Kelley and I started watching Glee a few days ago. The first few eps, for me, were a time for pleasant, brightly-coloured zoning out. But then I started to get the hang of it: lots of zingers under the perkiness and spangles.
Last night we watched episode 7, “Throwdown.” Jane Lynch got to have fun, as usual. But nothing terribly out of the ordinary–the zingers just a tad more close to the bone, perhaps. Then, sudden gear change: cheerleaders in football uniforms, dancing around a cheerleader in a cheerleading uniform. I sat up. Blinked.
Kelley and I looked at each, raised our eyebrows. Talk about smooth, delicious, under-the radar gender transgression. Or am I hopelessly old-fashioned? Did anyone else even notice this? Or has everyone on the planet noticed but I just didn’t notice them noticing?
Nicola Griffith 
there is a large internet fanbase for the idea of Quinn being other-than-straight, which as I recall started really taking off around the time Throwdown aired. So yeah, lotsa people noticed, they just presented their observations through the lens of fanfiction and fangirl-ness and thus were not acknowledged, really, by the mainstream media. (Though afterellen.com sometimes makes snarky remarks, but then at least two of their bloggers read fandom.)
Yeah– I think you are just noticing! Just don't get your heart set on the show being TOO transgressive. It embraces the “High School Protagonists Cliches List (Approved)” & lampoons them, but frequently it gives into those cliches. The dance between those poles is the attraction of the show– maybe THIS episode there will be some really rousing open support for Kurt (The Gay One TM) but just as often his sexuality will be a punchline. Of all I think it is a net move FORWARD but it isn't all shiny nickles.
Kurt though, is amazing. For me it goes Kurt, then the Evil Cheerleaders (TM) Brittney & Santana, then everybody else in a distant third.
I certainly noticed. And rewatched. And rewatched again. Yes, one day I will be a dirty old man. I don't know if it has been a subject of conversation, though.
We are almost finished with season 1 and I noticed this as well. There are some other interesting moments as well! From what I can tell, this is why my friends are fans :).
I didn't see that! Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance. I really mostly watched parts of some eps I think. I did see one show (I have no idea how far in it was) where Jane Lynch's character falls for some seriously obnoxious man. I found that really annoying, and that was pretty much my last shot at it. I didn't really like her character, and I didn't like the male teacher either.
Alyx, Jill, so I'm just out of the loop. Sigh. (It happens a lot.) But I usually pay attention to dyke blogosphere stuff; there just didn't seem to be anything about this. I don't understand it.
Mordicai, nah, I don't expert overt, storyline transgression, but lots of little digs like this one. Hey, it's enough for me, at least for the first season.
jennifer, I really enjoy Sue–but watching her fall for someone? Ooof, not sure I'll enjoy that.
Nicola, keep your eyes open for Jane Lynch in drag. Eye candy to die for.
Kelly, more draggish than her lawyer outfits on The L Word?
I wouldn't say you were out of the loop. I kept hearing the buzz, but not for this particular reason. I think this is really part of the brilliance of this show – it appeals to so many people for different reasons. Kind of like Lady Gaga. :D
Are there any dykes on the show?
Jennifer d – not openly, and not so far. Although there is all this strange banter between two of the cheerleaders, and we see them holding hands at one point. But it seems to be more like the Katy Perry “I Kissed a Girl” girl than openly queer females. Alas!
Re: Jane Lynch in drag — I'm not familiar with The L Word, but this outfit is dramatic. It's episode 8. We squealed and licked the TV.
I watched Ep.8 last night: the zoot suit!
Oh, be prepared. There's more where that came from.
Cool! But I'll sulk if you're fibbing…
well…