Defying Gravity

Last night, after what felt like several months but was in reality only a few weeks, Glee returned with a new episode. I've never not liked an episode of Glee, of course, but this one has to stand out as one of the best yet.

First, the musical numbers were fantastic. I completely loved Artie's Dancing With Myself and the final number, Proud Mary, was a nice surprise since it wasn't included in the soundtrack that was released last week.

Best of all, though, was the 'Diva-off' between Kurt and Rachel, with each singing Defying Gravity so that the rest of the kids in glee could vote on who should sing it at Sectionals. I'd heard their duet of the song from the soundtrack, but I really loved hearing them each do it solo. Lea Michele was as amazing as she always is, but I particularly loved Chris Colfer's version and was glad to see that it was available on iTunes.

The stories are just as great as the music on this show. Kurt standing up for his right to sing a song that is traditionally a woman's song, with the backing of his blue collar dad (played again by the wonderful Mike O'Malley), was a surprisingly moving story, especially when Kurt ended up throwing the competition in the end after he saw how upset his Dad was by an anonymous phone call telling him that his son was a fag.

I liked that Kurt's father, though worried for his son's safety, didn't for a second try to get him to back off of following his dream of singing the song. The best part was that when Kurt told his father he'd lost on purpose, he also said that he wasn't going back in the closet for anyone, that he was proud of who he is, but that he loves his father more than he loves being a star. I got a bit misty eyed, I have to say.

It's also interesting to know that this story came out of Chris Colfer's own personal experience. Last week he was on The Bonnie Hunt Show and told her that every year in high school, he'd begged to be allowed to sing Defying Gravity but was never allowed to because it was a 'girl's song' and people were uncomfortable with that.

Seeing Artie and Tina's characters developed a bit more finally was also a highlight of the episode. They were the only two of the original characters who haven't really been given much of a back story yet and I think we've all been waiting for it.

The most surprising thing, though, was that Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester also brought a tear to my eye when we saw that she does indeed have a heart. I, like Mr. Schuster, was dreading the outcome of Sue letting a student with Down Syndrome onto her Cheerios squad. What horrible thing could she be plotting?

As it turned out, Sue has an older sister with Down Syndrome, whom she visited and read to at the end of the episode. If Jane Lynch doesn't get an Emmy for playing Sue, there is no justice in the world. Who else could give such a stellar performance week after week as the tough as nails Sue Sylvester and then turn around and in one scene give us a completely different picture of the same character while making it absolutely believable?

This show just has everything: great musical performances, talented actors and actresses, it's hysterically funny, and it has real heart at the center of it all.