Introducing for the First Time..."Furt"!

In this beautifully crafted episode that still had nothing to do with the Glee Club's journey to Sectionals and eventually Regionals (or does it? More coming on this thought) we finally see clearly what Ryan Murphy has been doing this whole season: teaching us about acceptance. Kurt is the obvious one in need of acceptance in this episode and everyone else plays supporting roles but we see that Finn needs acceptance, Sam needs acceptance, Karofsky needs acceptance, Santana needs acceptance, and even Sue Sylvester needs acceptance. And maybe, just maybe, since we've already seen the Glee Club underdogs' journey from club beginnings to a group of people ready to band together and compete, acceptance is just what the Glee Club needs to truly band together in a way that will solidify them as performers allowing them to crush all competition in their path. At least we hope this is all still about the Glee Club as performers in the end.


First things first, Burt and Carole are the definition of a perfect couple: stable, loving, devoted, grounded, head over heels for each other, and looking out for the best interests of both of their sons. One of my favorite parts of this episode was the end when Kurt is addressing the Club and says "my parents" not "my dad and Carole" or "my dad and Finn's mom" but "my parents". Kurt personifies acceptance as it should be and this simple statement was a huge statement of his character and personality--love. I also loved that Carole kept calling Kurt a man because he is a man.

My favorite character this season is one that was on the bottom of my list for most of last season, Quinn, and this episode shows us why. She did not go back to her school-domination, prissy, snooty attitude that characterized her last season, instead she has become strong, confident, unwavering in her beliefs and standards, slightly skeptical of first impressions, and giving of the love, acceptance, and friendship that was shown to her in her time of greatest need. She needs a man who will truly stand up and pursue her and thankfully Sam fills this spot! Not only is Sam dreamy and dashing and a darn good performer, he is true, honest, strong, protective, and unafraid to pursue the girl of his dreams. But Sam is in need of some acceptance too, as he told Finn that he needs to be popular so he won't be made fun of...hopefully we will see him find what he is looking for this season.

Two weddings took place in this episode: Burt and Carole's and Sue and Sue's. Burt and Carole's was expected and moved the main plot along nicely, Sue's marriage to herself, however, was not so much shocking as it was a little zinger. Sue's wedding illustrated that the greatest acceptance comes from accepting oneself first and all other happiness and acceptance will flow from there. A disappointment was that Carol Burnett only sang one song, "Ohio" from the musical Wonderful Town, and that she did not have a greater part in the episode as Sue and Jean's mother. It seems a waste to have a talent like hers used so sparsely in a guest role, but perhaps we will see her again. A nice surprise was seeing a little more of Brad Ellis the Glee Club's piano man right before Doris and Sue performed "Ohio".

The other three songs in this episode were all beautifully performed but did very little in moving the plot along and seemed more like filler as the show is about a high school singing club so there should probably be high school kids singing in each episode. This is another example of the season's overall digression from the Club itself and onto its members and their lives.

Dave Karofsky obviously is in bad need of some personal acceptance in his life; if he did, he would not act out against Kurt and everyone else so much and would be much happier and more successful in his life. I hope he does find this acceptance and the courage to accept himself. I also think Beiste should kick him off the football team--she's a no-nonsense woman who knows the value of self-acceptance and has not put up with shenanigans from anyone else; I do not think Karofsky should be the exception. Finn has really started to finally accept himself and to find the courage to face the world and not care what anyone thinks of him. I think he will become even more secure in this and hopefully rub off on Sam. But the surprising one who is in need of acceptance in this episode is Santana. She was left out of the Glee Girls meeting because she is not dating a football player (simply "getting naked with Puck" as Quinn so clearly put it) and her coming on to Finn and threatening to ruin his relationship with Rachel shows how insecure she is with herself. I have a feeling she's going to push a lot of buttons before her stunts and scare tactics are seen for what they are--cries for true friendship and acceptance. Thank goodness she's in the Glee Club because it's a perfect place to find both!

My one major disappointment with the episode is that after we see so much growth from so many of the characters--Quinn, Sam, Finn, and most notably Sue, Kurt decides to transfer schools. Bullying is a tough issue and an even tougher and scarier one to deal with on a personal level and I believe that every high school should embrace a No Bullying Zero Tolerance policy, Kurt's decision seems to be a slap in the face to the Glee Club, to his friends, and to his new brother Finn who finally manned up. I think Kurt may have jumped the gun in transferring and should have stayed put until Karofsky shoved him into a locker again and in the meantime petitioned the school board to adopt a no bullying zero tolerance policy. "Be the change you wish to see in the world," said Gandhi. It will certainly be interesting to see how all of the relationships change and how Kurt changes because of his transfer (let me make clear, however: there is no shame or cowardice in transferring to another school because of bullying that has made you feel unsafe, but for the purposes of the show I think this was a disappointing move at this time).

Overall, "Furt" was a delightful episode about maturing and seeing people for who they are and not the labels placed on them. And am I one happy Gleek that Quinn accepted Sam's ring!