Once again, we're on the precipice of change.
As it turns out, the Underclassmen that were left behind a few seasons ago are finally graduating! These now-Upperclassmen are: Arthur Abrams (Brooklyn Film), Blaine Anderson (NYADA), Tina Cohen-Chang (Brown), Samuel Evans, Rebecca Jackson (U. Cincinnati), Tina and Artie are the co-Salutatorians, though joint first in the class, and Blaine is the Valedictorian, though third in the class.
We start what for all intents and purposes is the Season 5 finalenote with the Rule of Funny that is Holly and April playing "kill, marry, bone" (Will/Figgins/Brad, who gets no love) before Sue interrupts them and (after threatening April) reveals that she and Holly make up "Team Gorgeous" auditioning for The Amazing Race. Shown through clips of said audition tape because of course. This does move into Holly using this friendship with Sue to ask to incorporate music into the rest of the clubs at McKinley. They get a week trial as we hit the Title Card.
Now, since this is Jenna's last episode, we must put Tina through the wringer one last time. Therefore, we see a montage of Tina applying to Mitzvah University because Ohio State rejected her and she hasn't heard back from Brown. And a Mood Whiplash back to serious when she enters the choir room and watches her friends packing away the trophies, everything else nearly all gone. Blaine enters with his acceptance to NYADA, but then Sam hits Tina over the head with a trophy and we know where this is going... Tina is now in a version of the New York side of the show, with everyone else who's heading there, but as if it were a Sitcom called "C.H.U.M.S." It's So Bad, It's Good, with everyone working at the diner, Klaine swallowing tongues, and getting locked in the bathroom. But it doesn't last long as we cut to the auditorium where Kurtcedes stand. They point out Quick finally getting together, joy, then, speaking of the New York plotline, which we are about to become overtly familiar with, it's about time Rachel and Santana got working on their little Funny Girl problem. Kurt and Mercedes perform "I Am Changing." While Rachel appears to be moved during the song, Santana seems impassive. Afterwards, Rachel tries to mend their relationship with a peace offering. Santana rebuffs by demanding all the shows in Funny Girl, leaving Rachel dismayed.
Meanwhile, Holly fills Will Schuester in on her plan to incorporate music into McKinley's other clubs. Will is hesitant, but Holly encourages Will to trust her. Dressed as Temple Grandin, Holly leads a class in a performance of Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time". Sue, however, is not amused, having received many angry letters from concerned organizations, thus marking the end of Holly's extracurricular musical experiment. Will tells Sue he understands and he and Holly leave Sue's office. Will tells Holly he has accepted that Glee Club is over. Holly hatches another plan and recruits Artie. In the choir room, Brittany Pierce has filled the room with lilies and offers Santana two one way tickets to Lesbos Island so that they can spend more time together. Santana, however, is still hesitant and feels that Brittany's offer may have more to do with her wanting to escape MIT rather than her desire for them to actually be together. Santana also tells Brittany she doesn't want to give up her understudy role in "Funny Girl" because it is a great first step toward being rich and famous, and she doesn't want to allow Rachel to win their feud. Brittany reminds Santana that Broadway has never been her dream - so walking away from a role she doesn't really care about would be a win for her. Santana, realizing Brittany is right, thanks her for straightening her out. She leans her head against Brittany's shoulder and the two cuddle.
Tina informs Blaine, Sam and Artie that she was rejected from Mitzvah University, a school she applied to so she could be with her friends in New York. Sam and Blaine attempt to cheer her up to no avail. Blaine, Sam, and Artie sing an acoustic version of "Loser like Me" with Tina. Afterward, they are able to cheer her up by convincing her they will figure out what she can do. Santana meets Rachel in the auditorium, where she reveals that she is withdrawing from the show, but not as her understudy for herself. Pleased, Rachel and Santana sing "Be Okay." Puck and Quinn Fabray then perform "Just Give Me a Reason" and announce to the Glee Club that they have decided to give a relationship a try, even though they will be long distance. Quinn acknowledges that it will be tough, but tells Puck she would rather do hard with him than easy with someone else. Everyone applauds as they share a kiss and Will announces that they have just performed the final song in the choir room.
