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The Best Episodes of Glee Season 1

Every episode of Glee Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Glee Season 1!

Binge this in 16h 52m•Peaking at 9.1/10

In this musical comedy, optimistic high school teacher Will Schuester tries to refuel his own passion while reinventing the high school's glee club and challenging a group of outcasts to realize their star potential as

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Glee Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.4/10(3202 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Optimistic high school teacher Will Schuester tries to refuel his own passion while reinventing the McKinley High School’s glee club and challenging a group of outcasts to realize their star potential. Going up against McKinley’s cruel high school caste system and facing harsh criticism from everyone around him, Will is determined to prove them all wrong.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

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  2. Glee Season 1 Episode 2 - Showmance
    7.9/10(2184 votes)

    #2 - Showmance

    S1:E2

    As McKinley High School's glee club begins new routines, a restriction forces them to make some choices. Will must decide whether to continue with his passion or provide for his wife, which ultimately brings him closer to Emma. As some members of New Directions grow closer romantically, other's intentions aren't supportive of the group.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

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  3. Glee Season 1 Episode 3 - Acafellas
    7.5/10(2071 votes)

    #3 - Acafellas

    S1:E3

    As Will aims towards completing New Directions, a visit from his father reminds him how much this all means to him. New songs are introduced and a song originally given to a star, is given to a celibate. Will forms an all-male a cappella group, but when he neglects the glee club, the kids decide to hire a well-known choreographer to coach them. Meanwhile, Mercedes falls in love. The other six additions to New Directions are introduced. Josh Groban appears as himself.

    Director:John Scott
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  4. Glee Season 1 Episode 4 - Preggers
    8.3/10(2058 votes)

    #4 - Preggers

    S1:E4

    While Kurt tries out for the football team (taking a page from the glee playbook with him), Rachel storms out of glee practice when Will gives a plum part to Tina. Meanwhile, Sue comes up with a new plot to boost her program at glee's expense; and Quinn has news for Finn.

    Director:Brad Falchuk
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  5. Glee Season 1 Episode 5 - The Rhodes Not Taken
    7.9/10(1945 votes)

    #5 - The Rhodes Not Taken

    S1:E5

    Will thinks the glee club desperately needs more of an edge, so he brings in his former classmate, April Rhodes, to spice things up. Will’s plan seems to be going smoothly until he realizes he may be losing a key member of the club.

    Director:John Scott
    Writer:Ian Brennan

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  6. Glee Season 1 Episode 6 - Vitamin D
    8.1/10(1843 votes)

    #6 - Vitamin D

    S1:E6

    Will decides to give New Directions some competition between them by having the boys go against the girls. Terri becomes the school nurse to check on Will.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  7. Glee Season 1 Episode 7 - Throwdown
    8.1/10(1744 votes)

    #7 - Throwdown

    S1:E7

    To cause distension among the Glee Club members, Sue forces the students to compete against each other, but the real showdown happens when she and Will get called into the principal’s office. Meanwhile, the Glee kids rally to support Quinn after some shocking news is revealed.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  8. Glee Season 1 Episode 8 - Mash-Up
    8.0/10(1793 votes)

    #8 - Mash-Up

    S1:E8

    Inspired the by the students, Will composes a mash-up for a very special occasion. Meanwhile, in a shocking reversal of roles, McKinley High’s cool kids are dethroned in an “icy” fashion, and Sue shows off her softer side.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Ian Brennan

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  9. Glee Season 1 Episode 9 - Wheels
    8.6/10(1915 votes)

    #9 - Wheels

    S1:E9

    Will encourages the Glee Club to support Artie, and asks each of them to perform in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Kurt and Rachel compete for a big solo.

    Director:Paris Barclay
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  10. Glee Season 1 Episode 10 - Ballad
    8.2/10(1822 votes)

    #10 - Ballad

    S1:E10

    Mr. Schuester has the Glee Club split up into pairs to sing their favorite ballad, but when one kid gets sick, he’s forced to step in and winds up in a sticky situation. Meanwhile, Finn and Quinn have to face the music when dinner with her parents goes awry.

    Director:Brad Falchuk
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  11. Glee Season 1 Episode 11 - Hairography
    7.9/10(1776 votes)

    #11 - Hairography

    S1:E11

    Concerned that Sue is up to no good, Will pays a visit to an instructor of a competing Glee Club to see what information Sue may be leaking, which leads to the club getting a look at their hair-rising competition. Meanwhile, Kurt gives Rachel a makeover to impress Finn, but he may have ulterior motives.

    Director:Bill D'Elia
    Writer:Ian Brennan

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  12. Glee Season 1 Episode 12 - Mattress
    8.2/10(1772 votes)

    #12 - Mattress

    S1:E12

    When the Glee Club is left out of the yearbook because of budget cuts, everyone seems to be relieved that they won’t have to suffer the ridicule of years past. Everyone except Rachel, that is, who wants her legacy cemented in print. Meanwhile, Quinn makes it her mission to be in the Cheerios yearbook photo, and Will and Terri’s relationship is shaken to its core.

