Good News: On hand at last night’s Fox Winter TCA All-Star Party to offer their reaction to Kevin Reilly’s announcement over the weekend officially confirming that McKinley High’s most popular seniors will in fact be graduating at the end of this season were GLEE stars Cory Monteith and Lea Michele. Bad News: They weren’t so forthcoming when it came to their recent ‘hush-hush’ conversations with creator Ryan Murphy as per the exciting and unexpected new direction the show will be taking in its fourth season.
“I’m so excited, I spoke with Ryan today and he told me that I can definitely let people know that Rachel will be back next year,” revealed a visibly excited Lea Michele during Sunday’s All-Star Party in beautiful Pasadena California. “He told me his plan and it’s incredibly groundbreaking and revolutionary for television. The way he’s figured out to include these graduated high school students on this show, it’s very exciting.”
Equally enthusiastic was co-star Cory Monteith, who was not just quick to echo Michele’s sentiments in terms of Murphy’s idea (“I’m thrilled that they’ve found a really cool idea to bring characters who are graduating at the end of season 3, like myself, back into the fold. The concept of how the GLEE world is going to work is a lot different than what people are used to but at the same time incorporates McKinley High with where these other characters are heading after graduation.”) but Finn’s trajectory as the show kicks off the second half of the season. “I think his emotional arc is greater in stuff coming up than anything we’ve ever seen before.”
Unfortunately, while Monteith was quick to alleviate the fears of many ‘Finchel’ fans (Editor’s Note: ‘Finchel’ refers to the very vocal segment of the GLEE fandom emotionally invested in Rachel and Finn’s relationship) with regards to what challenges lie ahead for GLEE’s favourite couple by going on record that “there is a future for Rachel and Finn,” he wasn’t nearly as definitive on what said aforementioned emotional arc might entail. Except to say that it touches on all aspects of his character’s life, “independent and with his relationship” and that his character is “definitely pushed to his limits.”
Equally elusive was Michele, who while also assuring ‘Finchel’ fans that their favourite couple’s future was one of hope (“Cory [Monteith] and I like to say we’re like a two-for-one deal. She wouldn’t be there without him. I think ‘Finchel’ fans are going to be really happy about our upcoming storyline.”) did tease that “something big” was in store for the talented twosome.
But before that something ‘big’ can happen, GLEE fans should expect the show to hit a bit of a lighter note prior to what sounds like an emotionally charged closing arc to the season. “We’re working on Spanish music week with Ricky Martin who is guesting on the episode,” revealed Monteith. “And to be honest, he was so famous as a kid I was just starstruck when I met him.” 
