Season 1, Episode 19: Dream On

Ownership of Glee: FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

/ / /

Will is in the choir room standing next to a blonde man. "Okay, guys, listen up. This is Mr. Ryan. He's a member of the school board, and he would like to say a few words. I-I just want you guys to listen critically and know that what he's saying is just one of many opinions."

Bryan looks at the Glee kids. "Take out a piece of paper. And on that paper, I want you to write down your biggest dream. A dream that means so much, you're afraid to admit it even to yourself." He instructs.

Rachel writes down "Huge Star," Puck writes down "3some," Quinn writes down "No Stretch Marks," Angie writes "Glee Director" and "Finn Hudson." Bryan goes over and crumples up Artie's paper.

"Your dream is never going to happen. Ninety one percent of you will spend your entire lives living in Allen County, Ohio. So unless you wrote down that your dream was to "work for a mid-market health insurance provider" or "find an entry level job in an elderly care facility," you're going to be very disappointed." Bryan says.

"This is really depressing." Mercedes states.

"I'm going to guess that a lot of your dreams involve "showbiz." Well, let me tell you. Showbiz dreams are the most unrealistic of them all." Bryan claims.

Tina looks crushed. "But... that's what I want to do with my life."

"Oh, look, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, I'm just trying to spare you disappointment." Bryan says.

Will looks annoyed. "I think we get your point."

Bryan smirks. "Aw, well, Schuester here's a prime example. He used to have that glimmer of hope in his eyes that I can see right now in all of yours. But he couldn't make it happen for himself, so he now has to try and convince you all that it will happen for you. Guess what? His dream didn't work out. And neither will yours."

Tina sobs and everyone feels bad for her.

Will is angry now. "Okay, you're done here."

Bryan looks at Will. "You would be wise to show me some respect."

"You've said your piece. Now get out." Will says through gritted teeth.

Bryan smiles. "Well, Schuester, I should thank you. You've made my decision about which program to cut a lot easier."

Angie wastes no time throwing her piece of paper away.

Her dreams were way too embarrassing.

/ / /

Angie is over at Finn's house. They're working on a project for English.

"Hey what did you write on your paper in glee club?" Finn asked.

Angie shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I threw the paper away because Mr. Ryan really made me feel like I wouldn't accomplish them. Why do you care all of a sudden?"

Finn smirked. "I found a piece of crumpled paper in the trash. And I know it's your handwriting." He said as he pulls it out of his pocket.

Angie pales. "Please tell me you didn't read it."

Finn chuckled. "I haven't. But I want you to tell me what's on it. I'll know if you're lying to me."

Angie sighs. "I wrote down Glee Director. The way that Mr. Shue's directed us this year... it makes me want to coach a glee club in the future. I want to be able to take what I've learned from my time in the New Directions and apply it to other kids in the future."

Finn scans her face for a hint of untruthfulness. But he can't find any. She's telling the truth.

"You didn't write anything else on it did you? Something completely and totally embarrassing?" Finn asks.

Angie shakes her head. "No. I just wrote down Glee Director." She said.

Finn hands her the piece of paper. Angie stuffs it into her bag and returns to her work.

Finn knows what she wrote. He was her dream. He thought it was kinda cute.

But now this caused a problem.

Does he choose Angie or Rachel?

/ / /

Bryan stopped by Glee Club the next day with boxes. "Guys, I've got good news. I siphoned off funds from the Cheerios and I took a little shopping spree through the Jazzhands catalogue. You know why? 'Cause the arts matter. And I got custom-made New Directions jean jackets and some rad tearaway dancewear. Hello. And every piece of sheet music from every Broadway show for the last 50 years. Everything a show choir needs to become champions." He says.

Will smiles. "Wow, that's just amazing. Let's all give a hand for Mr. Ryan."

The glee club claps.

Bryan bows. "Thank you. Thank you."

Sue arrives. "Congratulations, Will. I'm over the moon for you."

Will smiles. "Thanks, Sue. I'm glad you have a good attitude about your budget being cut."

Sue smiles more. "No, no, I'm not talking about that. I came over here to congratulate you on your new role. Local director, Herb Duncan, does the dry cleaning for the Cheerios and he let it slip that you just landed the lead in Les Miz! Congratulations. Oh, I'm ecstatic. And the good news just keeps coming, 'cause you got a part, too, Bry. The exciting role of Townsperson. And you got a line, too. Way back here in the second act, you get to say..."Hooray." Congratulations, both of you, really. I can't wait for opening night." Sue says before leaving.

Bryan is clearly upset by this news. "Wait, Bryan." Will says.

"Congratulations, Will. You're going to be great in the show." Bryan says in an upset tone.

"Can we talk about this?" Will asks.

Bryan shakes his head. "Nothing to talk about. I'm cutting the program." He says and then leaves.

/ / /

Tina approaches Angie at her locker.

"Angie... I need your help." She says.

Angie looks at her brother's girlfriend. "Sure Tina. What'd you need help with?"

Tina smiles. "I wanna help make Artie's dream come true."

"Let me guess: dancer?" Angie asked.

Tina looks at her. "You're good."

Angie sighs. "Look Tina... I know Artie like the back of my hand. He's been wishing and hoping to get out of that damn chair for the last 7 years. But you have to realize that Artie's dream is almost impossible."

Tina shakes her head. "I don't believe that."

"It's the truth Tina. I want to see Artie walking again — I really do. But it just seems highly improbable due to the severity of his spinal injury. That's 7 years worth of muscle and nerve damage to repair." Angie finishes.

Tina nods solemnly. "I understand. I just... feel bad for him."

"I know you do. I think everyone does. But we just have to accept that some dreams can't come true. Maybe Artie will walk again one day. But I know for a fact it won't be in the next 5 to 7 years." Angie says.

She loves Artie a lot, but he's got to get a bit of a grip on reality.

/ / /

Will smiles as he stands in front of the glee club the next day. "All right, guys, listen up. Tina has something that she wants to share with all of us, but first, I have an announcement to make. You've all been reprieved. Bryan Ryan isn't cutting Glee." He announces.

Everyone claps.

"Did he die?" Puck asks.

Angie rolls her eyes. "Why do you immediately think he's dead?" She asks but isn't answered.

Will chuckles. "No. He didn't die. He, uh, is going to be distracted for a couple months making his star turn in Les Miz. He got the lead role."

Quinn looks confused. "But I thought you got the lead."

"I resigned. It was the price for keeping the club." Will says.

"Sorry you had to do that, Mr. Shue." Finn says.

Will smiles. "I'm not. You know, th-the way I see it, I'm trading my one dream for the chance that all 14 of you might find yours. I mean, come on — you can't argue with those numbers. So, let's start with Tina's dream. Come on up, Tina." He says. Tina comes up and high fives Will because that's how they do it in glee club. "I understand that you whipped up a little dance number for us — a breakout that we might use at Regionals." Will says.

Tina smiles. "Yes."

"You got a dance partner?" Will asks.

Tina smiles. "Mike Chang."

Matt cheers. "Yeah!"

Brittany also claps. "Whoo!"

"Yeah Chang!" Cheer some voices.

"You go, Mike!" Angie cheers for her dance partner.

/ / /

In the auditorium with the entire glee club on stage. Artie starts singing "Dream A Little Dream of Me." Mike and Tina dance like badasses.

[Dream A Little Dream of Me by Artie]

/ / /

1484 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. Dream A Little Dream of Me - Artie

It's a filler, but I hope it's a good one.

Next update: Theatricality

2 episodes to Funk
3 episodes to Journey to Regionals