Glee 3x07: SO MANY THOUGHTS
Dec. 2nd, 2011 01:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
allopenstarUpdate: I started this at 3:45am. It is now about 2 hours later, and after clearing so many tabs, I still have 3 windows worth of stuff I want to talk about. Maybe I'll grab smth to eat first.
Update #2: Perfect highest peak was at #8, but now it seems to be stuck at #11. I guess constant sales is better than a rush of sales? Plus the performance was dorky, not the awesome slick dance of RHS/SLY in the last episode.
Final update: So glad to finally get this out. UGH, the amount of things that made me angry this episode. I can finally move on to something else.
Once again, this thing is going to have very little organisation and a heck lot of analysis. Also, Glee fans are pulling out this is a fevered dream of Quinn or Will theory, which should tell you how much they hate this episode.
First of, this quote:
Second, what to remember when someone comes out to you. Useful guide, just read it.
Third, I mostly blame the writers for this shit, ugh.
Things I Like
The Perfect Duet
I like that it wasn't preachy, but instead is just this fun dorky thing. Boys, so dorky. Kinda sad that it was cut short, and I think some choreography might have been better, but it was cute and dorky. As people have said, this is like totally fluffy.
Also, because it wasn't preachy at all, I can buy into them singing this song to Santana. Like they get it, both of them. Coming out is hard. Kurt got bullied even before he came out, and Blaine got beaten up after he came out, so much so that both of them had to get away from their school. Yeah, they get it. And sure, I also can buy into Santana's reaction, because they are this happy couple who looks so comfortable with themselves, whereas Santana is still struggling so hard to accept herself. She wants that comfort now, and all they are doing is just show her what she cannot have now. So yes, I buy into her dismissive behaviour towards Kurt and Blaine.
Basically, the overall Kurt and Blaine storyline is VERY well written, as compared to the rest of the episode. Basically, boys being treated like any straight couple, supporting each other through tough college applications. Which is wow, and amazing, because, I say it again, I have been waiting for a storyline like this for years, and it finally exists. Given the same treatment as any other couple, I love it. But at the same time, it really disappoints and makes you wonder, why are Kurt and Blaine written so well, but Santana's storyline this week is written so terribly?
Do the writers not know how to write women? SHIT. I hate this. If you don't know, HIRE A WOMAN WRITER. Don't turn into another SPN, though I would say that Glee is often on the edge of it.
Omg, I just re-watched the scene. OH boys, you are so cute and dorky and much less embarrassing than I remembered.
Santana's coming out
Yes, WOW. So powerful. Just this, and this. What else can I give but praise to this scene? And Santana's line about the war? I reacted to that as viscerally as I did to that line in Life Is Beautiful, Episode 3. Blew me away. Naya nailed it.
It has sparked off a discussion of what Puerto Rican families are like in the US, which kinda feels to me like your usual tradition-ingrained conservative family. Linking a few discussion here for reference: x, x, x.
I think that this coming out is meant to contrast Kurt's. We all know that Blaine didn't have a good coming out, but we never saw that. I really like the way Santana spoke about the struggle within her, and the fact that she is the same person she was a minute ago. Wow, those are some very powerful words, and I bet many LGBTQ teens can related to her exact sentiments.
(First Half of) Quinn and Puck's talk
I love the way he called her out, and the way this show canonically acknowledges that Quinn is messed up. Just, the things he said, it was direct and good. NOW DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Don't let her spiral in this craziness.
But I do have to say that, for Puck to be the one to call her out? I don't really like it. This will be elaborated later.
Voting
Super cute and fun. I love the thoughts of each character as they voted, but even more awesome is Mike Chang who walked in and voted for Kurt as if there was no other. Go Mike!
Election (Both Kurt's and Burt's)
Love Kurt's storyline, and the way it affected his NYADA storyline. Just, boys supporting each other and being supportive. Adore it. Some reviewers have said that Kurt's bullying arc is over, and now we get to focus on his relationship and his future, same as any other character. I do agree with that.
