Glee recap (1.09): "Wheels"

Is there any female Puck doesn't have great chemistry with? The scenes with Quinn and him were kindof adorable.

Best episode of the series so far.

It was absolutely more focused. Although I felt like the episode had MORE subplots than usual, I thought they were evenly balanced. The humanizing of Sue was MASTERFULLY played. I was genuinely touched during the scene with Sue and her sister. It was needed; Sue was rapidly becoming a cartoon... albeit an enjoyable one, but that was going to wear off eventually too.

And can I just say that Mike O'Malley (Mr. Hummel) is smoking hot these days?

I really think the writing is markedly improving. The episode was very good, and I especially enjoyed the more ensemble approach to Proud Mary. And speaking of pride, Kurt's dad Burt (if I read his uniform clearly) may not be ready to wave a flag and march with PFLAG but he is really great! I guess he wouldn't be eligible for Gay of the Week but how about a special mention as Ally of the Week??

I had no idea they would be able to change my entire perception of one character in one scene like they did with Sue. While I love the show, I feel like it's not as well-written as it could be, but the scene with Sue and her sister blew me away.Jane Lynch played the character you love to hate. After that scene I'm stranded. I don't have one character on the show to hate. :)

Loved how the secondary characters got to shine this episode. Artie & Tina's story was so cute and its nice to see one lovers story in Glee without an evil plot to it. The Diva off was great and the actor who plays Kurt's dad was amazing.

 

The writers did an phenonmenal job this episode and kudos for fitting Artie's song into the story unlike Quinn's from last episode. Also the fact that the writers almost made me tear in a scene that involves Sue is amazing.

Okay, I've been more than willing to complain a bit about the poor plotting on this show, but this was easily one of the best episodes yet; I have no real complaints to make this time around!

With Artie's solid vocalizing on his number (though I'm not crazy about the song itself), I think it's finally clear that Finn really is low man on the totem pole when it comes to singing ability---whoops, that sounds a bit snarky, doesn't it. I just mean to say that I hope in future the show gives all the guys a chance to shine equally, instead of giving Finn the lead vocals so often...

I know that Quinn is going through an extremely tough and stressful time, and deserves to be given some slack---but still, that doesn't give her free reign to be a total bitch. I haven't seen, exactly, why either of the fellows would be so crazy about her...

Loved the wheelchair number at the end! And Proud Mary is the perfect song for the occasion... didn't Bette Midler used to sing this in wheelchair as well, when she was dressed in her mermaid outfit?

Overall, an excellent episode; I'm going to have to watch it again.

I'm like a superhero, with no powers or motivation...

Huge improvement over the last episode! Not that there isn't still some ways to go, but this is a huge step forward for them. They need to keep the heart in the series, and especially the characters.

And I do wish Kurt had gotten the solo. It would mean more for him, I think, than it would for Rachel. I think the emotional payoff of Kurt getting the solo would've been icing on the cake.

"When the people fear its government, that's tyranny.  When the government fears its people, that's liberty."

- Thomas Jefferson

Filmed last spring and directed by Emmy winner Paris Barclay, the emotional episode kept the actors and crew in tears throughout its entire production and, according to creator Ryan Murphy, had long-term effects on its three writers.

“This episode is the turning point for the show,” he said during a recent telephone interview. “Certainly, after this, it remains a comedy, and it’s fun. But writing this made me feel the responsibility of showing the truth of the pain that outcasts go through. It’s not all razzle-dazzle show business. It’s tough, and it’s painful, and it was for me growing up, and it is for most people. So I think this made me realize that amid the fun and the glamour, it’s really great now and again to show the underbelly of what people who are different feel.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/11/exclusive-ryan-murphy-calls-tonights-episode-of-glee-a-game-changer.html

Speaking of rocking out, “Wheels” also features the show choir’s first diva off, a battle royale between Rachel and Kurt. The idea was born when Colfer shared with Murphy how he had begged his high school drama department to let him perform his favorite song, “Defying Gravity,” and he was denied every year because he’s male.

“I told him, ‘Well, you came to the right show runner, mister,’ ” Murphy said. “And I found a way to write it into the show because that’s in a nutshell what this show is about: someone being told that they can’t do something because of what the perception of them is as opposed to what their real ability is.”

Because the episode was so time-consuming and emotional for the actors, the producers held a special screening for them. Having the chance to finally sing the showstopper from “Wicked” “really meant the world to me,” Colfer wrote in an e-mail to The Times this month.

“It's absolutely terrifying to watch yourself do something you've dreamed about for such a long time,” he wrote. “I know I'm definitely not the best singer, but I think the message, the story behind the song about defying limits and borders placed by others, hopefully all that gets across with the performance. Although I do some very ‘Kurtsy’ things in the song, it's probably one of the most honest and close-to-heart scenes I've ever filmed or performed for that matter.”

“Wheels” launched a discussion among the show’s cast that Murphy hopes will continue with the audience.

“If anything else, I hope kids who are that age can see that episode and maybe realize how hard it is for some people that they make fun of or tease,” Murphy said. “As we go forward, this episode has reverberations for the whole season.”

