Glee missed an opportunity last night to talk to people about drugs. Glee, with it's memorable songs did what it does best in their tribute to the life of Cory Monteith who played Finn on the show. What they failed to do is give the audience a reason for the death of Finn. Nothing. Nada. He died but no one knows why. To me you don't have to talk about drugs if you don't want to but I don't think it's very realistic at a school to have someone die and not talk about how they died. Did anyone ever die at your high school or college? I bet people talked about how that person died. I personally think they should have said that Finn died of drugs. Why not? Don't you think Cory would want people to not get involved with what he was involved with? The whole if it helps one person then it is worth it mantra I think applies here. They missed their chance and they missed reality when they just ignored the how completely.
Disagree completely. They handled it beautifully. If they had said how Finn died, the only stories this morning would have been about how exploitative it was if they had said Finn had OD'ed, or would be otherwise critical of whatever cause of death they came up with. By avoiding that issue completely, they were able to have the narrative exactly where it should be: on mourning the loss of a life gone too soon
ReplyDeleteI agree completely--all of the talking heads this morning would have been speculating and taking polls. Let the poor guy RIP.
DeleteI was tearing up by minute 5, but when Finn's mom lost it, I was a goner the whole episode. I cried so many times, it was gut wrenching. I disagree. I think they did a perfect job. In voice over Kurt said it didn't matter how he died, but it mattered how he lived. Lea broke my heart. You could see her literally shaking. RIP you darling man.
ReplyDeleteI was about to write the exact same thing I was fine the entire episode until the mom! I also agree that I'm not saying how he died left it more about getting over loss and dealing with your personal issues with losing a loved one rather than focusing in on the drugs. Bravo.
DeleteI was about to write the exact same thing I was fine the entire episode until the mom! I also agree that I'm not saying how he died left it more about getting over loss and dealing with your personal issues with losing a loved one rather than focusing in on the drugs. Bravo.
DeleteHell, I've cried this morning several times just reading two recaps. This has torn me up and I'm not like this with celeb people. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes are welling up just reading your description, so I'm taking that as a sign that I should only watch this when I feel like a good, ugly cry. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd that was @Renoblondee in case it's not obvious.
DeleteEmbarrassed to say that I know about this - but i thought originally they were going to have him OD but there was such an outcry by fans, that Finn was not Cory, that they changed their minds.
ReplyDeleteIf you watch the show, i have to say that it would have been completely out of character for Finn to have done something like that.
Anyhow, parts of that episode were truly moving. Say what you will about Lea Michele but her parts had me weeping.
Lee and Cory relationship was fake. Blind Gossip has a story on this this week.The public is not dumb.Come clean on this.They should of said he died of drug overdose. Enough said
ReplyDelete@packer-- they did say Cory died of an overdose...over and over and over in the media. Finn is not Cory.
DeleteI agree that they handled it perfectly. They focused on the life he lived and the lives he touched.
ReplyDeleteThe media has been all over his death, fans of the show know exactly how he died, Ryan Murphy didn't need to drill the point home for anyone to "get" it. And they did have their PSA at the end asking for people to get help for drug abuse.
I actually think it was handled well. "Finn" was not a drug addict, but Cory was. They infered the truth, and at the end, said as much. Pointless
ReplyDeleteP.s. I do believe their relationship was real, and Lea was practicing "tough love". She had to walk away..just my two cents..
DeleteAnybody that watched that show knows exactly how he died in real life and they didn't need a storyline for the episode to explain why finn died. Message has already been received.
ReplyDeletehe OD. end of story. should they have had him have a heroic death saving a granny from being hit by the bus? or the supreme sacrifice donating a kidney and died of an infection. romanticising the death of a junkie is really a bad signal.
ReplyDeletenot to mention that anyone there was aware of the drug use of the cast.
and RIP you darling man? I say bullshit. death of a junkie. his choice. he´s gone, done.
wish the best and finding peace for the parents and family if they find it somehow. because they have seen it coming too, but did nothing. which is worse than losing someone healthy due to an accident of sorts.
@unknown, it was not his choice to die. He was taking a calculated risk he had taken thousands of times before and lived. I'll venture a guess you've made unwise choices based on calculated risk at least once or twice in your life.
DeleteFuck, that's harsh Unknown. Junky or not - we've all got our poison. Food, work, sex, booze, drugs, gambling or gossip sites. Junkies have friends, families, loved ones too. Judge not.
