This review follows the FOX show “Glee,” which airs at 8 PDT on Tuesdays. Check here regularly for a synopsis and commentary on each episode.

Author’s note: “Glee” is rated TV-14, so I recommend that each viewer discern for herself whether or not the show is appropriate to watch. For young audiences, parents should determine if the show is acceptable.

Ater the 10th episode, “Glee” went on its winter hiatus. Commentaries on episodes that aired after the break are available in ‘Glee’ commentary, Part II.

‘A Very Glee Christmas’ (Ep. 10)
Originally aired on Dec. 7

This week’s episode maintains a festive tone by centering around the approaching Christmas holiday. Mr. Shue tries to help New Directions get into the true spirit of Christmas by making them carol in the classrooms to collect money for the homeless kids.

The McKinley High faculty decide to participate in a Secret Santa gift exchange, and Will draws Sue’s name. He discovers that Emma and Coach Beiste (and every other teacher) also drew Sue’s name, due to the fact that she rigged the gift exchange. The trio confront Sue, and she declares that she “hates Christmas but loves presents.”

When Mr. Shue accuses her of being the Grinch, she and Becky dress up as the Grinch and Max and sneak around the school after hours, tearing down decorations and stealing the presents the Glee Club brought for the homeless kids.

Mr. Shue has the Glee Clubbers perform a beautiful Christmas song for the teachers in an attempt to raise more donation money, so they can buy a second set of presents to replace the ones Sue stole. Their singing collects $210 and transforms Sue’s perspective of Christmas. With this sudden change of heart, Sue and New Directions surprise Will by decorating his apartment and spending Christmas with him, so he doesn’t have to be alone.

Rachel tries to work things out with Finn on numerous occasions. However, he stubbornly refuses to forgive her.

When Brittany reveals that she still believes in Santa Claus, Arty asks the Glee kids to help him keep her hero alive. They go on an expedition to the mall and take turns sitting on “Santa’s” lap and asking for gifts. Brittany tells Santa that the only thing she wants for Christmas is for Arty to be able to walk. Santa agrees, leaving Arty and the Glee Club with this impossible task.

The group confides in Coach Beiste, who agrees to dress up as Santa, go to Brittany’s house and tell her “he” can’t make Arty walk. Brittany is devastated when she learns that Santa can’t give her anything. Her belief in Santa is restored when she discovers under her tree a device that will help Arty walk, anonymously delivered by Coach Beiste.

As a huge fan of Christmas and The Grinch, I adored this episode. Christmas is a season full of joy, warmth and spending time with loved ones, and “Glee” did an excellent job of portraying this atmosphere.

I was pleasantly surprised that McKinley High allowed students and teachers to recognize Christmas by decorating and caroling, and I hope other public schools will follow their example, because this holiday is a general favorite among people of all ages.

The music was superb. I was glad that the Club avoided singling out certain voices while they caroled, making them sound more like a unified choir.

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‘Special Education’ (Ep. 9)
Originally aired on Nov. 30

Will invites Emma to go with him to Sectionals, and she informs him that his set list, as well as which student will be singing a certain type of song, is too predictable. Emma suggests allowing the more overlooked Glee members to take center stage in their fast-approaching competition.

Mr. Shue decides to let Quinn and Sam sing a duet and have Mike Chang and Brittany dance. Rachel is devastated by the prospect of not having a solo, and protests by incessantly complaining and putting duct tape over her mouth.

Brittany gets pre-show jitters and is convinced she won’t perform well under the pressure, so Arty gives her his “magic comb,” which will supposedly make her win if she brushes her hair with it before competing.

Tina tells Arty that she suspects Brittany and Mike are secretly seeing each other, because of all the time they spend together rehearsing. Arty confronts Brittany and discovers that she has been avoiding him because she lost his magic comb. Arty reassures Brittany, saying she doesn’t need the comb because she is magic.

Kurt joins The Warblers and is discouraged when all his ideas for Sectionals are shot down by the three upperclassmen in charge of the club. He asks Rachel to help him choose a ballad with which to audition for a solo; however, his lovely rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” fails to secure him a song of his own. Blaine notices Kurt’s disappointment and says that being a Warbler is more about fitting in than standing out.

