Another week, another Glee. But this week's offering was far from ordinary. I dare say it might have been the most emotional, and philosophical, episode of the series to date. Titled "Grilled Cheesus" after the (appropriately) cheesiest plot in the episode, this week was about all thing's faith, whether or not you believe in a higher power. Each Glee kid looked to their own ideas, and although the episode was vague on what those might be, the most important plots were sound.
Kurt (Chris Colfer) was the star, as his father, Burt (Mike O'Malley), took ill and would not awaken. Kurt is an atheist, and didn't appreciate his classmates' prayers. Each of them wanted to support him, but frequently brought God into the discussion. Thankfully, Glee did not take the atheism bad route. Yes, Kurt accompanied Mercedes (Amber Riley) to her church, and appeared move at their outpouring of song. But even after that, sitting by his father's hospital bed, he proclaimed that what he believed in was his father, not God. It's refreshing to see television not be so pushy about Jesus, and to have an actual atheist, who won't be swayed into a conversion, represented. In our nation, it's actually pretty rare.
Accordingly, Kurt did finally get a great solo this week. He sang the most weepy version of the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" that I've ever heard. The song was interspersed with scenes of Burt playing with a young Kurt (Adam Kolkin, a spitting image). Burt helped him learn to ride a bike, and even had a tea party. As a single parent, who is pretty much a picture of blue collar stereotypical masculinity, raising an out and proud gay son, Burt has struggled to show Kurt how much he cares. However, the characters has always been supportive, and again, it's nice to see such a character as Burt on the air.
Other cast members who hadn't had any big ballads yet this season also got to stretch their vocal chords. Mercedes belted out on not one, but two songs. Puck (Mark Salling) rocked Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young". Even Tina opened the awesome group number "What If God Was One Of Us" with some pretty fantastic vocals. Finn (Cory Monteith), whom I often am underwhelmed by, got to show off a bit more with "Losing My Religion". And Rachel (Lea Michele) introduced middle America to Yentl.
Article comments
1 - Frank
Please try not to insult middle America, I am from Missouri and I am well aware of Yentl. And Lea Michele sang it beautifully as usual.
And Finn's part was comedic relief in yet another of Kurt after school special episodes.
While the Kurt/Burt storylines are always well acted it is too much drama for a comedy with music and kind of have an agenda feel to them.
Plus they never give these to anyone except Ryan Murphy's pet Chris Colfer.
While I doubt Dianna Agron's Quinn could handle to much heavy drama her character is the one who has reportly religious and she gets very little. Lea Michele's Rachel, who can handle the drama is Jewish but is used as comedic relief and shown as a prude Jewish Princess.
While acted nicely and so worth it will be a 50/50 on who liked it and not just like the other after school special episodes.
2 - Tess
"And Finn's part was comedic relief in yet another of Kurt after school special episodes.
While the Kurt/Burt storylines are always well acted it is too much drama for a comedy with music and kind of have an agenda feel to them.
Plus they never give these to anyone except Ryan Murphy's pet Chris Colfer"
I have to agree with this, Thank God..or Thank Cheesus for Finn's part in this episode becasue I have had enough of weepy Kurt to last a liftime. I get that everyone seems to love this Kid but he is the worst character to me.
I hated most of this episode and I really hope it doesn't continue this way.
3 - Jerome Wetzel
I apologize if you were offended. None was intended. I, too, am from middle America, having lived my entire life in Ohio, until last year when I moved to Kentucky.
4 - Missie1014
Reading about the director, Ryan Murphy, I think he uses the Kurt character to relive his high school years, especially concerning his own Dad and religion in this case. Ryan would have loved it if he own Dad had accept him as Kurt's Dad does in the series. Also, Murphy was raised Catholic and his family always invited different clergy away on vacations with them, holidays, etc. How difficult that is to grow up surround by something you don't believe in, and as Kurt says in the opening, damns him for being born gay. In Murphy's mind, what kind of loving God would do that? He finds the answer-but I find it all a bit contribed.
5 - Jojo
I thought the episode tackled this complex topic fabulously. Nothing short of brilliant.
6 - joe
I really hate this episode. It proved to be ignorant, offensive and biased. It completely sides with atheism as Kurt and the coach rail on religion and the others don't say a word in its defense. It essentially made all the religious characters look ignorant or stupid, and the resolution seemed to be that Kurt allowed himself to "put up with them". The theme of exposing the hypocrisy of religion has been prevalent in Glee, but never so blatant. If you are even mildly educated in Christianity or religious philosophy it will be clear that these characters and writers aren't. This country is full of complacent Christians and arrogant atheists and the last thing I wanted to see on Glee was more of the same. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rejective of people's personal choices, but in an episode where kids say it's worse to be a Christian than to be gay (a statement that is offensive on so many levels) and finding Jesus on toast is played for laughs, I don't know how anybody could not be offended.
7 - handyguy
After two disappointing episodes, I thought this one was just wonderful. I cried, between giggles, all the way through.
And I hope the two commenters who "hate" Kurt aren't just venting some pent-up homophobia. He's supposed to be annoying. Colfer is brilliant at balancing the sweet and the caustic, the smart and the self-indulgent, in Kurt.
8 - Jerome Wetzel
Joe - I don't think the show was dismissive or rude to the Christians. As Kurt says, you are free to believe whatever you want, but don't push it on me. We are a Christian nation, and far too often, those of us who do look towards atheism are made to feel there's something wrong with us, or we're lacking. It's not arrogant to not believe in god. I was thrilled to see a show where believers and non-believers can exist side by side, and in the end, Kurt's friend's tried to understand him, even though he was treated like he should believe, and they don't understand him for his lack of faith.
9 - avaa
how is secularization represented in this episode