DeleteI suspect this Enty didn't even watch the show.
ReplyDelete@DontRain- Yeah. And have a sudafed handy. I had to take one I was so stuffed up from crying for an hour.
ReplyDeleteIn high school, someone I knew died from getting caught in a riptide. And he was a good swimmer, from what I was told. Another girl died because 2 idiots decided to race each other on the freeway and she was in a 3rd car when one of the other cars hit hers. Another died because the driver couldn't see her with the sun hitting his eyes. And another died because he was new to riding his motorcycle. And then there's the suicide, and the accident from playing Russian roulette, and there's death by huffing Pam aerosol oil.
ReplyDeletePeople knew why they all died, but I don't think it was something ever mentioned in their respective memorials.
I agree @mrsw
ReplyDeleteI think that's exactly what was going on.
@reno, from your postings I know we have the same feelings....this really "got" me, and I don't know why...too sad
DeleteI didn't watch the show, but I agree that the character of Finn is different from the actor portraying him.
ReplyDelete@Prada: yes, calculated risk is ok, especially when it is important. yet calculating from a normal, functioning place. as a junkie, after a while you do not really "calculate" anymore. you may even forget you gave yourself a shot a moment ago - to factor that in. or, ask a really drunk guy how he calculates and computes the risk of jumping from higher floors of a given building and see if you would calculate remotely close to that :-)
ReplyDeleteLM probably wouldn't let them.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of Glee, never watched an episode. I think the point they were trying to get across that it was irrelevant how he died (Finn and Cory) but the fact of he grief of the people he left behind & the young life that is gone. I don't have a problem with them not mentioning how Finn died. As long as the fans of the show were happy with how they handled it, that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteIn my junior high a good friend of mine, her brother -an 8th grader at the time-died in a car wreck. Another student died of a sudden brain aneurysm. Another student was hit by a train. Believe me, everyone knew how those kids tragically died even if they didn't know the kid.
I thought it was fine not including how the character died, and I agree that including a cause of death would have taken away from the impact of the episode. It also would have been out of character for Finn to have died from an overdose.
ReplyDeleteLastly, immediately following the credits were three of the cast members talking about Cory's death, the dangers of drug use, and how to get help, which seemed much more apropos.
TL; DR: You're wrong, Enty.
I think the statements at the end from Jane Lynch and Kevin McHale were enough of a gesture toward how the actor playing Finn died.
ReplyDeleteIt was a chance to let the cast end things in terms of that character, and I thought it was fine. The scenes with Kurt and his parents were the best in my opinion.
I spent 1/2 the episode wondering the who one guy was --I didn't recognize Mark Stalling without that nasty mohawk.
I really don't think it's Glee's job to make any further statement about drug abuse or Cory--they paid their respects and that's enough.
It's clear that some people cannot grasp the concept of "the actor" and "the role" being two separate things.
ReplyDeleteThe show had a very fine line to walk -- send off the character and honor the actor, but exploit neither. I am behind and won't get to watch it until tonight but, by all accounts from multiple sources this morning, it sounds like Murphy and Co. succeeded.
It sounds like the episode was handled gracefully. During HS, a couple of my friends committed suicide, classmates perished in car accidents, one died in an overdose at school, and my brother died in a hiking accident. While the events that led to their deaths were certainly upsetting, the real tragedy was those left to cope with the fact their loved ones were suddenly gone.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that Glee was Glee's focus and kudos to them for creating such a poignant episode.
*disclaimer: not a Glee fan, so I did not watch last night's episode.
I don't have an opinion on the show itself, but the lack of Dianna Argon in this episode is intriguing. Reports are saying that Ryan Murphy and Lea Michelle didn't want her there and everyone disliked her because she wasn't a team player?
ReplyDeleteIt makes you wonder if she wasn't into playing along with the fake relationship between Cory and Lea?
Also, I find it suspicious that a whole weeks worth of salacious Glee gossip has been on blindgossip. I wonder if Dianna is a source for some of this info since she has been shamed.
Just some thoughts.
@yo yo: Maybe she was out getting her vajayjay tightened? ;-)
DeleteYou don't talk about people ODing at their funeral (at least not at the four OD funerals I've been to) it is a memorial, not a gossip session about what happened, this episode was a memorial for the fans. Handled perfectly and not exploitative in the least.
