History Recap / GleeS2E22NewYork

* NotImportantToThisEpisodeCamp: Sue gets a jump on summer vacation.

Next Season: Change is on the horizon, as half of New Directions enter senior year, we get new members from a reality show (not kidding), a shocking return, [[{{Fanon}} a daughter from the future]], and the most emotionally revolting moment in the series' history. Plus, we'll see what it looks like when the creator of the show has a vendetta against a main cast member for daring to do her job better than he thought she could. Till then, gleeks.

* AesopAmnesia: Having a Rachel/Finn duet could be considered this. They have won every competition they did not do a Finchel duet. They lost last year's regionals with "Faithfully". And now, even after a whole season of avoiding it, they do it again. They lose. They sure know how stuff works.

* CelebrityParadox: So, who originally sang "Still Got Tonight," and who originated the roles of Elphalba and Glinda on ''Wicked'' and thus originally sang "For Good?" Matthew Morrison, Idina Menzel, and Kristin Chenowith, obviously. Will Schuester, Shelby Corcoran, and April Rhodes just look and sound exactly like them.

--> '''Santana''': “Escucha! Soy de Lima Heights Adjacent y yo tengo orgullo, ¿Sabes lo que pasa en Lima Heights Adjacent? Cosas Malas!” //"Listen! I am from Lima Heights Adjacent and I am proud; you know what happens in Lima Heights Adjacent? Bad things!"

Will asks where Puck and Zizes are and we of course find them at a bar in a futile attempt at wanting Manhattans. He pulls them to their room, where ND are effectively grounded - no going outside until they have those songs written. He leaves them at the hotel room claiming to need to fill out paperwork, but we cut to him arriving at the venue for "Crossrhodes". Cut back to the hotel room, where Bartie are performing their original song, "[[StylisticSuck My Cup]]" which despite the {{Innocent Innuendo}}s and {{Double Entendre}}s alluding to Santana's anatomy, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the song is about a cup]]. Opinions vary from pure amusement (Santana) to apathy (Tina) to "what the hell is this" (Rachel, who is one to talk considering how well "[[Recap/GleeS2E14BlameItOnTheAlcohol My Headband]]" came along). Lucy calls the cabin fever, being cooped up in this hotel room isn't doing them any favors. When the resident StopHavingFunGuys protest, Q suggests using New York City as inspiration. With persuasion, Finchel comes around and we cut to ND prancing around the city with a very obvious mashup.

Rachel, finally seeing (for now) what her ego can do to someone, admits that she was only ever mean to Sunshine because she was one of the few people who could match her vocally. She tells Sunshine that she has a gift Goolsby would kill for, encourages her, and gives her a hug, saying to look for her if she gets nervous. Cut to Sunshine on stage; as she performs, she sees Rachel in the crowd, giving her a thumbs up. She gets through it and gets a well deserved ovation as we go to break. When we return, it's New Directions' turn, and backstage Finn and Rachel meet up. Rachel complements Finn on the song they're about to sing, only for Finn to ask her why she was so desperate to get back with him but now that he's practically begging at her feet for her to take her back she won't have him. And for the final time this season: Finn, you're an idiot. Rachel admits that she does want him but doesn't want anything to distract her from her dream, and that she does love him but wants to put her dreams first. [[spoiler: Once again, {{Foreshadowing}}, and HarsherInHindsight at that.]] All this seems to do is fire Finn up as the curtain raises and Finchel duet a song that, in context, could sorta apply to Faberry, just saying. Halfway through the song, Jesse arrives in the audience, and admits to Will that he couldn't stay away. Will asks from the show, or Rachel? Doesn't matter at this point, as at the end of the song, Finn and Rachel have a HeldGaze moment and, in a clear case of Finn not keeping his emotions in check at the right time, proceed to [[ConcertKiss kiss in front of the crowd]]. Jesse asks Will if that was scripted. Will says Nope, knowing this won't end well. The rest of ND has their back to the audience, and are probably wondering why they aren't clapping as loud as they should be, even after Will's attempt to start applause. The crowd loves their second original song, though, an upbeat preppy number. At the end, New Directions hug, not knowing of the fate that awaits them.

