“Glee” improves after mediocre start to third season

By: Sanah Faroke/Columnist

Drama: “Glee”

FOX, Tuesdays

8 p.m.

So, after waiting weeks on end to watch “Glee,” thanks to the World Series who decided to choose “Glee’s” time slot, I was beginning to think that “Glee” was actually becoming a waste of my time. I know — gasp! — but the show felt like it was going nowhere in comparison to its first two seasons, which were epically and controversially amazing from the misfits finding a fit, the Christians being unholy, and the characters exploring their sexuality. I have been such a worrywart with this new season because the recent episodes left me unsatisfied. This past “sex” episode, however, gave me the reassurance I needed.

The characters I have grown up with—well, over the year—and become accustomed to love are not diminishing into a two-season wonder. I am sure that director Ryan Murphy can do it all, but just a hint: focus less on “American Horror Story” and more on “Glee.” There is nothing scarier than a bunch of “Gleeks” wondering if starstruck Kurt Hummel and Rachel Berry made it to the big leagues of Broadway, if spicy Latina Santana Lopez grew some lady balls and dated the very confused Brittany Pierce, and if softy quarterback Finn Hudson finally stopped crying — but I doubt Finn will ever stop.

In these past episodes, music director of “New Directions,” Mr. Shuester, continues on the never-ending fight with cheerleading coach Sue Silvester, whose life goal is to ruin Mr. Shuester with oil-greased hair insults integrated in every season, and this season with her campaign to cut all music programs.

It would usually be the same old story, but this time, Burt Hummel, Kurt’s father, is taking charge to keep music programs afloat because it saved his son.

In the most recent episode, Artie Abrams, as the director for “West Side Story,” also plays a matchmaker, or rather advises Rachel and Blaine Anderson to give up their “v-card” to their boyfriends for the lack of chemistry between the two.

Throughout the show, hormones were raging, and some were for the wrong reasons, like building an acting career (I am looking at you, Rachel).

“Virgin Marys” lurked the halls, including the often forgotten Coach Bieste. For a woman who coaches the football team and is known for her butch characteristics, she has placed herself in a psychological box because of her lack of, well, feminine behavior.  Her heartfelt character is always a favorite because it is another way for “Glee” to reach out to another type of audience. Artie’s speech about his physical disability also generated a tiny tear. I missed him, since he’s been a wall flower for the longest time. Sugar Motta, a tone-deaf, big ego-ed “Troubleton” claims to have Asperger’s syndrome, and producers somewhat mock the deficiency rather than using it as another tool to branch out to another type of audience, like they did with Becky Jackson, Sue’s minion or Sue’s sister, who both had Down syndrome.

Many characters, like Mercedes, have been in the shadows until she had her black-girl attitude outrage and joined the “Troubletons,” or Mike Chang until he finally stepped up and gained a role for the musical, creating Asian conflict with Daddy Chang. Characters that were eliminated, like Sue’s sister, Becky, include Sam Evans played by Chord Overstreet, who left to pursue another role in “The Middle,” and Lauren Zizes played by Ashley Fink, who had a manic attitude about everything from her guys to her clothes. Producers were insane to let such characters get away.  Zizes claimed that being part of the “New Directions” was hindering her “cred,” so she left. If anything, Zizes should have been featured still wandering the halls as a slushier or even join the “Troubletons” — they have not screwed up yet.

All of these character eliminations were implemented to bring new characters into the light. One of the winners from “The Glee Project,” Damian McGinty, was featured as Irish transfer student Rory Flanagan, who is in love with Brittany and just may be the competition Kurt needs to lower that high-pitched ego of his.  I cannot wait to see more of him and McGinty’s fellow winner, Samuel Larson, who claims to be a hardcore Christian; he has the crucifix tattoo to prove it.

Just when I think “Glee” is losing its “it,” Murphy shoves the doubt back in my face with an inspiring episode of “dreams coming true,” according to Mr. Shuester, or “doing it” with the one you love — for now, at least. Maybe “Glee” still has “it” … if the characters are still “doing it.”

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