Goodbye: The Graduates

So, here’s What You Missed on Glee: It’s the season three finale, and most of the glee kids are graduating. Rachel’s off to NYADA, Quinn’s still going to Yale, Santana’s going to give New York a try, Mike Chang got a dance scholarship and Puck actually managed to pass his senior year. Kurt didn’t get in to NYADA but I bet he finds himself in New York anyway, and Finn surprised us all by joining the army. Oh, and Mercedes graduated even though she’s not a senior because she’s going to L.A. to be a backup singer. Geez, how many spinoffs is Ryan Murphy planning?

Rachel’s Melodramatic Solo of the Week:
Graduation brings out major feelings, so most of the songs this week skewed toward the dramatic. But of course, this wouldn’t be a Glee season finale if it didn’t end with a classic Rachel Berry sing-and-cry. She belted out “Roots Before Branches” after leaving Finn behind to chase her dreams in New York.

Yes, that face happened.

How Sue Sees It: In September, we’ll finally get to meet the celebrity father of Sue’s baby. The anticipation is killing me almost as much as these maternity track suits are.

Track Suit Sightings: Two

Brittany Bon Mots: “I was kinda glad when I found out I was flunking, cause it’ll give me a chance to do my senior year all over again – and way better. I’ll show up to my classes this time, plus I’ll get to be a two-term senior class president…What did you think was going to happen to me? I have a 0.0 grade point average.”

Song of the Week: “You Get What You Give” because it brought back memories of my middle school days and the “Now” compilation CDs. But “In My Life” was a close second. In fact, room may have gotten just a tad dusty during that performance, causing my allergies to flare and my eyes to tear a bit. Shut up, I'm not lying.

Best Outfits of the Week: Quinn really brought it this week with her fun, colorful dresses. And girlfriend really knows how to rock a classy hat.

Aren’t we all so glad she didn’t have to put her graduation cap atop that unfortunate pink hair?

And I loved this look Rachel donned at the beginning of the episode – yes, she’s still wearing knee socks and a tam. But the shoes and the fun, nautical shorts say “Rachel Berry is an adult now!”

But really, does anything beat the outfit she wore to arrive in New York?

More Theyskens' Theory...

I adore the shoes, but it’s the jacket, purse and hat that really knock this one out of the park. It looks a tad warm for June (I assume they graduate in June?) in New York, but it is tres Mary Tyler Moore Show. I waited the whole time for her to throw her hat in the air midway through an intersection, but it never happened.

Worst Outfit of the Week: The worst outfit of the week honor goes to Sugar, for whatever was going on here:

Is that a pleated pleather skirt? What’s going on with her hair? She looks like a country club hooker.

Best Outfits on Non-Graduates: I was going to nominate Emma for this imaginary award, because I love a good cardigan.

The belt adds a cute pop of color as well.

But Brittany really takes a cake in this floral dress and hat.

More Lauren Ralph Lauren...

We’re all assuming she thought she was attending a royal wedding, right? Or a garden party?

Best Graduation Entrance: It’s a toss up between Santana’s sassy shimmy and Kurt’s fabulous high kick.

Best Father/Son Moment Of All Time: The best moment of the entire episode came very early on, when Burt Hummel delivered a graduation gift to his son. He’d learned the Single Ladies dance. Remember when he found Kurt rehearsing it with Brittany and Tina, many moons ago?

It doesn’t get more fabulous than this.

Unless you count the reaction Kurt had, which was a delightful mix of laughter and crying.

I don't think you can end a recap (and a season) with a better photo than that.

I also don't know what Glee will look like in the fall or who will still be on it, but I'm glad this season ended on a fashionable note. See y'all in the fall!

Nationals: A Uniquely Good Time!

So here's what you missed on Glee: The kids head to Chicago for Nationals to take on Unique and the rest of Vocal Adrenaline. Mercedes comes down with food poisoning and almost misses the performance. Sue has officially become a gleekster. Rachel royally impresses Carmen Tibideaux and shuts down douchey Jesse. New Directions totes kicked Vocal Adrenaline's arses (even with a star worthy performance by Unique). And oh yea, EMMA AND SCHUE FINALLY DID IT!!!

