Glee: Shooting Star
“Glee” got really serious last night with “a very special episode” that took on violence and shooting in schools. I had read all the stories about it, new those who had seen it couldn’t comment on the twists and shockers, so I was prepared for anything. Would they actually kill someone off? I have to say when we didn’t see Emma for the entire episode, I was starting to worry up until the end and the reveal as to what happened.
This was a really powerful episode, and the acting all around was superb. I was however screaming at the kids half the time to shut the hell up as they didn’t seem to understand what hide and be quiet meant. Brittany in the girls’ room toilet stall was heartbreaking.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the all clear was given. There was no evidence anyone was shot, no gun, nothing! However metal detectors were installed and kids now had to have backpacks checked. It was assumed someone brought the gun to school, shot it, and got out with it. Will was sure the kid would eventually be found and suspended. This is when Sue said no, it was her gun, she would confess . . . and she did! She told Figgins given recent events she felt safer with a gun. She says it’s legal, and she keeps it locked in her safe. However she was doing her daily check when it accidentally went off, which startled her and she dropped it, and it went off again. She said she took the gun home, she removed the shell casings, she covered up the bullet holes with some moved posters. Figgins had no choice to fire her, and she knew this.
I knew the minute Sue confessed it was a lie, and I suspected she was covering and the only person she’d cover for was Becky. I thought Becky must have found her gun, so she covered for her. The shock was Becky brought it to school! It was her father’s gun and she brought it as she was scared about the future and protection. When Sue tried to take it is when it went off and when Becky dropped it and it went off again.
Have we seen the last of Sue? I don’t believe so. I think the truth will come out eventually. However Sue’s days on the show, and her role, definitely has been diminished this season along with most of the teachers as the show shifts gear to New York. Assuming there is a next season (I don’t think it’s been confirmed yet), it appears it will be set in New York.
What I liked about this story, with all the twists and turns, is that almost every side was covered. First it was thought to be a real shooting. Then it was the accident people fear could happen if teachers bring guns to school. Finally it was a scared student bringing a gun to school, and what can go wrong there. Obviously no solution was reached in the episode on what to do, it just showed a lot of different sides.
Also going on in the episode, Ryder finally learned he was catfished. During when everything went down he tried to call his catfisher who he’d only been texting before, and a phone rang in the Glee room! However as he was hiding, he couldn’t figure out whose backpack it was in. He thought he could count out a few people based on their ringtones, most notably Blaine and Unique. This was just a simple ring ringtone. I am thinking though it is Unique after all. She and Becky were my top two choices, and since we know it’s someone in the club . . . This storyline wasn’t resolved by the end of the episode.
Even though the episode felt like Emmy Bait, it was wonderful enough to keep me watching. The writing, the acting and the singing were all top-notch.
For me, the best part of the episode was the fact that it all took place at WMHS and not in New York City and there was no sign of the graduates.
If there is another season, I hope they return to the “situation” that made the show a hit to begin with and not the “characters” who have moved on.
04.12.2013 at 11:29 am
My DVR did not record. Apparently it thinks I should quit watching Glee because it does this often and deletes Glee off my to do list. Ugh! Thanks for the recap. I’ll have to catch it online.
04.12.2013 at 3:07 pm
Great episode! I could REALLY feel the emotion involved! I had goosebumps and you are right, Brittany in the bathroom was hard. It sounded like tears landing in the toliet?!?!
04.12.2013 at 5:12 pm
I don’t watch the show (kinda hard when you don’t have a working TV), but wanted to read this after seeing a couple FB posts. What this episode appears to be is a blatant attempt by Hollywood to sway public opinion against allowing a teacher, administrator, police officer, or other qualified person to be armed on campus. I hope I’m wrong.
04.12.2013 at 5:42 pm
I think too many people have made comments about the show knowing what the topic was but not actually watching it. Ryan Murphy tackles many topics so this is no surprise and I think it was done in a very neutral manor.
It showed many sides. The first was that everyone knew what to do, from the students to the teachers. It showed the complexity of emotions and reactions. It showed teachers being brave but also fearful. And I thought the idea of the shooting was a good way to both explore the topic but not go so deep as to damage the show or characters. I also knew the instant Sue said no student would be expelled that she was covering up and I found that very true to her character’s heart.
I had read on another blog that they thought this was too soon and a ratings grab. Bullshit. The show ran the risk of being boycotted, how can you have a show take place in a high school and not address the issue and finally, when would be the right time? It’s not like we get years or even months between school shootings. It would always be too soon.
My sister and mom teach in a catholic elementary school, k-8, where they lost 5 parents in 9/11 and have had emergency plans for in-school and outside-school incidents for years. They receive special training and run special drills. My parents had drop and cover, the most I had were fire drills but what kids today have is truly sad and frightening.
Another great recap. Thanks!!
04.13.2013 at 3:56 pm