The 'Very Special Episode of 'Glee' Is a Lot

Artie (Kevin McHale) has a starring role on Glee season 1, episode 9, “Wheels.”

It centers on the glee club’s efforts to raise money for the accessible bus so that Artie can ride with the team to sectionals. Other than the fact that “handicapped” and “handicapable” aren’t acceptable words to describe disabled people (take note, Disney World) — it’s not exactly offensive.

Ryan Murphy has a solo writing credit on this one — and he gives it a good effort. I’m not angry about the mistakes and there’s no “C” word, so it’s a start.

But, however well-meaning, no one’s doing the disability community any favors by spending three hours a day for a week in a wheelchair. Will (Matthew Morrison) makes everyone try it as punishment for being inconsiderate of Artie’s feelings when they dismiss his dilemma about the bus.

Kevin McHale on ‘Glee.” Photo: Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision/Fox