Back at the hotel room, Santana and Brittany yell at Quinn for hogging the bathroom. Santana asks why Q's not helping and we see the vengeful side of Quinn Fabray. Seems that with Finn dumping her, Q's decided to take it out on everyone, planning to tell Will about Kurtchel's sneaking off, which will get them suspended, meaning that New Directions can't compete. [[WhatTheHellHero Santana calls her out on it]], saying that she knows Quinn is upset about her breakup with Finn. Quinn protests that she doesn't, and Santana tells her that the only person she's sabotaging is herself. The [[FanNickname Unholy Trinity]] sit down, and Quinn asks why they, the supposed popular pretty girls, are single and why their dreams can't come true and admits that [[IJustWantToBeLoved she just wants somebody to love her]]. Q? There is, if you'll let her. Santana suggests a haircut. Cut to Will apologizing about the pillow fight he wasn't there to stop when Dustin Goolsby arrives and congratulates Will on his Broadway debut, They go out for drinks, and Goolsby reveals that the news is on the Internet. Goolsby tells him not to tell New Directions, as it will shake their confidence. Good point. We then see into the mind of a VA director, as Goolsby admits that he hates his kids, seeing as they represent everything he missed out on. Will admits he loves his kids for the exact same reason, and then gets the epiphany that they are worth more than any Broadway show. He returns to the room pizzas in hand, only to find that, of course, thanks to Goolsby, they know about Will's plans, and that they're happy for him. Will tells them that he's not going, as he already had his "glorious" moment onstage, and tells them to continue writing. Puck initiates a group hug as we go to break.

New Directions is sitting on some observation steps, talking about what they'd like to do. Party pooper Finnegan tries to remind everyone that they still have to write their songs [[note]]because, of ''course'', they were planning a funeral in [[Recap/GleeS2E21Funeral the last episode]][[/note]]. Kurt calls his brother out on being bossy and says that they still have time for a song now. They cue up the obvious one, before Rachel walks up to them and announces that she got them tickets to ''Theatre/{{Cats}}''. Which is great and all, only, as Quinn points out, ''Cats'' closed eleven years ago. Rachel admits that the guy who sold her the tickets did seem rather odd. (He swiped her credit card through his butt crack). [[{{Squick}} Ewwww.]] And in what kind of world does [[OutOfCharacterMoment Rachel Berry not know that Cats isn't running]]? Clearly, finally getting to NY threw Rachel for a loop. Cut to their hotel as Will checks ND in, admitting they could only afford two rooms. The receptionist suggests he splits the group by sexual orientation, as that is what the other teams are doing. Yeah, but the problem there is that would mean Kurt and Brittana (and Q... what?) would get the other room to themselves. Speaking of other teams, Vocal Adrenaline in particular, we see Finn ask Rachel how she and Jesse are coming along. Yeah Finn? You're in the one city Rachel's dreamed of being in since she was a kid. Do you really think she cares about romance at the moment? Nope, as we see Rachel in full combat mode, not wanting anything to distract her from getting that trophy.

The next morning, Kurt tiptoes through the debris of the girls room to wake Rachel up, saying they're going to have [[Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys literal breakfast at Tiffany's]]. Cut to them outside of said icon, bagels and water in hand. Rachel admits that Kurt is the only one who understands her love for New York, telling Kurt she's moving there after graduation. Kurt says he'll come with her and bring Blaine along[[spoiler:, in the process setting up Seasons 4 & 5]]. When asked about Finnegan, Rachel says she isn't sure, and Kurt suggests to bring him along. Rachel is unsure, saying he's too much of a country boy [[spoiler: and my god the {{Foreshadowing}}]]. Kurt suddenly has an epiphany on how she can choose between love and work, and brings her to the Gershwin Theater (where ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is performed). They break in, and a grumpy security guard lets them have their fifteen minutes of fame. Rachel and Kurt sing, and hug. Rachel reaffirms that Broadway is her true love.

Back at the hotel room, Santana and Brittany yell at Quinn for hogging the bathroom. Santana asks why Q's not helping and we see the vengeful side of Quinn Fabray. Seems that with Finn dumping her (and her own fear of not telling Rachel ''she'' loves her), Q's decided to take it out on everyone, planning to tell Will about Kurtchel's sneaking off, which will get them suspended, meaning that New Directions can't compete. [[WhatTheHellHero Santana calls her out on it]], saying that she knows Quinn is upset about her breakup with Finn. Quinn protests that she doesn't, and Santana tells her that the only person she's sabotaging is herself. The [[FanNickname Unholy Trinity]] sit down, and Quinn asks why they, the supposed popular pretty girls, are single and why their dreams can't come true and admits that [[IJustWantToBeLoved she just wants somebody to love her]]. Q? There is, if you'll let her. Santana suggests a haircut. Cut to Will apologizing about the pillow fight he wasn't there to stop when Dustin Goolsby arrives and congratulates Will on his Broadway debut, They go out for drinks, and Goolsby reveals that the news is on the Internet. Goolsby tells him not to tell New Directions, as it will shake their confidence. Good point. We then see into the mind of a VA director, as Goolsby admits that he hates his kids, seeing as they represent everything he missed out on. Will admits he loves his kids for the exact same reason, and then gets the epiphany that they are worth more than any Broadway show. He returns to the room pizzas in hand, only to find that, of course, thanks to Goolsby, they know about Will's plans, and that they're happy for him. Will tells them that he's not going, as he already had his "glorious" moment onstage, and tells them to continue writing. Puck initiates a group hug as we go to break.

