Pictured: Six cheerios, dirtied by Sam Evans
After Marley's onstage faint at Sectionals, the New Directions learn of their loss at the competition. Back at NYADA, Kurt and Rachel are both extremely nervous, Rachel about the Winter Showcase and whether she will be chosen and Kurt, re-auditioning for the school. The New Directions begin to split apart as their competition season is over but Finn and Marley attempt to bring the spark back.
Next Time: It's a Wonderful Plot for the Season 4 Christmas Episode: What would happen if The Heart of New Directions went on a different path than the one fate intended for him?
Songs
- "Somethin' Stupid" by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman, performed by Sam and Brittany
- "All That Jazz" from Chicago, performed by Rachel and Cassie with the NYADA dance class
- "Being Good Isn't Good Enough" from Hallelujah, Baby! (Barbra Streisand version), performed by oh who elsenote
- "O Holy Night" by Adolphe Adam, performed by Rachel
- "Being Alive" from Company, performed by Kurt
- "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House, performed by New Directions with Finn
Tropes:
- Continuity Nod: Rachel mentioning that her favorite song that Kurt has sung is I Want To Hold Your Hand.
- Commuting on a Bus: This is Matthew Morrison's last appearance for the next five episodes.
- Deleted Scenes: Two, one with Kitty apologizing to Marley, the other featuring Will and Finn blaming themselves for the Sectionals loss.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: Kurt singing Being Alive in an impromptu audition in front of the Winter Showcase audience to thunderous applause, showing the soul inside him for Madame Tibideaux, and receiving a letter saying that he got in NYADA pretty much qualifies.
- Foreshadowing: Jesse said that in Vocal Adrenaline, if a dancer passed out they would use them as a prop, which was hilarious until it actually happens.
- Shout-Out: To The Breakfast Club with the email Finn's writing, "Don't You (Forget About Me)" also being played in the background.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Rachel gave two of those speeches; one to Kurt on showing how he is capable of showing true emotion to his singing without props or costumes, even mentioning the Call-Back on how her favorite song that Kurt has sung in Glee club is I Want to Hold Your Hand, because he has shown how much emotional depth he has inside him. The other to Finn after she believes that he is giving up after losing at sectionals. Rachel tells him all the fun times Glee club has had together and tells him not to give up on his dreams or the Glee club.