Some thoughts on political reference here.
Burt's win. What does it mean for his family? Do they have to move to DC, I wonder? Well, that is if Glee even thinks about such things.
Random shit
Like Puck's math genius in math class. Random scenes are fun.
Things I am Ambiguous About
Rachel helping Kurt
Her reasoning is that he'll be useful to her next year. Straight privilege WTF? I mean, seriously, for a child who grew up having gay parents, Rachel's straight privilege is very evident and overwhelming. The way she objectified and stereotyped based on his sexuality, ugh. Look, Glee is satire, and the line might have credit coming from another character (though no less offensive), but coming from Rachel? Idiotic and reeking of straight privilege.
But she did own up to the ballot stuffing, a rare moment of honesty. Some people said that sometimes Rachel tries too hard. I agree. And some said that her glee club won't even miss her at Sectionals, and that is sad. Well, I disagree to an extent. Look, if Rachel had appreciated her Glee club members and not dismissed them, sure, I'll sympathise with her. But she gets numerous solos when the others are sidelined so often. So, sad that she won't be there, but I don't feel too sorry for her. Once she is back, she is going to get more solos, no change.
Quinn and Puck
I am just so tired of the way this show tears down and villainizes women and holds up assholes as the “good guys.” - x
Essentially, this.
Quinn offering herself to Puck, ugh. And wanting to make a baby? Double ugh. NO, just NO. And like I said, I did appreciate Puck calling her out for it. But, then he goes and messes her mind up by telling her about Shelby?!!! WTH Puck? After acknowledging that she is messed up, you go and mess her up even more? But he is a teenager, so I guess he gets a partial pass? I don't know, he just shouldn't have put that on her.
Puck and Shelby
I liked that it over very quickly, and that she realised that it was a mistake in this context. But, ugh, hated that the show even went in this direction. Sure hope that Constant Craving isn't signaling an interest from her towards Puck.
On Santana
Being a bitch, not something to be cured. -x
Look, just because someone is abrasive with words, it is not something to be CURED, especially not if that person is female. Shit, guys insult girls all the time, and they justify it by calling it pigtail pulling. But once a girl exhibits that behaviour, she is a bitch? NO. Some people are just sharp with words. Live with it, or just let it go. Not your cup of tea? Walk away. But do call on them if they make offensive remarks.
Call back to Kurt's Bullying Arc (or basically the lack of one)
This, or this.
Especially this
Talking about how physical violence is not allowed at WMHS would have had much more impact if Kurt's bulling arc was referenced to, and acknowledge that this change happened because of what Kurt went through. Also, Kurt had been suffering for years before something was done, but Santana gets immediate support? UGH. But they are under no obligation to bring it up, so it gets a partial pass.
Things I Don't Like
White, Straight, Male Privilege
I should begin by qualifying that Finn is a teenager like Santana, and it is not that he can do no right, she can do no wrong. But Glee, stop holding Finn's behaviour as if it was some sort of gold standard. It is NOT. Stop validating his actions. His actions now don't excuse his behaviour from before, and his actions now reeks of straight privilege.
The opening scene. Glee, STOP TRYING TO REDEEM FINN. He is so irredeemable at this point, don't even bother. Look, the fact is, most Glee guys are jerks (Yes, Kurt and Blaine also have their fail moments, but Mike Chang is pretty much perfect). Like Artie's blatant sexism, or the way Puck treats people in general. What Glee likes to do is to redeem these guys through song. Some people, I think MAYBE it worked out. Like Puck. Some people, like Artie, I don't even bother. He can't be redeemed, because the way he has consistently treated women in the past, despite his numerous redeeming storylines, only goes to show one thing: He never learns from his mistake. I really wish Kevin McHale had a better storyline. More here.