Later, Will enters his office to discover a note asking him to come to the auditorium. Holly and the Glee Club have made a video for Will and his unborn child about how much he has meant to them as a teacher and a man. The video ends with Rachel coming out on stage to lead into a performance of "Don't Stop Believin'". Will is visibly moved and soon the rest of the Glee Club and alumni members join in as well. After the song, the Glee Club members share in a group hug while April and Holly watch from the auditorium entrance and congratulate themselves for a job well done. Artie, Blaine, Becky, Brittany, Sam and Tina all graduate with their fellow senior class. Tina reveals she was indeed accepted to Brown. After the graduation ceremony, Santana meets Brittany in the bathroom and says she does want to go away with Brittany, but also wants them to return together to New York after their trip is over, to which she agrees. Back in the choir room, Will meets Sue, who admits that Will's work in the Glee Club helped change many kids lives - and his own - for the better, and says she will miss the fighting between them. Sue reveals she got Will an interview at Carmel High for the position of Glee Club director for Vocal Adrenaline. Will is hesitant, but Sue argues that Will needs to be doing what he is passionate about - teaching Glee Club - and he could do many good things with the healthy budget that Vocal Adrenaline has. Sue leaves Will alone in the choir room to decide on how to proceed. With memories of the Glee Club flooding through his mind, Will turns out the lights and leaves the choir room for the last time.
Now, even though, as we've established, there are seven episodes left, this was basically the end of the season; all McKinley plots wrapped, New Directions gone, everyone moves on. Thing is those seven episodes will all be centered around the graduated ex-ND vets. One of which has gotten her dream role. And whose ego has swollen up to its biggest proportions ever. Add that, plus more random guest stars, and plots picked from a dartboard, and you're gonna need all the booze you can get. Strap in and gird loins because...
Next Time: The Audience-Alienating Era of Glee begins.
Songs:
- "I Am Changing" from Dreamgirls, performed by Mercedes and Kurt.
- "Party All The Time" by Eddie Murphy, performed by Holly, Will, and all New Directions.
- "Loser Like Me" performed by the Upperclassmen. Originally performed by New Directions in New York.
- "Be Okay" by Oh Honey, performed by Santana and Rachel.
- "Just Give Me A Reason" by P!nk feat. Nate Ruess, performed by Quinn and Puck.
- "Don't Stop Believin'", performed by Will and all the New Direction members up to that point.
Tropes include:
- Girl on Girl Is Hot: Explicitly stated by Brittany In-Universe.
- It Has Been an Honor
- Long Last Look
- Nothing Is the Same Anymore: This was the temporary end of business at McKinley, as for the next seven episodes, the series was set in New York.
- Put on a Bus: Melissa Benoist, Alex Newell, Blake Jenner, and Jacob Artist depart here. You'll notice one name missing. This is because Becca Tobin was retained for the final season (probably only because she's close friends with Lea Michele, and we'll explain when we get there).
- Jenna Ushkowitz leaves as well; she would make one more appearance in Season 5, and appear in five episodes of the final season, including the Grand Finale.
- Series Fauxnale: Of a sort. While there were seven episodes left in the season, and the show had gotten the pickup for the final season, these two episodes had the feel of a Grand Finale; the general feeling was if it wasn't renewed for Season 6, the show most likely would've ended here.
- The Cameo:
- Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray.
- Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones.
- Mark Salling as Airman First Class Noah Puckerman.
- Harry Shum Jr as Mike Chang.
- Heather Morris as Brittany Pierce.
- Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes.
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday.
- The Voice: As Will says goodbye to the empty choir room he hears the idle chatter of all the glee kids that he'd usually walk into. In fact, the recordings were taken from those shots. It was white noise but sound editors cleared it up; Finn's voice has also been made especially prominent.
- Worthy Opponent: Sue declares Will this, saying "No one has ever gone the distance with Sue Sylvester".
