Adam Rose/FOXHappy Thanksgiving, Gleeks!
Though Turkey Day has already passed, Glee decided to extend the holiday goodness in their Nov. 29 outing, which found alums like Quinn (Dianna Agron), Puck (Mark Salling), Santana (Naya Rivera) and more returning to Lima, while Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Rachel (Lea Michele) decided to stay in New York City.
And what goes better with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes than Sectionals? Yes, the new New Directions faced their first big performance in the episode and ended it with one doozy of a cliffhanger: one of the members passing out in the middle of their number! Plus, Kurt and Blaine (Darren Criss) experience a major breakthrough in their ongoing breakup...
Home Sweet Home: The episode begins with the graduated alums performing a mash-up of "Homeward Bound" and "Home" for their first holiday reunion (minus Rachel and Kurt), and we won't lie, we were covered in goose bumps; we missed the original gang. "Home for the holidays, just like we promised," Quinn says, but the group eventually acknowledges the New Yorkers' absence. (Fabrerry Update: Rachel emails Quinn all the time to come and visit, but she's been too busy to use the train ticket yet!)
Sadly, the sweet reunion is short lived when Santana confronts Quinn over Kitty (Becca Tobin) encouraging Marley's (Melissa Benoist) bulimia. Quinn accuses Santana of being jealous of her life at Yale, which includes dating her married psychology professor (who is "totally" divorcing his wife soon) and attending Jodie Foster's clam bakes. Cue the harsh insults: "You're just a scared little girl with low self-esteem," Quinn says to Santana, who calls her "a teen mom who barely visits her kid" in return. Yeah, that one earns Santana one of Quinn's infamous slaps. Yikes, is the Unholy Trinity dunzo?!
Growing Pains: Between unnecessary dieting and relentless rehearsals for Sectionals, Marley is slowly falling apart...and completely crumbles literally at the end of New Directions' "Gangnam Style" performance at Sectionals. As for her two suitors, it seems like Jake (Jacob Artist) is officially in the lead, but feels bad for Ryder (Blake Jenner), so he gives up the lead dance position, despite the fact that he's taken dance classes. Of course, Ryder is nowhere near as good as Jake and gracefully hands over the position just before the gang takes the stage. The bromance is strong with these two, y'all, and we love it!
Orphans' Thanksgiving: Kurt and Rachel decide to spend the holiday in New York. We learn Rachel didn't land the part in The Glass Menagerie and is prepping for the NYADA showcase, while Kurt has just finished his application for the school. "Even though we don't have our boyfriends, we have our dreams and ambitions," Rachel reasons.
Too bad she can't quick shake Brody (Dean Geyer), even though he slept with Cassandra (Kate Hudson), something he won't apologize for. "We're adults, making adult choices," he says, before promising, "It won't happen again." Their conversation ends with Brody joining their Thanksgiving celebration as the big meal's chef. Kurt also ends up inviting a friend: Vogue editor Isabel (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her friends! Of course, their small intimate dinner turns into a major party, with Isabel and Kurt performing a mash-up of "Let's Have a Kiki" by the Scissor Sisters and "Turkey Lurkey Time" from Promises, Promises. As expected, it's divine.
Alas, it wasn't all "Tommy the turkey" and dancing at the Berry-Hummel loft. After Isabel encourages Kurt to talk to Blaine, saying "sometimes it's the not forgiving that holds us back," he finally calls his well-gelled ex, just before he steps on stage at Sectionals. "I'm trying to forgive you, but I'm just not there yet," Kurt says. "But it's Thanksgiving and Sectionals and I miss you like crazy and I can't stand not talking to you even though I'm mad at you because you're still my best friend." (No, we weren't crying. We were just chopping onions and a branch fell in our eye!) The two plan to see each other over Christmas break to have a "mature heart-to-heart" and to go ice-skating and end their conversation with mutual "I love yous."
One-liners
"Hello, White Chocolate?"—Sam just being Sam
"You are the only significant other I need in my life."—Rachel to Kurt. Awww!
"It was amazing. Have you seen her ass?"—Brody on sleeping with Cassie
"Speak of the devil I knocked up."—Puck on Quinn
"Are you dancing or impersonating a horny epileptic?"—Jake on Ryder's dancing
"And America is thrilled."—Sue sarcastically says when Schuester (Matthew Morrison) shows up at Sectionals.
What did you think of Glee's Thanksgiving episode? Do you think Marley will be able to finish the performance? Do you want to see Kurt and Blaine reunite? Sound off in the comments!