This is similarly true for Finn Hudson. We have to buy him as some Well-Meaning Good Guy, who tries to make up for his mistakes again, and again. But the thing is, Finn never learns too. You would think that after everything Kurt has been through, the unrequited crush on Finn and the way Finn reacted, the way Kurt was consistently bullied in the past two years from being perceived as gay, Finn would learn that outing someone at WMHS is not okay. But, no. He does it ANYWAY. And this week, he practically BLACKMAILED Santana into being at Glee Club. It is like this Good Guy who wants to help you to come to terms with your sexuality, and he is going to decide the TIMING of it for you. Santana had that one line about how she didn't want to do this, but was summarily dismissed. UGH. Finn is going to decide, the time, the place and the method. And this is all okay, because you know, he is a Good Guy. FUCK NO. How can you be so privileged as to not see that it is SANTANA's prerogative how she is going to deal with this issue?
And EW, he sings Girls Wanna Have Fun. First of all, TERRIBLE title. Look, I get that the lyrics are slowed down and whatever shit, and the chorus doesn't apply, BUT SHIT NO, SANTANA is not in it FOR THE FUN, idiot. Just, the terrible title just takes away from the message that Good Guy Finn is trying to send. Also, wow, it takes all the straight guys in Glee Club singing this song to her for her to be okay with it. WOW. HERE, LET ME SAVE YOU FROM YOUR MISERY BY MY WHITE-KNIGHTING. You are suffering? All you need is a nice straight guy who is nice to you, and well-meaning. UGH. Thanks, but Santana doesn't need it. It would have been so much better if Brittany was the one to sing ANYTHING to her.
Also, you know why he cares about her? Because she was his first? WHAT? Oh, not because, you know, Kurt is his stepbrother and he learnt something from this? No? But because he lost his virginity to her, that gives him prerogative to take over her coming out process? WTF?
And you know what the worse part of all this is? This is Glee, and the casual audience are going to think that this sort of behaviour is VALIDATED. Because Glee has written good LGBTQ storylines before, so people are going to see this, and pat themselves on the back for getting it, and that being nice to LGBTQ people is all they need. And if LGBTQ people aren't happy at what you nice straight people are doing for them, well it is obviously not YOUR fault, because you are so well-meaning. Can you see how wrong this storyline is? UGH, I HATE IT. Here, someone has expressed this point better than I have here.
Oh oh, and Finn faces ZERO consequences for outing Santana. Not a single word from Kurt, Burt or even Rachel. Just here. NO, WTF, NO. Like Kurt didn't even out Karofsky after what he did to Kurt. Kurt has very strong negative feelings about outing someone else. But we don't see it or hear it. What?! He was even applauded for doing Santana a favour, FUCK NO.
Look, it is not Glee's job to educate anyone (I believe in self-education about social issues), but as a major network television show, they do have some responsibility in accurate, or at least, decent portrayals of these issues. Not this stupid white male privilege that reeks this entire storyline. Writers, leave Finn in the background. I like him much better then.
More concised thoughts here. And here. And here.
Also, male privilege is rampant in this episode. Finn telling Santana to "have fun" together with the rest of the Glee straight guys (and Santana thanking them for it, WTF?), Puck telling Quinn she is messed up, guy threatening Santana with corrective rape, all the girls singing I Kissed A Girl for all the guys, two women fighting over Cooter. For an episode about female empowerment, it sure has a lot of focus on the male characters. NO, just NO.
I Kissed A Girl performance
My main feelings about this is expressed in this article, staring from the words "Case in point:...". In summary, this is what happens.
First, Santana gets threatened with corrective rape. FUCK. I hate this corrective rape shit, and I know it can be triggery for some people. Thanks Glee for acknowledging that such people and mindset exist. But seriously, Brittany's "alien invasion" comment is not addressed, and it makes me uncomfortable cos that was rape. I do like it that her friends stand up for her though. I think this is a powerful moment, when corrective rape is slammed down. But you know what, what happens after that takes away from the moment.
