When I wrote about “Glee” back in the fall, I had nothing but the highest praise for it. That was after seven episodes. Now “Glee” is nearing its season one finale, and my opinions about it have changed.
There are still a few highlights, such as the music itself and the weekly presence of Jane Lynch on my television screen. I even have a playlist of all the songs on the show, and I listen to it while I write papers, bopping along to “Gives You Hell” or “Somebody to Love.”
But these two highlights alone cannot carry the show.
So what needs to change? Just about everything. I wish I could say that I thought the show was just off to a shaky start, or that “Glee” is merely suffering from the traditional woes of a first season, but creator Ryan Murphy does not have a great track record, so I fear that “Glee” is heading off the rails. At any rate, I have a few suggestions.
First, the writers should make some attempt at offering continuity, instead of recycling the same storylines week after week. They should remember what they’ve already written before, because sometimes, it seems like there is no communication between writers.
For example, in “Ballad,” the tenth episode of the season, cheerleader Quinn moves in with her boyfriend Finn and his mother. In “Sectionals” three episodes later, they break up.
Three episodes after that, in “Home,” Finn’s mother is talking about moving in with someone and there is absolutely no mention of Quinn’s living arrangements. You’d think, in an episode called “Home,” there would be some reference to where hers is.
Second, stop making everyone hate Rachel. Yes, she is a know-it-all, and yes, she may be irritating, but on the whole, she is nice to everyone, including the people that write things about her in the bathroom stall. She is all about the team and making New Directions a successful glee club, and all anyone does is make fun of her and make her life more miserable than it already is.
Third, calm down with the hype. People are already peeing themselves anytime they see anything “Glee” related, so there’s no need to amp up the commercials or spoil the best parts of episodes way in advance, as they did by airing Sue Sylvester’s remake of Madonna’s “Vogue” video.
Fourth – and this is the easiest – bring back Terri Schuester. Her brand of insanity is the brand I’m buying.
Finally, stop giving Cory Monteith solos. When Chris Colfer sings “A House is Not a Home” and Cory interjects, it only highlights the fact that he is the weakest singer on the entire show.
So, I’m still watching “Glee,” but that’s because I like complaining and because I like the music. If those are things you enjoy too, then I would recommend sticking around, because I feel like that’s all the show has left to offer.
TV is the answer
