The Rhodes Not Taken
"The Rhodes Not Taken" | |
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Production code | 1ARC04 |
Original air date | September 30, 2009 |
Guest appearances | |
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"The Rhodes Not Taken" is the fifth episode of the American television series
Special guest star Kristin Chenoweth played April, and performed on three of the episode's six musical tracks. Studio recordings of four of the songs performed in the episode were released as singles, available for digital download, and two appear on the album Glee: The Music, Volume 1.
The episode was watched by 7.32 million U.S. viewers. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, with Chenoweth's appearance and the performance of
Plot
With lead singer
Club member
Production
Chenoweth guest starred in the episode as former glee club member April Rhodes. April is an "alcoholic and bad influence on the glee club members",[1] described by Chenoweth as someone who never graduated, but was "kind of the deal" in her high school glee club.[2] She explained that April didn't become the "big star" everyone expected her to, and so is brought back by Will to become part of the glee club again.[2]
Chenoweth was previously acquainted with Glee creator Ryan Murphy, having appeared in his 2006 film Running with Scissors.[3] Murphy commented that he loves writing for Chenoweth, and enjoyed pitching songs she had never sung before.[4] She found singing in three different styles, as required by the role, to be "fun and challenging",[5] and though she had never before sung "Maybe This Time", after singing it on Glee, she went on to use it in shows as her opening number.[4] Chenoweth stated that she would love to return to Glee in the future, a sentiment shared by Murphy.[5] She commented: "they are all working hard to figure out stories all the time. It'd be great for it to make sense for her to come back. This part is like nothing I've had the chance to do on TV."[5] It was confirmed in October 2009 that Chenoweth would reprise the role, which she did in "Home".[6]
Asked to explain Finn's actions in flirting with Rachel to entice her back into the glee club, Monteith explained: "Finn is not only strangely attracted to Rachel, but he respects what she chases after in her life. He's walking a thin line and trying to be somebody for everybody, and she's an example of someone truly following her dreams and that's attractive."[7]
The episode features
Reception
The episode was watched by 7.32 million U.S. viewers and attained a 3.2/9
The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics. Robert Bianco for
The Los Angeles Times's Denise Martin also enjoyed the episode, writing: "I don't know how Glee keeps topping itself—it just does!"[26] Martin too praised the performance of "Somebody to Love", writing: "Love or hate Queen, when New Directions sings it, it's magical. And it's the first time since 'Don't Stop Believin'' that I got goosebumps. Something about kids singing songs, raising all those arms, makes everyone—can't just be me!—giddy and hopeful. They're not as technically skilled as [rival glee club] Vocal Adrenaline—yet—but that only makes their underdog story more real."[26] Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly also called "The Rhodes Not Taken" the best episode of Glee so far, deeming all the musical numbers "fantastic".[27] Eric Goldman for IGN rated the episode 8.5/10.[28] He felt that Chenoweth was "terrific" as April, and that the character was a "hysterical creation".[28] Goldman assessed that the episode "soared" musically, though felt that its resolution was "rushed" and "forced", suggesting that the series has yet to find the right balance between music, comedy and drama.[28]
References
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (August 27, 2009). "Kristin Chenoweth Joins the Glee Club". E!. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Sherrow, Rita (September 29, 2009). "Chenoweth discusses "Glee" guest spot, inspiration". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Rizzo, Carita (December 18, 2009). "Glee Scoop!". TV Guide. Archived from the original on December 21, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
- ^ a b Godwin, Jennifer (December 18, 2009). "Glee Boss on Showmance: "We Have Some Plans to Give the People What They Want"". E!. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c French, Dan (September 30, 2009). "Chenoweth 'keen for regular Glee role'". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Stack, Tim (October 26, 2009). "'Glee': Kristin Chenoweth to return! Plus, is Julia Roberts a Gleek?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Masters, Megan (October 1, 2009). "Glee's Shining Stars Explain Those Love Triangles, Squares & Pentagons". E!. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- Tribune Media Services. Archived from the originalon October 4, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ "Music – episode 5". E4. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ Pandora Archive (1026). Archived from the original(PDF) on November 4, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ "Glee Cast – Maybe This Time". acharts.us. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
- ^ "Glee Cast – Alone". acharts.us. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
- Pandora Archive (1027). Archived from the original(PDF) on November 4, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ "Glee Cast – Somebody To Love". acharts.us. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
- ^ Linder, Brian (November 4, 2009). "Glee: The Music – Vol. 1 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ ""Glee: The Music, Volume 1", in stores November 3" (Press release). Fox Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (October 1, 2009). "TV Ratings Wednesday: Hank, The Middle premiere mediocre, but…; CBS and FOX tie". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ Flint, Joe (October 1, 2009). "Ratings report: 'Glee' starting to really sing for Fox". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- BBM Canada. Archived from the original(PDF) on July 6, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- BARB. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- Gannett Company. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Flandez, Raymund (October 1, 2009). ""Glee" Season 1, Episode 4: TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ "The Best and Worst Glee Performances (So Far!)". TV Guide. December 26, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "The Best and Worst Glee Performances (So Far!)". TV Guide. December 26, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Martin, Denise (October 1, 2009). "'Glee': The top 5 reasons to rewatch 'The Rhodes Not Taken'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
- ^ Stack, Tim (October 1, 2009). "'Glee': Which was the best performance last night?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c Goldman, Eric (October 1, 2009). "Glee: "The Rhodes Not Taken" Review". IGN. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
External links
- "The Rhodes Not Taken" at Fox.com
- "The Rhodes Not Taken" at IMDb