Our Justin Bieber lookalike arrives first—but she shall henceforth be called “Dani.” Charlie is the next person in, followed by Abraham. I like his red mohawk. He doesn’t want to be kicked off week one. Ali wheels in—yes, she’s our wheelchair bound contestant. Everyone is excited to see Lily Mae come in next as Dani tries to wonder who else made it. They say “Mario” but the next people in aren’t Mario…and when he comes in, everyone is so excited. He says he’s a talented cute guy who is blind. Shanna is surprised there are 14 rather than 12 like last time. The Gleekabes (yes, I’m still calling them that) go through their house as Ali goes over everyone’s sob story. Ali: Paralyzed, Mario: Blind, Tyler: Transgender, Maxfield: Just…started…singing? Tyler says the other Gleekabes are wonderful especially as he’s transgendered. Aylin is happy to have 7 hot guys around.
Robert comes in. I love the man and I’m so glad he’s back. Still looks related to John Barrowman. Anyway, this week’s theme is “individuality.” Michael’s like “crap.” He says he’s 18 and hasn’t had time to figure out who he is. Robert announces that they will be singing
Lily Mae suggests “rock, paper, scissors” as a way to settle disputes. Aylin thinks this is crazy as it’s a competition. Charlie takes over choreography, hoping his ADD helps him. The group rehearses.
In the choir room, Ryan Murphy walks in to their surprise. Robert is like “You know this douche” (I hope Ryan tries to redeem himself after how douchey he acted last week). Ryan says that this time he will only pick 1 person. Anyway, Ryan introduces the real guest—Lea Michele AKA Rachel Berry. The Gleekabes freak out. Are some of them crying? Anyway, Lea says she’s a fan and happy to be there. He says it’s an inspiration contest. So it’s not an acting contest? Apparently, Lea says that Ryan gets his inspiration from the cast’s real lives. Okay.
The group starts singing. Order of solos: Charlie, Tyler, Taryn, Aylin, Michael, Nellie, Ali, Maxfield, Shanna, Bland, Lily Mae, Dani, Abraham, and Mario. Everyone sits back down. I’m surprised Lea got an impression off that. She thinks that Dani knows who she is but needs to know who she is as a performer. Lea loves Shanna and Mario. He beams. Lea calls Lily Mae “beautiful” and “striking.” Lily Mae cries in her talking head about the compliment. The winner is Shanna. Everyone applauds but Lily Mae is frustrated. Shanna gets to work with Lea Michele and a solo in the music video—“Here I Go Again” by White Snake. Taryn says she loves 80’s music. Concept: High school amateur glee club that imagines it’s a rock concert. Almost similar to “We’re Not Gonna Take It” from last year?
Coming Up: Nikki and Zach return!
ZACH! And Brooke. He tells them to spread out to learn a combo. He looks concerned about them saying that they have to perform as a group but still stand out. He makes Maxfield do a move like they would in Nashville.” Brooke works with Mario, who touches her to get an idea of what he’s supposed to be doing. He says he will sing and dance his blind way into Glee. I like him.
Zach asks Tyler what’s happening and he’s like “Hell if I know.” Tyler says he’s still adjusting to his new body and has issues. Zach worries it may hinder him. Zach tries to be positive but Brooke takes over and tells them to practice. Zach is happy.
Nikki shows up and OHMIGOD SHE’S PREGNANT! She’s glowing! Everyone hits the studio. Abraham goes first and impresses with his attitude. Nikki makes Taryn do her line again with confidence. She takes the confidence. Nellie seems nervous as Shanna is happy to be the homework winner. We see her working with Lea who praises her. She asks about the high note and Shanna says she’s going to work it, which impresses Lea. She talks about working up to the note in “Defying Gravity” with her vocal instruction. Shanna does the high note first and Nikki is impressed. As for Aylin, she thinks Nikki is just singing and not the person she saw in callbacks. Maxfield comes in next and Nikki thinks he’s struggling. She works with him. He’s bummed.
Coming Up: The video!
Time for the video shoot with Erik White! Welcome back, Erik. Michael is happy to work with him. He goes over the concept—glee club goes to rock concert. He tells them to “pop in a short amount of time.” Charlie says he’s always an actor. Backstage, Robert, Nikki and Zach watch their progress. Robert says Taryn doesn’t seem to be there and Zach suggests her having life in her eyes. Bland…I mean Blake…says he’s not scared and he’s boring me. Robert calls him a star and says he has a Jim Carrey feel to him.
Now they move to the group choreography. Zach says Aylin looks more like she’s watching the show rather than watching. Erik says the energy was really low and needs one more take. Robert uses the time to talk to Aylin. Robert thinks Shanna owns it. She wants to win. Right now, I hope she wins as well. Erik dismisses them to get ready for the rock performance. Brooke goes over their choreography. Zach reminds Tyler to relax. Robert and Nikki think Maxfield looks like a deer caught in headlights. Zach tells him to act like Mario. Robert says this is going to be a difficult choice!
Video time! Oh, Maxfield looks lost while Taryn was “stand and sing lines.” Shanna is amazing, but I find myself drawn to Lily Mae in group shots.
That’s a wrap!
