Day 13: Sectionals

Hooray! We made it to "Sectionals"! Our little band of ragtag misfits manage to pull themselves together at last and take the victory, just like we hoped they would. Throw in some of the best music of the series to date, a last minute crisis, a midnight reprieve, and a generous dose of comeuppance and BAM--instant classic television.

Even if the series had ended after this episode, it would have been deeply satisfying. Heartbreaking, but satisfying. Loose ends tied up, major plot lines resolved, the future of the glee club secure, the villain vanquished, the possibility of love, at last, requited. It would have been a terrible loss to fans and television alike, but the show certainly would have lived on in legend, a beloved little gem to cherish.

As the writers and cast have said, the first 13 episodes were produced in a relative vacuum. Before the Gleeks, critics, awards, fame, and pressure to please, there was just a group of relative unknowns pouring their hearts into a project they loved and believed in. With no assurance of success, they crafted these first episodes. For all anyone knew, "Sectionals" could well have been the end. How I love everyone involved for having the humility to realize that and wrap things up so beautifully; a delicious package of quirk, joy, snark, and wit, all held together with song and dance.

"My Life Would Suck Without You" is the bow on top.  It felt like a gift in itself--a sweet memento of the time we spent watching and growing to love these kids: Remember? This is where we've been together. See how far we've come? Thank you for joining us...it's been a crazy ride!

The perfect curtain call to a stellar first act.

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