a valuable use of my time (i.e. raining on everyone's parade like nobody's business)

[falulatonks]

I was going to have my first entry back be on Friday, after my last paper, and I wanted it to be about many cool, interesting things, because I miss typing rubbish, but I watched Glee this week (because I have only one paper left, ugh) and just - so many issues, guys. So many issues.

1. I don't know how many of you are big Kurt fans, but my patience for him mostly wears thin if he's a major part of a storyline. It's not because I dislike him (although I do, kind of, despite how much I like Chris Colfer), but because the writers - Ryan Murphy in particular - clearly idolize him. He does No Wrong. When he does do wrong, he learns his mistakes. When he does do wrong, everyone must sympathize with him and help him feel better anyway. Was it a big surprise that this episode grated on my nerves?
   
   I do, somewhat, appreciate the value of the bullying storyline. I enjoy that people who are gay and had problems in school are happy that there's a character on an extremely popular show who has the support of his friends and his family. When it takes over an episode completely - hell, when it's starting to take over a show completely - it gets too much to tolerate. It's the wedding in particular that bothers me: the dad talks about Kurt - which is understandable, I guess, but seriously, the man was staring at his son pretty much the entire time he was at the altar, instead of the woman in front of him. The stepmother talks about Kurt, and then decides to mention Finn - in the capacity of him being Kurt's step-brother. Finn has a speech? Oh he's going to honour the new marriage - oh wait, I remember he's singing Just the Way You Are, wouldn't it be sweet if he dedicated it to his mom? - oh no, no. It's about Kurt! Let's all dance for Kurt! Kurt, Kurt, hooray.
   
   And let's not forget to highlight the tragedy of Kurt having to transfer - everything was going well! His stepbrother has accepted him (in front of only his friends at the wedding, of course, but let's forget how much that doesn't matter!)! Will was going to give him a solo for sectionals!! But he must leave. Bye.
2. It's a shame they didn't get enough screentime (not even in referring to their own love), because I do love Burt and Carole. I think they're sweet, and the best minor characters. It's kind of touching that they've met each other after losing their first spouses, and that they're happy enough with each other that they got married. Why didn't they even touch on that a little bit during the wedding?
3. What the hell was Quinn's random burst of feminism in this episode? And how ridiculously misplaced was it? Her issue was with Rachel asking for the help of stronger guys to help defend Kurt, and that's just brainless, and completely illogical. I have the same issue with Blaine telling Kurt to stand up, to fight, instead of running away - it's unrealistic. It's a good sentiment, and of course you should be strong, but it's going to get you into trouble if you blindly get into attacking right back. Tell people. Tell the relevant authorities. Tell people you know can help. Rachel was smart to use stronger guys against a bully like Karofsky, who has no issue with pushing girls around (see: the way he pushed Tina in Theatricality) - he only responds to strength, and can Quinn stand up to a boy like that?! Let's see what happened to Kurt when he stood up to Karofsky - he was pretty much assaulted.
   
   My problem isn't with the fact that these characters brought these things up, because teenagers can be dumb and silly and too optimistic when dealing with issues like this. That's who they are. That's probably how they think. My problem is that this is clearly what the writers believe in, and that means that younger people who have the same problems and watch this show are going to believe it, too.
   
   No.
4. People defend this show by pointing out that inconsistency and inaccuracy is part of its charm - but look, I'm never going to point out how stupid it is that club goes around performing every kind of song even a week before the sectionals, or how unbelievable it is that the wedding took place so soon after the proposal. By deciding to use the show as a Mouthpiece, and by addressing serious issues seriously, they're calling attention to how ridiculous they are. It's not bad to want to give hope to kids. It's great that they're raising awareness of relevant issues on an incredibly popular show. So then why don't they address these issues by bringing up relevant solutions and by allowing them integrity in terms of storytelling, too? It's troublesome - nothing fits with other characters or plots or previous storylines.
5. I pumped my fist in the air when Rachel said, "Wait, does this mean you're going to be against us at Sectionals?" Thank you for reminding me that even when Kurt is taking over this show, Rachel is still the star of her own. Love you, crazy girl. The fact that Rachel is written with flaws is what endears her to me the most, in fact.
6. Finn is a terribly-written character and I feel sorry for Cory Monteith, whom I think is much more talented than he's given credit for.
7. I adore Darren Criss, and Blaine is sweet, but I get increasingly terrified the more time he spends on screen. It's only a matter of time before Blaine gets character-massacred, guys. Squee with caution.
8. The Sam/Quinn storyline is dull, dull, dull. This show seems to pride itself on bringing up minorities, but they waste time on two blonde, popular people who are devoid of personalities, which makes everything else come off as token concessions. (And Sam is a little bit creepy, but let's not get into that.) Although I suppose they should stay away from the minorities, considering the way they used Mercedes last week (i.e. of course people are fat because they eat, because they're lonely; Kurt SAID SO, too, which just proves the point!!one!).
9. A minor complaint, but: DO NOT SPEAK SHIPPER NAMES, OH MY GOODNESS. I hate you, Ryan Murphy. It's OK to acknowledge your audience. Let it stop there.
10. Maybe my problem with this episode was that I do not care enough to be moved by Emotional Moments?
11. I have nothing to say about Carol Burnett/Jane Lynch, which is the biggest failure of this episode. I like talking about talented people. Too bad they were given nothing to really do. (Did love Ohio, though, especially since we got to hear Jane's natural singing voice.)
12. Marry You was adorable, but I loved this version of the song even before I watched the episode. It made me happy. And damn it, I love this cast - their chemistry, their excitement, how much fun they're clearly having.

This was too much work for me. And I had this much to say about an episode that was, all things considered, less offensive and more internally-consistent than the show usually is? I quit. (Hear that, show? I QUIT YOU. STAY AWAY FROM ME.)

-

In other news, Anne Hathaway was damn near flawless on SNL. I have such a girl!crush on her that I got a little flaily every time she did each new character that separated so neatly from the ones she played in previous sketches. The Bill Hader-reporter sketch was absolutely the best, though - Anne's accent aside, Bill starting to hit the camera made me lose it, and when he pretended to be dead so he could hit the camera again, I choked.

I still haven't seen HP7, and it's hurting my soulllll. I'll probably watch it this weekend. I did watch Easy A last night, though (my first movie in months!), and I enjoyed it a lot - fresh, fun, and with a terrific lead, even where the storyline started to get predictable. Plus, Stanley Tucci! That man can do no wrong.

My exams have mostly been decent, but I don't want to call them anything more than that - especially since the more I think of them, the worse my stomach seems to churn. My paper on Friday is Literature. And then it'll be over!

-- rachu