Rachel and Finn’s relationship encounters tumultuous waters when she finds out about his fling with Santannah last year. As a result, they attend a counseling session with Emma. Although this doesn’t mend their relationship, Emma realizes that withholding information is as bad as telling a lie. This enlightenment prompts her to admit to Carl that she is going to Sectionals as Will’s guest. Since this makes him uncomfortable, she decides not to attend.

Mr. Shue asks Puck to use his popularity to recruit one more Glee Clubber, since Kurt has yet to be replaced. Puck tries to convince his football friends to join New Directions, but they refuse and lock him in a portable toilet. After being stuck in the ghastly restroom for 24 hours, Puck is rescued by Lauren, a McKinley High wrestler, whom he convinces to join Glee Club.

Armed with 12 members, New Directions drives off to Sectionals. There is much discord in the group due to relationship problems and Rachel’s infectious resentment about not being the center of attention. Mr. Shue orders them to put aside their personal issues and focus on being a team.

At the competition, McKinley High and Dalton deliver equally superb performances, thus tying for first place. This victory guarantees both groups a spot at Regionals.

When New Directions arrives back at school, a delighted Emma shows Will her wedding ring, which was spontaneously attained during a weekend trip to Vegas.

Finn and Rachel make up; however, seconds later she confesses that, while they were fighting, she had kissed Puck to get back at him. Finn is incredibly hurt by this news and breaks up with Rachel.

I particularly enjoyed Episode 9 for numerous reasons: I sang along to “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” and cheered when New Directions tied for first place at Sectionals.

Rachel and Finn’s break up came as a bit of a shock, but I predict they will work things out and at least become friends again.

Emma’s decision to get married was impulsive and, therefore, completely out of character. I believe she still has feelings for Will, and these feelings no doubt create reservations when she thinks about her decision to enter into marriage so hastily. I am not a big fan of Carl, so I hope that, at some point in future episodes, Emma comes to her senses and realizes she is meant to be with Will.

The singing and dancing at Sectionals was fantastic. I am glad this week’s show contained more songs, because listening to the cast’s flawless voices is my favorite part of “Glee.”

‘Furt’ (Ep. 8)
Originally aired on Nov. 23

Mr. Hummel and Ms. Hudson surprise Finn at school by declaring their engagement. Kurt jumps at the chance to plan a real wedding and decides that he will use New Directions as the band.

Sam surprises Quinn by presenting her with a promise ring, which is his way of vowing to love only her until they’re old enough to get married. Quinn says “maybe” and doesn’t accept the ring.

When Rod Stewart, head anchor of the local news, announces his engagement to his co-anchor, Sue feels humiliated because she and Rod used to date. Sue decides to try online dating, through which she discovers that she is her own perfect match. She sends out invitations announcing her engagement to herself, causing her Nazi-hunting mother (Carol Burnett) to pay her a visit.

Her mother’s unusual occupation had resulted in her having to be away from home the majority of the time, so Sue understandably feels resentful. But they manage to patch up their relationship, and Mrs. Sylvester offers to sing at her daughter’s wedding. However, during the rehearsal, tempers flare; Sue informs her mom that she is no longer invited to the wedding.

Finn dedicates his speech at the Hummel/Hudson wedding to his new step-brother, Kurt. Finn apologizes for not defending Kurt at school. After Finn promises to be a better brother in the future, New Directions performs a song in Kurt’s honor.

Sam’s heart soars when Quinn agrees to wear his promise ring and be his girlfriend.

Kurt’s fear escalates as Dave Karofsky continually bullies him at school. Mr. Shue catches Karovski in the act of terrorizing Kurt and reports the situation to Principal Sylvester. Sue says that unfortunately she cannot discipline Karofsky unless he does more than shove him, so the Glee kids take matters into their own hands.

Sam, Mike and Arty confront Karofsky in the locker room and tell him to leave Kurt alone. A fistfight breaks out; moments later, however, Coach Beiste puts an end to the violence. Rachel is disappointed when Finn is hesitant to confront Karofsky because he wants to keep his position as quarterback. When Mr. Hummel sees Karofsky taunting his son, he races to Principal Sylvester. Kurt finally admits that Karofsky had threatened to kill him, so Principal Sylvester immediately expels him.

