Writers on television shows have to be endlessly creative to sustain a series over several years, but one thing no writer is ever prepared for is the sudden death of one of their stars. The writers on 'Glee' are currently faced with that unthinkable dilemma after Cory Monteith's tragic passing last Saturday. While Monteith's loved ones, cast mates and fans all continue to mourn, the 'Glee' writers are hard at work figuring out how to cope with the unexpected loss of their leading man. Season 5 of 'Glee' was slated to premiere on September 19, with shooting on the new season scheduled to start next week. At this point, it is all but confirmed that shooting will be pushed back to allow the cast (including Monteith's on- and off-screen girlfriend Lea Michele) time to grieve, delaying the premiere until sometime in November. But the writers still have to decide what to do with Monteith's character. Here are a few ideas, inspired by other shows that have dealt with a similar tragedy.
Considering how difficult it would be to write out such an important character as Finn, whose relationship with Rachel has long been considered "endgame," the easiest path to take would be to simply recast the role of Finn. This would allow the writers to maintain all the current character and plot arcs they have mapped out. However, this is probably the most unlikely option. Cory Monteith has helped shape the show from its first episode with his endearing goofball presence, and to have the character suddenly played by a different actor would be jarring -- not to mention that his legions of fans would consider it disrespectful to Monteith's memory to simply replace him. This isn't to say that the recasting of a lead role is not without precedent. On 'Bewitched,' for example, the role of Elizabeth's husband Darrin was recast after original portrayer Dick York had to drop out due to chronic back pain and a dependence on painkillers. Dick Sargent took over the part for the sixth season, and while the show lasted another three years, it never achieved its former glory. So don't expect to tune in to Season Five of 'Glee' and see a Finn who underwent unexplained "plastic surgery."
When Cory Monteith checked himself into rehab last spring, Finn mysteriously disappeared from the show for the last three episodes of Season Four. In what is now his final appearance on the show, Finn was convinced by glee club coach Mr. Schuester to come back to McKinley High and help him lead the group. However, Finn was never seen again that season, nor was his absence explained. The writers could always choose to maintain that odd silence and simply never mention him again. Or they could say he's busy at college studying to be a teacher. Or they could have him rejoin the army and be shipped overseas. This option would probably be the "safest," but fans are likely to be dissatisfied with one of the leads simply vanishing without a trace. The writers of 'Chico And The Man' tried a similar tactic when star Freddie Prinze committed suicide midway through Season 3 of that show. They sent Chico to visit his father in Mexico and filled his place on the show with an orphan named Raul. (Towards the end of the show's last season, it was finally revealed that Chico had died offscreen.)
Most TV shows that have experienced the death of a star have mirrored that death onscreen (Larry Hagman on 'Dallas,' John Ritter on '8 Simple Rules,' John Spencer on 'West Wing,' etc.). There is, however, a glaring problem with this solution that is specific to 'Glee': the fact that Cory Monteith was dating co-star Lea Michele. Asking Michele to act a scene where she finds out that Finn is dead and then sit through his funeral would be particularly cruel and voyeuristic, considering she will have just been through the same ordeal in real life. If the writers decide to go the route of killing Finn, expect the season to start after a time-jump, with Finn's passing explained as having occurred between seasons, and the characters already moving past the tragic event.
Whatever decision the writers make, they and the entire cast and crew of 'Glee' have an unimaginably difficult time ahead of them. Luckily, the split-focus structure that the show took on this past season -- with half the cast in high school in Ohio and the other half in college in NYC -- gives them a built-in advantage. The Ohio side of the show is populated primarily by new characters who didn't know Monteith as long, whereas most of his longtime friends are now in NYC. My best guess would be that the first half of the season will focus almost exclusively on Ohio, giving Lea Michele and the rest of the NYC crew more time to grieve and recover before going back to work.
To be sure, 'Glee' will never be the same without Finn. The emotion implied in the show's title will be dampened for many for at least a while, but I don't believe it would be Monteith's wish for this tragic event to dishearten or drive away his fans. Yes, he spent his whole life struggling with addiction, but he also spent his life being an inspiring example through the positive message of 'Glee,' the charity he founded to help other at-risk youth, and the candid courage with which he faced his demons. Hopefully the writers will find a way to honor that legacy in a tactful and respectful manner.
