"Glee" (FOX, 9:00): The World Series kept us apart for so long I almost forgot it was back! I like the little recaps they give us before the show starts. It's a quick little reminder of all the plots they've got going.I wasn't disappointed in this episode, but I didn't love it either. We all know that "Glee" is not just a show about great singing. It's about acceptance and not being afraid to be different. This episode touched on every sensitive subject you could possibly imagine: teen pregnancy, Down syndrome, people with disabilities and sexuality. Even with all these touchy topics, I expected them to hold their ground and come out swinging. Instead of tackling the subjects with the biting humor that I love, we got a funny, but watered down version of "South Park". Kind of like an after school special.
In this episode titled "Wheels", Mr. Schue wants the club to rally around wheelchair-bound Artie when the school won't pay for a handicap-accessible bus to transport him to regionals. While the group loves Artie, they aren't very sympathetic to his plight, so Mr. Schue makes them all spend three hours a day in a wheelchair and adds a wheelchair number to the program. He then challenges Coach Sue to hold open tryouts for the cheerleading squad and pressures her to choose someone who's not so beautiful on the exterior. Coach throws him for a loop when she picks Becky Johnson, a girl with Down syndrome, to join the Cheerios. He's sure she has an agenda, but the truth is Coach Sue has an older sister with Down syndrome whom she visits on a regular basis. She also writes a check for three new wheelchair ramps for the school.
Pause it: Wow! Sue Sylvester has a sensitive side. It was cool to see her as the good guy for once but I like her surly attitude so I hope she's not too soft for long.
The show has been getting a lot of flack from advocacy groups for people with disabilities. Kevin McHale, who plays Artie, doesn't use a wheelchair so some groups criticized FOX for not hiring disabled actors. Pause it: I'm going to take my chances on getting pelted with rotten tomatoes, but groups like PETA, NAACP, PFLAG and any other initials need to relax! Seriously! First of all, it's just television. Second of all, would you rather have no attention on your cause or can you just shut up and reap the benefits of having your minority group portrayed on TV. I understand why you exist and I applaud you. But for now I need you to sit down and put a sock in it so I can enjoy my shows without a press release on how unfairly you're treated. We all want reparations of some sort. I'll accept mine in the form of an Emmy for this show. Anyway ...
Elsewhere around Glee Club: Kurt and Rachel compete in a "Diva-Off" to see who gets the to sing their favorite song, "Defying Gravity". I didn't like the song (I'm more of a Mariah fan) so I didn't care who won. Quinn is feeling the financial pain of pregnancy and pressures Finn to get a job. With Rachel's help he lands one, but only because he faked being wheelchair-bound and threatened to call the ACLU if they didn't hire him. Good for Finn for stepping up but too bad he's such an idiot. Where's Maury Povich when you need him? Archie and Tina bond over their handicaps. They were making a pretty cute love connection until she reveals that she fakes her stutter. Have you ever faked a disability or illness? I have, but I can't say or else I'd be fired.
Funny lines
- After new Cheerio Becky complains about the tough routine, Coach Sue says, "You think this is hard? Try auditioning for "Baywatch" and being told that they're going in another direction. That was hard."
- Finn, explaining to Coach Schue why they don't have time for a bake sale: "Kids are busier than when you went here. We've got homework and football and teen pregnancy ... lunch."
"Dancin' With Myself" - Billy Idol
"Defying Gravity" - Wicked (musical)
"Proud Mary" - Ike and Tina Turner
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