GLEE - which season is your favorite?

With the series on its usual holiday break, I'm sure many fans are in withdrawal right now, so maybe this will fill the void (at least temporarily). Regardless of the strength of each individual season, it's virtually impossible to argue the fact that Glee is one of the top 3 TV series of all time, and probably the most culturally influential show of all time - boldly confronting issues such as bullying, the "clique" mentality and discrimination, open displays of male and female homosexuality, domestic abuse, eating disorders...just far too many relevant social issues to list. It's one of the rare shows to have crossover success to the big screen with its live concert feature (and the eagerly anticipated sequel), as well as its effect on the recording industry, surpassing Billboard records set by the Beatles and Elvis Presley as early as its second season. I know I'll get some strong protestation from the High School Musical fans here, but that's what open discussion forums are for.

But back on topic, is season 4 the best season to date?

Season 1 will always hold a place in our hearts because that is where we meet all of the core characters. Despite its many high points, at this point the series was still finding its footing and showed some inconsistency. It introduced us to the "Finchel" romance, which, much to the delight of everyone, carried over to real life in 2012 (you know you were all longing for it since day 1). To appease the haters, I will grant that High School Musical's Troy Bolton is a stronger male lead than Finn, but there's no doubt that Lea Michele is this generation's Streisand, so that balances things out.

Season 2 was far too erratic. It seemed like the show began to lose some of its original charm, and it tried way too hard with the constant shuffling of romances amongst virtually every cast member. On the plus side, season 2 did introduce us to the Dalton Academy Warblers, and more importantly, Blaine. Not only did this add the strongest male vocalist to the show, but it initiated the romance between Blaine and Kurt. While all of the Glee CDs were great, season 2 just may have been the strongest season in song choice/performance.

Season 3 was a train wreck. The show had lost its way to the point that a 4th season was not a given - and what a travesty that would have been. They just tried too hard with the introduction of new characters that just went nowhere. Sugar Motta, anyone??? The introduction of new cast members from the spinoff "The Glee Project" seemed promising, but was totally mishandled. GP runner-up Lindsay Pearce's Harmony character only gets two episodes? WTF??? She was the one cast member with the potential to adequately replace the soon graduating Rachel Berry!!! Glee Project winners Damian McGinty and Samuel Larsen have their 7 episode arcs extended, but prove to be nothing more than background characters. And the most irritating Glee Project contestant of all, the cross dressing Alex, ends up getting not only his 2 episode arc, but an extension into season 4 and transfers from Vocal Adrenaline to McKinley High to join New Directions??? Nevertheless, bringing a cross dressing high schooler into the mix is one of the boldest cultural achievements in network television history - again proving why Glee ranks amongst the top 3 tv shows of all time.

That brings us to Season 4...just when it seemed the show may be at its end, the brilliant minds behind Glee find a way to revitalize the show and create a formula that will keep it solid for many years to come. While the graduation of Rachel, Finn, and Kurt could have led to the show's demise, moving Rachel and Kurt to New York was a stroke of genius. The move to New York also delivers new recurring characters played by Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg and Oscar nominee Kate Hudson - two of the strongest supporting cast members to ever grace the show with their presence. And do I even have to mention the addition of Rachel's hunky new love interest - Brody? More importantly, the writers brought in a strong new class of performers to replace the departed - the Quinn-esque Kitty, the "new Rachel" Marley, Puck's younger brother Jake, and the impressive season 2 Glee Project winner Blake - perfectly cast as Ryder!!! Immediately we are introduced to the new love triangle between Marley, Jake, and Ryder, along with ample interference by Kitty! With the producers finally settling on a winning formula for the transition of graduating characters and the introduction of solid new characters who will be around for years to come - a formula that will ensure as many new seasons of Glee as the creators desire. Clearly, in my opinion, this makes season 4 the best.

For those who had dreams of a High School Musical series and feel like Glee stole your thunder, please keep the discussion civil. I understand your frustration and pain, but it's hard to argue against Glee in light of its massive cultural influence.