Karofsky appeals to the school board, which decides that, since no one witnessed the verbal threat against Kurt, he is no longer expelled. Kurt cannot handle the idea of his bully returning to school, so his parents propose they use the money saved up for their honeymoon to pay for his tuition at Dalton, the private boys’ school that Blaine attends.

The Glee kids receive Kurt’s news with shock and much disappointment. They try to convince him to stay, but their promises to protect him fall on deaf ears.

Episode 8 marks a pivotal point in the plot of “Glee.” Since Kurt is no longer attending McKinley, he will be competing against New Directions at Sectionals.

It sickens me that bullies like Karofsky actually exist, and I hope that the televising of such a despicable situation will encourage real victims to stand up for themselves.

Sam and Quinn are my favorite couple, and I am eagerly awaiting the development of their relationship in future episodes.

Next week should be chock-full of drama, dancing and stellar singing as New Directions competes in Sectionals.

‘The Substitute’ (Ep. 7)
Originally aired on Nov. 16

When Principal Figgins contracts a rare strain of the flu, Sue takes over his position as a substitute principal. Much to Will’s chagrin, Sue declares that being nice to him “got boring,” so she plans to use her position of power to wipe out the Glee Club and the football team.

After these plots are thwarted, a humiliated Coach Sylvester decides to exert her energy toward improving the cafeteria food’s nutritional value. She upsets numerous students, including Mercedes, by banning the popular tater-tots.

Unfortunately, Will catches the same virus as Principal Figgins, and, as a result, Gwenyth Paltrow brightens the halls of McKinley High as Holly Holiday, Mr. Shue’s Spanish class/Glee Club substitute teacher.

Her popularity escalates as students — and even Sue — begin to appreciate her wild, fun-loving personality. Parents of the McKinley students wholeheartedly support Sue’s “Tot War,” so Figgins is fired and Sue officially becomes principal. Her first act as leader of McKinley is to fire Will and keep Holiday as his replacement.

While Will is recovering from his illness, Terry visits and cheers him up by making him soup and bringing him his favorite movie, Singin’ in the Rain. Their romance is temporarily rekindled; however, when Terry returns the next day, Will apologizes and tells her not to read into their short-lived affair.

Kurt’s bully confronts him about what happened between them and threatens to kill him if he tells anyone about it.

As Kurt and Blaine become better acquainted, Mercedes begins to feel left out. She rebels against the Tot War by stuffing the tailpipe of Sue’s rare, expensive vehicle with tater-tots. Sue informs Mercedes that tampering with her car is a federal offense, and when Holiday fails to properly enforce discipline, Sue realizes she is not responsible enough to be a full-time teacher.

Holiday then resigns, and Will resumes his job as Glee instructor. Mr. Shue asks Holiday to help him make an old song modern and fun for the kids, so the episode ends with a mash-up of “Umbrella” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”

This episode is one of my Season 2 favorites: The theme was lighthearted and the message concerning the necessity of responsibility did not escape my notice. Singin’ in the Rain is one of my favorite musicals, so I was pleased to see an old movie incorporated in modern TV. But I was annoyed that the Glee kids thought it was out of date and, therefore, useless to the modern world.

Mr. Shue and Mike pulled off their rendition of “Make ‘Em Laugh”; however, Donald O’Connor’s original, outstanding performance will never be topped.

The cast’s performance of “Umbrella”/”Singin’ in the Rain” was by far the highlight of episode seven. Although I did not particularly like the song mash-up, the wonderful originality of the choreography, coupled with their fantastic vocals, made me want to stand up and sing along.

I am eagerly anticipating next week’s episode, as it features Mr. Hummel and Ms. Hudson’s wedding.

‘Never Been Kissed’ (Ep. 6)
Originally aired on Nov. 9

This week’s episode pits the boys against the girls in an in-class competition to prepare the club for Nationals. Mr. Shue informs the students that during Nationals they will be competing against an all-boys private school and a school for elderly people working to get their high school diploma.

After Kurt complains that the unoriginal “boys versus girls” idea is boring, Mr. Shue tells the girls to sing a rock song and the boys to sing a more feminine song, in order to change things up.