Rachel's Melodramatic Solo of the Week:
Not only did Rachel have the most kick ass solo this week, she also had the most kick ass hair. Those curls are beyond gorge, and they definitely gave her some sass. Gurl made Celine beyond proud with her rendition of It's All Coming Back To Me Now. It doesn't matter that she looks like Minnie Mouse because Rachel sent chills running through my spine as I reminisced about my young, broody adolescent days where I thought all life's problems could be solved by a Celine Dion song.

How Sue Sees It:
"With Monique down for the count, we are entering the Hunger Games of show choir competition."

Track Suit Sightings: 4

PS: Sue also won the best accessory award with her miniature trophy medal

Brittany Bon Mots: "And plus, my blanket and my pillow fell in the pool. Disaster."

Song of the Week:
It was actually a difficult choice for me this week. Rachel's Celine solo gets my first vote, but since she can't have everything I'm going with Queen's "We Are the Champions" sung for Schue's big Teacher of the Year award! Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" was a very close second.

Best Outfit of the Week: No surprise here. It's our little Emma who's not so little anymore, wink, wink. I absolutely love this black and white flowered dress accented with skinny red belt and red t-strapped shoes.

More White House...

She actually reminds me a bit of Bree Van de Kamp... is Emma already turning into a Real Housewife of Lima?

Worst Outfit of the Week:
Kurt, you know how much I adore you and how much I want to be best friends with you. But there is no way I can condone this outfit, I don't even know what the heck is going on with that thing 'round yo neck. You sure as heck ain't working what yo mama gave ya. And if you would just let me be your BFF4EVA&EVA, you would never have to find yourself in public with a whoa blinged out dog collar, that looks like one Michael Jackson's shoulder pads.

Absolute Cutest Couple on the Face of the Planet:

Seriously, what am I going to do next year without Kurt? Blaine better not find someone new because I won't be able to handle that. And Blaine will never find someone who can look totally adorbs with an Elvis 'do.

Celebrity Judge Who We'd Wish Stayed in Jail:

LiLo you were so gosh darn cute in Parent Trap, now instead of being robbed out of awards, you're stealing jewelry because apparently you can't afford to pay. While your dress could have potential, the super shiny, cheap looking material is blinding my eyes way too much to give it a chance.

Sassiest Celeb Judge who Everyone Secretly Wishes Would Blog About Them:

(Especially us here at YKYLF - but only good things of course)

So just in case Perez ever does read our site, I won't say anything bad about his Pepto Bismol blazer or Pee-Wee Herman-esq pants and socks combo.

Choir Member with the Most Kick Ass At-ti-tude:

Work it sistah/brutha! That dress totes hugs in all the right places! You go gurl/bro!

And the Winner is....

Psych! New Directions won obvi, but Vocal Adrenaline takes the cake in the fashion department. I like sparkles.

Most Perplexing Question of the Night: Why does New Directions always get to sing 3 songs when everyone else only gets to sing 2?

Prom-asaurus: Where You’ll Have a Yabba Dabba Do Time

So here’s what you missed on Glee: Brittany has decreed that everyone shall have a rawr-ing good time at this year’s dinosaur-themed prom. The New Directions are slated to perform at the dance because why outsource the evening’s musical entertainment when you can get it in-house? Everyone’s running for prom queen or king and in a Fiance-of-the-Year move, Finn runs for prom king with his ex-girlfriend instead of being there for his distraught fiancee. The only one not running for high school royalty is Becky, even though she wants it super badly. And her alter-ego is British? Meh, fair enough; so is mine. In the midst of another angsty breakdown, Rachel co-hosts an anti-prom party with Blaine and Kurt that fails miserably. In the end, Becky is crowned the anti-prom queen, Rachel is crowned the legit-prom queen, and surprise! Looks like all the PT with Jar Jar Binks paid off because Quinn can now walk(ish).

Rachel’s Melodramatic Solo of the Week: You know she had to make some sort of dramatic statement, so when Kurt and Blaine crashed what would have/could have been her solo of the week, her melodramatic moment was relegated to one of the fashion variety at the Red Rooster Express.

