Confessions of a Glee retiree

See that gifted young man up there, front and center? That’s Chris Colfer. 

He is the reason I started watching Glee, a show that I absolutely adored for the first two seasons, but, as a result of a truly sad, unjust, and in some cases offensive third season, have grown to despise. 

I loved it during its first two seasons because it brought important issues to the public eye: acceptance of anyone and everyone (gay, straight, purple, orange, Asian, people with Downs, people with anxiety/mood disorders, dinosaur… you name it), forgiveness, the power of compassion… 

Walking away from season 3, though, the only lessons I have learned are terrible, contradictory messages. For example, it taught us that being disrespectful to professionals and acting as though you are better than everyone around you will get you into a competitive school. It taught us that calling a gay male a “faggot,” calling a girl stupid directly to her face, publicly outing a lesbian, and physically harassing a girl in a wheelchair make you a “hero.” 

The most disappointing thing it has showed us this season, though, is that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, how many sacrifices you make, or how many times you take a backseat to people who walk all over you and brush you aside, you will not achieve your goals. 

Glee used to be about just that: glee. Joy. Hope. Now? It’s about things that I am appalled to even think about. Namely: injustice and inequality. 

Personally, Chris Colfer is my ultimate hero. I appreciate Glee because it gave him a jump start into his dream world, but I no longer respect this show. I do, however, respect Chris Colfer and all that he has achieved. 

I know it is going to be a difficult transition for me, but I am officially retiring from the Glee fandom. Naturally, I’ll occasionally listen to a Warblers cover, watch a favorite episode from season 1 or 2, and maybe even continue to read AU stories about the shows honorable, decent characters, but I will no longer be watching the show. 

I’m going to put every ounce of “fan” I have left in me into supporting Chris Colfer. I will be anxiously awaiting the day when he is set free of the Glee world, because personally, I cannot wait to see what new movies/books/other works of art he has up his sleeve. 

And here’s a message for all the Kurt-stans out there: if you find yourself incurably upset about how Kurt Hummel was treated this season, maybe you should think about whether or not continuing to watch Glee is healthy. When I found myself crying - literally, crying - about the fate of a fictional character for longer than I care to admit (haha), I knew my relationship with this show had become unhealthy. 

Sometimes, you gotta step back, take a good look at your life, and see if you’re taking good care of yourself. Be true to what you believe. And if Glee is no longer about the things you believe in, maybe it’s time to move on to bigger, better things. 

I hope everyone who’s sad about last night is feeling a little bit better today. Especially to the Kurt fans (we’re kind of a family, haha): just think of Chris, and how amazing he is, and how much we have to look forward to if we have his back.

With or without Glee. 

Cheers :)