I finally got around to watching this week's episode of Glee. While it wasn't perfect (Finn annoys me, so I don't really believe him as gay-rights-crusader-guy), it was kind of great. I should first say that I am a huge Marti Noxon fan. When my girlfriend told me that she was joining Glee as a writer/consultant, we both were all like, "hey, maybe she will make it suck less this season!" Not bad, so far.
I am just really happy that Santana has become more than a hot bitch who makes out with chicks sometimes. I'm so sick of random girl-on-girl kissing to boost ratings. It's degrading and cheap and disappointing.
It's disappointing because ever since I can remember, I have craved seeing gay and lesbian couples on TV or in movies or on stage. And when I would see two chicks make out randomly for a few seconds (often for the benefit of a dude), it said to teenaged-Jenna, "I guess you can kiss girls (if they're hot), but it's not hot or normal to be in a relationship with one."
So when, in high school, I finally saw "real" GLBTQ couples, I was floored. Specifically, I remember two things that really opened my eyes up (and they happened right around the same time). Willow and Tara got together on my favorite TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I discovered Rent. I remember being so into these story lines and so excited and telling myself that I was just really into equal rights and I was very open-minded. Because, you see, I had lots of definitely straight friends who liked these things, too. So it totally didn't make me gay.
Obviously, I eventually realized that I had a different connection to these stories than my straight counterparts. And, even though me realizing my non-straightness wasn't quick or totally easy, I bet it would've been even worse without these characters.
Anyway, back to Glee. I have something of a love-hate relationship with the show, but I'm really kind of pleased with Santana's (recent) development so far. I think it might've been something that helped a younger version of me.
Marti Noxon actually did not write that episode. Which I'm glad about, because the more I think about the more I hated it. Finn was an ass the whole time. Why do we *never* get to see Brittany/Santana having any actual relationship time together? Why did nobody but boys kiss girls in this episode? Why was an episode supposedly about a gay girl all about straight boys? Why did Kurt get like a gazillion father/son bonding scenes and Santana doesn't get even one with her parents? Why does Finn suck so bad? How does Santana know all the words to kd lang when she's been out for like 2 weeks? Why was the one scene w/ Santana and her grandmother so great and the rest so terrible? Wasn't there a line like 2 weeks ago about how her abuela always called her garbage face? So why does she love her so much? Why wouldn't they speak Spanish to each other? SO MANY QUESTIONS!
ReplyDeleteBut, you know, yay for gay girl visibility. (Not bi girls though. Sorry Brittany, no storyline for you!)
ReplyDeleteOk. Done being bitter.
I have no idea who these characters are but I totally appreciate the message. Way to keep it real on the blog, Jen. You are a talented and honest writer.
ReplyDeleteSteph--I think your questions should be filed in the "Things that Make you go Hmmmm...." folder. We do not have this folder yet, but we should make it. It is going to be HUGE. (literally. figuratively.)