Glee reminded us tonight why it is such a phenomenon. In the first of the trilogy of episodes that deals with homophobia and bullying Ryan Murphy delivered an emotional and stunning hour of television where Chris Colfer showed us again what a talented and amazing young man he is. For gay boys like me some of it hit a little close to home, but it was supposed to. I remember what the taunting was like, and I came out the other side of it. But, it does get better, and Kurt is beginning to see the light with the help of cutie patootie Blaine (Darren Criss).
Kurt (Chris Colfer) has been bullied in various degrees since the beginning of the series and he has always kept his his chin up. But the constant taunting and violence from a particular football player is wearing him down. Mr. Shuester (Matthew Morrison) asks him about it, and demonstrating maturity beyond his years he tells him that this is “his hill to climb alone.” Oh to have been that wise at sixteen.
While on a mission to check out their competition for Regionals Kurt stumbles upon the Utopia of high schools, Dawson Academy for Boys, where everyone is treated the same no matter what. There he meets Blaine, the hottest and most popular guy in school who also happens to be gay. After the most awkward slow motion, running-while-holding-hands shot I’ve ever seen Blaine and his snappy dressed classmates perform a version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” that could almost make you forget the original and is destined for a special place in my Glee playlist. Oh you know you have one too so stop smirking.
Homophobia isn’t the only kind of bullying going on though. When Coach Beist finds out that she is the cold shower the boys turn to when things get too hot with their girlfriends she is understandably hurt and humiliated and quits. The guys are able to smooth things over with a strange yet listenable Supremes/En Vogue mash up. Kurt’s story doesn’t end quite so nicely though. He finds the courage to confront his attacker but ends up making things worse when the jock loses it and kisses him. Sadly for Kurt, it was his first kiss. I remember mine and it was far more romantic.
The girls rocked a pretty good Bon Jovi/Rolling Stones medley but to be honest, with the exception of “Teenage Dream” the music sort of took a back seat for me this week. I enjoyed what songs they did perform, but the real star of this show is Kurt Hummel. And that fact that I can say that on the week that Noah Puckerman (Mark Salling) returns proves that hot abs aren’t always enough to keep me watching. Puck did reveal his own insecurities and forged an unlikely friendship with Artie (Kevin McHale). Puck also got some of the funnier lines tonight though. His quip about taking Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) “back to Chez Puckerman for some sookie sookie” made me laugh out loud.
I do have to wonder why a show that is so gay-centric has shyed away from introducting Rachel’s (Lea Michelle) gay dads. There is a chance here to show a healthy gay family. Why give Rachel two gay dads and then not use them? I have to assume that Ryan Murphy has a grand scheme for it all. He does make the big bucks after all.
Next week on Glee Goddess Gwynnie takes over as “The Substitute” and I hear she’s doing a mash up of “Singin in the Rain” and “Umbrella”. Should be hot.
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technically that wasnt his first kiss
Kurt kissed Brittany last season
but i suppose this was his first guy kiss
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Kurt did say in the show that it was the first kiss “that really counted”. I don’t think Brittany will be too broken up about it.
When Kurt said this was his first kiss,it was understandable that this was his first guy kiss.