As Lea Michele and the cast of Glee continue their careers on stage, on television, and even in film, fans keep revisiting the show that made them famous now that it's available on Disney+. The story of an underdog high-school choir became a sensation at the end of the 2000s, becoming a bonafide television phenomenon.
Glee became infamous for its over-the-top approach and excess, but not all its stories were exaggerated. A few received praise from fans on Reddit for their nuance and positive influence, becoming among the Gleeks' favorite plots.
The Parental Figures
Glee might've been notorious for its less-than-subtle approach to sensitive issues, but sometimes it got things right. The kids' parents were surprisingly believable in their interactions with their children, injecting a sense of realism into the plot that wasn't present anywhere else on the show.
A Reddit user whose profile has since been deleted claims the parents on the show are "extremely believable." Indeed, thanks to some great performances and thoughtful, mature writing, every parental figure on the show came across as realistic, or at least as realistic as possible, especially in a show like Glee.
Burt's Heart Attack
Kurt and Burt's relationship was the best. The two shared some of the most wholesome moments in Glee, and their dynamic quickly became a fan favorite. One of their biggest challenges came in season 2 when Burt suffered a stroke, forcing Kurt to relive painful memories of his mom's death.
"Grilled Cheesus" received positive reviews at the time, and it remains one of the show's best episodes. Redditor DarthCharizard believes it's one of the rare times when the show "explored a sensitive issue without turning it into a preachy PSA." The storyline succeeded because it explored Kurt's doubt and fear without overdoing it through unnecessary drama.
David Karofsky's Storyline
Some might consider Dave Karofsky one of the worst side characters on Glee, while others might think he's the best. He is a divisive character who starts as a bully but slowly becomes a better person throughout the years. His aggression comes from a place of self-loathing and insecurity, and the show does a good job of exploring his fears and doubts.
Seasons 3 and 4 saw him come to terms with his sexuality and take small steps toward acceptance. Fans like littlewitch34 praised the show for taking a "meatheaded jock" into a "fleshed-out, understandable character." Karofksy's storyline again derailed in season 6, but his earlier journey of self-discovery was among the best things Glee did.
Kurt & Finn's Relationship
Season 1 saw Kurt having a crush on Finn. He manipulates a relationship between his father and Finn's mother to spend more time with his crush, but things go south quickly. Still, the two learn to leave the past behind, with Kurt growing out of his crush and Finn becoming more mature and accepting of Kurt.
Several fans praised their brotherly bond, including CosmicGame, who enjoyed watching Finn and Kurt going "from uneasy teammates to legit brothers from another mother." Although their relationship was initially complicated, the two learned to value each other's presence in their lives, building a bond that would last until Finn's untimely and tragic passing.
The Troubletones
Santana and Mercedes, two of the New Directions' most talented singers, finally got tired of doing backup to Rachel and Finn and decided to form their own Glee Club. Season 3 saw the rise of the Troubletones, an all-female group run by Shelby Corcoran and including Santana, Mercedes, Brittany, and Sugar Motta.
Redditor Bay15 believes the Troubletones "added interesting conflict to the show and produced great music." Indeed, the Troubletones were arguably better than the New Directions, producing multiple energetic and creative dance routines and doing some of Glee's most memorable songs, including the now-iconic mashup of "Rumour Has It" and "Someone Like You."
Kurt & Rachel Being Prom Queens
The prom episodes in Glee were highly dramatic. Season 2's "Prom Queen" sees the students voting for Kurt to win the titular title as a prank, only for him to accept his crown gracefully and share a dance with Blaine. Season 3's "Prom-asaurus" features Santana and Quinn manipulating the ballots, so Rachel wins, giving her confidence boost when she is at her lowest.
The plots were sweet, if somewhat melodramatic. Redditor drvid_nrsson had high praise for them, claiming they were "unexpected, made sense within the universe, and impacted all the characters involved." Both storylines had sweet endings and showed Kurt and Rachel's considerable growth, explaining why they rank among fans' favorites.
Sam's Homelessness
Poor Sam Evans was one of the Glee characters who got the short end of the writing stick. He became a walking joke by season 6, with the writers exploiting his initial naiveté and turning it into outright stupidity. However, season 2 was one of his best moments, with fans thinking his homeless storyline was particularly good.
Redditor Bea_Mat21 praised "Chord (Overstreet)'s acting" and "the dedication (Sam) had to his family." In typical Glee fashion, the storyline disappeared after its initial episode, but it was still a great way to explore Sam's character and make him less of a one-dimensional himbo.
Santana's Coming Out
Santana Lopez was among the best characters in Glee. A mean girl with a heart of gold, Santana was savage and unafraid to hurt other people's feelings, but she was also staunchly loyal and protective of her friends. Season 3 sees her dealing with her sexuality and ultimately coming out as a lesbian, a storyline that many consider among the show's best.
Fans like spicygummi singled out Santana's confrontation with her grandmother, saying it "breaks me every time" and calling it "heartbreaking" because "it happens too often" in real life. Naya Rivera's performance elevated the dialog, but the show chose a restrained approach to Santana's storyline with her family, resulting in an emotionally powerful arc that cemented her as one of the show's best figures.
Finn Breaking Up With Rachel
Finn goes through a considerable journey toward maturity in season 3. Hesitant about his future but not wanting to hold Rachel back, he calls off their ill-advised engagement and break-up with her, thus allowing her to move to New York and attend NYADA.
Cory Monteith and Lea Michele deliver some truly impressive acting during the scene. However, what's great about the moment is that it's a culmination of Finn's character arc, with him realizing they need to be apart to discover who they are before they can be together for good. It was a very mature decision on his part and, as Redditor cafeaubee said, a choice that "genuinely feels like love."
The Quarterback
Cory Monteith sadly passed away in 2013. Following his death, the makers of Glee decided to also have his character, Finn, die and created the episode "The Quarterback" as a tribute to both Cory and Finn.
Emotions ran high on the episode, and fans and critics offered high praise, particularly for Romy Rosemont and Lea Michele's performances. Redditor Sinnam0nRoll described Romy's scene as "heartbreaking to watch" but offered high praise for her performance. Similarly, Awkward_Law_1620 claimed they "cried for 2.5 hours after the episode initially aired." The hour was heart-wrenching, but it was a heartfelt and ultimately cathartic goodbye to the actor and the character.