Season 2 Spoilers, Hopes & Dreams...

From Examiner.com's Danielle Turchiano:

Last night the three writers of Fox' hit musical comedy glee gathered at the Writer's Guild of America Theater in Beverly Hills for a Paley Center for Media moderated question and answer session about what it's like to work on such a show. Creator Ryan Murphy and his cohorts in crime Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuck all spoke the highest praises of their experience on the show and with the network.

"I approach it as I do everything: how'd that happen?" Murphy only half-joked when congratulated on the show's academy recognition, receiving nineteen Emmy nominations, including nominations for all three men as writers.

He admitted that it was mostly due to the support of the network that they were allowed to expand from only a few numbers per episode to eight or nine, but he did tell the crowd of Gleeks that the second season will see a return to only about five per episode in order to allow for more character moments.

"That's something you learn [is more important] as you go," Murphy theorized.

Murphy also shared that lucky fans sticking around for the Sunday panel of his show at Comic Con will be treated to exclusive footage from the MySpace national talent search. He announced last night to Paley Center members and fans that they are extending their search until September because they want to be sure they find the right person but also because they want to spend the beginning part of the season focusing on the immense talent they already have, rather than bringing in more.

One of the characters they will, of course, be expanding is that of Rachel (Lea Michele), who Murphy said he truly understands because he "get[s] madness and vulnerability." Rachel and Finn (Cory Monteith)'s relationship will be explored more, as well because Murphy also feels it is interesting to "keep them together-- this totally different couple-- and see what that looks like."

And of course, Finn still has the secret that he really did sleep with Santana (Naya Rivera). Murphy said that could make an episode in and of itself as Rachel learns of his not quite lie but still untruth and then has to deal with it.

But as Falchuk added, "everything is heightened" in high school, so undoubtedly they will still break up, get back together, and potentially even sleep with other people before all is said and done! Murphy himself doesn't want to see Rachel and Finn sleep together too soon because he feels that once that happens "all the air gets let out of the room." If he has his way, then, the fan favorite couple won't be getting physical until a few seasons down the road.

But they will still be bringing in new characters-- some to throw obstacles and some to come in as "mentors" or friends. Murphy confirmed that Javier Bardem will be guest starring on the show after the two worked together in the upcoming film Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts. Murphy congratulated him at a press junket about winning an acting award at the Cannes film festival, and he said "I don't want to talk about Cannes; I want to talk about glee!" Murphy imitated Bardem's accent and everything for the crowd. Apparently, according to Murphy anyway, Bardem "downloaded all of the episodes and watched them [in a row] in a crack binge."

"How do you say no to Javier Bardem? You don't!" Murphy laughed.

Though other entertainment news outlets have been reporting that John Stamos has been cast as Emma (Jayma Mays)'s new love interest, Murphy admitted they are still looking at "a very short list" of candidates. "He has to be someone so amazing he would blow Will out of the water!" Murphy explained.

And Matthew Morrison fans may have another reason to worry about his character next season. Falchuck said that the thing about glee is that it needs villains, and one of his favorite ones to write is Will's ex-wife, Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig). "[She's] not just a bitch; she has a point of view," Falchuck explained. "She will do anything to get Will, just as [last season] she did anything to keep him. She's just a woman in love; it makes her more sympathetic."

Additionally, season two will see the return of Kristin Chenoweth in an episode the guys are about to embark upon writing, and Murphy expressed an interest in seeing Neil Patrick Harris reprise his role of angry Bryan Ryan but "he's on a competing network!" Jonathan Groff, would be a welcome return, as well, but he is committed to doing a play in London until January-- and didn't his character graduate last season anyway??-- so that is looking like a no go...for now.

And of course, there will be another road to Nationals. We will see Sectionals and Regionals and Nationals all throughout next season. However, Murphy would like to point out that just because we see the end game doesn't mean New Directions makes it there. "It's like the Rocky movies," he joked. "They will get to Russia eventually...[but] I also think it would be interesting to see them just go to New York to experience it."

But if every season of glee comes full-circle the way Murphy said he intends them to, then one would assume that this first season was about lessons in humility, being the underdog, and not coming out on top, but season two will most likely be about them coming into their own and shining on a larger level.