Puck is let out of juvenile hall early when he tells his probation officer he’ll help Arty get around as a form of community service. The pair earns money by singing at school, and Puck arranges for them to double date Santannah and Brittany at Bread Sticks.

At the close of their date, Puck reveals that he never pays for his dinner, but prefers to “dine and dash.” Arty is uncomfortable with this and pays for the meal before leaving the restaurant, causing Puck to think he’s a bit of a wimp.

The probation officer contacts Puck, saying that pushing Arty’s wheelchair does not count as community service; unless he agrees to pick up trash for six weeks, he’s going right back to jail. Arty offers to tutor Puck in geometry while he picks up trash, and their newfound friendship is restored.

Kurt’s openness about his sexuality leads to troubles with a bully on the football team, who shoves Kurt against the lockers and says terribly degrading things to him throughout the day.

Kurt decides to scope out the competition at the all-boys school and is shocked when he discovers that the kids in their Glee Club are idolized. Blaine, a gay student in their club, tells Kurt that “prejudice is ignorance” and that he should stand up to his bully. Blaine has personal experience in this area, as he left his previous school due to incessant taunting about his romantic interests.

Kurt takes Blaine’s advice and confronts the bully, saying that his cruelty won’t change Kurt?s personality, because he “can’t punch the gay out of me any more than I can punch the ignoramus out of you.” The bully responds by kissing Kurt and continuing to shove him around the next day, as if nothing had happened.

Sue plots to get Coach Bieste fired when she learns that the Glee kids are making fun of her. Bieste finds out from Will that the students are saying terrible things about her, so she decides to quit her job as the football coach. Will manages to convince her to stay after an emotional heart-to-heart about inner beauty. The Glee boys apologize to Coach Bieste by dedicating the song they perform for the class to her.

This episode had a large focus on the reaction Kurt’s sexuality provokes in other students. While I do not condone same-sex relationships, it is terrible for those who partake in them to be incessantly tortured at school. I predict Blaine and Kurt will develop some sort of relationship, but I hope that the show will keep future episodes clean when it comes to showing them together.

Even if some viewers are made uncomfortable with the development of a gay relationship, the relatable and endearing characters successfully represent a modern public school.

Glee’s technique of using tough high school situations to send out positive messages about self-worth and including those who are different is a good way to establish an emotional connection with viewers.

‘The Rocky Horror Glee Show’ (Ep. 5)
Originally aired on Oct. 26

Much to Will?s dismay, Emma and Carl had attended “The Rocky Horror Show” at a trashy theater on a date. Will feels jealous because Emma is overcoming her compulsive habits while dating Carl. In an attempt to establish a common interest between them, Will tells Emma that he recently decided to cast the Glee Club in the school?s musical, which — not coincidentally — happens to be “Rocky Horror.”

After delivering her local news opinion segment, “Sue’s Corner,” Sue is approached by two cable executives. They tell her she will receive a Local Emmy if she uses McKinley High?s risque musical to tape an expose about how the secular movement has made its way into the public school system. Sue pretends to support the musical and forces Will to let her be co-director.

Mike is originally cast as one of the male leads; however, after his parents read the script, they forbid him from participating in such an inappropriate production.

Carl auditions for the part of Eddy and, after impressing the club with his stage-worthy vocals, Will reluctantly allows him to take the part. Will then asks Emma to be the costume designer so he can spend time with her at the rehearsals.

Finn is chosen to play Brad, a nerdy character who is comfortable with being “uncool.” One of the scenes requires Finn to wear a minimal amount of clothing, which understandably makes him feel uncomfortable. Sam, who is in perfect shape, offers to help him work out.

Ultimately, Finn determines that self-worth should not be based off one’s physical appearance. To demonstrate how comfortable he is with his body, Finn walks around campus wearing only a small pair of white shorts. Principal Figgins threatens to suspend him, but Mr. Shue manages to get Finn out of trouble.

Sam’s complaints about his costume provoke Mr. Shue to cast himself in Sam’s place. He asks Emma to help him practice a rather seductive song; tempers flare when Carl finds out about Will and Emma’s steamy after-school rehearsal.

At the end of the episode, Will realizes his only reason for producing the “Rocky Horror Show” was to become closer to Emma, so he decides to salvage the Glee Club’s integrity by canceling opening night. For their own enjoyment, New Directions performs the play without an audience.

