Glee Dream On: Pitiful and Pathetic

'Glee's' Artie: Why Make Him a Pitiful Victim?
By Adam Wright

The Fox mega-hit "Glee" has made its mark this year. It’s one of television's biggest hits of the year. It’s the tale of a group of high school underdogs and their glee club.

One of those underdogs is Artie (played by Kevin McHale, below right). Artie is in a wheelchair because of a spinal-cord injury.

Adam Wright TVDoneWrightNow readers, when I first saw Artie’s character, I said, “FINALLY!” Not many of you know, but I’m also physically disabled. I am in a wheelchair (left), and it was so refreshing to see a fellow physically disabled person prominently featured in a hit show.

Artie has been a minor character for most of the series' first season, with the exception of the great episode entitled “Wheels,” where he was highlighted.

What we know about Artie, besides the obvious ride he has, is that he’s funny, smart and witty. He also has a love interest named Tina Cohen-Chang (played by Jenna Ushkowitz).

So far, the series managed to portray Artie in a way that was pretty good, I thought. Yes, it showed his struggles with his disability, but it didn’t make him look helpless or pathetic. It didn’t make him out to be the victim.

Until tonight…

Tonight’s episode entitled “Dream On” was about, guess what, dreams! And what was Artie's dream? To dance.

First problem here. Did they really need to make his dream so impossible? Trust me, it would be nice to dance and walk and run, but is it a dream? Heck no. One of the first things we learn is Artie Gleeknow one's limits. So why make Artie’s dream the one thing it’s impossible to obtain? Why not make his dream to become a movie star or singer or the next Hugh Hefner.

OK, I get it, they want to create a touching moment for the audience. Moving on.

Next we have Artie trying to stand up with Tina, with the help of arm crutches. He then suddenly collapses. A heartbreaking scene, yes, but it was followed by him just … lying there.

Lying there, helpless, the victim. Seriously? After all the struggles, all the things he’s been through, he’s just going to lie there?

That scene alone played on the audience's emotions, but in the wrong way. It made people feel sorry for Artie. Made him look like the victim, even pathetic.

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