but when Kurt asks if she’s told Finn, she suddenly grows worried.
So did you like Glee‘s “Michael Jackson”? Do you think Rachel’s response to the proposal will change with news of her NYADA status? What did you think about the episode’s music? Join us next week for an all-new episode of Glee on FOX!
