Neil Patrick Harris guest-stars as Bryan Ryan, Will’s high school rival on this episode of Glee. To be honest, I have everything against Neil Patrick Harris, but that still doesn’t stop Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse) from directing a great episode of Glee. Read on!

Bryan Ryan (Harris), an old Glee member, is now returning to McKinley High as an auditor. His unsuccessful dream of having a career in show business has turned him into a harsh person, now determined to shut down the Glee program. Will (Matthew Morrison) tries to convince him that his dream is possible by both auditioning for a local production of Les Miserables. He first tells the Glee club that they’ll continue to be funded, only to retract his words when he finds out Will got the male lead and he didn’t. Will offers him the part for exchange of the Glee club, and Bryan instantly accepts. I’m not really sure what’s the message they’re trying to send with Bryan. You can make your dreams come true, as long as you’re willing to cheat? Will comes out the good guy here, because he gave him his dream, so that the 13 members of Glee club can have an opportunity to make their dreams come true.

I thought the Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) and Artie (Kevin McHale) storyline was pretty good as well. Tina shows Artie some research saying that it’ll be possible for him to walk again some day. After talking to Emma (Jayma Mays), the school guidance counselor, he comes to term that his spine is severely damaged and that the dream of him walking again one day is nearly impossible. He doesn’t give up on the dream, but focuses on the things that he is capable of doing instead of keep trying to dance with Tina.

In this episode, we come to find out that Jesse (Jonathan Groff) is actually a spy sent by the Vocal Adrenaline coach, Shelby (Idina Menzel). Shelby is actually Rachel’s biological mother (Lea Michele), but cannot meet Rachel due to the agreement she has made with Rachel’s dads. She needed the money to chase their dream, which came true, only to find out she’s regretting giving up her daughter. Jesse sneaks to Rachel a tape of Shelby singing, which I thought it was pretty hilarious when Rachel said, “What if she’s singing on the tape? What if she’s terrible? Or worse, what if she’s better than me?” She does eventually listen to the tape near the end of the episode.

I thought it was a very heart-warming episode once again, so I’ll give it a B+ for storyline.

Dream On – I thought Matthew Morrison was pretty good and convincing here. Neil Patrick Harris on the hand, meh… His singing was good, but his overacting and facial expressions kill me. Dude, your face is pretty weird looking already, and when you make faces, it makes you extra ugly. Just sing the damn song!

The Safety Dance – Kevin McHale’s vocal performance here was solid, but I thought his dancing was just kind of awkward. The mall scene and crowd added the energy to make it a good number though.

I Dreamed a Dream – Idina Menzel’s first song on Glee! I was wanting her to sing this song solo, but Lea Michele’s voice blew me away! Excellent musical number; I didn’t really expect any less from my two divas!

Dreamed a Little Dream – I’m very surprised they gave McHale another number here. I think he deserves it though, and did a great job at that! I really like any song when the Glee club is together really.

I give the music for this episode a B+