I've been agonizing over the topic description for half an hour, it's a choice that lives even longer than the series. And speaking of which, it seems like they structured the 13 episodes to end with a certain degree of closure.

I admit, I'm a sucker for this show, so I'm not at all objective about what works and what doesn't. I was grinning and wincing and tearing up with every erratic development, but that's why I love Glee. I was even giddy at the over-the-top, cliched kiss. Jayma's freaky doe eyes have been aching for that moment since May and it was SO worth it. I guess there's plenty of tumultuous plotlines for the rest of the season and beyond; hopefully now that we're freed from the dragging pregnancy secrets story lines they'll have a little more life to them.

Couple of words: Wow. Amber's got juice. Aww! Of course it's Funny Girl! I was actually expecting Rachel to have doubts in the face of her first big starring turn, but that would be pretty out of character at this point, I think. (Although I think they have to address her fragile self-confidence at some point, maybe prior to Regionals) No one is bulletproof, and even with the constant grudging praise (the hardest won of all) she has to still be a teenage girl in there somewhere.

I love this show... I'm fighting buying both soundtracks- and I know I'll own the DVD's imminently. (cause they're on my Xmas list)

I've finally caught up watching the entire batch of episodes online/hulu...and love it! If you really want the music, I've got some that I could share ...just send me a message and I'll hook you up!

I just got the DVDs! They look absolutely stunning on my upconverting new Blu-Ray player. Puck is even hotter in High-Def (though he is the most unconvincing teenager since Andrea Zuckerman.)

Back in one week...is anyone else excited about the Joss episode?

Whedon's doing an episode? Man, my opinion of him falls and falls. I can't stand this show. Or, rather, I probably could stand it easily were it not for how terrible I find the music to be. It's everything I hate about modern Broadway, killing off songs I usually like.

I feel completely the opposite to Pan, I'm so so excited for the new eps and love love love this show.

Yes Pan, he's directing an episode that will have NPHarris in it...I'm curious to see what he does with it. I didn't want to like this show, but it really hooked me in.

I do like NPH - maybe I'll try and watch that one. It's really just the musical numbers that bother me, the stories and characters are on a par with things like Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives that I wouldn't choose to watch, but can sit through if required.

Tonight is the Madonna episode...I thought the Sue Sylvester "Vogue" at the end of last weeks was a riot. I dvr both it and Lost...but I am torn over which to watch live!

Okay, Show, I'm gonna gloss over the discomfiting choice of a Mother/Daughter duet to a song with TEXTUAL lesbian sublimation for something I don't think anyone else is tackling out there.

We put up with a lot of After-School Special moments on you, usually it's a fair trade for fun musical mayhem. I just find it a bridge too far when you give Athletics vs Arts funding discourse more balanced treatment than the thorny matter of teenage gay fright. Look, I get it, I love Kurt and Burt and think they're relationship is great. And while Flynn was acting out horribly, it's probably because his characters perfectly justified emotional response to being forced into cohabiting with someone he wasn't comfortable with were being IGNORED. Burt, you claim to know all about kids like him yet don't think twice about contributing to his forced sexual discomfort in his new home? Way to welcome that prospective step-son! Then you berate and belittle him when the issue comes to a head with some name-calling? Jack-ass. You're the adult.

I know, I know, we're getting a healthy dose of "This how to BE, America!" but come on! Where's the counterpoint where everyone acknowledges that Flynn was, ya know, put in an uncomfortable position where his protests were ignored and brushed aside for everyone else's peace of mind? If that had been a girl being forced to room with a sweet but amorous guy it'd be received differently, wouldn't it? Frankly, if you're a straight, white male watching a program for it's show tunes, you're probably not the one that needs this lecture.

You're often at your best when you're not teaching an important lesson about tolerance. It might mean less Emmy bait but it'll make for a stronger show if you drop this crap. Just my two cents.

Sniff. Oh, show. Terrific finale.

lejo, I completely agree with you on Burt's speech. I ranted with pretty much the same words when I saw the episode. What bothered me especially was that they were telling a really interesting story at first and then once Finn said That Word it suddenly became all about that and Kurt's behavior towards Finn didn't matter. I could have dealt with it if after the speech Kurt had told his father that he wasn't blameless and apologized to Finn also, acknowledging that just as Kurt deserves to be accepted and respected for who he is, so does Finn. Repeatedly going after Finn (quite publicly) when Finn had already gently rebuffed him him is no better than a straight girl always after her gay male friend.

It would've been SO much more compelling had they not gone with a typical resolvey conclusion to the situation. Finn and Kurt should've had to struggle to find détente before settling into a more mutually respectful relationship. It was a cop-out, an unsurprising one, but still weak sauce. Imagine if Burt had tried to storm in and rant but was held at bay, by Finn's Mom, by Kurt, by his own second-guessing. We've established Kurt and Burt's bond and respect, let's see how other people relate a little. What if Finn has a moment of clarity without being berated, showing his engagement with Glee is engaging his critical thinking and empathy. What if Kurt, against type, works at standing out less (he already did for Burt, with the Wicked solo) as a gesture to Finn? If more and more of this shows story lines become about some kind of agenda or another I'll be heartbroken.