To say that the regional choir competition does not go as planned is an understatement.
The time has finally arrived for the regional choir competition in the season finale of Perfect Harmony. There is a change in transportation and a shortage of hotel rooms. One singer is coming down with a cold. Ginny has a secret job interview scheduled. Meanwhile, Arthur leans into his revenge plan against Pastor Magnus.
Hands in, West Coast! The #PerfectHarmony season finale is happening right now on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/kPgbk200oX
— Perfect Harmony (@PerfectHarmony) January 24, 2020
Let’s hit the high notes from the Perfect Harmony season 1 finale.
Mishaps or malice?
With only days before the regional competition, Arthur does his best to prepare the choir. He puts them to work with breathing exercises and laps around the sanctuary. Dwayne bench presses Quinn and bags are packed. What could go wrong?
The bus has broken down. Never fear, Wayne’s friend Dookie comes to the rescue with his party bus. All they have to do is share the ride with teenagers headed to the winter dance.
At the hotel check-in, Arthur learns that they only have 5 rooms instead of the original 10 that were reserved. Arthur believes Magnus is behind the “mishaps” with transportation and lodging.
The cranky director then makes a move against Magnus by switching the practice times assigned to the rival choirs. Perpetual Praise Choir misses their sound check after learning that their time slot was bumped to an earlier hour.
We got this, guys! #PerfectHarmony pic.twitter.com/Wxxqwe9uSq
— Perfect Harmony (@PerfectHarmony) January 24, 2020
Confrontations
Magnus confronts Arthur about the rehearsal time switch. The reigning champion choir director is not happy. Arthur then brings up Magnus’ decision to not allow Arthur’s late wife to be buried at the larger church. The two argue heatedly. Magnus falls to the ground. Arthur calls for help.
In a much friendlier scenario, Adams goes to visit ex-husband Keith at his business establishment. We learn that Keith is very much alive and operates the The Pink Mare drag club in Lexington. Adams allowed the whole murder rumor to continue in order to keep Keith’s news under wraps as Keith believed he would not be accepted in Conley Fork. Now that Adams has a new romantic interest, she wants to settle things.
Ginny misses her scheduled interview with Brian at The Lexington Inn due to the bus fiasco. She finds Brian in the parking garage and pleads with him to reschedule. He agrees much in part to her professed love of Doctor Who. Unfortunately, Ginny is not aware that Arthur changed their rehearsal time. Therefore, Ginny has to miss rehearsal and Arthur is mad.
Ginny goes to the interview the next day and waits in the lobby for Brian. She learns that Brian is behind schedule. Ginny feels guilty about missing the sound check. She sneaks into Brian’s office and berates him about punctuality and confesses she does not like Doctor Who. She assumes he will be looking for a different candidate as a result of her outburst.
The fallout
Ginny reports that Magnus experienced a heart attack but that he will recover. Rev. Jax then reports that the pastors have decided to cancel the competition. The choir understands but is still really anxious to perform. Arthur tries to makes sense of his feelings of regret about Magnus’ falling ill. He thinks his stay in Conley Fork has been all about vengeance against Magnus. Ginny tries to convince him that his friends and music have also kept him there.
Adams has an idea for a place the choir can still perform. Everyone joins her at The Pink Mare where they are happy to see Keith and learn the truth. Ginny then gets a phone call from Brian. He says he appreciates her direct approach and offers her the job. Arthur wants to leave, but Rev. Jax asks Arthur to stay and tells him, “I know you’re in pain. But I also know that music is your connection to what I call God.”
The choir performs a mashup of Ave Maria and Believe (famously performed by Cher). Arthur joins the singing on stage. The dance song lyrics ask, “Do you believe in life after love?” Does Arthur? Maybe? As the performance ends and the crowd applauds, Arthur turns to Adams and the two kiss!
Oh, with this lil number? #PerfectHarmony https://t.co/ZlVWjUr3do pic.twitter.com/qmYxou47bM
— Perfect Harmony (@PerfectHarmony) January 24, 2020
Side “notes”:
- Arthur adds a new scarf to his repertoire, it’s a feather boa.
- Rev. Jax prepares too many outfits for the trip, one of which he calls “antiquing with Ashley Judd”, Judd being a celebrity alumnus from University of Kentucky
- Wayne says he and Dwayne are like twins who feel each other’s pain. Then as Dwayne yells out in pain over the Neti Pot treatment, Wayne exclaims, “Ooh, our nose!”
The season one finale of Perfect Harmony leaves us with warm fuzzies and important questions. It’s great to see the choir happy together, but will Ginny leave Conley Fork for the job? Is the kiss between Arthur and Adams just a celebratory kiss or much more?
We have to wait to hear about a renewal decision for Perfect Harmony. Meanwhile, all 13 episodes are available on Hulu.
You can also enjoy interviews with Perfect Harmony actors Geno Segers and Spencer Allport.