I did not particularly enjoy this episode. While I appreciate the subtle advocating of positive body-image, I question the methods of expressing the message. Since I have no idea what “The Rocky Horror Show” is, the club’s rendition made little sense to me.

However, I was fascinated by the complexity of their costumes and stage makeup. I was not a fan of the music from this week, because all the songs were either inappropriate or strangely obscure. My favorite part of the episode occurred during the airing of “Sue’s Corner.” Her complete lack of political correctness never fails to make me laugh.

‘Duets’ (Ep. 4)
Originally aired on Oct. 12

Noah ?Puck? Puckerman is spending quality time in juvenile hall for crashing his mother?s Volvo into a convenience store and stealing from the ATM. As a result, Sam Evan joins Glee to replace him.

This week focuses on New Directions’ in-class duet competition. The prize: two tickets to Bread Sticks, a trendy restaurant that is popular among the students. Partners must be chosen carefully, because the chemistry between singers partially determines who wins.

As a football player/Glee Clubber, Finn knows how difficult it is to maintain a popular status while participating in a ?nerdy? club. Rachel and Finn want Sam to keep up his good reputation and feel comfortable in the club by winning the duet competition, so they tactfully eliminate any potential competition they pose by performing an offensive song.

Kurt and Sam originally intend to be partners, but Finn informs Sam that singing with an openly gay male will damage his popularity. Kurt decides to sing alone, astounding viewers with a catchy jazz number.

Kurt’s “sixth sense” leads him to believe that Sam’s hair is not naturally blonde. Sam later confesses that he puts lemon juice in his hair, because he wants to seem like a cool surfer at his new school.

Sam and Quinn are teamed up, and, during a rehearsal, he tries to kiss her. She is uncomfortable with the idea of being in a relationship again, and says she cannot continue to be his duet partner.

Rachel and Finn eventually convince Sam and Quinn to perform together, and chemistry between the pair increases as the episode progresses. Mercedes and Santannah show off their feminine strength with a powerful song.

Mike overcomes his nerves and sings publicly with Tina for the first time. The pair entertains the class with a cute song and dance number.

Brittany asks Arty to be her teammate, saying she will help him get over his feelings for Tina. Arty realizes that Brittany is merely using him to win the duet competition, so he breaks up with her. Thus, the pair drops out of the contest.

Much to the delight of Rachel and Finn, Sam and Quinn win the competition and receive the tickets to Bread Sticks. During dinner, Quinn tells Sam that she is ready to be in a relationship with him.

The show ends on a positive note, with Rachel and Kurt singing a beautiful duet. She encourages him to stay true to himself, and says that “even though [he] might feel lonely, [he’s] never alone.”

After last week’s somewhat offensive show, I enjoyed this episode’s lighthearted tone. There was a greater focus on singing, and the cast’s incredible voices never ceased to amaze me.

Kurt stole the night with his astounding jazz performance. I am glad Sam and Quinn began dating; their lovely voices mingle effortlessly, and their chemistry is more realistic than any other couple’s. I am eagerly anticipating the development of their relationship.

‘Grilled Cheesus’ (Ep. 3)
Originally aired on Oct. 5

This week?s episode took an emotional turn when Kurt?s dad, Burt Hummel, endured a weeklong coma following a heart attack.

Meanwhile, Finn experiences a spiritual revelation when he notices the burnt section of his grilled cheese sandwich looks like the face of Jesus. Finn asks his ?Grilled Cheesus? for three things: to win the first football game, to regain his position as quarterback, and to experience a deeper relationship with Rachel.

Mr. Shue?s decision to allow spirituality to become the week?s theme in the glee club draws loud protests from proclaimed skeptics Sue Sylvester and (surprisingly) Kurt. Sue convinces Kurt to file a complaint, and Principal Figgins forbids any further spiritual displays on campus.

Nevertheless, Mercedes, Quinn and Rachel decide to pray for Mr. Hummel. (Mercedes and Quinn are Christians; Rachel is Jewish.) Kurt is steadfastly opposed to this idea, so he orders them to stop. He says, ?I appreciate your thoughts, but I don?t want your prayers.?

