(no subject)

[rockinhamburger]

So, Glee.



Let's be real for a minuter here. Glee's not the best show, in general. The episodes usually range from anywhere in the spectrum of totally amazing to really, really bad. But, if you're still watching it in its second season, you probably measure the good and the bad and come out choosing to love the show despite its many, many flaws.

With that in mind, I liked tonight's episode.

I laughed, I grinned like a maniac, I stared at my screen in horror, I facepalmed, I furrowed my brow, and I laughed some more. These are, in my opinion, excellent reactions to have when watching a television show. If I'm entertained, then the creators are doing something right.

Now, I understand why people are upset. There were definitely things in this episode one could take issue with. HOWEVER!

I don't think this episode was ragging on bisexuality. I'm bi myself, and so I am extremely conscious of what biphobia looks like, tyvm, and what Glee just did? Not biphobic. A character on the show eye-rolled at the idea that a previously out and proud gay boy was suddenly wondering if he might be bi. He was not discounting bisexuality as a valid identity, he was speaking in specific terms, and even if he were questioning the validity of bisexuality, he's a sixteen year-old gay boy who knows next to nothing outside of his own existence and experiences. That sounds an awful lot like ignorant teenage-hood to me. Do I think Kurt was speaking from a place of ignorance? Yes. Do I think he was lashing out because he was hurt? Yes. Do I think the writers of Glee were trying to say bisexuality doesn't exist? Absolutely not. Let's please try to remember that not everything a character says is the message being presented, and that we also have Brittany and Santana, two clearly bisexual teenage characters on this show bi-ing it up.

(Also: I am speaking FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE when I say that I am not really all that bothered by bi-ignorance. It's definitely annoying when people assume that we who identify as bi are straight and experimenting or gay and repressed, but I choose to school people when they put those notions forward in my presence, or to ignore it completely when I'm just not in the mood. People are ignorant. I'm not gonna waste my time worrying about ignorance when it literally has no bearing on my life.)

Now, I've also seen some dismay expressed over Blaine's characterization in this episode. Again, I get it, but I do think people are overreacting. Let's not forget that everyone on this show is STUPID. Like, really fucking ridiculously STUPID. Logic and previous experience with this show would dictate that Blaine will also, occasionally, act like a fucking moron, and as a teenager and as a character, that makes perfect sense. Teenagers question who they are all the time and behave completely contrary to how they've behaved in the past. It's part of growing up. Glee unflinchingly explores that on a regular basis, so if you're gonna take issue with it, at least be consistent. Blaine was an idiot, but so was basically everyone in this episode and in this show on the whole.

Let's talk about Burt and Kurt. So Blaine passed out in Kurt's bed and Burt walked in the next morning and LOGICALLY ASSUMED there were sexual connotations to be taken from that. The context and evidence was incriminating. When Kurt told his dad that nothing had happened, he wasn't actually addressing Burt's valid concern that his son had had a boy he liked in his bedroom overnight. Kurt was being defensive instead of listening to his father. Also, Burt was perfectly within his rights as Kurt's father to call Kurt out on what would eventually, if not immediately, come up in their home. He's allowed to lay down the law, to request that the incident not be repeated. Did Kurt also have a point that Burt should look into the technicalities of gay relationships for reference, so that Kurt could go to him as a proper support system? A resounding yes! But the conversation was not homophobic. Let's just say, for argument's sake, that Burt was uncomfortable with his son having a boy over for somewhat ignorant reasons (as in, I don't like the idea of my son being gay and acting on that). If that were that case, we have to remember that new things take time. Burt's not always going to be Father of the Year; he and Kurt are going to have to navigate these waters together, communicating openly to try and come to an agreement and understanding of each other. If Burt really IS uncomfortable with his son having a boy over for nefarious reasons, it will absolutely be addressed within the show. If there's one thing Glee never fails to do it's to take advantage of the talent of Mike O'Malley and Chris Colfer in a scene together, so I'm sure there will be follow-up to that conversation, which, for the record, I found compelling and daring and really neat.

There are so many other things I could say, but I think I've said enough for now. I don't expect anyone to agree with me on these points, but I'm laying it all out just the same.

GO KLAINE GO.

Comments

[mothergoddamn.livejournal.com]

I refuse to read the wank. I swear I'm too laid back for this fandom. To be honest I thought at the end they'd be a "bisexuality exists, but it's not for me" comment but overall I wasn't offended at this episode. Not like my rage at the previous disability episodes and the religious one (to get ME in a rage is pretty rare and those episodes-omg). It was fun. I agree totally with you on Kurt's reaction and am in shock people were upset at Burt's REASONABLE request. Although, I think that Kurt just needs to use the internet himself to find out about gay sex rather than ask his Dad to go do it for him. Lazy.

I THINK I'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH RACHEL.

And Shue. I liked Shue in this?

[x-merlin.livejournal.com]

IAWTP A+

[moirariordan.livejournal.com]

I am not caught up on Glee and thus have nothing to add to this discussion other than the fact that last night I had a dream that Rachel grew up, moved to New York, and became Tony Stark's personal assistant/sidekick singing superheroine. And it was awesome.

...just wanted to share that.

[caroline-shea.livejournal.com]

You know, I was (and am still somewhat) ticked off by this episode, but reading this actually calmed me down a lot.

It's the emotional equivalent of someone being like: "Take a deep breath, chill, it'll all work out."

FWIW, I definitely didn't think Burt was being homophobic, but I do think what he said was awkwardly phrased: "You being 'inappropriate' in my house" sounds kind of... I don't know. I think they could have said it a little differently?

And I'm definitely not one of those people that expects the Klaine endgame to be smooth sailing, but I think I'm slightly less certain than you that Klaine IS endgame - because seriously, with some of the shit this show has pulled, I just feel like I can't take anything for granted.

Anyway, sorry for spewing words at you, but thanks for sharing your calm and lovely thoughts with us - it was just what I needed. ♥