Right off the bat Glee once again stakes its claim on primetime. Even in voiceover, the show vocalizes its consciousness of the construct of the media and its part in the game as a television show. Opening her journal and beginning her usual rant, Cheerio's coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) starts Glee's discussion, illustration, and performance of the power of Madonna.
Why Madonna? Why Now?
With Madonna's greatest hits blaring over the pa system, Sue ask her cheerleaders (and her audience, because HELLO she's talking to us), W.W.M.D. What would Madonna do? Sue might rattle off some obvious things about Madonna, her one name and ability to serially date younger men. But, what Madonna really did and does is question. Question femininity, popular culture, sexuality, and the limitations of the music business (just to name a few). So what is really at work in this Glee episode is not merely an homage to the 'queen of pop' but a set of new questions to be asked in light of all of Madonna's influence. Go ahead, express yourself. And with the likes of Lady Gaga out in hot pants and being successful, there couldn't be a more pertinent time.
Glee Shakes the Stakes of Madonna
Glee first question revolves around sexuality. With Rachel's (Lea Michele) blossoming relationship she naturally begins to dare to investigate her boundaries of intimacy. The age old question of when to lose your virginity and, more importantly, how and to whom is, thankfully, addressed by more than the teenage crowd. Dealing with the decision more as a right of passage for empowerment than an expression of love, Glee attempts to empower its women through their choices, while (almost) degrading their men for theirs. In a wonderful and energetic montage to Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' three of the show's couples deal with the next step in their sexual evolution. Although all within different types of relationships, one member of each couple seeks power. Power over their body and power to express their emotions. Thankfully, this montage and song captures the right spirit of this power quest. It is a journey of self exploration, a journey without simple answers to be found.
Working in parallel to this sexual question, is the question of gender and gender performance. Mr. Schuester's (Matthew Morrison) assignment of the Madonna songs to his glee kids also stirs up restlessness and discomfort in his male students. But, why? Simply since she is a woman she is not relatable to men? Is her power a threat? Or does she merely represent the fear of the unknown (the female as something mysterious)? All good questions, but the one Glee tackles the best is this fear of the unknown. With Mr. Schuester and male students rendition of 'What it Feels Like For a Girl' audiences surely get the sense that the show encourages communication and exploration into that which is not known. This exploration into different perspectives and experiences is pure Madonna. This is also exemplified in Sue's music video of 'Vogue.' Just like Kurt (Chris Colfer) says, Madonna's "image is as indelible as her songs." Therefore, the visual recreation of this iconic video trumps the vocals, emphasizing the significance of perception and perspective. Both intricate parts of exploring that which is not known or unknown.
Re-invention or Merely Self Expression?
Lastly, this episode encapsulates a Madonna theme most audiences probably won't pick up. Madonna, known for constantly and consistently 'reinventing' herself, proved that one person (woman or not) can be many things. The music business, media or anyone for that matter cannot define another person. You are who you express yourself to be. Just like Madonna, this episode seeks to push its characters to question who they are based on their choices and who they want to be. Just as Sue is not limited to her track suit veneer neither is Finn (Cory Monteith) merely a cabbage patch kid. The Mercedes (Amber Riley) and Kurt storyline is an excellent example of this. As the newest addition to the cheerios they not only surprise the school, but audiences. However, it all makes sense to them. Proving the multi-faceted world of personality and of Glee. The kids rendition of 'Like A Prayer' serves to reiterate these journeys and remind audiences that "life is a mystery" and not even a song can tell you who you are.
Nicola Jones - Growing up in New Orleans Nicola never had any inkling at being part of this thing people call the entertainment business. Now, after ...
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