History Recap / GleeS4E1TheNewRachel

* IncrediblyLamePun: Everyone's gone in New Directions.

* NamesTheSame: InUniverse. Remember the name of that seven year old that Brittany dated as a joke for two minutes - Wes Brody. Now reverse that.

-->'''Jacob ben Israel:''' Which one of you is the New Rachel?
-->'''Everyone:''' I am!

* NotImportantToThisEpisodeCamp: Beiste and Finn.

* AbsenteeActor: Despite officially leaving the show, Mark Salling, Amber Riley, and Harry Shum Jr. remain on the title card and some promotional materials; Dianna Agron does not.
* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: While there were a few instances last season, this season will feature songs designed solely to fill in the last five minutes of the episode, with no context to the plot abstract or otherwise.

* LesYay: Rachel and Cassie, Kitty and Marley to some.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Like Quinn, viewers were meant to hate Kitty. Given she's the only one of this batch that will make it to the final season (albeit likely at Creator/LeaMichele's request), and also very much like Quinn, this didn't happen.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Arguably the feel of the whole season.

* UnnecessaryMakeover: The old kids.

We return to the Lima Bean, where Blaine asks Brittany how Santana is, Brit-Brit saying she's really busy. We're gonna say {{Foreshadowing}} and move on to see Kurt works there now, and of course we see Kitty there too because yeah. After the obligatory bossing around, and the expected proof that this isn't really the best job for him, we cut to Cassie showing joy for a student who opted out of being her T.A. due to ''{{Theatre/Wicked}}'' rehearsals which were due to her recommendation, proving that she'll rain hell on everyone only to toughen them up for Broadway. As he leaves, she gets melancholy; after pouring herself a strong one, we suddenly cut back to Lima where ND wants Artie's decision. And then... we see a young brunette walk by and announce her plan to audition. This is Marley Rose, essentially a more grounded Rachel... and an alternate universe doppelgänger of one [[Series/Supergirl2015 Kara Zor-El]]. Yes, as with Creator/GrantGustin last season, three years before flying to National City, and one year after showing some surprising {{Fanservice}} on {{Series/Homeland}}, Creator/MelissaBenoist makes her major series debut here. As she leaves, Unique approaches, only to be told of the pecking order, and that while there is a truce between ND and the more dubious elements, both sides know it's only a matter of time before improper order is restored. As Unique leaves, Kitty and two random Titans arrive. Said titans decide to go in on the new lunch lady, one who is rather on the large side. ND feign laughter, Brittany offering a non-sequitur that is of course mistaken for a crack. However, when Artie is called on for a quip, the pull of popularity is too much to resist, so he goes in as well. Now, insults aren't usually random, they serve a purpose; we see that purpose as we reveal Marley sitting at the next table over, not too happy. We then see why as we cut to the school kitchen where we see said lunch lady, one Millie Rose, knitting as her daughter approaches. Mama Rose is knitting an outfit for Marley to audition with, seems they live a simple lifestyle with such elements as sewing name brand tags on handmedowns. Millie says that the audition needs to be special, and Marley is understandably worried. Mama Rose dismisses, saying she has a gift and the world needs to see it. As they embrace, it's back to Cassie's studio where she immediately goes in on Rachel; she instead offers token reasons for her current inadequacy. Cassie cares naught, saying anyone can have her slot if she doesn't want it hard enough. She's right of course, but Rachel, still not completely adapting to her surroundings, simply points out the booze on her breath. Cue proverbial needle scratch. Okay, yes Rachel, having any member of any faculty of any school show up blitzed is never a good thing. However, it seems as though Cassie's a functioning alcoholic, which can work in some circumstances. Nonetheless, in this context, this is grounds to say the following for the first time this season: Rachel, you're an idiot. Cassie demurs, calling it "Listerine" before offering evidence of the "functioning alcoholic" theory, such as cueing up a Gaga/[=JLo=] mashup and surprising us with Kate Hudson's own impressive pipes, Rachel properly chastized as we go to break.

* FemaleGaze : Rachel gets a good eyeful of Brody when he steps out of the shower.

* LesYay: Rachel and Cassie (wrong blonde dammit!), Kitty and Marley to some.

