"Frenemies" is the ninth episode and spring premiere of the
fifth season of the American musical television series ''
Glee
Glee means delight, a form of happiness.
Glee may also refer to:
* Glee (music), a type of English choral music
* ''Glee'' (TV series), an American musical comedy-drama TV series, and related media created by Ryan Murphy
* ''Glee'' (Bran Van 30 ...
'', and the ninety-seventh episode overall. Written by Ned Martel and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
in the United States on February 25, 2014. Effective with this episode, the show moves back to Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm Eastern time from Thursday nights at 9:00 pm Eastern time.
Plot
Continuing from where the show had left off,
Tina Cohen-Chang
Tina Cohen-Chang is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series '' Glee''. The character is portrayed by actress Jenna Ushkowitz and has appeared in ''Glee'' from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Tina wa ...
(
Jenna Ushkowitz) is distressed that she's only on the waiting list for
Brown University, and
Artie Abrams
Arthur "Artie" Abrams is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series '' Glee'' portrayed as the "glue" of the glee club. The character is portrayed by actor Kevin McHale, and appeared in ''Glee'' since its pilot episode, fir ...
(
Kevin McHale) cheers her up through a performance of "
Whenever I Call You Friend
Whenever may refer to:
Music Albums
* ''Whenever'', a 2004 album by When
* ''Whenever'' (Atmosphere album), 2019
* ''Whenever'', a 2017 album by Sbfive
Songs
* "Whenever" (song), 2018 song by Kris Kross Amsterdam and The Boy Next Door featuri ...
". Their relationship sours when Principal
Sue Sylvester
Susan "Sue" Rodham Sylvester is a fictional character of the Fox musical comedy-drama series, '' Glee''. The character is portrayed by actress Jane Lynch, and appears in ''Glee'' from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009, through ...
(
Jane Lynch
Jane Marie Lynch (born July 14, 1960) is an American actress, comedian and author. She is known for starring as Sue Sylvester in the musical comedy series '' Glee'' (2009–2015), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award. Lynch also gained recog ...
) announces that they both have equal qualifications to be class valedictorian and will have a "speech-off" to decide who will get it. In addition to this, Artie and Tina also compete for a solo at Nationals through a performance of "
My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)
"My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" is a song by American pop/ R&B group En Vogue, released in March 1992 as the lead single from their multi-platinum second album, '' Funky Divas'' (1992). The single reached number two on the US ''Billboard ...
", during which Tina accidentally pushes Artie out of his wheelchair.
In New York,
Santana Lopez
Santana Lopez is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series '' Glee''. The character was portrayed by Naya Rivera, and has appeared in ''Glee'' from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Santana was developed by ...
(
Naya Rivera
Naya Marie Rivera (; January 12, 1987July 8, 2020) was an American actress, singer, and model. Recognized for her work on the popular musical comedy-drama series '' Glee'', she received various awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and ...
) grows dissatisfied with her prospects in light of
Rachel Berry's (
Lea Michele) achievements on Broadway, and auditions to be Rachel's understudy in ''
Funny Girl'' through a performance of "
Don't Rain on My Parade
"Don't Rain on My Parade" is a popular song from the 1964 musical '' Funny Girl''. It was also featured in the 1968 movie version of the musical. The song was written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne. Both the movie and stage versions feature Barbra ...
", copying Rachel's signature moves whilst giving her a stinging memory of her
'Choke' audition. Rachel is infuriated, and trades insults with Santana. Their rivalry is furthered when Santana gets the job, and director Rupert Campion (
Peter Facinelli
Peter Facinelli (born November 26, 1973) is an American actor and film and television producer. He starred as Donovan "Van" Ray on the Fox series '' Fastlane'' from 2002 to 2003. He played Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the film adaptations of the ''Tw ...
) announces that the show is using the fact that they came from the same school in Ohio as part of the show's publicity.
Meanwhile,
Kurt Hummel
Kurt Elizabeth Hummel is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series '' Glee''. Series creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan initially conceived of him as a fashionable gay countertenor who is routinely bullied ...
(
Chris Colfer
Christopher Paul Colfer (born May 27, 1990) is an American actor, singer, and author. He gained international recognition for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the television musical '' Glee'' (2009–2015). Colfer's portrayal of Kurt received cr ...
) suspects that
Elliott Gilbert (
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. Since 2009, he has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. Lambert is known for his dynamic vocal performances that fuse his theatrical tra ...
) is trying to steal the band from him, and decides to get closer by pretending to want guitar lessons. Elliott takes Kurt to a guitar store, where they perform "
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is a song by English rock band the Darkness, released as the third single from their debut studio album, '' Permission to Land''. When released as a single in September 2003, it peaked at number two on the U ...
" and realize they enjoy spending time together. Elliott reassures Kurt he is not trying to upstage him. Kurt uploads a picture of them together, giving
Blaine Anderson
Blaine Devon Anderson is a fictional character from the American musical comedy-drama television series '' Glee''. Played by Darren Criss, Blaine was introduced in the sixth episode of the second season as the openly gay lead singer of the Dal ...
(
Darren Criss
Darren Everett Criss (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame starring on the television series '' Glee'' (2010–2015) and received Emmy and Golden Globe acting awards for his leading role as spree ...
) slight feelings of discomfort.
At the speech-off, Artie and Tina apologize to one another by praising each other in their speeches. Sue's assembled panel, consisted of
Will Schuester
William Michael Schuester, often referred to as Mr. Schue, is a fictional teacher character and one of the two main Protagonist, protagonists from the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox musical film, musical comedy-drama series ''Glee (TV series), Gl ...
