Glee holds a particular privilege in television history in that none of its main characters appeared in all of the series's 121 episodes. Not Rachel or Mr. Schuester, arguably the show's two leads. Not Kurt, or Sue, or Artie, who was until season 5, the only character to appear in every episode.
Even so, the show kept the same core cast members during its entire run, and all of them had several memorable on-screen moments, most of them in the form of musical numbers. It's hard to choose just one of these iconic scenes for each character, although in some cases, it's a no-brainer.
Quinn's Last Solo
Unlike some of the other female characters, Quinn never got the same degree of importance in the show's narrative. Her character went through every phase of teen angst possible, but her story was never as prominent as, say, Rachel or Santana's.
Quinn's most memorable scene comes in the middle of season 3 after she learns that she got into Yale. Looking back at her life choices, she realizes that her future is brighter than ever, and her mistakes don't define her. She then puts her characteristic soft voice to use with a rendition of The Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye," her last solo in the series.
Tina's First Standing O
Like Quinn, Tina never got a real chance to shine, not even in season 4, with Rachel, Mercedes, Santana, and Kurt gone. Marley and Unique got most of the songs, once again relegating her to the background.
Tina's lack of protagonism is the basis for the season 3 episode, "Props," which still ranks as one of the series' best. After hitting her head, Tina dreams she's Rachel and receives all the attention. She then sings Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me" and knocks it out of the park, receiving her first standing ovation. It's a tad sad that Tina's most memorable moment happens while she's playing another character, but it is what it is.
Artie Does The Safety Dance
Throughout season 1, Artie struggles with his condition. He longs to become a dancer, especially after joining the New Directions. When Tina asks him to be his partner in a dance number, they try to make it work, but Artie ends up falling from his crutches when he tries to stand up.
Tina takes Artie to the mall to try and cheer him up. There, he fantasizes about dancing and leads the crowd in an elaborate and incredibly well-choreographed sequence to the tune of Men Without Hat's "The Safety Dance." The scene showcases Kevin McHale's incredible dancing skills but is also wistful, knowing that Artie's dream will most likely never come true.
Mercedes Channels Effie White
The show's three original divas, Rachel, Kurt, and Mercedes, all closely related to musical theater characters. Rachel idolized Fanny Brice, and Kurt had a soft spot for Mama Rose. Mercedes's inspiration was Effie White, the protagonist of the seminal classic Dreamgirls.
During the show's run, she sang three of Effie's most iconic songs. And while "It's All Over" also ranks as one of her finest moments in the show, it doesn't beat her rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." Years later, Amber Riley would play Effie on the West End stage, winning an Olivier Award for her efforts.
Finn Serenades Kurt
Finn's entire story is about self-discovery. He starts as a typical quarterback, afraid to venture outside of football and the popularity it provides. Through Glee Club and his relationships with his friends, he dares to step out of his comfort zone and become his own person.
Finn struggles with finding the right dynamic with Kurt. Once their parents get married, and after witnessing Karofsky's bullying of Kurt, Finn becomes more comfortable expressing his feeling towards his new step-brother. At Carole and Burt's wedding, Finn even serenades Kurt with Bruno Mars's "Just the Way You Are." It's a great moment of growth for the character and one of the most inspiring and sweet scenes in the entire show.
Blaine Is A Teenage Dream
Blaine Anderson arguably has the best introduction out of all the characters in the show. He first appears in season 2, leading the Dalton Academy Warblers in an unforgettable rendition of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." From the moment he opens his mouth, both Kurt and the audience fall under his spell.
Darren Criss's rendition of the song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the show's third-highest song on the chart. Furthermore, it established Blaine as a musical force to be reckoned with and the Warblers as worthy rivals for the New Directions.
Kurt's Turn
Season 1 remains the show's best, and Kurt Hummel is a big reason why. Glee perfectly showcased Chris Colfer's many talents with storylines that were both engaging and deeply relatable. During season 1, Kurt and his father struggle to adapt after Kurt comes out of the closet. Burt is incredibly supportive, but he still has trouble relating to his son.
Once Burt starts dating Carole, he and Finn grow closer, making Kurt jealous. Wanting to reclaim his father's attention, he begins dressing like Burt and singing John Mellencamp songs. He soon understands he can't win his father's approval by being someone he's not and takes the stage for a passionate rendition of "Rose's Turn" from the musical Gypsy. It's a tour-de-force performance, possibly the best Kurt ever did.
Sue Throws A Tantrum
Sue Sylvester was the show's most outlandish character. She was loud, rude, at times violent, but always hilarious. Her insults are legendary, particularly those aimed at Will Schuester's hair, and Jane Lynch's natural comedic sensibilities only made them better.
Sue didn't get a lot of songs, meaning almost all of her iconic scenes were dialogue. However, her defining moment came in the season 2 episode, "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle." After learning that Principal Figgins won't let her fire Brittany out of a canon, Sue loses it. She throws things around, roars and screams, and even gets violent with some students. It's a politically incorrect scene, no doubt, but it's still hilarious to watch.
Mr. Schuester Leaves On A Jet Plane
In recent years, Will Schuester's popularity took a plunge. He never was the show's most beloved character, but the internet really turned on him in recent years. People consider him creepy, inappropriate, and an all-around bad teacher who has no character development.
Still, when the show first came out, he was a compelling and even endearing figure. He brought back the Glee Club out of an actual desire to help and a genuine love for music. He briefly considers quitting after learning that his wife is pregnant, leading him to sing a heartfelt rendition of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane." The scene, which finds him sitting alone in the empty auditorium with nothing but a guitar, remains one of the show's most honest and heartfelt moments.
Nobody Rains On Rachel's Parade
Love her or hate her, Rachel Berry was an undeniable talent. She really was the brightest star in Lima, and that becomes clear from day one. Rachel got more solos than any other character in the show, a whopping 46. Still, her most memorable moment in the show remains her showstopping rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade" at the 2009 Sectionals.
She enters from the back of the room, singing directly to the crowd. She fills the performance with her trademark flair, proving the showbusiness really runs in her blood. By the time she belts the song's last note, the audience is already on their feet, and it's easy to understand why.