Glee

[chasingtides]

So, I made two mistakes. One, I watch another episode of Glee. (Warning: Mattress comes with unexamined domestic violence, discussion further in.)

Then I went on to make my second mistake - I tried to talk about the issues with Glee (as per what I've seen: racism, ablism, sexism, domestic violence; I have seen discussions of issues of queerness).

People seem to be using, "But it's satire!" as a way of shutting down issues with the show. I won't deny that the songs are catchy and fun, but I am having a lot of trouble seeing how the issues I'm having are satire on the show.

Will pins his wife to the wall, gripping her wrist so hard that we can see the strain in his hand, even after she tells him he's scaring her and asking him to get away. Then, while she seems near tears, he lifts up her shirt and tears the baby belly off her and starts screaming. (FYI, I think she's right that the club is an unhealthy obsession for him - example: writing the check for the yearbook ad when they obviously didn't have the money for it. Also using it as a cover for emotional cheating.) I wouldn't have as much of a problem, except we are supposed to see him as the put-upon victim.

Quinn says Puck got her drunk the night he got her pregnant - but somehow she's the cheating lying slut? And Terri's clearly scared of Will and got some mental issues, but she's the shrewish angry wife? And what's with the minority kids getting less screen time and I won't even touch the ablism?

Can someone please explain how this is satire and not really offensive crap?

[In other news: I'm apparently working extra hours and six days a week until Christmas. Oh god, I'm going to die.]

Comments

[onthetide.livejournal.com]

I'll be honest, I never really noticed the racial stuff on Glee until recently. But this week's episode? Mercedes is gonna have a badass solo and then she gives it up to Rachel? Oh HELL no.

I think Sue's character is satire, and she's the reason I watch the show. But the rest of it? Feels genuine to me and I might not be watching anymore after Shue's little outburst.

[originalpuck.livejournal.com]

I think part of the problem with Sue is that even when she's portrayed as 'sympathetic,' it's done in an offensive way. Not to mention her tv segment and things. Most of her scenes are done in a very borderline way, since a lot of the things that she says and does that are supposed to be 'over the top' are done on a regular basis by people. I just have a hard time seeing some of what she does as the 'over the top' satire that it's supposed to be.

Too many people really do think fat people should stay at home, which results in serious harassment. Slut shaming is a huge problem, and pregnant teens really are treated horrifically, etc.

[chasingtides.livejournal.com]

I think you hit the nail on the metaphorical head - it's not over the top satire because what it's showing is all too real.

And the domestic violence is also all too real. And all too triggering.