(
Matthew Morrison
Matthew James Morrison (born October 30, 1978) is an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter, best known for his role as Will Schuester on the Fox television show '' Glee'' (2009–2015). He has starred in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadw ...
), Coach
Shannon Beiste (
Dot-Marie Jones
Dorothy-Marie Jones (born January 4, 1964) is an American actress and retired athlete who has had multiple roles in television. She attended California State University, Fresno, where she set records for shot put. Jones is also a 15-time world ...
) and Janitor
Figgins (
Iqbal Theba
Iqbal Theba (pronounced ; born December 20, 1963) is a Pakistani actor. Theba is best known for his recurring role as Principal Figgins in the show '' Glee''.
Early life
Theba was born in Karachi, Pakistan. He belongs to the Theba clan, a Guja ...
), ends up tied, and Sue instead gives valedictorian to Blaine, making Artie and Tina co-salutatorians. While Blaine, Artie and Tina gather to sing "
Breakaway" with their friends, Rachel decides to move out of the loft and cut ties with Santana, making their friendship come to an end.
Production
The episode was in production by November 20, 2013, and Chris Colfer tweeted about "pole dancing" in a scene that morning with Adam Lambert.
Effective with this episode, the show moves from its broadcast time of 9:00 pm Eastern time on Thursday nights, its time slot for the fourth season and for the fall portion of the fifth season, to Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm Eastern time.
Special guest star
Peter Facinelli
Peter Facinelli (born November 26, 1973) is an American actor and film and television producer. He starred as Donovan "Van" Ray on the Fox series '' Fastlane'' from 2002 to 2003. He played Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the film adaptations of the ''Tw ...
returns as Rupert Campion, the ''Funny Girl'' director. Other recurring characters in this episode include McKinley football coach
Shannon Beiste (
Dot-Marie Jones
Dorothy-Marie Jones (born January 4, 1964) is an American actress and retired athlete who has had multiple roles in television. She attended California State University, Fresno, where she set records for shot put. Jones is also a 15-time world ...
), janitor and former principal
Figgins (
Iqbal Theba
Iqbal Theba (pronounced ; born December 20, 1963) is a Pakistani actor. Theba is best known for his recurring role as Principal Figgins in the show '' Glee''.
Early life
Theba was born in Karachi, Pakistan. He belongs to the Theba clan, a Guja ...
) and cheerleader
Becky Jackson (
Lauren Potter), and NYU student and Pamela Lansbury bandmember
Elliott Gilbert (Lambert).
Seven songs from the episode are being released as singles:
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of ''American Idol'' in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debu ...
's "
Breakaway" featuring
Darren Criss
Darren Everett Criss (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame starring on the television series '' Glee'' (2010–2015) and received Emmy and Golden Globe acting awards for his leading role as spree ...
, McHale, and Ushkowitz; "
Whenever I Call You Friend
Whenever may refer to:
Music Albums
* ''Whenever'', a 2004 album by When
* ''Whenever'' (Atmosphere album), 2019
* ''Whenever'', a 2017 album by Sbfive
Songs
* "Whenever" (song), 2018 song by Kris Kross Amsterdam and The Boy Next Door featuri ...
" by
Kenny Loggins
Kenneth Clark Loggins (born January 7, 1948) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. His early songs were recorded with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970, which led to seven albums recorded as Loggins and Messina from 1972 to 1977. His ...
and
Stevie Nicks and "
My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)
"My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" is a song by American pop/ R&B group En Vogue, released in March 1992 as the lead single from their multi-platinum second album, '' Funky Divas'' (1992). The single reached number two on the US ''Billboard ...
" by
En Vogue
En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single ...
, both performed by McHale and Ushkowitz; "
Don't Rain on My Parade
"Don't Rain on My Parade" is a popular song from the 1964 musical '' Funny Girl''. It was also featured in the 1968 movie version of the musical. The song was written by Bob Merrill and Jule Styne. Both the movie and stage versions feature Barbra ...
" from ''Funny Girl'' featuring Rivera; "
Every Breath You Take
"Every Breath You Take" is a song by the English rock band the Police from their album ''Synchronicity'' (1983). Written by Sting, the single was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart for eig ...
" by
the Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For most of their history the line-up consisted of primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion). The Polic ...
and "
Brave" by
Sara Bareilles, both performed by Michele and Rivera; and
The Darkness' "
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is a song by English rock band the Darkness, released as the third single from their debut studio album, '' Permission to Land''. When released as a single in September 2003, it peaked at number two on the U ...
" featuring Lambert and
Chris Colfer
Christopher Paul Colfer (born May 27, 1990) is an American actor, singer, and author. He gained international recognition for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the television musical '' Glee'' (2009–2015). Colfer's portrayal of Kurt received cr ...
.
Critical reception
"Frenemies" met with positive reviews from critics. Daniel Sperling from ''Digital Spy'' said: "'Frenemies' is a decent return for ''Glee'', one that wisely ditches the newbies to explore and test the bonds between our favourite characters in great, if occasionally painful, detail".
Christine Petralia from ''BuddyTV'' said: "The last few episodes last year had me not loving ''Glee'' too much, but this episode has turned it around." Laura Frances from ''Screen Crave'' said: "The episode was one of the strongest we've seen in a long time." Matt Richenthal from ''TV Fanatic'' said: "''Glee'' made a triumphant return to Fox last night, airing an episode that helped us forget about that debacle of a Christmas special."
References
External links
*
{{Glee episodes
2014 American television episodes
Glee (season 5) episodes