Secondly, they sing I Kissed A Girl. I Kissed A Girl has been repeatedly and publicly slammed down as a song representative of lesbian relationships, because it is framed through the male gaze. What happened to not making Santana and Brittany the storyline that was just for fun? What happened to taking the relationship seriously? One, why is Santana not at all affected by the horrible shit she just heard, shit that she is going to have to face ALL HER LIFE? And she just sings her way into kissing girls for FUN? NO. It was a much needed moment of female empowerment, but expressed through "NAUGHTY, TEE HEE KISSES!!" FUCK NO. Oh oh, and you know what, they were performing for GUYS as well. Wow. The dance moves were meant to titillate the guys. How the hell is this a moment of female empowerment, when guys are objectifying you, and you are saying that lesbianism might be a choice? Similar thoughts here.
Oh, and most screwed up, Santana thanks FINN. WTF?!!! "Yay, Finn, thanks for white-knighting me and deciding when and where I would have to deal with my sexuality. Your behaviour is perfectly valid." NO. JUST, NO. Have a gif that goes nicely with this shit.
Beiste's relationship
Beiste has always been appreciated as a character because she accepts herself exactly the way she looks. For her to throw it all away just to fight for a guy with another women? WOW, how ORIGINAL, Glee. NO, just NO. The male becomes the centre of the relationship, instead of Beiste. It excuses his cheating behavior, because, OH, she wasn't FULFILLING him and what he thought was a relationship. She wasn't up to what HE EXPECTED. What about what she expects, huh? A guy who understand her? But NO, instead, she gets to fight with another female character over this cheating bastard. UGH.
More thoughts about Beiste, and Santana, here.
James Rodemeyer
FUCK NO, how can you bring up his suicide in such a manner, by such a character so unaware of his straight, white, male privilege? Just, NO. (x)
Will and Shelby
This entire shit was endorsed by at least two adult figures, WTH? They are terrible educators, and they shouldn't be in charge of high school kids at all, if they let Finn railroad them. And they also didn't lecture Finn on his outing of Santana. Instead, they encourage this stupid, idiotic behavior of Finn. I hate Will forever and ever. He is so terrible for the kids, UGH.
In summary, here and here.
Wow, if you have actually read till here, here's a bonus.
Bonus: NYADA application treasure trove (here)
One, Kurt won Cheerios Nationals. And he was on the football team. And a featured soloist at Dalton. C'mon. Glee writers, you really really suck at continuity.
Two, Fail fake number. Wrong quote. Some fan quoted the fake number wrongly, and it turned out that the number was real. That poor American family.
Three, Kurt's age
He is 18. Interesting for the US people, cos they graduate/are in college when they are 18. Some people are guessing that his birthdate affected his graduation, or his mom's death delayed his return to school.
More info here, including talk about age of consent.
Four, Fans thoughts about NYADA and other NY schools here.
Final thoughts
If I, as a fan of Glee and of the Kurt and Blaine relationship, already feel so strongly about the episode, I really can't imagine how crushed all the Santana fans might be. Like, look at how Kurt's storyline has been written over the seasons. And then look at Santana's; everything is squashed into a single episode. And I like Santana okay, so yes, I hate that her storyline is so terrible. I really can't imagine what it must be like for the Santana and Brittana fans.
But the one thing I don't want to differentiate is that there is a difference between "gay love" and "lesbian love". Male privilege, yes probably. But being queer, all in it together man, no difference. Other than in the eyes of the idiotic public of course, which is disgust at presumed lack of masculinity, and unwarranted interest in presumed hyped up sexuality.
Have I destroyed your enjoyment of your casual viewing of Glee yet? Oops. But whatever, I am not sorry, these things need to be said.
In conclusion, thank you Naya Rivera for selling the hell out of these lines. Wow. This hit me right where it hurts.
Update #2: Perfect highest peak was at #8, but now it seems to be stuck at #11. I guess constant sales is better than a rush of sales? Plus the performance was dorky, not the awesome slick dance of RHS/SLY in the last episode.