More Majorica...

How Sue Sees It:
“Advertisers are manipulative alcoholics who use images to play on our emotions.  Haven’t you seen Mad Men?” 

Track Suit Sightings: 3

Song of the Week:
It was slim pickins this week, but it might have to go to “What Makes You Beautiful” because, let’s face it--who here can resist a good boy band?  

 Brittany Bon Mots:
“All hair gel has been banned from the prom.  I’m actually not joking.  Hair gel was not invented until 30 million years after the upper paleolithic stone age.  And frankly, I don’t like the way you look.”

Did someone speak too soon?

Best Outfits:
It’s prom, aka: the Oscars of high school.  And what have we learned after hours of E! Live from the Red Carpet or all that coverage from the Met Gala?  No one cares what the boys are wearing, or who they’re wearing, or if they’ve got a proper bow tie or went rogue with a skinny tie.  The only thing everyone cares about and wants to see is what the girls are wearing.  

Enjoy the obligatory picture of Blaine in all his perfectly attired and immaculately coiffed glory.  Just another day for Mr. Anderson.  

But back to the girls.

I love, love this color on Santana and love even more that she matched her lipstick to her dress.  The fit is glove-like and the combination of the sweetheart and one-shoulder necklines is on-trend.  I also really love that she sang a Selena Gomez song.  

You know what they say: "dress for the job you want, not the job you have." Quinn looks like your Quinn-tessential prom queen with her lilac gown and its flowing skirts. The ruching on her bodice is just enough to keep the dress from falling flat and the diamante straps and waistband add the perfect amount of sparkle so as not to clash with her tiara.  And talk about dressing for the job you want--who cares if you're in a wheelchair? Bring on the sparkly open-toe pumps!

More Badgley Mischka...

It’s obviously a bit unorthodox for a prom dress, but then again, it’s Brittany.  Quite honestly, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she stayed in her Pebbles Flintstones get up.  I’m absolutely in love with the seafoam tulle skirt and and the white tuxedo top (complete with a bow tie!).  The color combination is so refreshing and the jaunty little top hat?  Do I even have to say how much I love that?   

It’s a rare occasion when Mercedes gets her bling right, but it looks like all those misses paid off because this one is a hit.  She looks like a pretty little starburst!  I’m not super digging the random strap zooming across her chest but the color looks great on her and I can’t imagine the last time I saw her with her hair up--she looks so elegant!

Okay, so I lied.  Kurt’s prom look was just as good and yes, I always care about what he wears.  I know some people might think he was a bit too cavalier with his formal wear, but let’s be serious.  It’s high school.  And you have to admit that his anti-prom deconstructed tux with the top hat is way fun.  Plus, he has a boutonniere--that’s about as fancy as it really needs to get. 

Not-So-Best Outfits:

Well, she had to bust out the pilgrim collar--for old time’s sake, you know?  I hope this is a last hurrah sort of situation but to be fair...at least the hideous collar is detachable via the hideous sheer cape.  

This one was definitely a Monet for me.  I liked the dress the instant I saw it, but I think it was the bright lime green that was attractive.  Everything else...too much of a throwback for Rachel, with the little tennis or baseball polka dots and the random green ribbon around the waist.  And sweet heavens, she brought back the white knee socks.  Where were the knee socks when she was prancing about in miniskirts in the middle of February?  And for Pete’s sake, she finished off the whole thing with some sort of ecru/beige/nude ballet flat situation.  But don’t worry, I’ve spared you all the pictures.

At least she had the sense to forgo all that nonsense before prom because I don’t know that Quinn and Santana would have enjoyed forfeiting the crown to someone resembling an overgrown second grader.  And well, if she did, they could have always consoled themselves over Puck’s spiked punch.  