We start Season 4 in a dance studio, and amongst the dancers we see a familiar nose. Welcome to the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, and it's newest pupil, one Rachel Berry. The class is Dance 101, and the instructor is one Cassandra "Cassie" July, played by Creator/KateHudson, and is basically Lucille Fabray crossed with Sue Sylvester, a dangerous amalgamation. This is the first of many appearances by the bitchy blonde who antagonizes Rachel (wait a minute...), and she proceeds to run down the freshman, assign names and generally torture as you do. Upon seeing Rachel react to said name assignments, she stops the music, and poor Rachel gets all of her attentions, "earning" the nickname "[[{{Series/Friends}} Schwimmer]]". Cassie correctly assumes the small town locale, then, after Rachel trips, tells her she sucks. As Rachel slowly realizes that it's one thing to get to [=NYADA=], but another to stay there, for the first time this season we hit the TitleCard.

...and we see Jacob Ben Israel. I can't be bothered to care enough to get angry, besides it's one of only two appearances this season, so we can grit our teeth. He does his usual creepy interactions with the remaining members of New Directions, the major plot point being Tina has an assistant, Dottie Kazatori, whom as you would come to expect this season, treats here like shit. Tina's character will go all over this season, and we soon find out why; as you'd guess, Mike and Tina are no more, the long-distance thing getting to them. There'll be another example of that in a few episodes as we cut to the rest of the remaining ND members as JBI says Rachel was the star and the question is who will be TitleDrop? Cut to Rachel's dorm and a V/O about how it's nice she's missed and how she's missing everybody, including a certain ex of hers whom she hasn't spoken to since they split. We then see her slightly dubious campus lodgings, featuring a roommate who enjoys her copulations. We then cut to the coed bathrooms as she exclaims that for privacy purposes she showers nocturnally. However, in this case she's not alone as we, per custom, hear some good pipes as the owner of said pipes emerges. This is Brody Weston, played by ex-[[{{Series/Neighbours}} Neighbour]] Dean Geyer and let's go and spare you the trouble and say it now: He's the DisposableLoveInterest for the season, designed to basically be a more generally intelligent and wordly Finnegan, matching up with a "new" Rachel. However, because the idea was for Finchel to find themselves then eventually reunite, we know he won't last the season. We'll of course find out why later on. Anyway, despite having a train pass to go see the woman who's supposed to cause this feeling, Rachel takes one look at Brody and immediately the bottom falls out of her undershorts. Sigh. Brody is in Cassie's class as well, and while tough, he did get a gig in the chorus of ''Working'', so her methods are effective. He too has body rituals, saying the body is both paintbrush and canvas; Rachel seems to gel with him, and innocent flirting ensues, Brody saying she's there because she's the best of the best, and that she needs to start believing that. Oh, and he's straight. As Rachel ponders ''all'' that, we cut to a sidewalk where Kurtchel are conversing; seems they've been at it every three hours. Kurt asks about Brody, and since the meeting JUST happened, of course she denies she likes him. Rae? The giggling schoolgirl tone isn't helping. After some BlatantLies designed to paint Kurt a better picture than reality, we then see that Kurt's at what's now his old stomping grounds, arriving to meet one Tracksuit Toddler. Yes, in between seasons Sue's had her child, one that she's named Robin and wow Sue's glowing.

And from there... remember when we said we'd have new characters with slightly familiar personalities? Well, we meet the first one, one Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin), Sue's new "head bitch" and who's basically the Unholy Trinity merged together and diluted down to their most dubious traits. At the moment, she's on diaper duty, but not before laying down a Santana-worthy quip about how gay people were all successful overachievers. As this naturally hurts Kurt where he lives, he is not pleased. Sue of course then rubs it in just a bit more, leading Kurt to reveal he's starting community college the following week. Oh how you prove her right, Porcelain. From there's it's to the choir room where Will hold court over the now senior ND members (well, minus Joe and Sugar, who's spending her free time helping one mom work on the time machine and thus letting her take her mind off of the fact her other mother's in Kentucky). Will says that a Nationals win and thus new popularity should make this an easy recruitment drive. He's right; as soon as the signup sheet is put up, it's a veritable stampede to fill it in. He then says that though big voices are gone, huge ones remain. And speaking of, we meet another new cast member. Well, sorta new; since Vocal Adrenaline lost last season, a certain "star performer" became redundant thus requiring a transfer. Yes folks, New Directions just got "Unique". As Brittany implies through confusion, Unique is basically Kurtcedes' love child. However, it seems ND is generally displeased, since they remember the hoopla Unique got at Nationals, they fear she'll be the "New Rachel". Will, naturally, disagrees with the "star" concept, saying they won Nationals as a team. As Unique sits down, she stakes her own claim to the title and the battle lines are therefore drawn and the challenge is laid out: Auditorium, 5PM, high notes at 10 decibels. Cut to said auditorium and the fight is on with Jepsen as the weapon and Artie as judge; we'll get his choice later as we go to break.