    Director:Elodie Keene
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  13. Glee Season 1 Episode 13 - Sectionals
    9.0/10(2150 votes)

    #13 - Sectionals

    S1:E13

    Sectionals is finally here for the Glee Club, but when Quinn’s secret unravels, the club may not be able to recover in time to compete. Meanwhile, Sue’s scheming hits an all-time high, and with Emma and Ken’s marriage looming, Will makes a decision that could change his life forever.

    Director:Brad Falchuk
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  14. Glee Season 1 Episode 14 - Hell-O
    8.0/10(1856 votes)

    #14 - Hell-O

    S1:E14

    Fresh off their monumental win at Sectionals, New Directions is on top of the world. With an extra spring in their step, they get to work on new numbers for regionals. But when Rachel and Finn’s budding romance hits a bump in the road after she becomes involved with a competitor, Jesse St. James, it threatens to derail the entire club. Mr. Schuester pays a visit to Shelby Corcoran, coach of Vocal Adrenaline, to confirm Jesse’s motives. Meanwhile, Will is newly single, but is he ready to take his relationship with Emma to the next level? And to top it all off, Sue Sylvester returns from her condo in Boca with a renewed focus on destroying Will and disbanding the glee club.

    Director:Brad Falchuk
    Writer:Ian Brennan

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  15. Glee Season 1 Episode 15 - The Power of Madonna
    8.6/10(2187 votes)

    #15 - The Power of Madonna

    S1:E15

    Mr. Schuester is concerned that the girls in the glee club are being disrespected and bullied by the guys. Looking to Madonna and her musical message of equality as inspiration, he challenges the entire team to choose Madonna songs as their next assignment in the hopes that the girls embrace her strength, independence and confidence and that the guys will see the error of their misogynistic ways. The glee club takes the assignment to heart as they perform some of Madonna’s greatest hits, including “Express Yourself” and “Like A Prayer.” Meanwhile, Kurt and Mercedes give Sue a vote of confidence with a makeover that is definitely in “Vogue”.

    Director:Ryan Murphy
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  16. Glee Season 1 Episode 16 - Home
    7.9/10(1809 votes)

    #16 - Home

    S1:E16

    When Kurt sets his dad, Burt, up with an unexpected partner his plan for a nuclear family may backfire. Sue demands that the Cheerios! go on a crazy diet in preparation for a big interview with “Splits” magazine and April Rhodes returns to save Will and the glee club.

    Director:Paris Barclay
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  17. Glee Season 1 Episode 17 - Bad Reputation
    8.1/10(1752 votes)

    #17 - Bad Reputation

    S1:E17

    Mr. Schuester starts an investigation when a salacious list about members of the glee club circulates the halls of McKinley High. Meanwhile, Sue is mortified when a video of her performing the Olivia Newton-John classic "Physical" surfaces

    Directors:Paris Barclay, Elodie Keene
    Writer:Ian Brennan

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  18. Glee Season 1 Episode 18 - Laryngitis
    7.9/10(1694 votes)

    #18 - Laryngitis

    S1:E18

    When a sore throat affects Rachel's singing voice, she goes into panic mode. Meanwhile, Kurt tries to change his persona to impress his father, and Puck makes a strategic move to elevate his social status.

    Director:Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    Writer:Ryan Murphy

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  19. Glee Season 1 Episode 19 - Dream On
    8.5/10(2091 votes)

    #19 - Dream On

    S1:E19

    Mr. Schuester’s former high school nemesis, Bryan Ryan, causes trouble for the glee club. Meanwhile, Rachel struggles with a life-long personal issue, and Artie’s dreams take him on an adventure.

    Director:Joss Whedon
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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  20. Glee Season 1 Episode 20 - Theatricality
    8.4/10(1847 votes)

    #20 - Theatricality

    S1:E20

    Mr. Schuester encourages the glee club to express themselves using the music of Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Rachael has a life-changing encounter, and Tina embraces her inner Goth.

    Directors:Ryan Murphy, Elodie Keene
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan

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  21. Glee Season 1 Episode 21 - Funk
    7.8/10(1657 votes)

    #21 - Funk

    S1:E21

    The glee club gets some news that’s sure to rattle a few nerves. Meanwhile, Quinn connects with her “funky” side with a little help from Mercedes, and Will gets revenge on Sue.

    Directors:Ryan Murphy, Elodie Keene
    Writers:Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan

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  22. Glee Season 1 Episode 22 - Journey to Regionals
    9.1/10(2272 votes)

    #22 - Journey to Regionals

    S1:E22

    The moment New Directions has been waiting for has finally arrived: it’s time for Regionals! But when Sue pulls a fast one on Will and the glee clubbers, their chances at the title could be compromised. Meanwhile, Quinn’s life changes forever.

    Director:Brad Falchuk
    Writer:Brad Falchuk

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Glee" season 1. It scored 8.4/10 based on 3202 votes. Directed by Ryan Murphy and written by Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, it aired on 5/19/2009. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Showmance".