I just couldn`t stop sobbing during the last few scenes, though Proud Mary did cheer me up a bit.

Rachel said her two gay dads "had ties" to the ACLU, so while it was random, it was more "give this job to my friend because he's in a wheelchair and my dads have ACLU connections" than it was "give this job to my friend because he's in a wheelchair and my dads are gay."

Yes, Jane Lynch is truly marvelous here. It's the first true moment she's had on the show. I have liked her since I saw her as Meryl Streep's sister in "Julie and Julia" and was hoping she'd finally get to play to her strengths on "Glee." I didn't like Kurt's throwing the Diva-off, however; this could haunt him for the rest of his life. He'll always be known as the kid who can't hit the notes.  I think he let both himself and his father down.  Puck continues to develop as a solid character, but the magic cupcakes shtick was a bit much, especially as it involved the loathsome Sandy. And let's bring that yawn-inducing baby plot to an end soon! Couldn't Quinn hie herself to a nunnery and leave Puck and Finn to console each other? The music was lacklustre this time, but at least it served the plot. All in all, an A-.

"The mountain has wings."

This was a great episode. I wondered what Sue was up to, and it turned out to be something great! That was one of the best scenes, of her reading to her sister! LOVED IT! The Diva off, what more can we say about that, it was perfect they way they did it... I continue to love this show more and more. My fellow gleeks at work cant get enough of it either. Now if this and Mad Men could play continuously with new episodes all would be right with the world! "LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!  Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Mame Dennis Burnside - Auntie Mame 1958 

with his father is a lot like the relationship that I have with my dad... I dunno, my dad doesn't always "get it," but he gets it when it counts, so that's all that matters to me. A great episode overall.

I still can't believe how very thoughtful and touching this episode was. "Glee" hasn't been that kind of show I expected to be blown away by emotionally. It's been great fun and everything so far, but it's no well-written drama and so far I didn't care. Now I do. For me the writers (and the actors, of course) just raised a bar I didn't even think about before. The Sue-part got me smiling and crying at the same time in the end. Artie, Kurt, Becky - this episode dealed with them so gently and yet accurate, it was excellent. Loved the 'wants to be treated like everybody else'-line. That just hit the mark. The music was great, but that's no surprise. Can't wait for more.

I get all sobby on all their scenes. Their relationship is nothing at all like mine was with my dad, I guess I'm sort of living vicariously though this supportive father-son relationship.

how much this episode parallels themes from the real-life Chris Colfer debate on this site. Kurt resolved to go low-profile, but not jump back into the closet.

and it was great to hear artie, tina, and chris sing. let's start a petition for an immediate cessation of hostilities. aka finn auto-tuned solos.

I had started to question why I was watching this show based on the past few episodes, but this weeks was just so good! The scenes between Kurt and his dad were perfect, and Sue and her sister....sob!!

Meanwhile, my crush on Puck gets stronger and stronger.... 

"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls

I absolutely loved when Kurt looked Rachel and Mr Schu in the face when he was singing parts of the song that pertained to them! I have always adored this show and this episode was far and away the best one yet!

O Liberté, que de crimes on commet en ton nom!

That episode was probably the best so far. I have been a huge fan of the show since the get go but last night's was my favorite.

Sue's story line at the end had me a soppy, wet mess. I didn't expect that until right before it happened. Jane Lynch was so natural in that final scene with her sister.

Quinn annoys me, but she redeemed herself after Puck offered her the pilfered loot. Her line about "taking money from a friend in a wheelchair" showed her character is growing...slowly, but still growing.

Puck continues to grow as well. I am liking the direction he has been going since his dating episode with Rachel.

Also, though small and almost unnoticed, the scene with Cheerio Britney and Becky at the bake sale table. When Becky said she didn't have any money and Britney just reaches in and hands her a dollar. Very sweet an touching. The "treating her like everyone else" line from Sue was wonderful as well.

For me, the scenes with Kurt and his father were so well acted and written. Mike O'Malley truly stood out for me with his performance as Burt Hummel. I was teary-eyed when Kurt explained why he threw to competition and then his father saying "you are so much like your mother. She was the strong one" I just wanted to give him a huge hug.

I am hoping Mike O'Malley gets recognized for his portrayal of a father who "gets it" when it really counts. He is just adorable in the role. I want to marry him and take care of him.

Alrighty then...I think I've babbled on long enough. KUDOS to the cast of Glee and the writers and Ryan Murphy for last night's show. Other sites are snarking on it, but I loved it. Then again, I am a big ol' softy for things like this. I even get misty eyed at the Folger's holiday commercials that come out this time of year!

The scene with Sue and her sister was so sweet and tender. It played out flawlessly.

Every scene with Kurt and his father was riveting. The chemistry between the two of them feels so natural. Mike O'Malley does a phenomenal job playing the father. You can tell from his facial expression that he unconditionally loves his son, but just doesn't know how to deal with him being gay. When Kurt told his dad that he threw the diva-off to protect him, I was in tears.

