That's So Deep

Sadly, vacation is over and we are back on our daily grind. Sigh. Fortunately though, this includes our blog grind. And would you look at that, we are all caught up.

Season 2 Episode 6: “Never Been Kissed”

Liz: I have a feeling this is gonna be good. Thoughts?

Amber: So, I thought that overall this episode was a major fail, perhaps one of my least favorite. It had many good intentions, but with extremely poor execution. About 20 minutes in I was very annoyed and stayed that way for the remainder of the episode. My head still hurts from how hard I was rolling my eyes.

Liz: Yeah. I had so many “omg!” moments….let’s start with the utter failure of adults in this episode. And within Glee in general. Kurt is being bullied so Mr. Schu’s answer is to talk about Kurt’s reaction to it? Instead of addressing the bully. FAIL. Why is Kurt constantly being told he has to suck it up? (I have another beef about Schu but we’ll get to that.)

Amber: Ugh. I have several beefs with Mr. Damn Schu. I like him less and less every week. I agree that if he really wanted to be helpful he would have addressed both Kurt and the bully. I think it’s important that he decided to reach out to Kurt, but if he saw the kid bullying him he could’ve given the guy a detention and a firm talking to at the very least. Wtf?

Liz: If anything, I felt like too often adults are unprepared to deal with bullying among kids. What is the best advice? Not necessarily “be strong.” And speaking of “wtf,” WTF with the bully kissing Kurt??? I saw it coming, but I was still like, really? Really Glee, we have to be that cliche?

Amber: Omg…totally. I think that Glee was attempting to do waaay too much in this episode. On one hand, I really appreciate what they are trying to do with the whole bullying theme. It’s a HUGE deal and it seems as if the writers are attempting to use the show as a platform to address this very real issue that too many kids deal with on a daily basis. In this episode it is definitely evident that they are using the storyline created around Kurt to promote the “It Gets Better” campaign, and not only does it get better, but in actuality bullying stems from pain, insecurity, ignorance, and fear in most cases. I completely applaud the writers for openly dealing with this issue and using the show to reach out to some of these kids, who may be the victims of bullying, directly. With that said, I do think that overall the writing suffered in this episode….it was kinda choppy and the storylines did seem very cliche and poorly executed. One such scene was the kissing scene and another was the portrayal of the all boys private school as a “utopia.” C’mon, dude…not true.

Liz: Not true at all. I can also appreciate what the writers are doing. So many of their themes are trying hard to address issues high school kids face (and I like that!). Bullying is definitely an issue. But it was still just all over the place. And the characters seemed to be acting and reacting in ways that didn’t make sense. That kid Kurt meets (now his boyfriend?) was just way too mature. lol. I mean, they were suddenly having a heart-to-heart talk after just meeting (“could you guys excuse us for a minute” – who talks like that)? The writing really suffered. They tried to cover so much without also sticking with solid characters and dialogue. The theme is definitely important. It’s important to recognize the roots of bullying – to show those characters as more than two dimensional “evil” characters. But let’s be a little more nuanced….Kurt confronts his bully and instead of getting his ass kicked, he gets kissed? Just too cliche for me. Too much drama for the sake of drama. And therefore a pat on the back to Kurt for being more courageous. It just felt so false to me. I saw it coming a mile away but was hoping I was wrong.

Amber: Yeeeah. The kiss was totally dramatic and the entire scene was very predictable. Sigh. Like, I get it. They obvi wanted to show that a lot of the aggression behind bullying stems from fear and insecurity. But, it felt so forced and unrealistic. I mean, kissing someone mid-argument is hard to pull off even if you’re dating…i’m just sayin. The scene came off as an easy way to show that the bully is experiencing a deep internal struggle regarding his sexuality which he projects onto Kurt largely because Kurt is openly gay. It was just way too simplistic and kind of cheapened what could have been a really powerful moment.


Liz: Yeah…that’s the other thing. Not only is this character gay, but he likes Kurt, the only openly gay kid in school. It was just too contrived. I also just didn’t really like the juxtaposition with the guy from the all boys school…I think it was the combination that just felt so set up (which it was).

Amber: The entire portrayal of the all boys private school was so OD and false. “Zero tolerance harassment policy?” Really? I rolled my eyes so hard. If that’s the case, my mother shoulda put me in an all boys school. Shoooot.

Liz: LOL. exactly. And running down the hallway holding hands….they just needed slo-mo.

Amber: OMG! It was in slo-mo! Too much!

Liz: Hence Teenage Dream as the song? Cuz they were dreamin (high-five for my joke! womp womp)….Ok…what about Schu and the coach? OMG. I was yellin at the TV. Mr. Schu, you are not that special! You are not the savior of women. Oh maaaan…I was kinda upset with that whole storyline. He was so damn annoying.