During McKinley High’s first football game, quarterback Sam Evans dislocates his shoulder. Finn steps in as the replacement quarterback and leads the team to victory. Finn is shocked when he realizes his prayers have been answered, but he thinks Sam?s injury was inflicted by his requests.

A conversation with school counselor Emma assures Finn that the Grilled Cheesus is not a magic genie and that his prayers were answered coincidentally, although it is implied that Emma believes in God. Finn grows angry and says he is uncertain as to whether Jesus is real or not.

Eager to comfort her friend in any way she can, Mercedes takes Kurt to a church service dedicated to Mr. Hummel’s recovery. Although he still insists that he does not believe in God, Kurt appreciates Mercedes’s attempts to comfort him.

Sue reveals that her lack of faith began in her childhood, when prayers for her sister’s Down Syndrome to be healed went unanswered.

At the close of the episode, Burt begins to regain consciousness, and it appears that the possibility of God’s existence becomes slightly larger in the eyes of Kurt and Sue.

Episode three is definitely my least favorite of this season, because Christians are portrayed as wishy-washy and hypocritical. The blatant disrespect for Christians shown at McKinley perturbs me. Students can maintain a polite attitude toward those whose beliefs differ from their own without having to agree with them.

I was annoyed by Finn’s display of fair-weather faith. Finn acts like a whiny brat when he is told that his sandwich isn’t the solution to life?s problems. However, Mercedes is an adequate example of a Christian student trying to reach out to a hurting friend, and as such she was my favorite character in this mediocre episode.

Regardless of this episode?s mildly offensive nature, I have faith that the characters I’ve come to love will return next week with more laughs and excellent music, and less focus on highlighting such a delicate issue.

‘Britney/Brittany’ (Ep. 2)
Originally aired on Sept. 28

Much to Will’s dismay, Emma Pillsbury’s boyfriend/dentist, Dr. Carl Howell (John Stamos), visits McKinley High. The New Directions members make appointments with Carl to have their teeth cleaned, and while under the spell of novocaine, multiple students fantasize about singing and dancing alongside Britney Spears. The glee club wants to sing Miss Spears’ songs, but Will is reluctant to allow it.

After being pestered all week, Mr. Shue permits his students to perform a Britney song for the student body, as long as he sings with them. Their performance incites a riot; in the confusion, Sue’s spinal column is injured, forcing her to wear a neck brace. She threatens to sue Will.

Coach Biest experiences a change of heart and decides to let Arty and Finn be on the football team. Meanwhile, Rachel and Finn begin to question the strength of their relationship when Finn rejoins the football team and regains his popularity. Rachel is jealous of the attention Finn receives from various girls and tries to even the playing field by dressing scandalously.

The couple argues, and Rachel tells Finn that he must choose between being a popular football player or continuing to be her boyfriend. Rachel ultimately comes to realize that she needs to trust Finn, and they both agree to be less controlling.

Will feels he is not good enough for Emma, so he tries to woo her by buying an expensive yellow sports car (which happens to be the same vehicle Carl owns). Just as Mr. Shue is about to take the lovely Miss Pillsbury for a spin, Terri appears and, in a most stentorian manner, petitions Will to stop wasting his money on frivolous, unnecessary items. Terri believes that she and Will still have a future together and doesn’t want him to wipe out their savings account in trying to impress Emma.

The show ends with Emma encouraging Will to embrace the great guy he already is and not try to alter his personality for her.

Brittany (Heather Morris) was the highlight of the episode with her fantastic vocals. This is the first time she’s done a solo, and I commend her for her ability to entertain viewers with catchy songs and dances.

Thus far in season two, Sue is actually cordial to Will and appears to be less of a malicious antagonist. Next week, disaster strikes in the form of Kurt’s dad being hospitalized. I feel as though I personally know each of the endearing characters, and I can’t wait to see how this season plays out.

‘Auditions’ (Ep. 1)
Originally aired on Sept. 21

Over the summer, Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) and Mike Chang (aka “the other Asian”) attended the same camp. Tina, who had previously dated Arty Abrams (Kevin McHale), dumps him for Mike (Harry Shum Jr.).

