Glee: Every Season Ranked, According To Rotten Tomatoes

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, Glee followed McKinley High School’s aspiring glee club. At first, the members were barely more than a random collection of students. While some were friends previous to joining the group, others created bonds through singing and dancing. Glee covered Broadway favorites, classic rock, pop songs, and more.

Some of the original main characters were determined and motivated to become professional musicians in their future. But, in the meantime, they desired to win Nationals, preferably with their own solo performance. There was plenty of drama, comedy, and music during the six seasons of Glee. This is every season ranked, according to the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer.

7 Entire Series: 71%

Glee overall scored 71%, according to the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. Running for six seasons, the show followed the McKinley High School glee club. At the helm is Will Schuester. Having been in the glee club in high school, Will excitedly takes the position when its previous teacher is fired.

The club goes from a measly six members to the necessary twelve, but that doesn’t make life easier for the New Directions. Throughout the series, the rivalry between Will Schuester and Coach Sue Sylvester is also heavily featured. Between getting a slushie facial, fighting for popularity, and striving for a solo, there are several dramatic and comedic moments.

6 Season 3: 53%

It’s the senior year for many New Directions members, leaving them one last chance to win Nationals. But, the glee club isn’t the only thing on their minds. The time to think of college and the future has arrived for many of them, which means thinking about what comes next. For Rachel, Kurt, and Mercedes, it’s an easier decision, as they have been motivated to dive into music for years. But, for those like Finn, it is a much harder call.

However, it is also a season of in-fighting. After being ignored for solos for the past two years, Mercedes joins a rival glee club at McKinley, bringing Santana and Brittany with her. Unfortunately for their group, The Troubletones are eliminated from the competition, losing out to the New Directions. Afterward, Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany rejoin their friends, and Will promises to let The Troubletones perform during future competitions.

5 Season 4: 65%

Season four spreads itself far too thin. Numerous storylines are occurring at once, and by separating the main characters so much, the season struggles to stay adrift. It’s most solid storylines follow Finn’s struggle to find his future, Rachel’s time at NYADA, and eventual “Funny Girl” audition, and Kurt’s internship and acceptance to NYADA.

Otherwise, the season is confusing in comparison to previous ones. Glee attempts to introduce Jake, Marley, Ryder, Unique, and Kitty as New Directions members. Unfortunately, those remaining, such as Artie, Tina, Sam, Brittany, and Blaine, are occasionally sidelined for the new kids.

4 Season 5: 71%

The tragic loss of Cory Monteith affected the fifth season, with the characters saying good-bye to his on-screen character, Finn Hudson. His death is addressed during “The Quarterback,” which shows those who had spent much time with Finn grieve his absence and sing a song meant for him.

The rest of the season pushes forward with other storylines and sees the New Directions lose Regionals, affectively ending glee at McKinley. Rachel’s storyline sees her achieve her dream of performing on Broadway only to see her give it up for a chance at a network television series.

3 Season 6: 72%

The final season brings back some of the sparks of the first season. With the glee club completely gone, there is a chance to recreate the group completely. Having spent months in seclusion, Rachel returns to McKinley to recreate the New Directions as a way to return her image to a positive light. Along with Kurt and many old friends, the group must recruit new members and create a winning team.

Season six reforms the two previous seasons’ errors, which had tried to tell several different stories in Ohio and New York. Having all the main characters in one spot, which also happened to be one of the most familiar places in the show, helped with storytelling. While some of the main characters got an ending they deserved, others were left without a solid conclusion.

2 Season 2: 79%

Having lost Regionals the previous year, the group is determined to win, but they also need more members. The second season introduces Sam Evans, who would play an integral role. Kurt’s situation also changes when he transfers to Dalton after no longer feeling safe at McKinley.

His transfer leads him to Blaine Anderson, who would later become Kurt’s first boyfriend and later his husband. It also shows Finn and Rachel’s relationship’s ups and downs while also showing drama from Finn’s dynamic with Quinn. Sadly, although the New Directions do make it to Nationals, they don’t win or place in the top ten.

1 Season 1: 86%

Will Schuester’s open auditions lead him to Rachel Berry, Mercedes Jones, Kurt Hummel, Artie Abrams, and Tina Cohen-Chang. Unfortunately, as excited as they are, five is not enough to compete. So, in search of a male-lead, Will comes across Finn Hudson, and after a morally questionable choice, succeeds in gaining a sixth member. After helping the football team, Will obtains three more members, Puck, Matt, and Mike.

After being told to infiltrate the New Directions by Coach Sue Sylvester, Quinn, Santana, and Brittany joined the glee club. The ragtag New Directions may not get along perfectly, but with all the drama surrounding them, the group does manage to work as a team. Season one also shows Will’s marriage slowly falling apart as he gets closer to Emma Pillsbury while his wife, Terri, fakes a pregnancy. But, that is not the only pregnancy storyline the first season faces. Quinn is pregnant and hiding the truth about the baby’s father.

About The Author

Lindsay Press
(274 Articles Published)

See also  Marvel Comics: 10 Most Dangerous Alien Species

Lindsay Press is a freelance writer. As a graduate of SUNY Purchase College with a degree in Screenwriting and Playwriting, Lindsay has loved television shows and movies since childhood. In addition, she loves to create stories and enjoys dystopian futures, teen drama, and fantasy worlds.

More From Lindsay Press