ReplyDelete@yo you- I read that same thing earlier on EW.com. That is intriguing because Lea and Dianna were best friends and roommates when Glee started. I wonder what happened?
ReplyDeleteShe was at the private memorial the cast held tho...
DeleteI agree with you Enty. Deifying those who die of a drug overdose sends a dangerous message to children. It glamourizes drug use, which is essentially a death wish. However, I understand why they did it. Out of respect for his family. That, and half the cast are users, so it would be rather hypocritical to make a big anti-drug show.
ReplyDeleteTru Leigh, how were they deifying Flynn on the show? If one of your loved ones died because of drugs you wouldn't more them?
ReplyDeletethat character did not do drugs on the show...so out of the blue, he should die from an overdose??? no---the actor died from an overdose, that is his story, not his character's.
ReplyDeleteFor anybody who didn't watch the show, in the PSA, Jane Lynch specifically called Cory an addict..does not get more clear than that.
ReplyDeleteI think Glee missed a teachable moment. You might not mention this at the funeral but you would still be talking about it - anger is a common emotion in the cause of overdoses and suicides. And that's OK, that's part of the process. To have a main character die and remain vague about it, I can't see that being satisfying to the Gleeks.
ReplyDeleteA young man in our community died in a car accident over a year ago, it was partly his fault, he was making a left on a yellow light and didn't see the big truck entering the intersection and they still got the off road memorial well maintained. Even the newspaper mentioned the issue with the driving and his friends in the vehicle in front of him were blaming themselves because they had made the left on the yellow and he just followed not really paying attention to the other traffic, it's a tough intersection to judge in good circumstances. The driver of the first vehicle kept thinking man I should have stopped at the yellow, and he'd be alive today.
We had someone die in my high school class, but it was cancer (that nobody knew about) so it was definitely mentioned when we talked about him. He wasn't part of my circle (which is weird since about 90% of the school were my friends) but I knew him and talked with him some, but never too good of friends with him. Still, RIP Scooby, hope the other side is better than what we have here.
ReplyDeleteI watched the first season but nothing after that. Still, Dandy makes a very good point. The character of Finn was not a drug addict. Having him die of an overdose would be ridiculous unless they had him die from from a bad batch. They can't write in a secret drug habit that had been going on for years - it's Glee, not As the World Turns.
ReplyDeleteUntil the CDAN writers can distinguish between "it's" and "its" usage, I'd lay off the episode critiques and stick to blinds about drunk reality stars.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is why didn't they include Dianna? She was such a huge part of Finn's life on that show and to not include her in the tribute felt very strange.
ReplyDeleteAnd for your viewing pleasure: (sorry no clicky)
http://www.punbit.com/v/people-blogs/1721951-best-dianna-agrons-gay-moments/
Enjoy!
The show made it clear that he didn't die heroically - from what Kurt said, it was clear the death was in some way scandalous. It could have been drugs or drunk driving or suicide. They didn't make it sound at all like he was killed in a bank robbery gone wrong or something. And that's more than they needed to say. If he had died taking a bullet for a gay kid being chased down by some homophobes, it would be too much. This show of all shows could have made it preachy in any type of direction and they didn't, and I valued the restraint.
ReplyDeleteThis episode was a memorial. How he died isn't important.
ReplyDeleteI'm OK as long as Jake the Dog lives on.
ReplyDeleteThis is the same show, right?
Time put it right:
ReplyDeleteTo have Finn die of a drug overdose, as did Monteith, would have retroactively changed the character. To have him die of anything else would possibly have seemed to diminish Monteith’s death, or, at least, to create a dissonance that overwhelmed the rest of the hour. There was the faintest hint that, maybe, Finn’s death was caused by something the characters were uncomfortable addressing: “I’m sure that Finn had secrets too, but who cares now?” Kurt said. But maybe not, and Glee’s writers, making the best of a terrible situation, let that void be the answer. The unspoken cause of Finn’s death was Monteith’s death. The cause was that, someday, everyone dies.
unknown, you don't know that Cory's family did nothing. He was an adult, and you really can't do much for them. I know, because my younger brother drank & drugged himself to death this year. We had tried everything, but nothing worked. Ultimately the addict has to want to get clean. My brother was also a nasty, violent, abusive drunk. Still, my husband & I had him in our house, then my dad in his (my mum died 18 years ago). He was ungrateful, selfish, abusive & refused any and all offers of assistance. Sometimes you have to let them go.