Dance With Somebody - The Whitney Tribute

EVERYONE is sad about Whitney Houston dying. Yes, it was two months ago, but still. Will keeps trying to push the wedding to next month instead of next Christmas, making Emma anxious. Turns out it's because he doesn't want the Glee kids to miss the wedding, and he's scared they won't come back for the ceremony if it's later in the year. That's real sad, Schue. Rachel and Santana are suddenly friends; they have a kickin' duet and Rachel gives Santana a senior picture to put in her locker. Teen Jesus (aka Joe) is falling for Quinn, and while she feels the same way, neither is sure that the other is interested. Typical. Sam and Mercedes are still not-quite-together apparently, because they constantly sit at opposite ends of the classroom. Blaine and Kurt hash out their problems with a POWERFUL Whitney-inspired solo, and then the truth comes out: Blaine feels that all Kurt cares about is NYADA and New York and leaving Lima behind, including Blaine. They basically make up, despite the fact that nobody's problems have been solved. Burt Hummel is also sad about Kurt leaving, and everyone is emotional (So Emotional) about the impending farewells.

Rachel's Melodramatic Solo of the Week:
Nonexistant! Hooray! Instead we were treated to -- wait for it -- an amazing, pumped up cover of "So Emotional" as a duet between Rachel and Santana, of all people! It was peppy and sassy and totally fun.

Okay, well that looks melodramatic but it isn't. They're actually belting their faces off. In a good way.

Brittany Bon Mots: "You're all cool dancers. And Quinn, you are still dancing in my dreams. Also you can fly and breathe fire."

Whoa. Whoa, Brittany. I know it's typical for you to say things in earnest without realizing how insulting they are, but whoa. Poor Q has enough on her plate right now. Also who doesn't Wanna Dance With Somebody? Because that song is INFECTIOUS.

How Sue Sees It:
There was no Sue this week -- doubtless she is awash with hormones and feelings and pregnancy side-effects the likes of which she was not quite ready for and had to call in sick to work. Or something Sue-equivalent of calling in sick to work. Doubling the workload, tripling rehearsals, and drinking lots of protein shakes?? I don't know.

Track Suit Sightings: ZERO.
The lack of neon Adidas and bitter quips was made up for by Emma's candy-sweet ensembles and pop art colors, which brings me to....

Outfit(s) of the Week:
1) Emma's bright solids and geometric necklaces! Ta-da!

  

2) Rachel, Mercedes, Kurt and Santana for their stunning formalwear at the beginning of the episode!

I mean, really.

No, really. Everyone should look this good on stage/at prom.

More Badgley Mischka...

3) Quinn, who busts out the Barbie hot pink... and works it with a lace pattern, a blazer AND breton stripes. Well played, Q.

Q, Barbie pink looks good on you no matter what your physical state!

Best Song:
THIS IS REALLY HARD because I love Whitney and I actually cried a little when I heard the news two months ago. I think it's a toss up between the LEGIT acapella "How Will I Know" that opened the episode -- a phenomenal opening number -- and Kurt's "I Have Nothing" because honestly Kurt Hummel is the only one who can hit them high notes y'all. Oh, wait, Blaine's "It's Not Right, But It's Okay"... dayummm. Basically, what I'm saying is... I shouldn't be allowed to recap this episode, I'm Whitney-biased.

Saturday Night Gleever - That's (not really) the Way (uh-huh, uh-huh) I Like It

In an attempt to not have to put next month’s rent in the proverbial swear jar, we’ll keep this short. Not sweet, though. Mr. Schuester and Rachel have enough sap and goody-two-shoesiness between them I’m surprised we don’t have toothaches or diabetes...except, who would mind a toothache if Emma’s ex, Carl, was your dentist? That’s what I thought. Bring on the cookies.  So...ugh, all right...three of the New Directions seem to have squat direction, but what else is new? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Especially given the song selection is a throwback to disco. Mercedes wants to be famous (who doesn’t?), Brittany posts a sex tape of Santana (let’s be serious, that was a long time coming), and Finn comes within a hairsbreadth of having a complete meltdown. Is this a retro episode I’m covering? See, nothing new. Oh, except Finn threw Rachel and the 7 other people watching Glee for a huge loop when he announced it’s been his lifelong dream to become an actor. Well, unlike their 7pm CDT time slot, that’s awfully convenient. And sort of delusional, don’t you think?