Up until now, she was a perfectionist who looked down on anyone who wasn't perceived as physically and mentally perfect. Oh, and also, she was funny. Now she's like a character in a Very Special Episode of a bad 80's sitcom. Fortunately, the show is horrible with character continuity (Tina's never-before mentioned stutter, for example), so I'm sure she'll change back next episode. I liked the rest of it, though. Especially Artie's song, and the dance number at the end.

This is officially the ONE show of the year I can't do without!!! And not just because there's a Gay character (but that helps). That choir coach is so damn sexy!! When he did "Bust a Move"...his movements, ect. DAMN he's fxxing HOT!! And the cheerleader coach visiting her sister. I KNEW she wasn't a total bitch! I love it when the characters arent one dimensional.

I loved it. Everything about it was good.

Loved the Kurt scenes, his dad is so awesome.

I really like Puck and Quinn. They should totally be together!

Tina and Artie were really cute, but it was heartbreaking watching Artie reject her, I understand why he did it though..

We finally got to se a more human side of Sue. I think it was adorable when she came to see her sister.

All in all a really good episode, best one this season IMO. It had everything, it was funny, heartbreaking and just really good. There were some great songs too.

 

Harvey Milk: You gotta give 'em hope.

This was the best show of the series. Now all they need to do is get rid of the hysterical pregnancy and what started out as a show with a too-far-out premise will be just inside the guidelines. More singing!

I managed to hold back the tears during the scenes between Kurt and his dad but when we were introduced to Sue's sister, the tears just found their way down my cheek.

What an incredible episode. Finally, I feel like I got the character development I've needed to become invested in this show. Before, I was just watching to enjoy the songs, now I'm tuning in because I'm attached to all the characters.

I have no complaints about the lack of snark... This episode was really of a high quality!

I think opening up the other characters to interesting stories keeps the material from getting stale and repetetive. (How many times can you compare Will's life to Finn's?) I am so glad Artie and Tina got significant screen time. I do wish that this wasn't the first time we got to see them interact, though, because we're missing the background necessary to make the emotions more potent. I know writing a show is tough, but I wish there was a bit more long term planning. If we'd seen more of Artie longing for Tina before, we'd have a stronger empathy with his feelings.

The ending was a bit odd. Artie was completely unfair to Tina, but teenagers aren't always as emotionally mature as they should be. He probably felt betrayed because he had opened upto her emotionally, thinking they had something in common. I am very much looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

 Kurt's storyline was also great, this episode. I was so scared that he was going to fade into the background but that clearly is not happening. I love, love, LOVE the scenes with him and his father. It's great to see how the dad may not be able to relate to his kid in many ways, but it's still his kid. The family bond remains unbreakable.

I was disappointed that Kurt didn't win, because the lyrics of the song have so much meaning for him. It made sense, though. Leah Michelle is older and has more singing practice than Chris Colfer, and her voice was better in that song. I don't know that it would have been realistic for Kurt to win. But, since he didn't, I'm glad it was for a reason that is significant to the plot.

 I have not much to say about the Puck/Quinn/Finn/Rachel situation, except that I don't like them much, especially Finn and Quinn. Quinn was selfish. (She didn't seem to be offering to pay for half.) Finn was insipid, and unable to do anything without Rachel's help. Puck is the only one I felt some sympathy for, although in an almost sad way. I would start admiring him for having the drive and determination to help his baby's mother... and then I'd remember he got the money by selling drugged food, and stealing from Artie! He's like some guys I knew in high school who had so much potential - you knew they had the drive and the skills - but they were on the verge of throwing it away over stupid things. Hopefully the fictional Puck will have a happy outcome in the end.

Easily the best episode of the series so far. I'm both gay and disabled so I'm most drawn to both Artie and Kurt. Kurt's solo and the scenes with his dad (easily the best acting I've seen Mike O'Malley do in any role) were amazing and had me sobbing, but others have already covered that more eloquently than I could.

Artie is a very promising character. A disabled teenaged character with an acknowledged sexuality of any sort is very rare, so I'm interested and hopeful in how the character evolves.

The confession scene with Artie and Tina rang true to me. My physical impairment is immediately noticeable but mild. Growing up, though, I had multiple corrective surgeries that required several-weeks stays in a rehab hospital, where more severely impaired kids spent months or years. Since I wasn't staying for very long, there was definite hostility from some of the other kids because I was "too" able-bodied. Then I'd get released and go back to being the "disabled kid" in my regular school. For Artie, he may have classed Tina in his mind as equivalently disabled (some of the dialog seems to imply exactly that), so he would be angry at her not just for the deception, but also for being too able-bodied. I'm impressed that they touched upon this.

hi, i'm new here:) i had to register and chime in on this being, undoubtedly, the best episode of Glee so far. (yeah, i know i'm behind. luckily i had it TiVo'd...) and i loved everyone's storylines, etc, etc. but i'm amazed that, after all the quotes in the article and in the comments, no one mentioned what was probably the funniest line ever on the show: Sue: "You think that's hard? Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told they're goind in a different direction!" I don't think i've ever laughed harder at any line. Of course, Jane Lynch could make opening chips into something hysterical.