Season 2 for Rachel Berry has spoken heavily to the issue of her identity. After the character issues in “Audition,” Rachel was relegated primarily to mopey storylines with Finn, firstly in the issues of their relationship and then in the aftermath of their breakup. Fingers pointed all season long at the notion that the real Rachel Berry was gone from our screens, the spark and gumption of Season 1 Rachel buried under a lot of emotional dependence and low self-worth. But it begs the question: was this an error in writing, or an intended effect of her relationship with Finn and the negative feedback from Mr. Schuester and her peers?
It’s difficult to say, especially considering that the idea that Rachel needed to have a “comeback” was written into the show. Either the writers realized they goofed, or it was intentional that Rachel was a bit adrift in her characterization. Either way, I’m not sure I agree with the decision to move Rachel away from her usual behavior. Doing so without consequence implies that Rachel is losing herself in pursuit of being a part of something special – or worse, in pursuit of being in a relationship, and that sends the wrong message entirely.