And now, the stage is set. We get a breakdown on how these things work: the top fifty compete for the first round, after which the top ten move on to the next. Will tells them he thinks they have a pretty good shot at winning, although how he can think that when they pulled the songs out of their asses we do not know. In any case, after the show circle, and an [[OneGenderSchool all-girl]] show choir getting their Usher on, Will sees Goolsby leaving and follows, finding him buying shirts to send to every group Vocal Adrenaline beats. Will tells him not to send ND one, and he buys one to send to Goolsby when they win. Okay, this is too setup not to be anything but an ND loss. Cut to Rachel in a bathroom; sadly, it's not for a quickie with Lucy. She instead hears [[VomitDiscretionShot a technicolor yawn]]; assuming it to be Santana, Rachel is surprised to see it's Sunshine. Turns out that, surprise surprise, the VA way got to her, causing a case of PerformanceAnxiety and a case of her hating singing. Rachel suspect Sunshine's trying to get her to pity her so she won't be as hard on her only for Sunshine to ask why she hates her so much. She admits that she tried out for glee club because it was rumored that that was where kids felt safe. She points out that everyone was safe except for her. Sunshine's so over everything that she's going to the Philippine Embassy to have her green card revoked and go back to the Philippines where Goolsby can't get her.

New Directions is sitting on some observation steps, talking about what they'd like to do. Party pooper Finnegan tries to remind everyone that they still have to write their songs [[note]]because, of ''course'', they were planning a funeral in [[Recap/GleeS2E21Funeral the last episode]][[/note]]. Kurt calls his brother out on being bossy and says that they still have time for a song now. They cue up the obvious one, before Rachel walks up to them and announces that she got them tickets to ''Theatre/{{Cats}}''. Which is great and all, only, as Dear Lucille points out, ''Cats'' closed eleven years ago. Rachel admits that the guy who sold her the tickets did seem rather odd. (He swiped her credit card through his butt crack). [[{{Squick}} Ewwww.]] And in what kind of world does [[OutOfCharacterMoment Rachel Berry not know that Cats isn't running]]? Clearly, finally getting to NY threw Rachel for a loop. Cut to their hotel as Will checks ND in, admitting they could only afford two rooms. The receptionist suggests he splits the group by sexual orientation, as that is what the other teams are doing. Yeah, but the problem there is that would mean Kurt and Brittana (and Q... what?) would get the other room to themselves. Speaking of other teams, Vocal Adrenaline in particular, we see Finn ask Rachel how she and Jesse are coming along. Yeah Finn? You're in the one city Rachel's dreamed of being in since she was a kid. Do you really think she cares about romance at the moment? Nope, as we see Rachel in full combat mode, not wanting anything to distract her from getting that trophy.

Back at the hotel room, Santana and Brittany yell at Quinn for hogging the bathroom. Santana asks why Q's not helping and we see the vengeful side of Lucille Quinn Fabray. Seems that with Finn dumping her (and her own fear of not telling Rachel ''she'' loves her), Q's decided to take it out on everyone, planning to tell Will about Kurtchel's sneaking off, which will get them suspended, meaning that New Directions can't compete. [[WhatTheHellHero Santana calls her out on it]], saying that she knows Quinn is upset about her breakup with Finn. Quinn protests that she doesn't, and Santana tells her that the only person she's sabotaging is herself. The [[FanNickname Unholy Trinity]] sit down, and Quinn asks why they, the supposed popular pretty girls, are single and why their dreams can't come true and admits that [[IJustWantToBeLoved she just wants somebody to love her]]. Q? There is, if you'll let her. Santana suggests a haircut. Cut to Will apologizing about the pillow fight he wasn't there to stop when Dustin Goolsby arrives and congratulates Will on his Broadway debut, They go out for drinks, and Goolsby reveals that the news is on the Internet. Goolsby tells him not to tell New Directions, as it will shake their confidence. Good point. We then see into the mind of a VA director, as Goolsby admits that he hates his kids, seeing as they represent everything he missed out on. Will admits he loves his kids for the exact same reason, and then gets the epiphany that they are worth more than any Broadway show. He returns to the room pizzas in hand, only to find that, of course, thanks to Goolsby, they know about Will's plans, and that they're happy for him. Will tells them that he's not going, as he already had his "glorious" moment onstage, and tells them to continue writing. Puck initiates a group hug as we go to break.

* "Bella Notte" from ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp''. Sung by Puck, Artie, Sam, and Mike.