Final update: So glad to finally get this out. UGH, the amount of things that made me angry this episode. I can finally move on to something else.
Once again, this thing is going to have very little organisation and a heck lot of analysis. Also, Glee fans are pulling out this is a fevered dream of Quinn or Will theory, which should tell you how much they hate this episode.
First of, this quote:
"You know what my real problem is with Glee? My real problem with Glee is that when it’s good, it’s better than anything else on TV. If Glee had never shown any promise, had never proved it could be brilliant, had never given a shit about its characters or its stories or its fans, if it had always been a crappy teenage show about a ragtag band of misfits, I wouldn’t get so enraged about it." - xFACT. TRUTH.
Second, what to remember when someone comes out to you. Useful guide, just read it.
Third, I mostly blame the writers for this shit, ugh.
Things I Like
The Perfect Duet
I like that it wasn't preachy, but instead is just this fun dorky thing. Boys, so dorky. Kinda sad that it was cut short, and I think some choreography might have been better, but it was cute and dorky. As people have said, this is like totally fluffy.
Also, because it wasn't preachy at all, I can buy into them singing this song to Santana. Like they get it, both of them. Coming out is hard. Kurt got bullied even before he came out, and Blaine got beaten up after he came out, so much so that both of them had to get away from their school. Yeah, they get it. And sure, I also can buy into Santana's reaction, because they are this happy couple who looks so comfortable with themselves, whereas Santana is still struggling so hard to accept herself. She wants that comfort now, and all they are doing is just show her what she cannot have now. So yes, I buy into her dismissive behaviour towards Kurt and Blaine.
Basically, the overall Kurt and Blaine storyline is VERY well written, as compared to the rest of the episode. Basically, boys being treated like any straight couple, supporting each other through tough college applications. Which is wow, and amazing, because, I say it again, I have been waiting for a storyline like this for years, and it finally exists. Given the same treatment as any other couple, I love it. But at the same time, it really disappoints and makes you wonder, why are Kurt and Blaine written so well, but Santana's storyline this week is written so terribly?
Do the writers not know how to write women? SHIT. I hate this. If you don't know, HIRE A WOMAN WRITER. Don't turn into another SPN, though I would say that Glee is often on the edge of it.
Omg, I just re-watched the scene. OH boys, you are so cute and dorky and much less embarrassing than I remembered.
Santana's coming out
Yes, WOW. So powerful. Just this, and this. What else can I give but praise to this scene? And Santana's line about the war? I reacted to that as viscerally as I did to that line in Life Is Beautiful, Episode 3. Blew me away. Naya nailed it.
It has sparked off a discussion of what Puerto Rican families are like in the US, which kinda feels to me like your usual tradition-ingrained conservative family. Linking a few discussion here for reference: x, x, x.
I think that this coming out is meant to contrast Kurt's. We all know that Blaine didn't have a good coming out, but we never saw that. I really like the way Santana spoke about the struggle within her, and the fact that she is the same person she was a minute ago. Wow, those are some very powerful words, and I bet many LGBTQ teens can related to her exact sentiments.
(First Half of) Quinn and Puck's talk
I love the way he called her out, and the way this show canonically acknowledges that Quinn is messed up. Just, the things he said, it was direct and good. NOW DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Don't let her spiral in this craziness.
But I do have to say that, for Puck to be the one to call her out? I don't really like it. This will be elaborated later.
Voting
Super cute and fun. I love the thoughts of each character as they voted, but even more awesome is Mike Chang who walked in and voted for Kurt as if there was no other. Go Mike!
Election (Both Kurt's and Burt's)
Love Kurt's storyline, and the way it affected his NYADA storyline. Just, boys supporting each other and being supportive. Adore it. Some reviewers have said that Kurt's bullying arc is over, and now we get to focus on his relationship and his future, same as any other character. I do agree with that.
