Glee Report Card: Did McKinley High's Grease Deserve a Standing Ovation?

McKinley High caught Grease fever on Glee's November 8 episode, “The Role You Were Born to Play.” The New Directions crew was in a frenzy over auditions for the school's production of the classic musical. The battle to play Danny and Sandy was a close call, the casting of Rizzo controversial and the musical numbers would have made any Rydell veteran proud. The episode also welcomed back some familiar faces as recent grads Mercedes, Finn and Mike Chang returned to help work on the show. Here’s how the Grease edition of Glee scored on Broadway.com’s Glee Report Card.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Ryder Lynn (Glee Project Winner Blake Jenner): “The hottest guy at McKinley, who also happens to be a star football player with yummy old school Justin Bieber hair,” according to Kitty.

TARDY
Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley): Mercedes took time off from her new recording career in L.A. to serve as the vocal director of McKinley’s Grease.

Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.): Mike returned to his alma mater to choreograph Grease, but ex-girlfriend Tina was less-than-thrilled to see her old flame.

ABSENT
Rachel Berry (Lea Michele): This is the first episode of season four to not check in on Rachel's life in New York City.

HONOR ROLL
Best Number: Mercedes, Jake, Ryder, Marley and Kitty performing “Born to Hand Jive” from Grease. The teens had all the Rydell prom choreography down, while adding their own modern moves.

Best Line: “We cast a brunette Sandy and a guy as Rizzo. Who’s directing this, Julie Taymor?”— Artie to the Grease creative team. (Have problems with Sandy being played by a brunette, Artie? Say that to Laura Osnes' face!)

Most Heartbreaking Scene: When Unique sat down with Finn to confide her tender feelings about being transgender.

Best Way to Bribe a Friend: “Basically Olivia Newton-John is strapped to my chest and unless you co-direct with me, I’m going to blow her up.” – Artie trying to recruit Finn to help helm the musical.

Most Valuable Relationship Advice: “It’s all about knowing when to pass and when to punt.” – Coach Beiste counseling engaged couple Will and Emma on their latest speed bump.

Relationship of the Week: Marley and Unique’s friendship blossomed with a heart to heart in the ladies room, followed by a killer duet of P!nk's "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)."

Yet Another Julie Taymor Reference: Blaine (Darren Criss) took to McKinley's football field for a “Hopelessly Devoted to You” solo that definitely had a few similarities to T.V. Carpio's rendition of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in Taymor’s Beatles movie musical Across the Universe.

Star of the Episode: Corey Monteith as Finn Hudson. It's great to have Finn back in the halls of McKinely, and we can’t wait to see him in action as the future Glee club advisor once Mr. Schuester packs his bags.

STUDY HALL
“All I do is study. I haven’t even seen Dark Knight Rises yet.” – Ryder Lynn.

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
“I haven’t slept, I lost my appetite and I don’t even gel on weekends.” – Blaine explaining the symptoms of being heartbroken.

DRAMA CLUB
“A hot bitch who think she’s pregnant and turns out to have a heart of gold—it’s basically my life story.” – Unique on why Rizzo is the perfect role.

DETENTION
True, Finn's homecoming is a welcome return, but that doesn’t excuse him from calling Sue’s daughter Robin “retarded.” Words hurt, Finn!

A FOR EFFORT:
Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist) and Kitty (Becca Tobin) may not have been cast as Danny and Sandy, but they delivered stellar performances of "Hand Jive" and Neon Trees' "Everybody Talks". Let's see more of this duo, please!

FINAL GRADE
B+

Watch the McKinley gang show off their hand jiving skills below!