Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton!
As the race for prom queen heats up, Principal Figgins recruits New Directions to perform at the prom. Mercedes is distressed because she doesn't have a prom date, and Rachel arranges for Sam to take the two of them as a group. Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff) returns to woo Rachel, which angers Finn. Kurt attempts to help Karofsky deal with his sexuality, and takes Blaine as his date to the prom. A surprising pair wins Prom King and Queen, with dramatic repercussions.
Next Time: What happens when the Chaotic Neutral loses her Morality Pet.
Songs
- "Rolling in the Deep
" by Adele, although it should be noted that the cover was based on the John Legend version. Performed by Jesse and Rachel (with the A/V club as background singers). - "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. Performed by Artie.
- "Friday" by Rebecca Black. Performed by Artie, Sam, and Puck.
- "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri. Performed by Rachel.
- "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" by the Black Kids, although it should be noted that the cover was based on the Twelves remix. Performed by Blaine (with Tina and Brittany as backup singers)
- "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. Performed by Mercedes and Santana.
Tropes present in this episode:
- Awesome Moment of Crowning: Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton, indeed.
- The Bus Came Back: For Jesse.
- The Cover Changes the Meaning: Mercedes even lampshades it.Mercedes (about "Isn't She Lovely"): I thought this song was about a baby.
- Dance Party Ending: The end of prom.
- Duet Bonding: "Rolling in the Deep," sorta.
- Everything Is an Instrument: Finn and Mike use plastic containers and cheese graters.
- Freudian Slip:Kurt: Go with God, Satan. [handwaves] Santana.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Finn, judging from the reason why he picked a fight with Jesse at prom.
- Heel–Face Turn: Karofsky, who is genuinely sorry for what he did to Kurt.
- I Just Want to Be Loved: Mercedes.
- Invisible Backup Band: Averted with "Isn't She Lovely," where after the first verse Puck, Sam, Finn, and Mike come in (the first two are playing guitars while the latter two, are, well, using plastic containers and cheese graters.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Rachel giving Finn advice on what corsage to give Quinn.
- Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique: Sue almost gets around to pulling Artie's teeth out when he doesn't tell her who put him up to spiking the punch, but thankfully Finn starts a fight with Jesse before Artie loses any molars.
- Lady in Red: Santana. Kurt lampshades it by saying it goes with her personality.
- Man in a Kilt: Kurt's prom outfit incorporates a kilt.
- Oh, Crap!: The look on the ND members' faces after Kurt wins prom queen.
- Poke the Poodle: Artie spikes the punch with lemonade.
- Prom Is for Straight Kids: Blaine is reluctant to go because some guys beat the crap out of him and his (male) date at a Sadie Hawkins dance. But it's (mostly) averted, as they do get their dance and Brittany is seen to be dancing with a girl at one point.
- Prom Wrecker: Whoever rigged the vote so that Kurt would become Prom Queen is this. Fortunately, Kurt is able to turn it around in the end.
- Serenade Your Lover: "Isn't She Lovely," sorta.
- Sympathy for the Devil: Rachel comforting Quinn even after the latter had just slapped her hard across the face.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: Figgins even reading out Kurt's name could count as this.
- Torture Technician: Sue threatens to pull Artie's teeth out if he doesn't tell her who spiked the punch.
-
The Woobie: It's easier to list the people who don't need a hug in this episode.
