Glee Review: Saddest. Hour. Ever.

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An episode of Glee does not have to be full of cheer in order to be full of quality, that's for sure.

But my goodness, "Home" made Dead Man Walking look like Happy Gilmore!

There were no numerous ballads, no big song and dance numbers, and no use of some of the show's most entertaining characters: Emma, Puck, Rachel and even Jesse.

Kristin Chenoweth returned as April and, trust me, you'll have difficulty finding a bigger fan of this adorable, talented actress than yours truly. However, this character was thrust into the spotlight after months away, featured in a whopping three numbers, none of which were especially uplifting.

Great Duet

It was a lot to handle.

In many ways, episodes of television shows are only allowed to have a set number of dramatic scenes. Otherwise, they begin to feel heavy-handed and overwrought. By the final tearjerking moment, viewers are often left numb.

This installment fell into that trap. There was Quinn bonding with Mercedes; Kurt complaining to his father; Finn pleading with his mom; Finn arriving a truce with Kurt's dad; Will and April sharing their loneliness with each other.

It was all too much for a single hour. Heck, Brittany and Sue were limited to just a couple hilarious quotes each!

Moreover, I adore Kurt and Chris Colfer's performance as this troubled teen. Yet this was the first time (I hesitate to say) I flat out didn't like a character on the show.

Kurt's dad has been nothing but supportive. The episode that featured these two most prominently, "Preggers," might be my all-time favorite. But what exactly was Kurt asking of his dad this week? To not be himself? To treat Kurt like someone different and special?

Burt Hummel's stance is simple and admirable: I love you, son, no matter who you are and what you do. I won't try to change you, please don't try to change me, and we'll be a regular father/son.

Isn't that what all kids want from their parents? I understand Kurt felt left out when his dad watched sports with Finn, but I took exception to Kurt actually making him feel guilty to his face.

Enough negativity, though! The episode featured a number of top-notch performances. I'm trying to decide if I liked "Home" or "Beautiful" more.

I also LOVE the fact that Sue's Down Syndrome friend is a recurring character on the show. That makes her more than a prop to make Sue seem more human. It's great that Sue treats her just like any other Cheerio, too.

As I outlined above with Kurt and his father, isn't this the goal of such a relationship? To just be treated like everyone else? Equality for all, says Sue Sylvester! Well, unless you're fat.

What did you think of the episode? Am I being too harsh? Or did you also yearn for at least one fun dance number? Check out a few quotes from "Home" below and sound off on it:

April: I haven't had a drink in 45 minutes. | permalink
Burt Hummel: I hate Duke like I hate the Nazis. | permalink
Sue: On assembly days, I arrange for the rest of the school to be fumigated, so the gym is the only place with clean air. | permalink
Santana: Weren't roller rinks outlawed in like 1981 for being totally lame? | permalink
April: I'm gonna go get myself a bikini wax. And I'll see you tomorrow. | permalink
April: Will Schuester?!? I just had a sex dream about you. | permalink
Brittany: I'm pretty sure my cat is reading my diary. | permalink
Sue: I will no longer be carrying around photo ID. Know why? People should know who I am. | permalink

Home Review

Editor Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.1 / 5.0 (69 Votes)

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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Glee Season 1 Episode 16 Quotes

Kurt: You shouldn't be embarrassed about your boy.
Mercedes: Embarrassed ? I'm worried about showing too much skin and causing a sex riot.

Mercedes, your vocal chords have had more fantastic runs than a Kenyan track team.

Sue

Glee Season 1 Episode 16 Music

  Song Artist
Song Beautiful Glee Cast iTunes
Song Homeward Bound/Home Glee Cast iTunes
Song Fire Glee Cast iTunes