Warbler Ramblings: ‘Glee’ Singer Rilan Recaps ‘The Hurt Locker: Part Two’

‘Chemical‘ singer Rilan – who’s also part of the Warblers on ‘Glee‘ this season — is watching ‘Glee’ every week and writing recaps of each episode exclusively for PopCrush! Below is his take on the latest episode of 2015. Stay tuned to PopCrush for more ‘Glee’ guest columns from the rising pop artist.

'Glee'’s ‘The Hurt Locker: Part 2' aired last night, and good golly, was it an unpredictable whirlwind! Let’s dive right in, shall we?

After Will Schuester’s Vocal Adrenaline stuns the New Directions and the Warblers, Sue announces that her Glee Club Invitational will be judged by none other than herself. Rachel and Kurt discuss ways of recruiting their club’s requisite 12 members for their performance in two days time. To Rachel’s dismay, Kurt suggests that Rachel ask Kitty to rejoin the New Directions. Later that night on his second outing with fifty-something Walter, Kurt and his date are surprised by Sue, who -- dressed as their waitress -- is unapologetically brandishing Klaine buttons and miscellaneous couple memorabilia in her attempt to bring Kurt and Blaine back together. Sue discusses her plans for rejuvenating Kurt and Blaine’s affection for one another with Becky. Meanwhile, Rachel successfully convinces Kitty to rejoin the New Directions.

Kurt and Blaine hop in a new and too-convenient-to-be-true elevator to the auditorium, complete with an attached bathroom. They soon discover they are locked inside together in what appears to be part of a strategic and mysterious plan from the demented mind of Sue Sylvester. While their coach is missing, the Warblers dazzle the New Directions and Vocal Adrenaline with their performances of ‘My Sharona’ by the Knack and ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)’ by Dead Or Alive. In typical Dalton Academy fashion, Blaine’s boys are crisp, clean, and overly enthusiastic. After watching both Vocal Adrenaline and the Warblers, the New Directions realize just how difficult it will be to beat their heavy hitting competition. They continue to hope for a miracle.

Sue successfully hypnotizes Sam to do her bidding for her one again, this time commanding him to convince Rachel to construct the worst glee club set list known to man. Rachel reports Kurt and Blaine’s disappearance to the police, and to her luck, she unknowingly breaks Sam’s hypnotic spell with the snap of her fingers. To make up for his actions, Sam tells Rachel he will secure her and Kurt another member for the New Directions: Spencer.

Back in their elevator of doom, Kurt and Blaine are greeted by a tricycle-riding, puppet version of Sue (a la Jigsaw from ‘Saw’), who informs them that the only way out of her hellhole is to kiss in the hopes of rekindling the romance between them. They both refuse to give in to Sue’s antics, and remain trapped. From an inside source (Sue’s right hand woman, Becky), Kitty and Rachel break into Sue’s laptop and find a secret playlist of songs that unleash the untapped feels deep within the soul of Sue Sylvester. Set list made.

With some tough love from Sam and the inspirational story of Finn Hudson’s bravery in smashing stereotypes, Spencer is convinced to join the New Directions. With the addition of Spencer and Kitty, Rachel gives her glee club their new, emotionally exhausting set list, and they begin their all nighter of hard work in preparation for their performance the next day. Meanwhile, Klaine attempt and fail to break out of Sue’s deadly elevator.

Performance day arrives, and Will and Rachel make up after realizing that Sue was the real culprit behind their argument. Back in the elevator, Jigsaw Sue ups the stakes of her trap, and Blaine and Kurt begin to consider their escape kiss. While Klaine weigh their options, the New Directions perform Sue’s kryptonite set list of Roxette’s ‘It Must Have Been Love,’ George Michael’s ‘Father Figure,’ and Air Supply’s ‘All Out of Love.’ During an emotional slow-mo dubbed with the sweet sounds of the New Directions’ new set, Blaine and Kurt share a reluctant then loving kiss. Surprised by their sudden, and obviously repressed, passion, Kurt and Blaine run out of their elevator cage to rejoin their respective glee clubs in the auditorium. We find a pleasantly surprised audience, including a sobbing Sue. Rachel and Kitty exchange glances as Sue loudly weeps, hoping that their plan succeeds. Upon the award ceremony, it is clear. With the Warblers in third and an astonished Vocal Adrenaline in second, the New Directions surprisingly take first place from Sue Sylvester herself.

As the episode closes, Will meets a livid Clint, who infers that Will’s position as glee coach at Carmel High may be coming to an end, and Sue further threatens Will, this time implying his literal demise. With Becky, Sue returns to her storage unit of mayhem and shows her loyal henchwoman a timeline that highlights the rekindling of Klaine’s old flame. The calendar reveals that their current friend status is right on schedule. Sue informs us that soon enough, romance between the two will blossom once again. Rachel and Kurt place Sue’s half-assed excuse for an invitational trophy next to the other accolades that the New Directions have collected over the years. The new glee club comes together for a sincere embrace as they prepare for the difficult road ahead to sectionals.

What will Sue’s maniacal plans mean next for Will, Rachel, Kurt, Blaine and the new and improved New Directions? Watch next Friday and come back here for your weekly recap. Once again, your inside Warbler here, signing off.

– Rilan

Watch Rilan Perform His Song 'Chemical' Acoustic