Ryan Murphy seems to have found the Pot O’ Gold at the end of the rainbow in the fourth episode of Season 3 when he introduced one of the Glee Project winners, Damian McGinty. This adorable Irish lad comes onto Gleekster screens as Rory Flannigan, an exchange student who is living with Britney S. Pierce while in the states and in need of a few friends. Enter Finn and the New Directions. Murphy, one of the creators of the show and the man who was responsible for creating the character, seemed to have some fun playing of McGinty’s Irish roots by having Britney believe that he’s a leprechaun who is there to grant her three wishes (Her first wish, a box of marshmallow only Lucky Charms) and having most of his wardrobe being green.
If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m very excited about Damian finally being on the show. However, there are tons of other things that make this episode one worth waiting for. Burt Hummel comes back to run against Sue Sylvester in her congressional race. We see some major players of the New Directions follow Mercedes’s footsteps and join the new Glee Club run by Shelby, played by Idina Menzel. Where there is more Shelby news, there are more storylines between Rachel and her birth mother (unfortunately, no more duets for the two vocal power houses) and more of Quinn’s plot to get her daughter back.
The songs for this episode included “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” and “Take Care of Yourself” sung by Damian McGinty with a falsetto in the second that is somewhat shocking for the normally deep toned singer. “Last Friday Night”, the latest Katy Perry hit, will be appropriately sung by Darren Criss who plays Blaine Anderson. This is fitting seeing as that Criss not only started his successful run on the show with another Perry hit, but also appeared in the music Video of the hit. Naya Rivera and Amber Riley, Santana and Mercedes, team up to do a fantastic version of Cristina Aguilera’s “Candy Man”. Finally, we hear a very calm, acoustic cover of “Waiting For A Girl Like You” that is a pleasant change from a lot of the pop singles that are constantly heard on the hit T.V. show. It feels as if Glee has made some major changes from last season and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
It should be obvious, but I loved this episode and I’m thrilled that the show is back after a three week hiatus. Blaine’s performance of “LFN” made me jump and dance around my room while singing along, embarrassingly knowing all the words, Damian’s performance makes me want to give Rory a big hug and prove that not everyone in the US is mean, and every other detail made me squeal in excitement.
Next week? From what this Gleek has heard from the press, if you think this episode had major plot lines and development, just wait until you see episode 5! (Hint: The episode will apparently be airing an hour later than normal do to the content of this episode. If you’re one of those fans who avoid spoilers at all cost, you are in for a huge surprise!)