As Will stands contemplating, we cut to Central Park where Finn stands in his finery, flowers in hand. We realize he's going for romantic gestures to win Rachel back, defying her wish of no distractions. We then see her looking rather striking as he hands her the flowers. He suggests that they should write a duet for Nationals, covering his ass by saying [[BlatantLies this is a work date]]. Cut to them at one of NY's most famous restaurants, Sardi's.[[note]]Famous for its caricatures of its celebrity clientele.[[/note]] As Rachel gushes, Finn simply admires how she dreams big and that he doesn't know how to do that. [[spoiler: Again, more unintentional {{Foreshadowing}} for Season 3.]] He then tries to go for the big three words, but Rachel spies Tony winner and star of Series/LifeGoesOn, [[TheCameo Patti LuPone]]. After a freak out, and saying she should do it for Kurt at least, she goes up to Ms. [=LuPone=] and says she's her idol. Patti thanks her and makes her promise that she'll never give up, wishes her good luck at Nationals, and leaves, but not without whispering Finn is cute. Eh. Cut to them in the streets, Rachel joking that all they need now is street singers to serenade them. Sadly, Glee wasted the budget on the trip, so the camera pans over to Mike, Sam, Puck, and Artie, who happen to be right next to them. The guys start serenading them and who knew Noah Puckerman [[HiddenDepths can play the accordion]]? Near the end of the song, Finn leans in to kiss Rachel, but, suddenly realizing where she is and why she's there, she snaps back to attention and leaves Finn alone presumably to walk back to the hotel. And in a funny touch, the guys don't stop singing.

Afterwards, we see Finn, after writing rhymes for "PAIN", ask the ND men (Will evidently decided split by gender) for their opinion on a Finchel duet at Nationals as it seems Finn's starting to get an idea on how to win her back. Mike says he doesn't really care as long as they win, and that Finn and Rachel are their best shot at that. [[ShipperOnDeck Puck suggests he asks her out]]. Finn, apparently to try and save face or something, refuses, saying she's into Jesse, but Puck rebuts that by saying New York is the city of love[[note]](Sam, with his mouth full of food: "I thought that was [[GayParee Paris]]." It's TheCityOfLight, bro, but it's that, too.)[[/note]]. In any case, Puck convinces Finn to ask Rachel out and they could have a date [[TakeThat like those awful romantic comedies]]. Cut to the girls' room, where they are being less productive than the boys, forgoing any concept of work and instead making with the pillow fight while Rachel tries to focus. Said focus is broken as she receives a text from Finn, telling her to meet him at Central Park. Cut back to Will on stage at the, yes this is the name, Million Dollar Theater. Standing there, marveling at the sights gives him motivation to express, and cross promote. See, around this time, Matthew Morrison released a self-titled album, which peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 200. To promote the album, the single from it, "Still Got Tonight", was featured here[[note]]It peaked at #24 on the Hot 100[[/note]]. After basically recording a mini-video, we see one of the theater people come up to him and says he's got talent.

The next morning, Kurt tiptoes through the debris of the girls room to wake Rachel up, saying they're going to have [[Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys literal breakfast at Tiffany's]]. Cut to them outside of said icon, bagels and water in hand. Rachel admits that Kurt is the only one who understands her love for New York, telling Kurt she's moving there after graduation. Kurt says he'll come with her and (and bring Blaine along[[spoiler:, in the process setting up Seasons 4 & 5]]. When asked about Finnegan, Rachel says she isn't sure, and Kurt suggests to bring him along. Rachel is unsure, saying he's too much of a country boy [[spoiler: and my god the {{Foreshadowing}}]]. Kurt suddenly has an epiphany on how she can choose between love and work, and brings her to the Gershwin Theater (where ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is performed). They break in, and a grumpy security guard lets them have their fifteen minutes of fame. Rachel and Kurt sing, and hug. Rachel reaffirms that Broadway is her true love.

New Directions is sitting on some observation steps, talking about what they'd like to do. Party pooper Finnegan tries to remind everyone that they still have to write their songs [[note]]because, of ''course'', they were planning a funeral in [[Recap/GleeS2E21Funeral the last episode]][[/note]]. Kurt calls his brother out on being bossy and says that they still have time for a song now. They cue up the obvious one, before Rachel walks up to them and announces that she got them tickets to ''{{Cats}}''. Which is great and all, only, as Dear Lucille points out, ''Cats'' closed eleven years ago. Rachel admits that the guy who sold her the tickets did seem rather odd. (He swiped her credit card through his butt crack). [[{{Squick}} Ewwww.]] And in what kind of world does [[OutOfCharacterMoment Rachel Berry not know that Cats isn't running]]? Clearly, finally getting to NY threw Rachel for a loop. Cut to their hotel as Will checks ND in, admitting they could only afford two rooms. The receptionist suggests he splits the group by sexual orientation, as that is what the other teams are doing. Yeah, but the problem there is that would mean Kurt and Brittana (and Q... what?) would get the other room to themselves. Speaking of other teams, Vocal Adrenaline in particular, we see Finn ask Rachel how she and Jesse are coming along. Yeah Finn? You're in the one city Rachel's dreamed of being in since she was a kid. Do you really think she cares about romance at the moment? Nope, as we see Rachel in full combat mode, not wanting anything to distract her from getting that trophy.