ReplyDelete@feraltart
DeleteI'm really sad for your family. You, your parents, and your brother that sadly had an awfully troubled life. Thoughts are with you and anyone struggling directly or indirectly with addiction.
feraltart, I have to say you also can't compare your brother to Cory. From all accounts, he was a great person to friends, family and fans. Obviously, I didn't know him personally.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry for your loss and bless you for trying to help him.
I'm so sorry to hear that, feraltart. Hugs to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWhy was Dianna Agron excluded? I heard some stories about her not being allowed to come back...
ReplyDeleteAnd Brittany S.Pears, I don't remember her real name atm, but that actress was heavily preggers, so left. I didn't see her either (or I missed it through the tears). Couldn't they just cover up her bump? I found it odd she wasn't there.
And I think they didn't make it a 'teaching about drugs' episode because it was supposed to be a memorial for Cory, which I really liked. It was done nicely.
ReplyDeleteIf they had gone the other way and made it all about drugs people would have said they used Cory's death to shove anti-drug stuff down our throats.
You can't please everyone, but in light of Cory's death to me this was the best way to go, not the anti drugs thing.
My hearts go out to you FeralTart and V for your losses.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The show about a CHARACTER and not the actor who portrayed him. The people who disagree otherwise are probably the ones who call stars by their character names when they see them because they cannot separate reality from fantasy.
(Also goes to explaining Star Trek Conventions and never seeing The Shat as anyone but Capt. James T.Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock.)
Aww, thanks Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI had to LOL at The Shat moniker...good one ;)
Thanks for the kindness guys. Went out shortly after posting & am still out. Hope you see this.
ReplyDeleteGood god, this is the same site that "outs" survivors of various forms of abuse, and consistently pokes fun at known drug addicts. I can't stand the show, but even I think they chose the correct route to address his death.
ReplyDeleteI also read that not everyone wanted to do this episode, Ryan Murphy said he wouldn't name names though. I can totally see not being up to recording songs that would focus on a friend's death, to later lip synch in front of a camera. Being encouraged to cry and mourn while lip synching the song would have made it a million times more uncomfortable. It's understandable if Agron chose not to do it.
Yeah, Finn was not Monteith, and nothing leading up to Finn's death would have indicated that he might die of a drug overdose.
ReplyDeleteI do think they should have mentioned how Finn died, though. It could have been a car or airplane crash, a sudden illness, an accidental drowning or fall, whatever. Would have made his passing all the more poignant.
I don't watch Glee, but I can't remember any backlash when NewsRadio had Bill MacNeil die of a heart attack after Phil Hartman was shot by his drug-addicted wife. No one (that I remember) thought they should suddenly create a backstory with Phil's character having a secret family with major issues and die of domestic violence. People realized the character of Bill would most likely have a heart attack, given the character's smoking, fits of rages, and unhealthy lifestyle. It worked for that show. So why would Glee have Finn, who had no drug history, die of drugs just because his actor did?
ReplyDeletePS: am I remembering wrong? DID people want Newsradio to address drugs, guns, and domestic violence?
Very late to this discussion, but what the heck.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe any of the reports about Dianna Agron's absence from this episode. I saw one report that claims she said she wasn't invited, but I wasn't paying enough attention to twitter during the week they filmed this and I don't care enough to try to go back and match her posts to everyone else's to see if she was filming that week in August or whenever it was. I suppose the Glee Forum hard cores might have some insight, but I can never tell who the fangirls and the legitimate sources are there.
Heather Morris was said to be 'heavily pregnant' at that time, possibly on bedrest, and just not feeling energetic enough to be on set.
I can't think of any other major players that were missing from the episode. I thought it was good, not great. A little disjointed in a way. The family scene was brutal, the hardest part of the whole show to watch, and the Rent song at the beginning was the best performance to me. It was emotional because you know it was emotional for the actors to film it, but Glee has been so meh this season and last season, I think I'm done watching it now.
@Rach Around...
ReplyDeletei allow anyone their preffered stuff. just that in some cases there are consequences that one more or less can expect to happen. and making everything shiny in retrospect that is not something everybody is willing to do.
so you are judging me too,
just because I don´t whine if one of many drugged actors are gone, and pretend to deeply care, just to match other opinions here, and / or about some people dying.
Just that you know, I do care in many cases, about many people. especially the families left behind. I never "judged", just stated my different opinion in this specific case.
:)