Amber: Mr. Schu is always so damn patronizing, especially toward the women in the show. That scene was so hard to sit through. Mr. Schu is a grown ass man. Not a high school student, not sixteen…a GROWN man! It is so childish to kiss a woman that you don’t have any romantic feelings for because she said she’s never been kissed, especially when she really means she’s never felt loved by a man. C’mon! That scene was so frustrating…so empty.

Liz: She didn’t feel pretty so his kissing her was a sign that she wasn’t repulsive…she was pretty enough to be kissed. And then here’s me throwing the remote! GRRRRRRRR…..I just wanted her to slap him. Did I ask you to kiss me? Not to say, “you really think I’m pretty Will?” OMG. Who cares what he thinks? Or what some little sixteen year olds think? A woman’s esteem should not be based on these things…* shaking my fist at the sky *. Ok, I’ll stop and sit down.

Amber: I was most bothered by her longing for male validation, and the fact Mr. Schu’s self-righteous self slid right into that role and made himself comfortable. She was portrayed as very emotionally weak. Again, I get what they are trying to do with her character by highlighting the fact that she doesn’t necessarily fit into a traditionally feminine model, but they completely overdo it. I can understand why she would be hurt by her students thinking that she’s ugly. That’s always hard to take, especially if you don’t always feel or consider yourself beautiful. But I dunno the whole “I’m 40 and I’ve never been kissed,” “On the inside I’m a little girl.” And telling all of this to freakin Mr. Schu?! Gaaaaaah. We don’t need men to define or validate us, ladies and if you haven’t learned that at 40, cotdamn!

Liz: I get the being hurt thing too…I do. But the show undermines itself – it shows the complexity of her character (her being an outsider) and the effect traditionally feminine “norms” have on her, and then turns around and gives the tools to deal with this conflict to the men. She feels better about herself because all the men on the show demonstrate appreciation for her? Not a good plan. It also rang false that she’d just resign and then whimper in the locker room with Schu. In another episode she cried, but that response felt accurate to what she was feeling and dealing with. This response was just another case of bad writing. It’s not that I don’t think the hurt was real…or that dealing with her esteem issues was real…but let’s have a response that makes sense. Give me some better dialogue. And let’s not let the lesson be that the leading man’s kiss will improve everything. It was not a sweet moment. Seriously, slap him. He’s your freakin co-worker.

Amber: *Snaps!* Tell ‘em, Liz! Yes, this episode was poorly done. Clearly, they have good intentions, but please please don’t sacrifice the writing. I seriously had a “what is happening with Glee?” moment. It makes me sad. I kinda love this show. I hope they get it back on track.

We’re back! We’ve been on vacation and have kinda failed to put this up….but this episode was crazy so we had to discuss. Of course.

Season 2 Episode 4: “Duets”

Amber: So, this episode was CRAZY (!) and loaded from beginning to end. I was wearing a “wtf?!” face the entire time. I don’t even know where to begin…so feel free to delve in first, lol.

Liz: Lemme look at my notes. lol. Well, this episode was packed. PACKED. I could start anywhere really. How about Kurt and Finn…When Finn told Kurt, “No means no.” I was like, really writers? We’re gonna use that line? “No means no” is a line used in regards to rape…we’re gonna go there?

Amber: I totally agree with you. It was definitely a poor choice of words and has a host of implications. Another line that really irked me, again from Finn, was: “I don’t have a problem with gay dudes, everyone else does and we live in their world.” Smh…so problematic. Finn is constantly projecting his mangled understandings of masculinity and his own issues with sexuality onto Kurt. He refuses to address his homophobia and instead acts as if Kurt provokes the harsh words and actions of his “peers.” Seriously though, Finn needs to get it together and have a heart to heart with himself. What are you so damn afraid of, Finn? To be honest, this entire episode kind of annoyed me, especially the way they handled Kurt’s feelings.

Liz: Yeah. Definitely. Kurt is asked to be strong for everyone else. I thought it was interesting that the new kid didn’t seem to care much. He said yes to a duet and was going to do it. I wonder what the writers will do with him…I have hope that he’ll bring a little sanity. I don’t know. (And we’ll have to get to him and Quinn later. So cute.) But I was sad to see Kurt get pushed to the side. I mean….Back in that episode in the basement, I could feel some (some) sympathy with Finn. Having to play sibling to someone who likes you is awkward, but I think the writers ended up addressing it the wrong way. Rather than, “hey that was awkward!”, it became, “hey that was awkward and since you’re gay please don’t ever publicly like someone ever again.” A mess.

Amber: OK, therein lies my issue with Finn’s reaction to that situation and how he’s treated Kurt since then. I agree that it can be awkward to have a potential step sibling like you, but it’s not threatening. Kurt never threatened Finn in any way. Yet, Finn felt threatened and in turn responded defensively with violent language and actions. Finn’s reactions to Kurt don’t have much to do with Kurt at all, Kurt just forces Finn to deal with and think about his own fears and insecurities with masculinity and sexuality in his otherwise happy heterosexual world.

