Glee-Cap: Bash.

We all know our favorite Ohioans turned New Yorkers have been having all kinds of big fun since they arrived, but as we know, New York while magical, can also be a rough and tumble kind of town. Tonight, the less than gleeful side of New York rears its ugly head, leaving our favorite former glee clubbers to pick up the pieces. Tonight's episode will deal with some harsh subject matter, so viewer discretion is advised.

Sam, Rachel, Kurt, and Blaine attend a candle light vigil and channel the emotion into "No One Is Alone" from Into the Woods as they pay their respects. The producer of Funny Girl gives the company a pep talk, wanting and demanding a hit from his actors. Rachel discusses her scheduling conflicts with NYADA with her producer, who gives her a pass to finish out the year with a critique from the staff. Mercedes catches Sam watching Facts of Life, and joins him for all the 80's girl-school fun. Sam has tried everything to sleep better, even getting Blaine to read him Star Wars fan-fic, but nothing seems to work. Sam asks Mercedes about why she broke up with him, and her answer doesn't stick, as the two go at it on the couch. The weekly pot-luck dinner continues, as news of a neighbor being gay bashed (and lucky to be alive) breaks the joyful mood, but talk quickly turns to the winter critique at NYADA, which is challenging the NYADA hopefuls to Sondheim. Sam brings Mercedes to the East River to make some wishes, and their cute couple status begins to rise even more. Mercedes tells Sam she's willing to give them a chance, but wants it to be taken slowly with boundaries and rules to be implemented. Mercedes, being the strong independent woman she is, channels all of that ferocity into "You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman".

Mercedes and her girls/back-up singers share some girl talk about her booming relationship with Sam, when the man himself walks up and joins the conversation. The conversation takes a turn for the worse as Sam attempts to blend into the girl talk, but both of Mercedes's girls aren't impressed. Rachel and Blaine channel their inner "Broadway Baby" in front of the NYADA staff for the winter critique. Despite a good performance, Carmen isn't pleased and plans to flunk both of them, but changes her mind and gives both Rachel and Blaine the chance to redo it right. Rachel attempts to speak to Carmen about trying to do her critique, but Carmen isn't having any of Rachel's excuses, which is something Rachel isn't at all ready to hear and she promptly quits NYADA.

The ladies give Mercedes some real-talk about her relationship, and Mercedes isn't keen to hear that her dating Sam will cause problems because of their skin color. Mercedes tries to explain to Sam why they can't be together and what kind of message that sends, but Sam isn't ready to hear it. After their discussion, Mercedes suggests Sam move out, before leaving Sam to his thoughts. The word of Rachel quitting NYADA reaches Kurt, and he attempts to talk some sense into her over dinner, but Rachel isn't hearing any of it. The conversation gets vicious as the two exchange words, before Rachel dramatically walks out. Kurt comes upon someone being gay bashed, and steps in, before becoming a target himself.

Sam and Blaine talk over everything with Mercedes, but news of Kurt's attack sends a shockwave through all of his friend's lives. Blaine, Sam, Mercedes, Artie, and Rachel rush to Kurt's bed side, where Blaine wishes Kurt could hear him and know he was there for him. With "Not While I'm Around", Blaine shows Kurt that he's there, as well as gives his heart and soul at his NYADA critique redo. As the Sondheim song fades, Blaine cuddles with Kurt protectively.

Sam meets Mercedes at the recording studio, and the conversation turns to their relationship and how Mercedes shouldn't have let their races play any part in how she feels. Mercedes turns to song to show how she feels performing "Colorblind" (an Amber Riley original!). Burt arrives at the hospital and despite being proud of Kurt's actions; he remains concerned for his son and his safety, while Kurt remains proud of his actions to continue to fight for who he is and to be proud of it. Blaine meets with Kurt and the two return to the sight of their neighbor's attack, where take in the moment and honor the man who has woken up in the hospital. Rachel and Kurt patch things up, before pot-luck dinner, where Mercedes and Sam reveal they're dating, which is a little off putting given their history to their friends. Kurt channels his experiences into "I'm Still Here" from Follies for his NYADA critique to an audience of NYADA staff and the people who love him. Kurt Hummel is still here, and nobody's going to bring him down.

Until next week, Gleeks!