Hot Take: Rachel Berry Was The Best Glee Character
You may not like her, but she was definitely the best-written one.
Even though looking back on Glee, it's not a show that's against today's ethics at all, fans still come back to it as their comfort show. No matter how absurd some of the storylines were, the show that was the first to really tell kids that it's okay to not fit in is still very dear to many.
As the years go by, views of the characters and the situations they face may change. The ones that were once favorites may turn out to be not so great, and the most hated ones... well, they carry the whole show on their backs.
And as annoying as it may be to admit, having Rachel Berry as a protagonist on the show was exactly the right choice for Murphy.
Whether you like it or not, Rachel Berry is a female character that should be praised by everyone, not hated like she usually is. Yes, like most 16- to 18-year-olds, she has her flaws and is still navigating life and trying to learn what's appropriate and what's not.
But what your average teenager doesn't have is her dedication to getting what she wants in life. Nor does your usual 2009 TV-show female lead.
Not only is Rachel very determined to see herself on stage, but she's also a surprisingly well-rounded character: something that can't be said for most Glee club members. Being unapologetically ambitious did not change the fact that she was kind, resilient, and supportive of her friends at times when they needed it the most.
From calling out the Celibacy Club for being completely unrealistic in a high school setting to saving the Glee Club and carrying it on her back alone on multiple occasions, Rachel Berry remains Glee's strongest link. No matter how much of her dedication to the club was personal, Glee wouldn't be nearly as good or successful without her.
The only thing that, probably, doesn’t have any excuse, is the crackhouse incident. But that’s the reminder of what Glee was for you.
If you want to revisit the show and see if you're ready to give Rachel Berry a second chance, you can stream all the seasons on Hulu or Disney Plus.