The phenomenal TV Show, Glee, gave us a handful set of interesting, complex characters last year, when it first aired. There was Kurt, a stereotypical gay teen, who had to face the difficulties of being bullied and being different. There was Will Shuster, the passionate, good-hearted teacher of Glee club. There was Quinn Fabray, popular, nasty-as-hell cheerleader, who found herself stuck in a patch when she became pregnant with her boyfriend's best friend.

What I have notice about this season of Glee is how these characters are now being treated. While people like Kurt and Brittany St. Pierce just get better, characters like Will Shuster start spiraling wayyy down. And I mean, way down. The most prominent example of this? Rachel Berry, who is (or was) considered par many to be the main character of Glee, ou at least the étoile, star of the montrer - until it has “become clear” to us viewers that now, Rachel is nothing but a harpy shrew who should not be taken seriously par anyone and her main concern in life is her dull-witted boyfriend, Finn Hudson (who is, OMG THE HOTTTEST BOY IN DA SCHOOLL!!)

Right. Let me explain.

Last season, Rachel was one of the most flawed characters I have ever seen on television. She was bossy, rude, shrilled, and a nagger. If toi described her to someone who never even heard of Glee (and if there is a person who hasn’t, where have you’ve been? Under a rock?), Rachel would sound like someone toi would despise at first sight. However, while Rachel had all these flaws, she was also strong-willed, determined, confident, and was not afraid to go after what she wanted no matter the cause. These qualities is what made Rachel such a compelling and wonderful character. Despite her many bad traits, Rachel was someone I felt like I could look up to. Not only that, but she started to develop as the series went on (example: complimenting Mercedes on doing a solo in Sectionals). All of this is what made Rachel Berry not just one of my favori Glee characters, but one of my favori characters in anything ever.

Now?

What happened?

This season, Rachel might as well be labeled a supporting character, who is only around for comedic effect and to be Finn Hudson’ dedicated, annoying girlfriend. Yes, that is exactly what Rachel is to me now. And it’s a real shame too.

Season Two of Glee starts off with Rachel sabotaging a girl’s chance at being a part of Glee club, because she was a pretty damn good singer, and would end up stealing the spotlight that Rachel enjoyed having. This is something that early Rachel probably would have done, and it would be portrayed as a amusing storyline. This Rachel, however? The one we have been watching for a year?
It was as thought the writers decided to take every ounce of development they gave Rachel last year, and threw it out the window. Because really? They put Rachel back at square one. And it only gets worst as this season goes on.

At first glance, toi most likely don’t see anything recognizably different in Rachel. She would still appear to be the same person she’s always been. But if toi think about each episode carefully, you’ll see that nothing important happen to Rachel. You’ll realize that every time Rachel opened her pretty little mouth, it was to say something officious. You’ll realize that Rachel has only done two things:

* Dominating/Yelling out her ideas to Glee Club

* Assure Finn that he is the best thing that God has ever created (yeah, right).

And honestly, it’s really sad. Now, Rachel is being portrayed as nothing plus as “over-achieving, shrewd cow who were supposed to hate”. And I can’t help but think:

What happened to Rachel Berry?

Bottom line - a once independent, likeable, multi-layered character, is now being portrayed as a girl who will not be taken seriously par anyone else, and is right back to where she started at the beginning of Glee.

Thanks Ryan.