We return to the Lima Bean, where Blaine asks Brittany how Santana is, Brit-Brit saying she's really busy. We're gonna say {{Foreshadowing}} and move on to see Kurt works there now, and of course we see Kitty there too because yeah. After the obligatory bossing around, and the expected proof that this isn't really the best job for him, we cut to Cassie showing joy for a student who opted out of being her T.A. due to ''{{Theatre/Wicked}}'' rehearsals which were due to her recommendation, proving that she'll rain hell on everyone only to toughen them up for Broadway. As he leaves, she gets melancholy; after pouring herself a strong one, we suddenly cut back to Lima where ND wants Artie's decision. And then... we see a young brunette walk by and announce her plan to audition. This is Marley Rose, essentially a more grounded Rachel... and an alternate universe doppelgänger of one [[Series/Supergirl2015 Kara Zor-El]]. Yes, as with Creator/GrantGustin last season, three years before flying to National City, and one year after showing some surprising {{Fanservice}} on {{Series/Homeland}}, Creator/MelissaBenoist makes her major series debut here. As she leaves, Unique approaches, only to be told of the pecking order, and that while there is a truce between ND and the more dubious elements, both sides know it's only a matter of time before improper order is restored. As Unique leaves, Kitty and two random Titans arrive. Said titans decide to go in on the new lunch lady, one who is rather on the large side. ND feign laughter, Brittany offering a non-sequitur that is of course mistaken for a crack. However, when Artie is called on for a quip, the pull of popularity is too much to resist, so he goes in as well. Now, insults aren't usually random, they serve a purpose; we see that purpose as we reveal Marley sitting at the next table over, not too happy. We then see why as we cut to the school kitchen where we see said lunch lady, one Millie Rose, knitting as her daughter approaches. Mama Rose is knitting an outfit for Marley to audition with, seems they live a simple lifestyle with such elements as sewing name brand tags on handmedowns. Millie says that the audition needs to be special, and Marley is understandably worried. Mama Rose dismisses, saying she has a gift and the world needs to see it. As they embrace, it's back to Cassie's studio where she immediately goes in on Rachel; no, Rachel doesn't get to act out any latent Fabray fantasies dammit, she instead offers token reasons for her current inadequacy. Cassie cares naught, saying anyone can have her slot if she doesn't want it hard enough. She's right of course, but Rachel, still not completely adapting to her surroundings, simply points out the booze on her breath. Cue proverbial needle scratch. Okay, yes Rachel, having any member of any faculty of any school show up blitzed is never a good thing. However, it seems as though Cassie's a functioning alchoholic, which can work in some circumstances. Nonetheless, in this context, this is grounds to say the following for the first time this season: Rachel, you're an idiot. Cassie demurs, calling it "Listerine" before offering evidence of the "functioning alchoholic" theory, such as cueing up a Gaga/[=JLo=] mashup and surprising us with Kate Hudson's own impressive pipes, Rachel properly chastized as we go to break.

We return to the cafeteria, where after a token protest from Brittany over Blaine being TitleDrop, it's back to insulting Millie. However, Marley has had all she can stands and she can stands no more, throwing herself on the social grenade by outing Millie as her mom. ND drop faces as we cut to Rachel in a courtyard, pining over pictures of Finnegan. Brody arrives and you can pretty much tell he has a thing for her. Anyway, he says she killed in with Tibadeaux and she says what we said earlier, that singing is her comfort zone while she's out of hers otherwise. Brody makes a point, she came to, whether she realizes it or not, reinvent herself. He takes a selfie as a "new" memory, to add to the old ones, the idea being to embrace the new her. Yeah, see, "new" Rachel, "new" Finnegan. Of course, there is the matter of the ''"old"'' Finnegan, but we'll deal with that later. Cut back to Cassie's class, where we see that "new" spirit in action, Rachel declaring she'll be the best, Cassie declaring she'll break her. Cut to Lima Airport where Papa Burt prepares to say goodbye. Kurt offers token protests, but Burt says that after everything Kurt's gone through, [=NYADA=] or not, he can finally be himself. They finally separate, tears in eyes, and pride in Burt's heart as we go to break. We return to Marley at her locker when Sam arrives to apologize, saying he gets her deal, as he too had his mom sew designer tags onto dubious clothes. He says the thing about ND is that labels are left at the door; the rest of ND arriving to apologize as well. Unfortunately for them, Marley and Unique quickly realize that even a moment of weakness can be capitalized on, as Kitty and her Titan henchmen arrive. The hands behind the back serve as the tell and sure enough, out come the Big Quenches as Marley and Unique are officially welcomed to [=McKinley=] in improper fashion. Disorder is restored and ND are back at the bottom of the heap.