The next morning, Kurt tiptoes through the debris of the girls room to wake Rachel up, saying they're going to have [[Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys literal breakfast at Tiffany's]]. Cut to them outside of said icon, bagels and water in hand. Rachel admits that Kurt is the only one who understands her love for New York, telling Kurt she's moving there after graduation. Kurt says he'll come with her and (and bring Blaine along), [[spoiler: in the process setting up Seasons 4 & 5]]. When asked about Finnegan, Rachel says she isn't sure, and Kurt suggests to bring him along. Rachel is unsure, saying he's too much of a country boy [[spoiler: and my god the {{Foreshadowing}}]]. Kurt suddenly has an epiphany on how she can choose between love and work, and brings her to the Gershwin Theater (where ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is performed). They break in, and a grumpy security guard lets them have their fifteen minutes of fame. Rachel and Kurt sing, and hug. Rachel reaffirms that Broadway is her true love.

The camera pans around the sights and sounds of [[BigAppleSauce New York City]], before finally coming to rest on Rachel's smiling face. "I made it," she announces quite happily. Cue title card.

The glee club is sitting on some stairs out in the open, talking about what they'd like to do. Finn reminds everyone that they still have to write their songs [[note]]because, of ''course'', they were planning a funeral in [[Recap/GleeS2E21Funeral the last episode]][[/note]]. Kurt calls his brother out on being bossy and says that they still have time for a song now. The club starts singing "New York, New York," but Rachel walks up to them and announces that she got them tickets to ''{{Cats}}''. Which is great and all, only, as Quinn points out, ''Cats'' closed eleven years ago. Rachel admits that the guy who sold her the tickets did seem rather odd. (He swiped her credit card through his butt crack). [[{{Squick}} Ewwww.]] And in what kind of world does [[OutOfCharacterMoment Rachel Berry not know that Cats isn't running]]?

Elsewhere, Will checks New Directions into their hotel room and admits that they could only afford two rooms. The receptionist suggests he splits the group by sexual orientation, as that is what the other teams are doing. Speaking of (Vocal Adrenaline, that is), Finn asks Rachel how she and Jesse are coming along. She responds that she doesn't want any guys or anything else to distract her from getting that trophy. Will discovers Puck and Lauren trying to get drinks at the bar, and pulls them up one of their hotel rooms, where he effectively grounds them - no going outside until they have those songs written. He leaves them at the hotel room claiming to need to fill out paperwork at the theater, but then goes to the venue for April's "Crossrhodes" play instead, giving us a rendition of [[ActorAllusion Matthew Morrison's newest single]], "Still Got Tonight." One of the theater people comes up to him and says he's got talent.

Hotel room, where Brittany and Artie are performing their original song, "[[StylisticSuck My Cup]]" - which is, despite the various {{Innocent Innuendo}}s and {{Double Entendre}}s, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin is about a cup]]. Opinions vary from pure amusement (Santana) to apathy (Tina) to "what the hell is this" (Rachel, who is one to talk considering how well "[[Recap/GleeS2E14BlameItOnTheAlcohol My Headband]]" came along). Quinn says that being cooped up in this hotel room isn't doing them any favors, and suggests using New York City as inspiration. With persuasion, Rachel and Finn come along, and the club sings a mash-up of "New York, New York" and "I Love New York" while prancing around the city.

Back at the hotel (Will evidently decided not to split the group by sexual orientation), Finn asks the guys on their opinion on a Rachel-Finn duet at Nationals. Mike says he doesn't really care as long as they win, and that Finn and Rachel are their best shot at that. [[ShipperOnDeck Puck suggests he asks her out]]. Finn refuses, saying she's into Jesse, but Puck rebuts that by saying New York is the city of love. (Sam, with his mouth full of food: "I thought that was [[GayParee Paris]]." It's TheCityOfLight, bro, but it's that, too). In any case, Puck convinces Finn to ask Rachel out and they could have a date [[TakeThat like those awful romantic comedies.]]

Cut to the girls' room, where they are being less productive than the boys with their pillow fight. Rachel receives a text from Finn, telling her to meet him at Central Park.

