Glee isnt just another comedy about the horrors of high school. Now in its fifth season, this cheeky Fox show has become a cabaret-meets-after-school-special that sneaks in as many life lessons as it does pop songs. In a recent episode, there was even a reminder about the importance of meningitis vaccines.
After one of its stars, Cory Monteith, died this summer from a toxic mix of heroin and alcohol, it seemed almost inevitable that the show would somehow work in that loss as a cautionary tale for young viewers.
It doesnt.
Thursdays episode is the first to address the disappearance of Mr. Monteiths character, Finn, a quarterback turned glee club singer when the series began. The new show opens three weeks after Finns funeral, and the entire school is grief-stricken. But there is no hint of how Finns life ended. There are no elliptical references to the dangers of substance abuse not even an Amy Winehouse song.
That decision will undoubtedly disappoint antidrug advocates who may be hoping for a teachable moment, but its a bold and respectful one. Rather than milk the tragedy and pump up news media attention and ratings, the shows writers went out of their way to step around the obvious.
Finns stepbrother, Kurt (Chris Colfer), as he prepares to attend a high school memorial, gives the answer while talking to himself: Everyone wants to talk about how he died, too, but who cares? One moment in his whole life; I care more about how he lived.
And those words are meaningful, not just for the character, but also for the people who worked with Mr. Monteith.
Glee is famous for addressing all kinds of issues related to tolerance; there is even a transgender character. But the show is not particularly known for diffidence or decorum, and neither is its creator, Ryan Murphy, whose credits include Nip/Tuck and American Horror Story. Last weeks episode also included a recent grads big break in show business: singing about yeast infections in an ad for an antifungal cream.
So, of course, on this commemorative episode, there is humor as well as sorrowful songs like Ill Stand by You and If I Die Young.
Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) is one of the few students who turns to the jittery guidance counselor, Emma (Jayma Mays), for help with her feelings.
I just dont know how much longer I can do this, Tina says weepily. Emma gently asks her what she means, and Tina tells her she means wearing black.
This look is so Tina two years ago, she moans. I spent so much time transitioning away from Goth, and look at me its like Im back in that look.
Emma gives Tina a hug and self-help pamphlets titled Its Not All About You and Wait, Am I Callous?
There are more sober messages about the different ways people handle loss. A mothers grief is indescribable, but the writers find a way for Finns mom, Carole (Romy Rosemont), to express herself as she sits on the floor of her sons room, contemplating the task of packing up his belongings. You dont get to stop waking up, Carole says. You have to keep on being a parent even though you dont get to have a child anymore.
This funny-maudlin tribute to Mr. Monteith wont please everyone, but no one can accuse the show of crass exploitation.
As usual, Sue (Jane Lynch), the acid-tongued cheerleading coach whos now the principal, says it best.
In one scene she snaps at the teachers to stop wallowing in their grief. They can best pay tribute to Finn, Sue says, by not making a self-serving spectacle of our own sadness.
Source: http://tv.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/arts/television/glee-addresses-the-loss-of-cory-monteith.html
