What do you get when you combine a confused group of teenagers, a dedicated Spanish teacher, an evil cheerleading coach, and music that has the ability to change all of their lives? You get Glee: a highly successful television show that has touched the lives of thousands of people. This Fox program is introduced by one man’s dream—to relive his glory days by reassembling a lost Glee Club. Now in its fifth season, the series follows the lives of McKinley High School students as they experience different milestones. As Glee Club members, they slowly begin to recognize music’s ability to bring people together, as well as shape the people they will one day be.

Will Schuester (played by Matthew Morrison), is a teacher that longs for the strong bonds formed in Glee Club and the positive effects it can have on the lives of its members. He seeks to recreate it, recruiting new members along the way. He stumbles upon the likes of Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), who bring the Glee Club to an auspicious start. From that point forward, Will Schuester’s far-fetched dream began to seem more like reality. One of the most interesting and uncommon qualities of this show is its diverse set of characters. Unlike typical television shows that are only geared toward a narrow audience, these characters are realistic representations of various high school students: they address issues such as homosexuality, physical and mental disabilities, suicide, and school violence. For the average teenager that might be tuning in every Thursday night, seeing a cast that accurately reflects American society can be quite refreshing. The pressure of conformity is put to rest because Glee embraces what the media do not: the importance of individuality.

In addition to its diverse set of characters, the actors that portray them are highly talented. Jane Lynch (as Sue Sylvester) does an outstanding job of playing a cruel cheerleading coach that is constantly seeking to bring the Glee Club to an end. She has added her own style to the character with quick recitation of lines and low tone of voice, making her presence captivating. However, she is not like most antagonists: deep down she is inherently good. Although her character will never openly admit that she truly cares for Will and his Glee Club, her gestures and facial expressions will sometimes tell a different story. Most of the comedic relief comes from Sue Sylvester, because the things she says often consist of creative insults toward students and/or coworkers. For example, in Season 3, Episode 18: “Choke”, Sue says to a colleague, “I spent the weekend sending your photo to ivory poachers who could make an absolute fortune selling your enormous white teeth on the black market.” The way she delivers these lines—quickly and with a straight face—makes the content much more humorous and worthwhile.

Music is what gives the Glee Club its purpose. Will Schuester, through the use of popular and classical genres, teaches his students lessons far more valuable than the ones learned in a classroom. Each week he asks the Glee Club to find and perform music that is representative of a certain theme. Sometimes these songs are used to solve internal or external conflicts, and sometimes they are used to help a friend during a difficult time. In Season 2, Episode 18: “Born This Way”, the club performs music by Lady Gaga that expresses the importance of self-acceptance. Rachel Berry sought plastic surgery because she was unhappy with the way she looked, but her friends helped her by showing her that she is perfect just the way she is. In Season 3, Episode 9: “Extraordinary Merry Christmas”, the students get caught up with the commercialism of the holidays. They soon learn that helping the less fortunate is more important, and they sing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” to a group in a homeless shelter. The meanings of these songs stretch far beyond the episodes and the characters within them. The writers use them to form a connection between the program and its audience. Their relatable performances are lessons in themselves: love yourself for who you are; remember what the holidays really mean; take chances. Because they use popular songs that most people are familiar with, their messages are more pronounced.

Glee is one of the most successful shows on television because of its themes. Although each episode focuses on a different topic, one thing always remains constant: the message of following dreams and staying true to oneself. Mr. Schue acts as his students’ number one fan, constantly encouraging them to try their hardest and challenge themselves. He reminds them that they are capable of doing anything that they set their minds to, and with this message the series continues to inspire the thousands of people who look to it for guidance.

Anyone can relate to Glee in one way or another. Its characters are realistic, its themes are timeless, and its music is unforgettable. Whether someone is looking for a laugh, a cry, or a life lesson, they can be found in this series. Despite the cast’s recent loss due to the death of Cory Monteith, the show will continue as planned: by motivating its viewers to believe in themselves and to be proud of who they are.