McKinley: High School or Asylum? (DARK THEORY)

Hello, Fanaticlas! Today is our last day of Glee Week, and today you are in for a doozy of a theory. While I actually pulled the theory from tvtropes.org I floundered a bit since there's no real research into it. However, even the explanation left on it actually makes a bit f sense, and while a commentor called it "disturbing" they did admit that it made sense in a twisted sort of way. Personally, I absolutely agree with both sentiments!

However, this is ABSOLUTELY a darker theory; nothing that I feel would really have triggers but if you have issues with insane asylums, or "grippy sock jail", be prepared for an interesting twist of theory.

McKinley High is Actually an Insane Asylum

For those of us who have been through high school, we may joke that all high schools can be considered this. After that joke, though, you might stop to consider other things... For example, I think of the horror stories of what asylums used to be like, thinking about the stories of the show Ratched and how that is based on a true story or the stories of the Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany, New York.

The way that re-enactments of the stories that come from those places go, it actually wouldn't be too far-fetched to see McKinley as one. The one piece of "proof" that could actually make it a solid theory, is the fact that everyone's personalities seem super inconsistent, and that's something that Gleeks have been on about for years. Hardcore Glee fans always talk about how someone does a complete 180 just about every season; Rachel between 2 and 3, Quinn also in that time, Blaine between 3 and 4, etc.

There are actually a couple theories on that one, and I will get to that later. The poster of this theory actually did lay out a few examples. Matt Rutherford, who many will barely remember, was only in Season 1; after that, it was said that he transferred schools. If we go based off McKinley being an asylum, it would actually mean that he was either cured and released, or potentially something worse happened because, again, we all know what those horror stories include.

Even in Scream Queens, in which both Glee Star Lea Michele and one of Glee's favourite reoccurring actors, John Stamos, starred in; Lea in both seasons, and John only in Season 2 when they were actually IN an asylum. Personally, I see this as just more reason to believe that McKinley was an asylum.

Another character out forward in this is Sam; his disappearance is explained by saying he had been transferred to another facility, until they realized that McKinley was the better of the facilities and that is why he was brought back. Brittany is pointed out to be the sanest of any of them, she just pretends to be the Ditz so she doesn't have to go live a normal life with people who wouldn't understand her.

The two interesting ones pointed out would be Will and Sue. It is theorized that Will had volunteered there and that was where he met his wife, and her attempts at breaking him down got him transferred from the volunteer list to the list of admittance. Sue is stated to have once been the Lead Charge Nurse but suffered under the strain of having to care for them all and wound up admitted for suffering delusions just like the rest of them.

Meanwhile, I can honestly see all the guest stars being specialized doctors that are popping in and out to see how their treatments would take, almost like in an experimental way. With John's connection to playing a doctor in Season 2 of Scream Queens, it's almost hard NOT imagining it! Now, as for the multiple break off theory from this...

Glee is Told in Other People's Point of Views

This is one of the reasons for all the personality changes in the characters throughout the show. In relation to the asylum theory, everyone either has Multiple Personality Disorder, or the story is being told through the eyes of a fellow asylum inmate.

If we treat it as though McKinley is truly just a high school, the story is being told by those on the outside of Glee Club. Obviously, we have a few episodes where Becky is an actual narrator, via the voice of Helen Mirren. The theory that Glee is being told by multiple people really isn't super out there, honestly; no matter which setting we look at it in.

Considering that people perceive others differently, it's not at all a surprise that if the story were being told by multiple people, you would see the personality of each character as that person is telling the story knows each person as. So, to one person Quinn is like the most powerful person in the school but after the pregnancy is always so stuck up and seemingly hypocritical as they know the truth behind her mask; whereas someone else sees the side of Quinn that she hides from everyone else, and those are the true moments that we see her be extremely vulnerable.

Not to mention, there are moments when the actual Glee Club members get their tell at the story, which is when you generally hear Rachel's grating, self-absorbent inner monologue or Finn's self-deprecating one. This honestly supports the fact that it's most likely more than one person telling the story of the New Directions.

Sue is the Only Real Person

Okay, so this is a quick little bonus I wanted to sneak in here, partly because it kind of goes with the theme. However, I will say that after I read this and then happened to be watching the episode "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle" that I cannot unsee it!

This theory holds that Sue is trapped in a world of television and she is the only real person amongst a bunch of characters. It's almost like she's in a type of curse and that is why she is so angry and goes after the Glee Club so hard; if the club breaks up then the show ends, and she is free.

There is also the alternative that she knows she is a plot device and is trying to prevent the show from being cancelled. Basically, she knows she can do whatever she wants and get away with it because it's not real life. It's also why she doesn't admit her true age and is perfectly happy marrying herself.

What do you think? Is McKinley really a high school, or just a twisted asylum? Does everyone have a mental disorder or is the story told from outside views? Or has Sue found herself somehow trapped in a show? Come join our community and tell us what you think! Until next week, keep on theorizing, Fanaticals!