The episode opens to a spot by spot remake of Summer Nights from Grease. They cut out a lot but it's still really good. At first I'm giggling because of how goofy it is but it's so cute. And Mercedes looks fab. This is one relationship packed episode. We learn that Beiste and Cooter (teehee) eloped after an epiphany they seem to have had at Taco Bell. Sue encourages Emma to do the same and ask Will to Marry her. Can I just say how absolutely refreshing nice Sue in this episode has been? So good. Emma gets a solo (yay!) and sings the Wedding Bell Blues to Will. It's a dream sequence but she accidentally says it out loud. This prompts Will to ask the Glee club to help him come up with a flashy way to propose to Emma.
Artie is first up to help. He's having his own interesting relationship issues. Becky has decided that her taste is flawless and she would like some of what Artie has to offer. Get it girl! She knows what's up. Becky's inner monologue is played by a sassy Helen Mirren by the way. Amazing. Artie performs a mash-up of Moves Like Jagger and Jumpin' Jack Flash. Along with Harry, they slay the song. There's something about it that's off. Oh, it could be the random fact that Mr. Schue is wearing his Justin Timberlake black tank top from 2001 while he twirls, yes twirls across the stage.
I didn't think anything could ruin a Kevin Mchale performance. I was so wrong. Artie agrees to dinner with Becky and is surprised when he has a good time. He genuinely enjoys spending time with Becky and they can bond over their disabilities. The Glee club warns him to break it off with her because he's leading her on. He tells them all off and calls them ignorant. Later on that day, Becky sexts Artie and basically makes plans for the two of them to do the deed. Artie isn't really down for that and goes to Sue for advice on letting her down easy. He does and Becky walks down the hall crying and ugh, the scene breaks my heart.
Will asks Finn to be his best man. Um, Will? You don't have any friends? Finn confesses to Will that he wants to join the army so he can be a hero like his father was. Will blabs his secret to his mom and Burt and they all come to the classroom to have a discussion. And by discussion, I mean Carol is about to shatter Finn's hopes and dreams. His mom tells him that his father died of a drug overdose instead. This scene. It's incredibly well acted by Cory Monteith. I have to admit I was a little annoyed that the scene may come off as a little tasteless to Cory himself. Bravo to Cory for doing such a good job. Finn mopes at dinner with Rachel and Kurt who apparently think possibly not getting into NYADA is on the same level as what Finn is going through. Rachel slips into Without You. This inspires Finn to propose to Rachel. Cliffhanger!
Sam really wants a letterman jacket to win Mercedes back so he joins the only open team available: Synchronized Swimming. The girls perform The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face for Schue and oh em gee. This performance is so hauntingly beautiful. And in a rare feat, like all the girls get to sing parts of it while flashbacks are shown of their relationships. Mercedes leaves the room crying because she can't stop thinking about Sam.
Will asks Emma's parents for their permission to marry her. They shoot it down because they have zero faith in their daughter. They also do a good job of instilling doubt in Will's mind when they remind him she has a disease. Will begins to think Emma can't handle marriage or ever having a baby. He then TELLS HER THIS and basically calls her hopeless. I know this is supposed to lead into We Found Love but geez. He's such a douchebag.
The next day Will walks Emma down the hall as Beiste and even !Nice Sue give her roses. He walks her to the pool where the entire Glee club and synchronized swimming team is waiting to perform We Found Love to her. It's amazing! I'm unable to give it my full attention because Artie has just rolled into the pool and I'm worried he's dead. But there he is, chillin' on a raft. Phew. She says Yes!