Coming Up: Bottom three!
Bonus: Zach gets a lesson from Mario. Namely how to walk with his stick and to get his perspective. It’s quite sweet.
In the girls’ dorm, they talk about handling the pressure. Taryn talks about missing her mom, who knows her. Oh, Taryn, that is the talking head of someone is about to be eliminated. Bland and Michael talk about the bottom 3.
The Gleekabes take to the stage as the judges come in. Robert says Shanna was the strongest performer this week. And she knows who she is and gets dismissed. Robert says they spent a long time debating the callback list. Charlie, Ali, Michael, Bland, Abraham, Nellie, and Dani are all safe and can leave the stage. Mario: Needs to convey emotions through his body. Lily Mae: Didn’t pop. Zach tells them to turn it up and they are safe. Zach escorts a moved Mario off the stage. Aylin: Lost her personality. Max: Great voice but all over the place. Got lost in the group number. Tyler: Doesn’t need to be a great dancer (see: McGinty, Damian. Monteith, Cory) but needs to be confident. Taryn: Withdrawn and less confident. May be too new an experience. But she is safe (wow, that talking head was misleading. Good job, editors!)
Bottom 3: Aylin is singing “Without You” (ballad). Max is singing “Always on My Mind.” Tyler is assigned “ABC” by Jackson 5. He worries about singing that in the right octave. They are sent to rehearse. Aylin thinks this could be a blessing or a curse. Tyler works on his song. In my first impressions video, I thought Michael was the first to go, but I wasn’t impressed by Tyler’s “acting” either. Max wants to prove he’s there to stay. Everyone is nervous.
Coming Up: Ryan!
Last chance performances for Ryan! Robert talks about how The Glee Project is about finding a muse for Ryan. Aylin is first up and is there because her personality disappeared. She comes out to sing “Without You.” Wait, did they replace the Glee accompaniment? She sounds good but I don’t see her personality. But everyone looks dazzled by her singing. She shows more personality after all. Ryan tells her to be the flirt. She admits to having a crush on Bland. Maybe he has more personality in person?
Tyler comes in next. His voice is lower than in “Edge of Glory.” If that popped up, I wouldn’t have thought the editors goofed. Ryan says he loves Tyler and his story but not his talent. He says that the others are better singers but he needs to bring his spirit. Tyler talks about how his voice is changing.
Maxfield is last. Nikki says that she had high hopes due to his voice but his studio performance was a disaster. He performs “Always on My Mind.” Oh, country is definitely this guy’s forte. We need another country singer on Glee. But we also need a few more girls as well. I think Maxfield might be better off in Nashville. Nikki says that was much better that time. Maxfield says he’s just discovered his talent and Ryan calls him Mr. Charm.
Ryan says they need to decide if they are original enough to be on Glee. How ‘bout talented enough? They are comparing Aylin’s performance to Lea’s, think Tyler went down and Maxfield was better on stage. Ryan wonders if they should do a double elimination while Nikki pleads not too. I think she wants to give at least one of them a second chance but Ryan offers this little tidbit—they will eventually have to do a double elimination. Interesting.
While they have been debating, everyone is waiting in a room but not much is said there.
Coming Up: Who is eliminated?
Robert comes in to post the callback list. I wonder, do they write Mario’s name in Braille as well? If he ever gets put in the Bottom 3, will someone have to tell him if he’s safe or not? Anyway, Robert announces the list is up and everyone hugs. Aylin, Tyler and Maxfield leave. Aylin walks the long hallway as she confesses she has no regrets. Maxfield wants another chance while Tyler doesn’t want to go home. They approach the list. Aylin is safe as is Tyler, Maxfield is our first eliminated Gleekabe.
He says he wanted to show the world and himself what he had. He wanted to grow with his talent. Hie thee to Nashville, sir. You’ll be big. Everyone bids him good-bye before we get the “Keep Holding On” send off.
The Glee Project:
Abraham
Ali
Aylin
Blake
Charlie
Dani
Lily Mae
Mario
Michael
Nellie
Shanna
Taryn
Tyler
Even though I think they tried to give us more time with the contestants before throwing them into the competition, it was hard to see everyone. I feel Bland, Nellie and Abraham didn’t get a lot of face time compared to some of the others (Charlie, Taryn, Aylin, Lily, and Mario). All the girls seem to be starting pretty strong, with some concerns about Aylin and Taryn. From the boys, I do like Charlie, Abraham and Mario. Still iffy on the others.
It was interesting to hear that Ryan takes things he hears about the cast members to work them into plots. This isn’t so bad, but it explains why he’s looking for someone to inspire him. Though as a writer (of a few unpublished novels, not of TV shows), I find it a bit backwards. It might be better if Ryan had an idea of what characters he was looking for and see if the Gleekabes can fit that mold. After all, I believe the most successful Season 1 appearance was Lindsay’s as Harmony, where she wasn’t playing herself but more of a character.
So, what about you out there on the ninternet? Who are you rooting for? Sound off below!
Coming Up: A lot of belting? A bad week? Everyone ends up in the bottom 3? Fights! Love! The winner!
Quote of the Episode
“Let your geek flag fly and let it all shine”—Lea’s advice
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