People in the society tend to lambast new ideas and thoughts sometimes. I would not totally criticize this since I believe that even if we try our best to understand the world we are living today, we are still influenced by our upbringing, the society, and of course the media today. No matter what we do or say, no matter how we try to preserve the culture that we either consider "near perfect" or "forever flawed", we still have conflicting ideas and notions due to the said influences. Believe me or not but the biggest war we have today is not in the realm of the tangible but of the opposite, the so-called "Culture Wars." As in the case of the Rocky Horror Glee Show, Glee’s tribute to the famous Rocky Horror musical and film, critics are somewhat divided and others are saying it’s Glee’s “worst episode.” I myself have doubts in watching it, thus, downloading it a few more days than the usual. But I was stunned by the actual episode and to counter-critique people who think it sucked, I actually think it is one of their best episodes yet.
See, the remarkable thing about the episode is that it’s somewhat giving a critique on the arts and social issues related to the Glee storyline while still managing to be entertaining. I love the musical numbers but I specifically like Amber's rendition of “Sweet Transvestite”. She definitely killed the part. I also love the interjection of the Will and Emma storyline, giving Will all the reason to strip and of course, we were not disappointed.
Imagine a musical show hinting on gender equality, tackling homosexual issues and undertones, and discussing on art limitations and purposes. This is why I really love Glee amidst its flaws and problems in storyline and pacing. Also, I believe that the whole tribute is self-referential as both Glee and the Rocky Horror Show are all about introducing rebellious notions to the society and of course, about outcasts. But most of all these two great shows are all about self-expression-perhaps the art's greatest purpose.
I would say that the society is widening its horizons and is struggling to better. There’s a famous quotation by someone that states “I can’t accept people saying things were better back in Egypt.” You could interpret this as a.) No new factor or technology has made us worse and b.) The society has not really gotten better. Nevertheless, I still think that it is pivotal to believe we have gotten better and with enough plan and action, we will still get better.
In the middle of the culture war today filled with opposing opinions on whether open gays should be accepted in the military, McDonald’s should be sued for their genetically-altered fries, or whether the Glee Rocky Horror tribute was good or not, lies an impeccable truth of self-doubt—the kind that actually pushes us to innovate and be better. And these things are more important than most issues we have today.
