Fox's hit musical series about the glee club at a Midwestern high school has become a pop-culture phenomenon, and this volume includes some of the most memorable episodes: “Britney/Brittany” (featuring a Britney Spears cameo); “The Substitute,” with Gwyneth Paltrow leading the group when Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) gets sick; and “A Very Glee Christmas,” presenting series regular Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) as The Grinch, complete with green face paint. But for all the musical fantasies, romantic shenanigans, and comic caricatures of this cleverly tongue-in-cheek show, the storyline that grabbed the most attention focuses on Kurt (Chris Colfer), the sole openly gay student at socially conservative McKinley High, and the bullying he receives from a football player with identity issues. This plotline, treated with seriousness and sensitivity, is just one more reason why Glee continues to stand out from the rest of the pack. Plus, in the Christmas segment, Kurt duets with another guy on “Baby It's Cold Outside”—a scene of two men flirting through a love song on network TV, which may not be a landmark moment, but is certainly a significant one (not to mention a superb performance). Compiling the first 10 episodes from the 2010-11 second season, DVD extras include a “Music Jukebox” (with instant access to the songs performed), three behind-the-scenes featurettes, a montage of lines revealing “The Wit of Brittany,” and a bonus song. Given Glee's popularity and cultural cachet, this early split-season release is worth picking up. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Glee: Season 2, Volume 1
Fox, 3 discs, 435 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 March 14, 2011
Glee: Season 2, Volume 1
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