 The episode received mixed reviews from critics . Elizabeth Holmes for The Wall Street Journal was disappointed that cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester did not appear in the episode , though was pleased that the pregnancy plot appeared to be coming to an end . Bobby Hankinson for the Houston Chronicle was also pleased the pregnancy plot moved towards a conclusion , and called " Ballad " one of the best episodes of Glee to date , commenting : " it 's increasingly clear that the episodes without the messy adult drama are the strongest . " Eric Goldman for IGN observed that " Ballad " proved Glee is capable of delivering a " pretty solid " episode without Jane Lynch 's presence , rating the episode 8 / 10 . Zap2it 's Liz Pardue felt the absence of Lynch , but praised Chris Colfer 's performance as Kurt . 
