Season 2, Ep 3 - Grilled Cheesus
After Finn sees the face of Jesus on the bread of his grilled-cheese sandwich, he begins to believe: “anything’s possible
with God on your side.” His theory is borne out when ⎯ after praying to
the uneaten half of the “Grilled Cheesus” ⎯ the McKinley Titans win
their first game of the season. Kurt visits the tire shop, and brings
his father a healthy breakfast; the egg-white wrap is a far cry from
Burt’s usual “Coke and two Slim-Jims” repast. Burt reminds his son
about their planned Friday-night family dinner (which was a “sacred”
tradition when Kurt’s mother was still alive); the discussion turns
into an argument when Kurt says he already has plans he is unwilling to
break. In the choir room Finn proclaims his newfound faith; he wants
the Club to honor Jesus with a week of devotional song. While some of
the kids (like Mercedes and Quinn) are on board, there are others (like
Kurt and Rachel) who are stringently opposed to the idea. Will suggests
a compromise: they can sing songs about “spirituality.” Puck says he
believes “true spirituality… is about enjoying the life you’ve been
given”; he sings Billy Joel’s “Only The Good Die Young.” In the tire
shop, Burt suffers a heart attack. In the ICU Kurt learns that his
father is in a coma; the doctor is unable to offer any prognosis.
That
night Finn retrieves his Grilled Cheesus from the fridge; he prays for
Rachel to let him touch her boobs. The next day at school Kurt is still
reeling from his father’s falling ill; the other Glee kids offer
emotional support. Mercedes struggles with what to say to Kurt; she
sings a moving rendition of Whitney Huston’s “I Look to You.” The song
brings a few of the kids to tears, but not Kurt; while he admits
Mercedes’ voice is stunning, he doesn’t believe in God. His statement
sparks a theological debate among the Glee Clubbers; while Kurt
respects the beliefs of his God-fearing classmates, he asks them to
equally respect his non-belief. He tells them: “I appreciate your
thoughts, but I don’t want your prayers.” Will sits in Principal
Figgins’ office; apparently Sue has got wind of Will’s spirituality
lesson, and being that McKinley is a public school, she takes offense
at the co-mingling of church and state. In her bedroom, Rachel ⎯ in her
typically self-centered way ⎯ tells Finn how his “newfound love of
Jesus” is affecting her; she says she was raised Jewish, and wants
their children “to be free to worship in the way I decide is right.” He
“totally” agrees. She lets him “get to second base,” and Finn thanks
“Cheesus.” After learning Kurt’s feelings regarding religion, Sue
approaches him; she says she doesn’t like Mr. Schuester bringing God
into the classroom either, and offers to go to the school board on his
behalf.
A livid Emma confronts Sue about her meddling; she
wonders what horrible thing happened to turn the coach into a miserable
tyrant. A very serious Sue relates how, when she was a child, she used
to pray for her older sister to recover from her Downs Syndrome; when
she didn’t, Sue lost her faith. In the locker room Finn prays to
Grilled Cheesus; this time he asks to be made quarterback again. In
Burt’s hospital room Rachel sings “Papa Can You Hear Me?” from Yentl,
while Quinn, Mercedes, Finn, and his mother Carole look on,
participating in a prayer vigil of sorts. Kurt enters unnoticed, and
listens to the song; despite being emotionally affected he quickly
turns on his friends, and accuses them of disrespecting his wishes. He
asks them all to leave (except for Carole).
On the football
field the Titans’ football game is locked in a tie. In the huddle Finn
suggests a play he’s sure will work; Sam takes the ex-QB’s advice.
During the ensuing play everything seems to be going as Finn predicted
until suddenly ⎯ out of nowhere ⎯ a defensive player literally flattens
Sam, dislocating the QB’s shoulder. Coach Beiste makes Finn the
quarterback again; despite his prayer being answered, Finn feels bad
about Cheesus’ methods. The next day Kurt addresses the Glee Club, and
thanks them for their continued support; unfortunately his father’s
condition remains unchanged. Kurt sings a down-tempo, melancholy
version of the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand”; during the song we
see various flashbacks of Kurt being raised by his widower father.
Clearly, allowing himself to feel something has been helpful. Later,
Mercedes approaches Kurt. Despite his lack of spirituality, she appeals
to him to join her at her church for a service dedicated to his father;
initially he is reluctant, but the added promise that he can wear a
fabulous hat gets him to reconsider.
Wracked with guilt over
Sam’s injury, Finn goes to Emma’s office, and confesses that he’s the
reason Sam was hurt. He tells the guidance counselor about his ongoing
relationship with his cheesy deity, and how everything he’s prayed for
has come to pass. Emma is consoling; she offers less-than-miraculous
explanations for everything that has transpired. She adds that while
God works in mysterious ways, she doesn’t think he spends a lot of time
“speaking to us through sandwiches.” Finn seems relieved, but also a
bit disappointed; he sings R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion.” After the
song the Glee kids discuss the nature of faith. Kurt ⎯ wearing his
fabulous, wide-brimmed hat ⎯ joins Mercedes at her Baptist church; she
and the gospel choir perform a mash-up of the Aretha Franklin songs
“Precious Lord (Take My Hand)” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” They blow the
roof off the church; Kurt is deeply moved.
Sue goes to visit
her sister Jean at the assisted-living facility. They discuss God;
Jean’s faith and optimism is infectious. Jean offers to pray for her
sister; Sue accepts. Kurt returns to Burt’s hospital room, and speaks
to his comatose father; he says he was wrong to stop the kids from
praying, and now realizes the prayers were meant for his father and not
for him. While holding his dad’s hand, Kurt says he doesn’t believe in
God but does believe in the power of their family. Suddenly Burt
clenches his fingers, and squeezes Kurt’s hand. In the auditorium New
Directions performs Joan Osborne’s “What If God Was One Of Us”; Sue
stands at the back of the room and observes; clearly she has had a
change of heart in regards to the spiritual music. At home, Finn
removes the “Do Not Eat” post-it from his Grilled Cheesus, and finishes
the sandwich.
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