Later, we see Finn defying Rachel's wish of no distractions by seeing their date: he hands her flowers and says that they should write a duet for Nationals, but not without claiming that [[BlatantLies this is a work date]]. They eat dinner at Sardi's, where they spy [[TheCameo Patti LuPone]]. Rachel freaks out and says that she should do it for Kurt, at least, and goes up to Ms. [=LuPone=] and says she's her idol. Patti thanks her and makes her promise that she'll never give up, wishes her good luck at Nationals, and leaves, but not without whispering Finn is cute. Later, they're walking the streets and Rachel jokes that all they need now is street singers to serenade them. And because this is ''Series/{{Glee}}'', that's exactly what happens, and the camera pans over to Mike, Sam, Puck, and Artie, who happen to be right next to them. The guys start serenading them with "[[Disney/LadyAndTheTramp Bella Notte]]." (Puck can play the accordion? Who knew?) Near the end of the song, Finn leans in to kiss Rachel, but [[KissDiss she stops him]], seemingly having reminded herself of her "no distractions" mantra, and leaves Finn alone presumably to walk back to the hotel. And the guys don't stop singing.

Kurt wakes Rachel up the next morning, saying they're going to have [[Film/BreakfastAtTiffanys breakfast at Tiffany's]]. Rachel admits that Kurt is the only one who understands her love for New York and tells him that she's going to come back once she's done with school. Kurt says he'll come with her (and bring Blaine along) and asks about Finn. Rachel says she isn't sure, and Kurt suggests to bring him along. Rachel is unsure, saying he's too much of a country boy. Kurt suddenly has an epiphany on how she can choose between love and work, and brings her to the Gershwin Theater (where ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is performed). They break in, and a grumpy security guard lets them have their fifteen minutes of fame. Rachel and Kurt sing "For Good" with each other, and hug. Rachel reaffirms that Broadway is her true love.

Back at the hotel room, Santana and Brittany yell at Quinn for hogging the bathroom. Quinn tells them that she's planning to reveal that Kurt and Rachel have been sneaking off, which will get them suspended, meaning that New Directions can't compete. [[WhatTheHellHero Santana calls her out on it]], saying that she knows Quinn is upset about her breakup with Finn. Quinn protests that she can't help it, and Santana tells her that the only person she's sabotaging is herself. The [[FanNickname Unholy Trinity]] sit down, and Quinn asks why they, the supposed popular pretty girls, are single and why their dreams can't come true and admits that [[IJustWantToBeLoved she just wants somebody to love her]]. Santana suggests a haircut.

Downstairs, Dustin Goolsby congratulates Will on his Broadway debut, and reveals that the news is on the Internet. They go out for drinks, and Goolsby tells him not to tell New Directions, as it will shake their confidence. Good point. Goolsby admits that he hates his kids, seeing as they represent everything he missed out on. Will admits he loves his kids for the exact same reason. He goes upstairs, and New Directions reveal that, of course, Goolsby told them about Will's plans, and that they're happy for him. Will makes up his mind that he's not going, as he already had his "glorious" moment onstage, and tells them to continue writing. Puck initiates a group hug.

Nationals. We get a breakdown on how these things work: the top fifty show choirs in the nation compete for the first round, after which the top ten move on to the next. Will tells them he thinks they have a pretty good shot at winning, although how he can think that when they pulled the songs out of their asses I do not know. In any case, halfway through an [[OneGenderSchool all-girl]] show choir's performance of Usher's "Yeah," he sees Goolsby leaving. Will follows him. Dustin reveals he's buying shirts to send to every group Vocal Adrenaline beats. Will tells him not to send ND one, and he buys one to send to Goolsby when they win.

Rachel walks into the bathroom to hear [[VomitDiscretionShot someone throwing up]] (she immediately assumes it's Santana), and it turns out to be Sunshine. Sunshine reveals she's got a case of PerformanceAnxiety and wants to stop singing. Rachel suspects that Sunshine's trying to get her to pity her so she won't be as hard on her during ND's performance, and Sunshine asks why she hates her so much. She admits that she tried out for glee club because it was rumored that that was where kids felt safe. She points out that everyone was safe except for her. Sunshine says that she's going to the Philippine Embassy to have her green card revoked and go back to the Philippines where Goolsby can't get her. Rachel admits that she was only ever mean to Sunshine because she was one of the few people who could match her vocally. She tells Sunshine that she has a gift Goolsby would kill for, encourages her, and gives her a hug. At the beginning of Vocal Adrenaline's performance of the original track "As Long As You're There," Sunshine sees Rachel in the crowd. The latter gives her a thumb's up.