* NotImportantToThisEpisodeCamp: Beiste and Finnegan.

We return to the Lima Bean, where Blaine asks Brittany how Santana is, Brit-Brit saying she's really busy. We're gonna say {{Foreshadowing}} and move on to see Kurt works there now, and of course we see Kitty there too because yeah. After the obligatory bossing around, and the expected proof that this isn't really the best job for him, we cut to Cassie showing joy for a student who opted out of being her T.A. due to ''{{Theater/Wicked}}'' rehearsals which were due to her recommendation, proving that she'll rain hell on everyone only to toughen them up for Broadway. As he leaves, she gets melancholy; after pouring herself a strong one, we suddenly cut back to Lima where ND wants Artie's decision. And then... we see a young brunette walk by and announce her plan to audition. This is Marley Rose, essentially a more grounded Rachel... and an alternate universe doppelgänger of one [[Series/Supergirl2015 Kara Zor-El]]. Yes, as with Creator/GrantGustin last season, three years before flying to National City, and one year after showing some surprising {{Fanservice}} on {{Series/Homeland}}, Creator/MelissaBenoist makes her major series debut here. As she leaves, Unique approaches, only to be told of the pecking order, and that while there is a truce between ND and the more dubious elements, both sides know it's only a matter of time before improper order is restored. As Unique leaves, Kitty and two random Titans arrive. Said titans decide to go in on the new lunch lady, one who is rather on the large side. ND feign laughter, Brittany offering a non-sequitur that is of course mistaken for a crack. However, when Artie is called on for a quip, the pull of popularity is too much to resist, so he goes in as well. Now, insults aren't usually random, they serve a purpose; we see that purpose as we reveal Marley sitting at the next table over, not too happy. We then see why as we cut to the school kitchen where we see said lunch lady, one Millie Rose, knitting as her daughter approaches. Mama Rose is knitting an outfit for Marley to audition with, seems they live a simple lifestyle with such elements as sewing name brand tags on handmedowns. Millie says that the audition needs to be special, and Marley is understandably worried. Mama Rose dismisses, saying she has a gift and the world needs to see it. As they embrace, it's back to Cassie's studio where she immediately goes in on Rachel; no, Rachel doesn't get to act out any latent Fabray fantasies dammit, she instead offers token reasons for her current inadequacy. Cassie cares naught, saying anyone can have her slot if she doesn't want it hard enough. She's right of course, but Rachel, still not completely adapting to her surroundings, simply points out the booze on her breath. Cue proverbial needle scratch. Okay, yes Rachel, having any member of any faculty of any school show up blitzed is never a good thing. However, it seems as though Cassie's a functioning alchoholic, which can work in some circumstances. Nonetheless, in this context, this is grounds to say the following for the first time this season: Rachel, you're an idiot. Cassie demurs, calling it "Listerine" before offering evidence of the "functioning alchoholic" theory, such as cueing up a Gaga/[=JLo=] mashup and surprising us with Kate Hudson's own impressive pipes, Rachel properly chastized as we go to break.