Rachel's Melodramatic Solo of the Week:

As a child that grew up with a disco-loving mother, I don’t totally hate the Bee Gees and I actually really like “How Deep Is Your Love.”  Not crazy with what Rachel did to it, but I imagine she needed to really hammer it into Finn’s head how much she loved him, so she took that ballad and went to town.

Unlike her singing and facial expressions, her dress is much more sedated. I like polka dots as much as the next gal (I’m wearing them right now!), but the whole thing is underwhelming.  A colored belt, shoes, or even that Godforsaken red beret she used to wear would’ve added something.  Gone are the cherished days of Rachel Berry pastel knee socks, argyle skirts, and cableknit cardigans (worn all at the same time, of course) and in its wake is Stepford Berry.

Brittany Bon Mots:

"It’s a bull testicle.  I drove all the way to Spencerville to get it.  They came in a pair but I got hungry on the way home, so...it takes just like a chicken testicle.”

B-T-dubs...W-T-eff is going on with her hair?  She went to Lord Timmington for a haircut, didn’t she?

How Sue Sees It:

"Let's be honest, William.  You've been out of ideas since Madonna week."  

Her solution to the lost souls of New Directions?  A good old, smack-down competition.  Cue the cheesy dance-off, redonk LED dance floor that she just happened to have on hand, and a fight to the death (of their dignities) for a handcrafted polyester suit.  

Track Suit Sightings: 4

Outfit(s) of the Week (feat. Song of the Night)

Best outfit AND best song of the night has to go to one Mercedes Jones.  She was a total powerhouse belting out “Disco Inferno” and she killed it in that red wrap dress.  I loved the ultra feminine ruffles lining the neckline and seam--she should do girly looks more often--and bless her heart, nary a lip print shirt, lip necklace, or some sort of oral-centric accessory in sight.  Plus, it fit her like a glove (and as we all know, fit is everything.  As Bethenny Frankel put it, she’d get her underwear tailored if she could) and the gold platforms and accessories added that touch of disco glam chic. 

 

In what I found to be a way random plot, Wade from Vocal Adrenaline looks for advice from Kurt and Mercedes on whether or not he should perform at their next competition as himself or Unique, his true-self/mini-Andre Leon Talley, complete with a dress and heels. At Sue’s gentle urging, they give him the green light but eventually repent as all us goody two-shoes are wont to do. Of course, it’s too late and Unique makes her debut in a mini flapper dress and Janet Reno-sized glittery platforms.

I’ve got to say, though...he is one pretty lady. The bob-cut wig was super flattering and it seriously took me a minute to realize that it was Wade up there.

I thought Kurt was especially well put together this episode.  Sometimes he can be a little out there with his choices, but I’ll give him this--he’s always interesting.  Take this Sound of Music inspired ensemble.  I'm usually not one for buttoning a shirt at the neck unless a tie or neckerchief is involved, but Porcelain makes it work.  I wonder if there's lederhosen somewhere down there beyond the screen shot...

The whole matchy-matchy situation Kurt’s got going on here was a bit much for the eyes at first glance, but upon further study (as interesting--not boring--outfits often encourage) it grew on me.  Who else but Kurt Hummel would have the stones to wear this, and who else but KH could pull it off?  As much as I adore Blaine’s retro, if-Mad-Men-took-place-in-high-school style, he wouldn’t be able to kill this look as well as his man.  Besides, it looks like it came off the From Scotland With Love catwalk.  Gotta love that.  

Rachel’s hair was getting about as boring as her wardrobe so this loose curls, side part, and swept back bangs affair we’ve got going on here is a much needed refresher.  Now that she’s got her hair out of her eyes, maybe she’ll see that marrying Finn (and the center part) is possibly the biggest mistake ever.    

Who on earth, one may wonder, can make a black and white polyester suit, gold chain, slicked back hair, and a fog machine look so good?  

Blaine Anderson.  That’s it.  Finn can say he’s Tony Manero until he’s blue in the face, but he needs to put that flannel back on because Blaine totally nails it.  I know it’s a costume, but I don’t care...a tailored suit is a tailored suit and that’s all the truth you need in life.