Ryan Murphy Addresses glee's Future

Gleeks everywhere have been waiting with bated breath for Ryan Murphy to address the death of his star player, Cory Monteith. You can read the interviews here and here.

News broke yesterday that glee's production was moved to early August, thus bumping glee's season premiere one week, from September 19 to September 26. The news did not sit well with gleeks arguing that Cory deserved more than a couple weeks grieving time. Today Ryan Murphy explained the reasoning behind glee's decision, and that would be the lovely Lea Michele.

Ryan stated that Lea Michele is the one calling the shots right now, stepping into Finn's leadership of the glee family, and I couldn't be happier to hear that. The cast and crew want to be near each other, grieve together, in a safe place filled with beautiful memories of Cory. Ryan even went as far to say that the first couple of weeks there will be grief counselors available. KUDOS Mr. Murphy and FOX. 

I'll admit I've been worried about Lea this last week. I changed my phone wallpaper to this beautiful picture of her and Cory as a reminder to stop and pray. Although I have never had the privilege to meet her, I am all too familiar with the devastating, sudden loss of your friend, your life, your love, your Beloved. Ryan beamed about Lea's strength and I remember someone telling me just days after Mike's death that you don't realize how strong you are until being strong is the only option you have left. I have the utmost respect for Ms. Michele and will keep praying for her strength, her light, and her love to continue shining through her during this time.

The first two episodes of the season will be Beatles tribute episodes that glee has been working on for 4 years. The scripts were written in May. I agree with this decision wholeheartedly. The cast and crew will love on each other during this time rather than jumping straight into a memorial episode, allowing time for a proper memorial script to be written honoring Cory's treasured character, Finn Hudson. I have read blog after blog after blog begging Mr. Murphy to write Finn his happily ever after rather than killing him off. The truth of the matter is, Finn wouldn't have been happy without Rachel by his side. By writing Finn off the show like that it would do a huge disservice to not only Lea, but the Finchel fans as well.

As I wrote this post I was reminded of the episode Yes/No. Rachel sang Without You by David Guetta featuring Usher. After news of Cory's death that song became stuck in my head. In hindsight the irony of that episode is eerie. In some stupid, freaky coincidence, Finn's father died of a drug overdose in a hotel room out of town. Finn was worried about becoming like his dad. And after reading the above interviews about Lea and her love for Cory, the intervention, the love and support she showered on him, I am reminded of Finn's speech as he proposed to Rachel.

You’re like a beacon of light guiding me through the darkness. You’re like this big gold star, and for some bizarre reason, you chose to let me love you. And, I feel like if I can just convince you to let me keep doing that, I’m going to be okay. Everything’s going to be okay.  

In the last episode, All or Nothing, of Season 4, Cory Monteith's name is shown with a somber backdrop of Rachel (Lea). The symmetry is heartbreaking as that could quite possibly be the last time his name is credited. Finally, the New Directions performed Hall of Fame during Regionals at the end of the episode. When the song hit my iPhone a few days ago, the lyrics reminded me of Cory.

Standing in the hall of fame (yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)

Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame (yeah)