Glee – Grilled Cheesus

After the much anticipated season 2 premiere of Glee, the show stops the Britney-party, does a 360 degree and opens up their third episode with an emotional storyline looking for more controversies. The episode tackles faith to a higher power as Finn finds his faith reborn and later lost with a grilled cheese and Kurt deals with his father lying in a hospital bed, and his nonexistent faith in God.

Apart from that, the show also features each Glee kids’ belief and faith when it comes to Jesus giving fair light on almost every existing religion today. Meanwhile, the Glee kids all show their support to Kurt thru songs as his father battles for his life after suffering from a stroke. Kurt was revealed as an atheist, and as such, a larger discussion among religion and faith was brought in this episode.

However, apart from the religion-centric plot of this episode, a very heartwarming father and son arc was also shown here. The scene where Kurt, played by Chris Colfer, sung the Beatles song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” showing flashes of scene of his life with his father was tear jerking, emotional and touching. Scenes where his father was teaching him to ride a bike, at his mother’s funeral, and even playing with him in a tea party shows how he (O’Malley) accepted his gay son and even becoming proud of him is indeed a breathe of fresh air from the countless fathers who are openly showing hatred with their gay son’s sexual preference.

Glee viewers all know that Glee has become a hit because of its take on different social issues like teenage pregnancy and homosexuality. But this scene is atypical of the usual thing that Glee does as it tugs at viewers’ heartstrings.

Although this episode is mainly focused on religion, faith, belief, or lack of it, Colfer’s rendition of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” has had critics glowing praises over him. In fact, some critics and viewers opined that this may be his Emmy piece. It has shown his depth as an actor and not just a second-rate or somebody who will “sway” and sing “back up vocals” while Rachel, Lea Michele’s character, belt out songs and hog all the spotlight. Likewise, this episode is also an oasis in a desert as Michele was not the only character given more solo performances as other characters have been given the chance to show their vocal prowess in different songs featured.
Of course, “Glee” wouldn’t be “Glee” if they will not burst up performing songs in perfect sync. R. E.M.’s Losing My Religion, Barbra Streisand’s “Papa Can You Hear Me?” and Joanne Osbourne’s “One of Us” are just some of the songs that were performed in the episode.

Apart from all of this, critics praised not only the Colfer-O’Malley scene but the entire episode as well. In totality, critics said that this episode shows sides of religion and atheism in a democratic society while showing that each character’s belief was not swayed by any religion which brings to another virtue, respect.

Another fantastic Glee episode.