Glee

This is one of latest TV crazes. Its premise is that of an over-exaggerated, caste-ruled high school and the trials and tribulations of that school's glee club that seemingly everyone but about 5 students and 2 teachers want to eliminate. This was my impression after a pair of episodes. At the end of the season, it so far strikes me very much like a much much more shallow and gimmicky Code Geas; halfway through, characters started making "impulsive" (see: doesn't make sense) decisions, mostly against their established character. All in all, the series main failing point was in how contrived it was.

Now I understand the need for the underdog story in a drama. It just isn't fun rooting for the favorite in fantasy life, but there needs some realism. Now, my experience with high school was about the extent of the textbook method of dealing wasp, "don't mess with me and I won't mess with you." However, I don't think that there is quite the extent of the drama played up in most imaginable high schools, from people, scratch that the whole school, actively seeking out a select select few misfits is beyond me. The only time in the show that it is even referenced that there are other misfits is the Lady Gaga episode.

All of these characters are based on played out stereotypes, every single one. It is insanely frustrating until they start coming up against stereotypical problems and trials. Some of them give the textbook responses, some refuse to respond, and some actually grow in what appears to be realism and you forget just for that second that they are just characters.
Originally, the only two characters I found to be consistently enjoyable to watch were the two main males Will and Finn. Due to the ebb and flow of characterization over the course of the season, this has expanded to at some point every character with a name. This is an important distinction to make as the male Asian was referred to once, as "other Asian."

Top of the list: Will Shuester: personable, charismatic, enthusiastic. Great combination in a character. He is dedicated to his wife above all else, and willing to do whatever it takes to make his current glee club great. The fatal flaw in his character is his devotion to his wife who must have forsaken her brains for something along the way. He does, ironically, show the best aptitude for learning and as such makes decisions that normally make sense. He is wrathful almost exclusively towards Sue Sylvester, who endlessly antagonizes him.

Finn: simple, straightforward, down to earth. The only pubescent character in the show with legitimate problems. His girlfriend is a bitchy tease, his co-star is an honest albeit conceited nobody. Does he dump his girlfriend for the new girl or does he stay the course until he has a real reason? Does he forsake football, a concrete backing with people who were friends, or dive into singing, a once forsaken passion? Real conflict. His character is one that most people can relate to although he does plateau towards the middle and end of the season.

Rachel Barry: honest, conceited, nobody. She is the most outspoken and, therefore, the most picked on. She portrays herself as the dramatic and tragic heroine and this is one of the most common points of her ridicule. Her character doesn't change much over the first season, but becomes more subdued and tolerable. 
Sue Sylvester: cheerleading coach, bullying, illogical: This is the most masculine, self-centered, and desperate to be devious character I have ever seen. Her goal is to destroy the glee club because it messes with the high school's caste system and "steals" money from her club. Yes this teacher has become invested in the politics of minors. Shown similar to a drill sergeant, her methods are about as crafty as a brick. At one point during some argument Will asks her to "Hold on one moment". Her immediate response is "I will not be discriminated against because of my gender!" However, she is shown to have a great deal more depth and on occasions makes morally sound decisions. 


Quinn Fabray: head cheerleader, tease, shallow: Quinn is one of my favorite characters to watch develop. In the beginning of the series she is a complete stereotype, and honestly remains that way until late in the season, when given a catalyst. She becomes one of the more dynamic characters in the show.


Glee is a show that is simple, shallow, but entertaining if only for the well-choreographed musical renditions (In the first two episodes see: Gold Digger, Don't Stop Believing) The characters show some development over the first season, many sub plots were revealed, and there weren't loose ends left hanging. If you aren't looking for Oscar-winning or writing, you should enjoy Glee.