Glee on the Rocks: 5x15 - "Hate Crimes as a C-Plot"

This week, Glee attempts a Very Serious Episode™ and somehow still makes it mostly about Rachel Berry. In 5x15, “Bash,” Kurt is the victim of a brutal hate crime, Blaine gets the worst phone call imaginable, and Burt Hummel shows up to remind everyone how emotions are supposed to work.

Meanwhile, Rachel declares war on NYADA because accountability is oppression, and Sam and Mercedes try to navigate race, dating, and New York City while Glee makes deeply questionable choices about everything. Because it's Glee.

This episode we break down:
🕯️ Hate crimes as a C-plot (???)
📚 Rachel Berry vs. the concept of school
💔 Klaine hurt/comfort doing the heavy lifting
🎤 Sam Evans committing crimes against social awareness (but we love him)

We talk uneven storytelling, surprisingly effective hospital scenes, why Burt Hummel is the only adult in the room, and how Rachel Berry somehow becomes the worst part of an episode that includes literal violence. (Are we surprised though?)

It’s not subtle. It’s not balanced. But it is very, very Glee.

xoxo,
FotR