In an attempt to win Tina back, Arty asks Finn to take him to football try-outs. Their new coach, Mrs. Biest (Dot Jones), kicks Finn off the team for bringing a handicapped boy to tryouts. Finn is replaced by Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet), a new kid who secretly wants to join the Glee Club but refrains to out of fear of ridicule.

Much to the disappointment of Mr. Shuester, who was hoping to see a lot of new faces in New Directions, only one girl auditions. Sunshine, a perky new student with a stellar voice, intimidates Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) by stealing the spotlight. In a brash act of jealousy, Rachel tries to sabotage Sunshine’s audition.

Sue is spurned when Will refuses to help her get rid of the new football coach because she is getting more money than the football team had received in previous years. In an act of vengeance, she calls the coach of Vocal Adrenaline — the fiercely competitive glee club who beat McKinley High at nationals last year.

The new coach intercepts Sunshine when he hears of her talent and convinces Sunshine to leave New Directions, extinguishing any potential threat she posed to Vocal Adrenaline.

As always, Lea Michele enchanted viewers with a flawless emotional solo, “What I Did For Love.” However, I was disappointed by Quinn’s decision to rejoin the Cheerios. Apparently being an outcast for nine months failed to impress upon her the uselessness of trying to maintain a high social status.

Overall, Glee’s Season Two premiere was entertaining but a bit anticlimactic. Since Matt transferred out of McKinley High, New Directions only has eleven club members, and they are technically not eligible to compete at Regionals. I assume that Sam will work up the courage to audition and become the twelfth member.

In addition, I was disappointed by Emma’s absence in this first episode, but I’m looking forward to her return. I have high hopes for next week’s Britney Spears-themed song-and-dance episode.

Season One set a high standard for the show. But with the cast’s excellent voices and amusing personalities, I’m sure they’ll live up to my expectations for another season. Even if each episode lacks a consistently stellar plot, the music alone is enough to keep me watching.

Season One

May of 2009 marked the debut of “Glee,” a new series whose first season astounded viewers and became a national phenomenon. The show featured guest stars such as vocal powerhouses Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Olivia Newton-John and Neil Patrick Harris. “Glee” received seven Emmy nominations and topped iTunes charts with song renditions from artists such as Madonna, The Beatles and Kiss. The season one finale drew more than 11 million viewers.

The show takes place at McKinley High School in Ohio and centers around a group of teenage misfits, instructed by dashing, glee club-alumnus Will Shuester (Matthew Morrison). The Glee Club is composed of a wide variety of students: four football players, two cheerleaders or “Cheerios,” an overachiever, a flamboyant homosexual, a handicapped boy, a diva, an introvert and a former-cheerleader-turned-teen mom.

The main theme of the show is the club’s competitive journey. In season one, they performed at sectionals, where they placed first, and at regionals, where they placed last.

The season kicks off with Cheerio captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) tearfully informing her quarterback boyfriend, Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), that she is with child. The couple attempts to keep Quinn’s condition a secret, but word leaks out, reaching the ears of ruthless Cheerio coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), who promptly kicks Quinn off the squad. Finn and Quinn suffer through a messy breakup when she admits Finn’s best friend and fellow glee-clubber, Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman (Mark Salling), is actually the father of her child.

Sue’s partiality to her Cheerios — and the fact that the Glee Club’s existence takes money from the school’s extracurricular budget, away from the cheer team — causes Sue to wish ill on anyone associated with Glee. Thus, a comical rivalry ensues between Sue and Will.

The Shuesters’ domestic life creates a dramatic subplot as viewers witness increasing marital tension between high school sweethearts Will and Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), due to Will’s job at McKinley High. Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), an obsessive-compulsive school psychiatrist, develops a crush on Will — much to the displeasure of his wife.

Terri resents her husband’s involvement with the Glee Club and the amount of time he spends with Emma, whom Terri sees as competition. Terri’s desire to secure Will’s devotion causes her to experience a hysterical pregnancy. Will’s elation at the notion of being a father makes Terri afraid she will lose Will if she tells him the truth. Unwisely, she decides to fake the pregnancy. Eventually, Will uncovers the truth and files for a divorce.

Overall, “Glee” sends out a positive message to viewers, encouraging young people to embrace their individuality and cease attempts at trying to be someone they are not for the benefit of others.