It's New Directions's turn, and backstage Finn and Rachel meet up. Finn asks her why she was so desperate to get back with him but now that he's practically begging at her feet for her to take her back (FlatWhat) she won't have him. Hudson, you make us sad. Rachel admits that she does want him but doesn't want anything to distract her from her dream, and that she does love him but wants to put her dreams first. The curtain goes up and Finn and Rachel start singing their original-track duet "Pretending." Halfway through the song, Jesse arrives in the audience, and admits to Will that he couldn't stay away. (Will: "From the show, or for her?") At the end of the song, Finn and Rachel have a HeldGaze moment and proceed to [[ConcertKiss kiss in front of the crowd]]. Jesse asks Will if that was scripted. Will says, "No." The rest of ND has their back to the audience, and are probably wondering why they aren't clapping as loud as they should be, even after Will's attempt to start applause. The crowd loves their second original song, though, which is an upbeat preppy number called "Light Up The World." At the end, the group hugs.

Later as they wait for the results, Jesse comes up to Finn and Rachel (who are talking about the kiss) and tells them that it was unprofessional (which it kind of was). He says that the judges won't like it as it was too intense/vulgar and they could lose because of it. Finn starts raving about the kiss, calling it the Superman of kisses (it came with its own cape) and is about to go on when Kurt announces that the top ten results have been posted...

...and, to the surprise of only someone who chose to start watching Glee at that very moment, New Directions didn't make the top ten, although with a work ethic like that it's not surprising.

Scene change to the Lima Bean, where Kurt is filling Blaine in on all these happenings. He reveals that Jesse went on and on about the Finchel kiss - Blaine agrees with Jesse on the unprofessional part - and once they got back to the hotel, Santana snapped and went into a ForeignLanguageTirade of GratuitousSpanish, and it took Mike, Quinn, and Sam to keep her from tearing Rachel to shreds. He continues babbling about New York, and out of nowhere Blaine drops the L-word with an "I love you" to Kurt. Kurt easily says it back, and they're interrupted by Sam and Mercedes, who chit-chat a bit before going off to buy coffee. "You think they know?" asks Mercedes. Sam says he doesn't think so, and [[RelationshipReveal they hold hands]].

School, where Santana reveals she's still angry at Rachel ("Does this {{voodoo doll}} look enough like Rachel Berry?"). Brittany says that this year wasn't about winning, but about acceptance, and that the glee club [[TrueCompanions really feels like a family now]], complete with all the fighting. Santana asks about the two of them, and Brittany says that she loves Santana more than she loves anyone else. Santana calls Brittany her best friend, and the two of them go off.

Library. Rachel discovers Finn is still upset and that he's hiding out from the rest of the club. Rachel asks him what he was feeling in that moment, and he said he loved her. She asks if it was worth it, and he says it was. She reminds him that after graduation she's going to New York and never coming back. "Graduation's a year away," Finn says. "Got any plans until then?" They then proceed to kiss.

Will's arm is around Emma, looking up at the banner that congratulates New Directions on placing twelfth. He then goes in to celebrate with the club.

* "Yeah" by {{Usher}}. Sung by an unnamed all-girl show-choir.

* StylisticSuck: "My Cup."

* "Still Got Tonight" by Matthew Morrison. [[ActorAllusion Sung by Will]].

It's New Directions's turn, and backstage Finn and Rachel meet up. Finn asks her why she was so desperate to get back with him but now that he's practically begging at her feet for her to take her back (FlatWhat) she won't have him. Rachel admits that she does want him but doesn't want anything to distract her from her dream, and that she does love him but wants to put her dreams first. The curtain goes up and Finn and Rachel start singing their original-track duet "Pretending." Halfway through the song, Jesse arrives in the audience, and admits to Will that he couldn't stay away. (Will: "From the show, or for her?") At the end of the song, Finn and Rachel have a HeldGaze moment and proceed to [[ConcertKiss kiss in front of the crowd]]. Jesse asks Will if that was scripted. Will says, "No." The rest of ND has their back to the audience, and are probably wondering why they aren't clapping as loud as they should be, even after Will's attempt to start applause. The crowd loves their second original song, though, which is an upbeat preppy number called "Light Up The World." At the end, the group hugs.

...and, surprise, New Directions didn't make the top ten, although with a work ethic like that it's not surprising.

The glee club is sitting on some stairs out in the open, talking about what they'd like to do. Finn reminds everyone that they still have to write their songs [[note]]because, of ''course'', they were planning a funeral in [[Recap/GleeS2E21Funeral the last episode]][[/note]]. Kurt calls his brother out on being bossy and says that they still have time for a song now. The club starts singing "New York, New York," but Rachel walks up to them and announces that she got them tickets to ''{{Cats}}''. Which is great and all, only, as Quinn points out, ''Cats'' closed eleven years ago. Rachel admits that the guy who sold her the tickets did seem rather odd. (He swiped her credit card through his butt crack. [[{{Squick}} Ewwww.]] And in what kind of world does [[OutOfCharacterMoment Rachel Berry not know that Cats isn't running]]?

