Glee Takes On Religion

This week's Glee begins with Finn experiencing divine enlightenment, as the show's writers poke fun at the theme of people experiencing religious figures in odd objects. This time, Finn pulls a grilled cheese out of his George Foreman grill and sees the face of Jesus. He dubs it "grilled cheesus" and turns to God, but instead of something truly inspiring, he prays for victory on the football field. Crazy premise, sure, but this is coming from the show that just found a position on the football team for the kid in the wheelchair.

The real subplot is between Kurt and his father, who succumbs to a heart attack shortly after getting admonished by his son to take better care of himself. He falls into a coma, and Kurt takes it especially hard, feeling guilty since he just rejected his dad's invitation to Friday night dinner. (Reminder: Kurt's father is dating Finn's mother Carol) So Kurt, having been very standoffish so far this season, is thrown into a vulnerable, highly emotional state.

Finn meanwhile continues to pray to grilled cheesus, unaware that his mom's boyfriend is in the hospital. However, once the club convenes he finally learns about what's happened. He takes it hard, and it's evident that he is beginning to consider Kurt and his father as members of his own family.

Mercedes gets the next chance to sing, as she dedicates Whitney Houston's "I Look To You" to Kurt, telling him that it's always helpful to turn to God in times of need. Kurt thanks her, but then causes a stir within the club by telling them that he's an atheist. Sue meanwhile informs Will that he can't have his glee club singing the gospel. She gets Santana and Brittany to spy on the club, and then invites Kurt in to file an official complaint so she can go to the school board. As usual, she really has it out for Will and the Gleeks. However, Kurt considers Sue's proposal after she tells him that she wants to champion his cause.

After Emma rails against Sue for trying to dismantle New Directions, she responds by telling her a story of how she used to pray growing up. Sue looked up to her older sister (who is mentally handicapped) as her hero, but others didn't see it that way. After all the mockery, Sue turned her back on God.

Meanwhile, Finn reaches a religious understanding with Rachel, and promptly gets to second base, a miracle he attributes to his "grilled cheesus" sandwich. The two meet up in the park and Rachel sings "Can You Hear Me?" from Yentl. A montage takes Rachel and some of the others into the hospital room where Bert Hummel is being treated. Rachel finishes the song, and Kurt is AGAIN unappreciative of his friends' kindness. He invites a Sikh in to administer accupuncture to his father in hopes of reviving him.

Next, Finn calls an audible on game day and Sam gets injured, making Finn the quarterback again. In the next scene, Kurt appears before the club and sings The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand," saying that's how his father consoled him when they laid his mother to rest. Mercedes takes another chance at reaching out to Kurt, and he lets his guard down. She invites him to church, saying that they're dedicating the service to his father. He's resistant, but seems willing.

Finn goes to see his Emma the guidance counselor and tells her about grilled cheesus and the miracles he's witnessed. However, she brings him back down to Earth. Finn is crestfallen by the rationality of her answers, and goes on to sing the R.E.M. staple "Losing My Religion."

On Sunday, Kurt accompanies Mercedes to church, impressed by everyone's attire. "It's so Christ-chic," he remarks. Mercedes then addresses the congregation and Kurt in particular, telling him everyone needs a helping hand in times of need. She then launches into a super rousing version of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which gets the whole church dancing along.

The next scene was really touching, and a prime example of Glee's compassion. Sue plays checkers with her mentally-handicapped older sister, asking her if she believes in God. Her sister turns it around on her, and Sue explains how she lost her faith after people kept picking on her. "God doesn't make mistakes," her sister replies.

Finally, Kurt breaks down by his father's side, telling him that he doesn't believe in God, but that he believes in him, and their family. Miraculously, Kurt feels a squeeze as he clasps his father's hand. With things looking up, the club assembles in the auditorium, putting aside all their religious sniping to sing Joan Osborne's "One Of Us." Sue ominously comes in and stands behind Will. He asks if she plans on moving forward with getting the Glee club disbanded for taking on religious-themed songs. But Sue, after a rare change of heart, simply says no.

Image used with permission by Adam Rose/FOX

 Need a refresher from last year? Don't be late for Glee 101

NEXT WEEK: Glee tackles duets, and the couples situation gets complicated. Plus, it sounds like more classic rock tunes, as Finn and Rachel take on the Elton John/Kiki Dee hit "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."

Justin Starling for Citadel Digital © 2010