Some thoughts on political reference here.
Burt's win. What does it mean for his family? Do they have to move to DC, I wonder? Well, that is if Glee even thinks about such things.
Random shit
Like Puck's math genius in math class. Random scenes are fun.
Things I am Ambiguous About
Rachel helping Kurt
Her reasoning is that he'll be useful to her next year. Straight privilege WTF? I mean, seriously, for a child who grew up having gay parents, Rachel's straight privilege is very evident and overwhelming. The way she objectified and stereotyped based on his sexuality, ugh. Look, Glee is satire, and the line might have credit coming from another character (though no less offensive), but coming from Rachel? Idiotic and reeking of straight privilege.
But she did own up to the ballot stuffing, a rare moment of honesty. Some people said that sometimes Rachel tries too hard. I agree. And some said that her glee club won't even miss her at Sectionals, and that is sad. Well, I disagree to an extent. Look, if Rachel had appreciated her Glee club members and not dismissed them, sure, I'll sympathise with her. But she gets numerous solos when the others are sidelined so often. So, sad that she won't be there, but I don't feel too sorry for her. Once she is back, she is going to get more solos, no change.
Quinn and Puck
I am just so tired of the way this show tears down and villainizes women and holds up assholes as the “good guys.” - x
Essentially, this.
Quinn offering herself to Puck, ugh. And wanting to make a baby? Double ugh. NO, just NO. And like I said, I did appreciate Puck calling her out for it. But, then he goes and messes her mind up by telling her about Shelby?!!! WTH Puck? After acknowledging that she is messed up, you go and mess her up even more? But he is a teenager, so I guess he gets a partial pass? I don't know, he just shouldn't have put that on her.
Puck and Shelby
I liked that it over very quickly, and that she realised that it was a mistake in this context. But, ugh, hated that the show even went in this direction. Sure hope that Constant Craving isn't signaling an interest from her towards Puck.
On Santana
Being a bitch, not something to be cured. -x
Look, just because someone is abrasive with words, it is not something to be CURED, especially not if that person is female. Shit, guys insult girls all the time, and they justify it by calling it pigtail pulling. But once a girl exhibits that behaviour, she is a bitch? NO. Some people are just sharp with words. Live with it, or just let it go. Not your cup of tea? Walk away. But do call on them if they make offensive remarks.
Call back to Kurt's Bullying Arc (or basically the lack of one)
This, or this.
Especially this
Talking about how physical violence is not allowed at WMHS would have had much more impact if Kurt's bulling arc was referenced to, and acknowledge that this change happened because of what Kurt went through. Also, Kurt had been suffering for years before something was done, but Santana gets immediate support? UGH. But they are under no obligation to bring it up, so it gets a partial pass.
Things I Don't Like
White, Straight, Male Privilege
I should begin by qualifying that Finn is a teenager like Santana, and it is not that he can do no right, she can do no wrong. But Glee, stop holding Finn's behaviour as if it was some sort of gold standard. It is NOT. Stop validating his actions. His actions now don't excuse his behaviour from before, and his actions now reeks of straight privilege.
The opening scene. Glee, STOP TRYING TO REDEEM FINN. He is so irredeemable at this point, don't even bother. Look, the fact is, most Glee guys are jerks (Yes, Kurt and Blaine also have their fail moments, but Mike Chang is pretty much perfect). Like Artie's blatant sexism, or the way Puck treats people in general. What Glee likes to do is to redeem these guys through song. Some people, I think MAYBE it worked out. Like Puck. Some people, like Artie, I don't even bother. He can't be redeemed, because the way he has consistently treated women in the past, despite his numerous redeeming storylines, only goes to show one thing: He never learns from his mistake. I really wish Kevin McHale had a better storyline. More here.