Later, we see Finn defying Rachel's wish of no distractions by seeing their date: he hands her flowers and says that they should write a duet for Nationals, but not without claiming that [[BlatantLies this is a work date]]. They eat dinner at Sardi's, where they spy [[TheCameo Patti LuPone]]. Rachel freaks out and says that she should do it for Kurt, at least, and goes up to Ms. [=LuPone=] and says she's her idol. Patti thanks her and makes her promise that she'll never give up, wishes her good luck at Nationals, and leaves, but not without whispering Finn is cute. Later, they're walking the streets and Rachel jokes that all they need now is street singers to serenade them. And because this is ''{{Glee}}'', that's exactly what happens, and the camera pans over to Mike, Sam, Puck, and Artie, who happen to be right next to them. The guys start serenading them with "[[Disney/LadyAndTheTramp Bella Notte]]." (Puck can play the accordion? Who knew?) Near the end of the song, Finn leans in to kiss Rachel, but [[KissDiss she stops him]], seemingly having reminded herself of her "no distractions" mantra, and leaves Finn alone presumably to walk back to the hotel. And the guys don't stop singing.

Later, we see Finn defying Rachel's wish of no distractions by seeing their date: he hands her flowers and says that they should write a duet for Nationals, but not without claiming that [[BlatantLies this is a work date]]. They eat dinner at Sardi's, where they spy [[TheCameo Patti LuPone]]. Rachel freaks out and says that she should do it for Kurt, at least, and goes up to Ms. [=LuPone=] and says she's her idol. Patti thanks her and makes her promise that she'll never give up, wishes her good luck at Nationals, and leaves, but not without whispering Finn is cute. Later, they're walking the streets and Rachel jokes that all they need now is street singers to serenade them. And because this is ''{{Glee}}'', that's exactly what happens, and the camera pans over to Mike, Sam, Puck, and Artie, who happen to be right next to them. The guys start serenading them with "[[LadyAndTheTramp Bella Notte]]." (Puck can play the accordion? Who knew?) Near the end of the song, Finn leans in to kiss Rachel, but [[KissDiss she stops him]], seemingly having reminded herself of her "no distractions" mantra, and leaves Finn alone presumably to walk back to the hotel. And the guys don't stop singing.

* "Bella Notte" from ''LadyAndTheTramp''. Sung by Puck, Artie, Sam, and Mike.

Cut to the girls' room, where they are being less productive than the boys with their {{pillow fight}}. Rachel receives a text from Finn, telling her to meet him at Central Park.

The glee club is sitting on some stairs out in the open, talking about what they'd like to do. Finn reminds everyone that they still have to write their songs [[hottip:*:because, of ''course'', they were planning a funeral in [[Recap/GleeS2E21Funeral the last episode]]]]. Kurt calls his brother out on being bossy and says that they still have time for a song now. The club starts singing "New York, New York," but Rachel walks up to them and announces that she got them tickets to ''{{Cats}}''. Which is great and all, only, as Quinn points out, ''Cats'' closed eleven years ago. Rachel admits that the guy who sold her the tickets did seem rather odd. (He swiped her credit card through his butt crack. [[{{Squick}} Ewwww.]] And in what kind of world does [[OutOfCharacterMoment Rachel Berry not know that Cats isn't running]]?

Kurt wakes Rachel up the next morning, saying they're going to have [[BreakfastAtTiffanys breakfast at Tiffany's]]. Rachel admits that Kurt is the only one who understands her love for New York and tells him that she's going to come back once she's done with school. Kurt says he'll come with her (and bring Blaine along) and asks about Finn. Rachel says she isn't sure, and Kurt suggests to bring him along. Rachel is unsure, saying he's too much of a country boy. Kurt suddenly has an epiphany on how she can choose between love and work, and brings her to the Gershwin Theater (where ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is performed). They break in, and a grumpy security guard lets them have their fifteen minutes of fame. Rachel and Kurt sing "For Good" with each other, and hug. Rachel reaffirms that Broadway is her true love.

School, where Santana reveals she's still angry at Rachel ("Does this {{voodoo doll}} look enough like Rachel Berry?"). Brittany says that this year wasn't about winning, but about acceptance, and that the glee club [[{{Nakama}} really feels like a family now]], complete with all the fighting. Santana asks about the two of them, and Brittany says that she loves Santana more than she loves anyone else. Santana calls Brittany her best friend, and the two of them go off.