Jane Lynch: Glee’s Cory Monteith Memorial Episode Is The ‘Most Beautiful Thing’

Jane Lynch tweeted Wednesday that she had just read the script of the Cory Monteith memorial episode of Glee, and said it is the “most beautiful thing.”

While co-creator Ryan Murphy wouldn’t elaborate on how Monteith’s character, Finn Hudson, would die on the show, he did say that his death wouldn’t be drug related. Fans may never know the cause of Finn’s death. Murphy said, “We are not telling you yet, or maybe not at all, how that character died.”

Murphy did say that they had considered making Finn’s death an accidental drug overdose, but decided against it. However, the cast did film anti-drug PSAs that will air during the episode, but they won’t have much to do with what is going on in the show. Murphy said the episode will be a celebration of Finn and Monteith’s life.

“The idea being, how somebody died is interesting and maybe morbid, but we say very early on in the episode, ‘This episode is about a celebration of that character’s life.’ That might be weird for some people, but it felt really exploitative to do it any other way,” Murphy said.

He added, “I think it turned out to be a lovely tribute, and it’s a very heartfelt look at how young people grieve. We loved Cory and we loved Finn, and it feels like a huge loss and a huge heartache not to have either of them around.”

Monteith’s girlfriend, Lea Michele, who plays Finn’s girlfriend Rachel Berry, helped the show’s writers address her on-screen and off-screen boyfriend’s death. She said she wanted to warn people that their action can have dangerous results, and she wanted the episode to reflect that.

Glee returns for its fifth season on September 26. The Cory Monteith memorial will take place in the third episode of the season.

Just read Cory Monteith memorial episode. Most beautiful thing. Thank you, @MrRPMurphy@BFalchuk Ian Brennan.

— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) August 21, 2013

[Photo credit: Francis Orante/Flickr]