'Glee' returns

Quinn (Dianna Agron, L) and Puck (Mark Salling, R) work at the Glee Club's bake sale in the "Wheels" episode of GLEE airing Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Fox)Fox's "Glee" returns (9 p.m. Wednesday, WPGH) after a two-week hiatus and I'm happy to report that producers seem to be addressing one of the show's weak spots: Its kid characters.

Not that I don't like the kids, rather I think they're a great mix of popular and outcast, but few of them have been all that well-developed. Until now, too many of them had been charicatures or stereotypes.

That started to change in the past month with episodes devoted to Kurt (Chris Colfer) coming out and getting to know more about Puck (Mark Salling).

This week, there's more to the Kurt story and viewers get the first in-depth exploration of the character of Artie (Kevin McHale), the glee clumb singer in a wheel chair.

The episode builds to a diva-off showdown between Kurt and Rachel (Lea Michele), who offer dueling takes on the song "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked" (it's an awesome performance) and a Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) revelation that I have mixed feelings about. (I can't decide if it adds depth or compromises comedy possibilities by making her more than a cartoon villain.)

Best of all: No sign of Mr. Schuester's horrible, pregnancy-faking wife (Jessalyn Gilsig).

What's your take on "Glee"? Sign in (or register to sign in) and post your comments below.

Posted Nov 10 2009, 12:48 AM by Rob Owen
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Comments

Traffic wrote re: 'Glee' returns
on Tue, Nov 10 2009 11:59 AM

I like Glee and started to watch it this fall after reading your praise about it. I like to sing, so that was a sell for me. It is not over the top in the way HS Musical is/was, which was a plus. I am still getting to know the characters and really like Sue, so I am curious to see what the relevation is. I too am annoyed by the fake pregnancy thing, which is one of the most annoying soap opera ploys.

As an aside, one of the students in the school where I sub looks a lot like Rachel. Said girl, however, had not seen the show. Ah, youth.

Rob Owen wrote re: 'Glee' returns
on Wed, Nov 11 2009 3:03 PM

I'll be interested in reactions to the Sue story in tonight's episode. Feel free to post them here.

theorbo wrote re: 'Glee' returns
on Wed, Nov 11 2009 10:41 PM

I thought that the 'revelation' was a bit contrived or forced.  It just doesn't ring true with the Sue that we have come to know - and love!  For instance, does she think she's doing her newest Cheerio a favor?  Is that how she justifies that behavior and then go off and visit her relative?

I get it that they want to make Sue more than one-dimensional but I think maybe they should have took baby steps with that rather than this scene from a Lifetime movie.

Rob Owen wrote re: 'Glee' returns
on Thu, Nov 12 2009 8:36 AM

I also thought the sudden change in tone was jarring. The show has always had odd tonal shifts, but sincerity is a new addition to the palette.

Traffic wrote re: 'Glee' returns
on Thu, Nov 12 2009 10:03 AM

I did not mind it, actually. Sue can still be a hard-ass and have a soft spot for some things.

I did not watch the show from the beginning and I tend to miss the first 15 minutes because I am too lazy and forgetful to set the DVR , so I "know" less of Sue (and everyone else), which is perhaps that is why it bothers me less.

Mongoosee3 wrote re: 'Glee' returns
on Thu, Nov 12 2009 9:51 PM

I really disliked the ending.  It was just so odd.  I don't see Sue ever acting that way and I think baby steps would have been a better choice.

I wish they'd add a little depth to the Quinn character.  I'm glad they're starting to do more with the kids.  It's a pretty large cast to get to know all the characters.