...and we see Jacob Ben Israel. I can't be bothered to care enough to get angry, besides it's one of only two appearances this season, so we can grit our teeth. He does his usual creepy interactions with the remaining members of New Directions, the major plot point being Tina has an assistant, Dottie Kazatori, whom as you would come to expect this season, treats here like shit. Tina's character will go all over this season, and we soon find out why; as you'd guess, Mike and Tina are no more, the long-distance thing getting to them. There'll be another example of that in a few episodes as we cut to the rest of the remaining ND members as JBI says Rachel was the star and the question is who will be TitleDrop? Cut to Rachel's dorm and a V/O about how it's nice she's missed and how she's missing everybody, including a certain ex of hers whom she hasn't spoken to since they split. We then see her slightly dubious campus lodgings, featuring a roommate who enjoys her copulations. We then cut to the coed bathrooms as she exclaims that for privacy purposes she showers nocturnally. However, in this case she's not alone as we, per custom, hear some good pipes as the owner of said pipes emerges. This is Brody Weston, played by Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer and let's go and spare you the trouble and say it now: He's the DisposableLoveInterest for the season, designed to basically be a more generally intelligent and wordly Finnegan, matching up with a "new" Rachel. However, because the idea was for Finchel to find themselves then eventually reunite, we know he won't last the season. We'll of course find out why later on. Anyway, despite having a train pass to go see the woman who's supposed to cause this feeling, Rachel takes one look at Brody and immediately the bottom falls out of her undershorts. Sigh. Brody is in Cassie's class as well, and while tough, he did get a gig in the chorus of ''Working'', so her methods are effective. He too has body rituals, saying the body is both paintbrush and canvas; Rachel seems to gel with him, and innocent flirting ensues, Brody saying she's there because she's the best of the best, and that she needs to start believing that. Oh, and he's straight. As Rachel ponders ''all'' that, we cut to a sidewalk where Kurtchel are conversing; seems they've been at it every three hours. Kurt asks about Brody, and since the meeting JUST happened, of course she denies she likes him. Rae? The giggling schoolgirl tone isn't helping. After some BlatantLies designed to paint Kurt a better picture than reality, we then see that Kurt's at what's now his old stomping grounds, arriving to meet one Tracksuit Toddler. Yes, in between seasons Sue's had her child, one that she's named Robin and wow Sue's glowing.

...and we see Jacob Ben Israel. I can't be bothered to care enough to get angry, besides it's one of only two appearances this season, so we can grit our teeth. He does his usual creepy interactions with the remaining members of New Directions, the major plot point being Tina has an assistant, Dottie Kazatori, whom as you would come to expect this season, treats here like shit. Tina's character will go all over this season, and we soon find out why; as you'd guess, Mike and Tina are no more, the long-distance thing getting to them. There'll be another example of that in a few episodes as we cut to the rest of the remaining ND members as JBI says Rachel was the star and the question is who will be TitleDrop? Cut to Rachel's dorm and a V/O about how it's nice she's missed and how she's missing everybody, including a certain ex of hers whom she hasn't spoken to since they split. We then see her slightly dubious campus lodgings, featuring a roommate who enjoys her copulations. We then cut to the coed bathrooms as she exclaims that for privacy purposes she showers nocturnally. However, in this case she's not alone as we, per custom, hear some good pipes as the owner of said pipes emerges. This is Brody Weston, played by Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer and let's go and spare you the trouble and say it now: He's the DisposableLoveInterest for the season, designed to basically be a more generally intelligent and wordly Finnegan, matching up with a "new" Rachel. However, because the idea was for Finchel to find themselves then eventually reunite, we know he won't last the season. We'll of course find out why later on. Anyway, despite having a train pass to go see the woman who's supposed to cause this feeling, Rachel takes one look at Brody and immediately the bottom falls out of her undershorts. Sigh. Brody is in Cassie's class as well, and while tough, he did get a gig in the chorus of ''Working'', so her methods are effective. He too has body rituals, saying the body is both paintbrush and candles; Rachel seems to gel with him, and innocent flirting ensues, Brody saying she's there because she's the best of the best, and that she needs to start believing that. Oh, and he's straight. As Rachel ponders ''all'' that, we cut to a sidewalk where Kurtchel are conversing; seems they've been at it every three hours. Kurt asks about Brody, and since the meeting JUST happened, of course she denies she likes him. Rae? The giggling schoolgirl tone isn't helping. After some BlatantLies designed to paint Kurt a better picture than reality, we then see that Kurt's at what's now his old stomping grounds, arriving to meet one Tracksuit Toddler. Yes, in between seasons Sue's had her child, one that she's named Robin and wow Sue's glowing.

* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Like Quinn, viewers were meant to hate Kitty. Given she's the only one of this batch that will make it to the final season (albeit likely at LeaMichele's request), and also very much like Quinn, this didn't happen.

** And Sue returns the favour: "Kitty's my new [[AlphaBitch head bitch]]. She's like a young Quinn Fabray, except she's not pregnant, manic depressive, or in and out of a wheelchair."

* NotImportantToThisEpisodeCamp: Beiste, Santana, and Finnegan.

* [[SirNotAppearingInThisTrailer Sir Not Appearing In This Episode]]: Finn & Santana.