This is similarly true for Finn Hudson. We have to buy him as some Well-Meaning Good Guy, who tries to make up for his mistakes again, and again. But the thing is, Finn never learns too. You would think that after everything Kurt has been through, the unrequited crush on Finn and the way Finn reacted, the way Kurt was consistently bullied in the past two years from being perceived as gay, Finn would learn that outing someone at WMHS is not okay. But, no. He does it ANYWAY. And this week, he practically BLACKMAILED Santana into being at Glee Club. It is like this Good Guy who wants to help you to come to terms with your sexuality, and he is going to decide the TIMING of it for you. Santana had that one line about how she didn't want to do this, but was summarily dismissed. UGH. Finn is going to decide, the time, the place and the method. And this is all okay, because you know, he is a Good Guy. FUCK NO. How can you be so privileged as to not see that it is SANTANA's prerogative how she is going to deal with this issue?
...coming out in our own time in our own way in our own space is the one thing we do get to choose - xAlso, he feels sorry? It is so condescending, that he thinks he can even comprehend the task ahead of her, the way she has to navigate through life because of what he did. UGH. More here.
And EW, he sings Girls Wanna Have Fun. First of all, TERRIBLE title. Look, I get that the lyrics are slowed down and whatever shit, and the chorus doesn't apply, BUT SHIT NO, SANTANA is not in it FOR THE FUN, idiot. Just, the terrible title just takes away from the message that Good Guy Finn is trying to send. Also, wow, it takes all the straight guys in Glee Club singing this song to her for her to be okay with it. WOW. HERE, LET ME SAVE YOU FROM YOUR MISERY BY MY WHITE-KNIGHTING. You are suffering? All you need is a nice straight guy who is nice to you, and well-meaning. UGH. Thanks, but Santana doesn't need it. It would have been so much better if Brittany was the one to sing ANYTHING to her.
Also, you know why he cares about her? Because she was his first? WHAT? Oh, not because, you know, Kurt is his stepbrother and he learnt something from this? No? But because he lost his virginity to her, that gives him prerogative to take over her coming out process? WTF?
And you know what the worse part of all this is? This is Glee, and the casual audience are going to think that this sort of behaviour is VALIDATED. Because Glee has written good LGBTQ storylines before, so people are going to see this, and pat themselves on the back for getting it, and that being nice to LGBTQ people is all they need. And if LGBTQ people aren't happy at what you nice straight people are doing for them, well it is obviously not YOUR fault, because you are so well-meaning. Can you see how wrong this storyline is? UGH, I HATE IT. Here, someone has expressed this point better than I have here.
Oh oh, and Finn faces ZERO consequences for outing Santana. Not a single word from Kurt, Burt or even Rachel. Just here. NO, WTF, NO. Like Kurt didn't even out Karofsky after what he did to Kurt. Kurt has very strong negative feelings about outing someone else. But we don't see it or hear it. What?! He was even applauded for doing Santana a favour, FUCK NO.
Look, it is not Glee's job to educate anyone (I believe in self-education about social issues), but as a major network television show, they do have some responsibility in accurate, or at least, decent portrayals of these issues. Not this stupid white male privilege that reeks this entire storyline. Writers, leave Finn in the background. I like him much better then.
More concised thoughts here. And here. And here.
Also, male privilege is rampant in this episode. Finn telling Santana to "have fun" together with the rest of the Glee straight guys (and Santana thanking them for it, WTF?), Puck telling Quinn she is messed up, guy threatening Santana with corrective rape, all the girls singing I Kissed A Girl for all the guys, two women fighting over Cooter. For an episode about female empowerment, it sure has a lot of focus on the male characters. NO, just NO.
I Kissed A Girl performance
My main feelings about this is expressed in this article, staring from the words "Case in point:...". In summary, this is what happens.
First, Santana gets threatened with corrective rape. FUCK. I hate this corrective rape shit, and I know it can be triggery for some people. Thanks Glee for acknowledging that such people and mindset exist. But seriously, Brittany's "alien invasion" comment is not addressed, and it makes me uncomfortable cos that was rape. I do like it that her friends stand up for her though. I think this is a powerful moment, when corrective rape is slammed down. But you know what, what happens after that takes away from the moment.
