I‘m not ashamed to say that I was a hardcore “Gleek.” Glee was my favorite show in middle school, and after each episode I would buy the songs and listen to them on repeat. I laughed, I cried, and, of course, I sang along each week without fail. My roommates and I decided to revisit our favorite show growing up (all of the episodes are on Netflix). After watching just a few episodes, we were shocked to discover Glee was not as perfect as we once thought. Raunchy jokes flew over our head, and we ignored inappropriate student teacher relationships (I’m looking at you, Mr. Schue). Watching Glee in 2019 allowed us to see this once-progressive show in a completely different light. Here are some of the most notable plots:
Quinn tells Finn she’s pregnant
Glee always pushed boundaries, and making the head of the chastity club pregnant was definitely a shock. What was even more shocking is how Finn believed the baby was his even though he and Quinn had never had sex. And the plot thickens…Mr. Schue’s wife (who is faking her pregnancy) tries to buy Quinn’s baby.
Mr. Schue frames Finn for drug possession
Mr. Schue is probably the worst high school teacher in all of McKinley High. After hearing Finn sing in the shower, he put marijuana in his locker and framed him for drug possession just so he would join the glee club. Somehow no one questioned the ethics behind this.
Sue marries herself
I really have no explanation for this one. At the time I thought it was inspirational and heartwarming. Now I find it kind of strange that she married herself in a blue tracksuit dress. But Sue Sylvester was always one of the most eccentric characters on the show.
Kurt coming out to his dad
Through all of its craziness, Glee still had some amazing moments. This plot makes me tear up to this day. At the time, this plot was revolutionary. Having a gay character come out to his masculine dad and be accepted was enough to make anyone feel like they could be loved. Kurt always had the strongest storylines, and his relationship with his father is no exception.