Liz: Right. And Finn acts as if its Kurt’s job to “protect” everybody else…How about Finn “protecting” Kurt (meaning take the shit along with Kurt if that’s what’s gonna happen)? And when his dad tells him to lay off the new kid, Kurt at least points out that they’re all acting as if he’s predatory.

Amber: Exactly. And what is it that Kurt is supposed to be protecting them from exactly? Himself? What’s so scary about him? If someone isn’t interested, then they aren’t interested. Just tell him and move on. The real issue is that Kurt makes them uncomfortable because seeing and accepting his openness with his sexuality, brings their own insecurities to the surface. You can’t ignore something (or someone) when it’s right in front of you.

Liz: That’s why I thought the new kid Sam’s response was interesting. Finn tries to talk him out of it and he says no. And gets a slushie to the face. It got downplayed, and I wished they’d played it up more. But I guess Rachel got to be the support in the end. Great line: “You may be lonely but you’re not alone.” But I wished it was Sam because it’d be more interesting (and more powerful) for the support to be from a straight guy rather than a girl (again).

Amber: The support would have been more powerful coming from Sam. But I still think the way they dealt with the entire situation was a cop out. Everyone applauding how “brave” Kurt is and the line: “When you’re special, sometimes you need to be alone.” Gaaaah. On the one hand, I understand the sentiment behind this logic. High school is rough. You’re figuring yourself out, hormones are raging, and everybody is kinda shallow. It does get easier to embrace who you are and learn to love yourself as you get older, it’s definitely something I’m still learning. BUT, I also think that it could be sending the wrong message, that is, being gay is a lonely life and you have to accept society’s limitations and restrictions on your freedoms because you are “different.” Not OK.

Liz: Yeah I agree…because at the same time you want to say that the reality needs to change….Ok…so this may not be the greatest transition, but can we talk about Brittany and Santana?


Amber: Yes, omg…they are totally in love. Did you pick up on that? There was a lot going on with them in this episode and I think the writers chose to make their awkward sexual/emotional tension apparent in a really weird way.

Liz: Ok are they both in love? or is it just Brittany?

Amber: OK, so the first time I watched it, I didn’t pick up on it. I had more of a “wtf? why are Brittany and Santana making out?” response. But the second time I watched it…I still had that reaction, lol, but I paid more attention to the ways they interacted throughout the rest of the episode. There was so much tension between the two of them and Santana totally sabotaged Brittany’s “relationship” with Artie. That was some serious shade. The two of them def have a lot to work out with each other.

Liz: Hmmm…I was just like, “you girls are confused.” Sleep with every guy on the football team and making out with each other, I’d be sitting down with you to talk about life. lol Also, the stuff with Artie was crazy. When he blamed Brittany for trampling over his virginity, I was just like, “unh unh…boo it takes two”

Amber: Ok, well maybe saying that they are “in love” is too simplistic. What I really mean is, I think that they have a very intimate relationship that, it seems, they both have trouble understanding and I think the writers use their “promiscuity” to downplay it in a way. Also, the both of them sleeping with most of the guys in the school or on the football team is a problem in itself and are often indicators of some deep insecurity. Not all the time, but yeah. As far as Artie is concerned, I agree with you. It does take two and he did make himself out to be the victim. In a way he should’ve known better, but also in a way Brittany did take advantage of him. But like you said, he can’t completely demonize her, it takes two.

Liz: I mean, he just got through saying he had feelings for someone else…but some other feelings overpowered the moment obviously. I was just irritated. As far as Brittany and Santana, I think your observations are interesting and I wonder where the writers will take this.

Amber: Agreed. I mean, their sexual tension is evident and I feel like I’ve definitely noticed it before, but in this episode it was a little more pronounced…on purpose, I think. But hey, who knows…maybe i’m reading too much into it…? We will see.

Liz: lol. ok so on a lighter note, two adorable things about this episode: Quinn and Sam and Mike Chang. So at first, I thought Quinn should stay away from him…you know, don’t go jumpin in any new relationships, but they are so freakin cute together. It’s almost sickening. And I’ll bet you 10 dollars (not really) that those two actors are gonna end up together…that chemistry is just too real. lol. And then Mike…I hope they keep him with those actual conversations and routines! No more “the other Asian kid,” we should all remember his name! And he’s so cute. Ok I’m done. lol

Amber: I actually thought Mike and Tina’s duet was the best of the episode. It was so damn clever and very well executed (standing ovation). Also, I just love to watch Mike dance…and to just watch him…sooooo hot. Quinn and Sam are sickeningly cute, but I emphasize sickeningly. Lol. I just can’t get into it…and I recognize that I’m just hatin…but they are just way too damn blond. I’m just sayin.

Liz: Maybe he’ll go back to his natural color. Lol. No more lemon juice. They have the best goo-goo eyes for each other. LOL

Amber: Aw, you love it. Haha. I love that you love it.

Liz: LOL. I do love it. The second time I watched it I was like, this is so sickening but dammit I kinda love it.

Amber: Lol. Smdh.