SOUND OFF: GLEE Shoots For The Heart

Astrology, action and ardent love anthems populated last night's GLEE, highlighted by some of the most heart-pounding, heart-warming and heart-breaking moments shown this season thus far - shocking (seeming) school shooting paramount among the surprising sequences and harrowing shocks that punctuated the slow-burner that heralded GLEE's S4 eleventh-hour return (after a few weeks off) with a bang.

The Gun Song

Taking on a hot button topic in the way GLEE only can do, "Shooting Star", written by Matthew Hodgson and directed by Bradley Buecker, still managed to introduce a number of significant new elements to the GLEE universe while still harkening back to some of the hallmarks that have always made it solid entertainment, despite the ebbs and flows of the series over the course of its four seasons on FOX thus far (the low-point being some of last year's offerings) - after all, first and foremost, the episode began with the aforementioned foreboding parental guidance warning. so we were promptly alerted to the fact that some shake-ups would occur. What followed seemed a normal, everyday GLEE episode, pretty much - in the first of five episodes constituting the conclusion of the fourth season, as it were - spotlighting two knockout tunes and some intriguing plot diversions... and, then, bam!

Intoning the tense dramatic terrain of Ryan Murphy's FX series AMERICAN HORROR STORY - the first season featured a gruesome school shooting as a series-long subplot, actually - the tough subject taken on with the episode may have been hard to handle for some as it was shown, particularly with the event appearing out of the blue as it did, yet, many would and quite rightly argue that that is the way it really happens in life, so: always be prepared - no matter what.

In the end, it was much ado about nearly nothing, anyway - the shots fired were merely Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and Becky (Lauren Potter) fumbling with a handgun named Uma Thurman (yes, she named it; or so she said given it was apparently not hers). Alas, there was intention behind the shots, were there not? A dicey, messy moment sure to provoke conversation and continue to inspire those imploring lawmakers to introduce and implement stricter gun laws.

That being said, a richer conceit cound have been concocted for such a pertinent topic, no?

Nonetheless, as rendered dramatically on the show, the assumed shooting was a totally unexpected and shocking rendering of what could really be one of the most hard-hitting and provocative episodes of the series thus far were it not for the at first jokey and ultimately mildly poignant explanation - maybe it really does not matter how the message got across as long as the point was made that handguns - and all guns - are dangerous, in anyone's hands.

Whatever your opinions, the camera phone confessionals alone were enough to make anyone - let alone a gleek - shed a tear or three, and rightly so. They packed a very powerful punch.

Prior to the metronome-set gunshot-centered scenes, Ryder (Blake Jenner) serenaded his thought-to-be internet instant messenger mate with Elton John's iconic "Your Song" with passion and brought it off with appropriate brio and panache - a beautiful rendition, as sweeping as the proposal behind its dramatic justification in the context of the episode. But, it was just a catfish - that is, someone used a fake identity to take advantage of someone else. The CATFISH subplot is still yet to be played out in full, though, obviously. In the end, McKinley High newcomer Marissa may have made a bit of a monkey out of Ryder, but his love lingers on, no doubt. The next developments could go in any direction. We shall see.

Sam (Chord Overstreet) serenaded Brittany with another power ballad that has seemed destined for GLEE since its starry debut, lo four years ago - Extreme's "More Than Words". Paying full tribute to the original while still employing an attractive and sonorous group chorus harmony in the second half, this was another fine example of GLEE making instructive use of some of modern music's finest and most memorable radio-friendly masterpieces. After all, it doesn't get much better than that sort of thing in the GLEE universe, now or ever and "More Than Words" was more than merely a musical number.

Also, a more recent radio hit, John Mayer's appealing "Say", was given a sensitive and subtly touching take by the members of New Directions at the tail-end of the episode, as well.

"Why worry about carbs when we're all going to die anyway?" asked Mr. Schue (Matthew Morrison) before swigging a glass of red wine and digging into a pasta dinner with Coach Beiste (Dot Jones) - though Beiste had more than marinara on her mind. What is next for Will and Emma, anyway, by the by? Also, what will the future spell for Sue now that she has been axed? What will befall those distressed by the suspected shooting, too? And, speaking of love, new and old, the continuation of a season-long arc involving Rachel (Lea Michele) and Finn (Cory Monteith) is in desperate need of new development, as well, especially now - and, judging from the glittery preview of events to come, we will get exactly that next Thursday. Indeed, how will Cory Monteith's rehab stay effect his presence on the series as it stands? Furthermore, what guest stars are coming up for the final few shows? Since you asked...

Yes, oh, yes, loyal gleeks, Idina Menzel makes her return to GLEE as Shelby Corcoran next week and she is going to be singing something special, too, so be sure to stay tuned!

Like the meteorite that lights the night that it remains to be, GLEE - and GLEE 4.0, to that point - still shines.

Photo Credits: FOX