Secondly, they sing I Kissed A Girl. I Kissed A Girl has been repeatedly and publicly slammed down as a song representative of lesbian relationships, because it is framed through the male gaze. What happened to not making Santana and Brittany the storyline that was just for fun? What happened to taking the relationship seriously? One, why is Santana not at all affected by the horrible shit she just heard, shit that she is going to have to face ALL HER LIFE? And she just sings her way into kissing girls for FUN? NO. It was a much needed moment of female empowerment, but expressed through "NAUGHTY, TEE HEE KISSES!!" FUCK NO. Oh oh, and you know what, they were performing for GUYS as well. Wow. The dance moves were meant to titillate the guys. How the hell is this a moment of female empowerment, when guys are objectifying you, and you are saying that lesbianism might be a choice? Similar thoughts here.
Oh, and most screwed up, Santana thanks FINN. WTF?!!! "Yay, Finn, thanks for white-knighting me and deciding when and where I would have to deal with my sexuality. Your behaviour is perfectly valid." NO. JUST, NO. Have a gif that goes nicely with this shit.
Beiste's relationship
Beiste has always been appreciated as a character because she accepts herself exactly the way she looks. For her to throw it all away just to fight for a guy with another women? WOW, how ORIGINAL, Glee. NO, just NO. The male becomes the centre of the relationship, instead of Beiste. It excuses his cheating behavior, because, OH, she wasn't FULFILLING him and what he thought was a relationship. She wasn't up to what HE EXPECTED. What about what she expects, huh? A guy who understand her? But NO, instead, she gets to fight with another female character over this cheating bastard. UGH.
More thoughts about Beiste, and Santana, here.
James Rodemeyer
FUCK NO, how can you bring up his suicide in such a manner, by such a character so unaware of his straight, white, male privilege? Just, NO. (x)
Will and Shelby
This entire shit was endorsed by at least two adult figures, WTH? They are terrible educators, and they shouldn't be in charge of high school kids at all, if they let Finn railroad them. And they also didn't lecture Finn on his outing of Santana. Instead, they encourage this stupid, idiotic behavior of Finn. I hate Will forever and ever. He is so terrible for the kids, UGH.
In summary, here and here.
Wow, if you have actually read till here, here's a bonus.
Bonus: NYADA application treasure trove (here)
One, Kurt won Cheerios Nationals. And he was on the football team. And a featured soloist at Dalton. C'mon. Glee writers, you really really suck at continuity.
Two, Fail fake number. Wrong quote. Some fan quoted the fake number wrongly, and it turned out that the number was real. That poor American family.
Three, Kurt's age
He is 18. Interesting for the US people, cos they graduate/are in college when they are 18. Some people are guessing that his birthdate affected his graduation, or his mom's death delayed his return to school.
More info here, including talk about age of consent.
Four, Fans thoughts about NYADA and other NY schools here.
Final thoughts
If I, as a fan of Glee and of the Kurt and Blaine relationship, already feel so strongly about the episode, I really can't imagine how crushed all the Santana fans might be. Like, look at how Kurt's storyline has been written over the seasons. And then look at Santana's; everything is squashed into a single episode. And I like Santana okay, so yes, I hate that her storyline is so terrible. I really can't imagine what it must be like for the Santana and Brittana fans.
But the one thing I don't want to differentiate is that there is a difference between "gay love" and "lesbian love". Male privilege, yes probably. But being queer, all in it together man, no difference. Other than in the eyes of the idiotic public of course, which is disgust at presumed lack of masculinity, and unwarranted interest in presumed hyped up sexuality.
Have I destroyed your enjoyment of your casual viewing of Glee yet? Oops. But whatever, I am not sorry, these things need to be said.
In conclusion, thank you Naya Rivera for selling the hell out of these lines. Wow. This hit me right where it hurts.
