Conflicting interests: GLEE

While I find this show oddly compelling to watch, (having whizzed through both seasons in a matter of days) there are many reasons why I find it problematic.

Foremost it centres on how the members of the Glee club are outsiders at their school, who have to put up with jeering and bullying on a daily basis. However although this is a central theme, it seems no steps are ever taken to resolve this. The attitudes taken by the teachers are the same as the students, this is the way life is in high school, rather than to take any action against the bullies.In fact, the only character who has ever shown a truly caring side is the Glee clubs 'arch nemesis', Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester, who attempted to expel a pupil for threatening Kurt (the groups homosexual character) in season 2. Also notably, towards the end of this season, when Kurt is crowned 'prom queen' at his expense, Principal Figgins seems to also take enjoyment out of Kurts humiliation.

Another main concern is the lack of character development. This is not a group of people an audience can really engage with, and although the show is enjoyable to watch, the characters are not ones we learn to love or hate as the show goes on. Clearly there are certain traits which each character possesses, such as Rachel's selfishness, Santana's bitchiness, Emma's OCD tendencies etc, but we never really get to know any of them. Couples seem to change partners on a weekly basis and characters claim their hatred for one another one moment then are seen socialising outside of school in a later scene. The only really likeable character is Sue, who clearly has a tough exterior but also has a softer side hidden away, the result of having grown up deserted by her mother and having to care for her disabled sister alone.

This follows on to my final criticism...plot holes. It seems that what one could assume to be a major plot development is by the following episode forgotten and never mentioned again. Examples of this are in season two's Christmas episode, where Artie is secretly given by Beiste equipment to enable to him walk and make Brittany's wish come true. From the next Episode Artie was seen back in his wheelchair as if the whole thing had never happened. And what exactly happened to the character Beiste? She seemed to be a central focus for half the season then disappeared without a trace.

These are a few points which I have noticed whilst watching Glee. This hasn't taken away any of my enjoyment of this programme but from my point of view are glaringly obvious errors. Its most redeeming factors are obviously the music, as well as the humorous, and at times plain outrageous, one-liners. Glee conforms to so many American school stereotypes that I hope this is meant to be ironic..with the level of humour displayed in the writing though I am sure this is the case.