#prom-asaurus

This ask made me contend with my strong feelings around anti prom as it is on the show but I won't digress with that. Suffice it to say I agree with Santana and find it funny that, apart from choking at her audition what spurs this on for Rachel is a reignited fear of Fuinn. Rachel honey not only are they both in love with you but Finn hates Quinn enough to want to wrestle her out of a wheelchair. I think you're good.

So anyway, I really love this! I like the idea that Klaine would convince Rachel to go to prom but walk out before the announcement and convince all the other ND as the night goes on. A lot of them don't mind, Santana's convinced because Brittany is willing to leave the prom she organized, but Quinn's the toughie. She goes "b-b-but... Prom Queen!" and struggles not to give away her planned miracle moment. It's ultimately Rachel, obviously, who convinces her that she doesn't need the validation of prom because she's pretty and the ideal candidate sure but also much stronger and much more complex than what could ever be appreciated through something as trivial as prom. And so, just as Figgins taps the mic and prepares for his announcement, ND are leaving to go to the choir room/auditorium and Rachel looks back longingly, reluctant to leave a torn Quinn behind. Quinn bites her lips, looks between the stage and Rachel and makes her decision, leaving before Figgins can finish listing the nominees. As he lists "Quinn Fabray', we see Quinn roll away and leave the gym, the door shutting behind her and the screen going black.

Next scene, ND having fun in the choir room/auditorium and Quinn looks around in the middle of the song, panning shot of all her friends, and decides that this miracle moment is worth so much more within the intimacy of the Glee Club, people who actually care about her. And so she stands, tentatively, from her wheelchair and everyone applauds, celebrating this milestone in her recovery and their own version of prom where they reinforce the club's theme of found family and only how strong they are together mattering. You know, unlike how canon reinforced the status quo mattering instead and validated the prom titles instead of declaring that those don't count for shit when you have people who actually love you for who you are.

(Written by: Ryan Murphy) (Directed by: Eric Stoltz)

Episode Rating: 8/10 anti-proms

Star of the episode: Quinn Fabray & Brittany Pierce

Quote of the episode: “Castles are very heavy, so putting them on clouds would be extremely dangerous. I seriously think the three of you should be put in jail.” -Brittany Pierce

Best moment: Rachel being announced as Prom Queen

Song Rankings:

1. Take My Breath Away - Quinn Fabray & Santana Lopez

(Santana & Quinn’s voices 😍, Finn reassuring Rachel that she’s special and beautiful, all the couples dancing together, everyone taking pictures on the dinosaur, Quinn standing up & Santana being a good friend and helping her, Santana & Brittany flirting - I love everything about this performance ❤️)

2. Love You Like a Love Song - Santana Lopez with Brittany Pierce & Tina Cohen-Chang

(It’s Santana so of course it’s perfect/ Finn about to get into another fight over a girl at prom ha)

3. Dinosaur - Brittany Pierce with the Cheerios

(I love a Brittany song & dance number/ she’s so hilariously good here and it’s so perfectly Brittany)

4. What Makes You Beautiful - New Directions boys

(the New Directions boys always have great songs together/ I absolutely love Rory, Sam, Mike & Joe and it’s like their own little boy band concert (and Artie has a good voice so he’s allowed to stay I guess)/ also Brittana dancing together at prom ugh 😭)

5. Big Girls Don’t Cry - Blaine Anderson, Kurt Hummel & Rachel Berry

(I’m not a big fan of this song but they perform it well)