Glee-Cap: Swan Song

It's that time again, ladies and gentle-gleeks:  time to warm up and tune in to see who comes out on top from last week's battle. And with that last-minute twist and cliffhanger, not a moment too soon! Thanksgiving was stuffed full of excitement and intrigue, so what comes next? Is Marley going to be okay? Will anyone figure out what's going on? And the even bigger question of the night - who won Sectionals? It's all to come, so buckle up and get ready as we jump right in with the aftermath of "Gangnam Style" and the anticipation of NYADA's Winter Showcase.

We start right where we left off with New Directions rushing an incapacitated Marley back to the choir room in an attempt to rouse her. It's revealed that she hasn't been eating, and Santana immediately blames Kitty, who of course denies it. Before they can go back on stage to finish the set, Sue Sylvester herself appears to inform them all that, not only is it a Show Choir bylaw that leaving the stage mid-performance risks immediate disqualification, the judges have unanimously voted and declared the Warblers victorious. You heard it here, kids – New Directions have lost Sectionals! Shortly afterward, Kurt informs Rachel that Blaine has called to tell the sad news, which means glee club is over for the year. They then discuss Kurt's next audition for NYADA and the upcoming Winter Showcase – including the 'golden tickets' Carmen Tibideaux passes out to the ten people selected to perform for it, and how everyone who has won the Showcase has gone on to win awards of all types. In typical Glee fashion, Rachel receives one of the invites – making her the first freshman in seven years to be asked to perform.

Back in Ohio, Finn enters the choir room to find it being sacked by Coach Sylvester and her Cheerios. Sue has wasted no time in getting the paperwork filed to take possession of the choir room and everything, including the glee club budget. She takes great time and pleasure in taunting Finn with his loss and the consequences of it: including a threat to run over their Nationals trophy with her LeCar, which results in a grappling match for the trophy and ends with them both going to the principal. Figgins, unfortunately, sides with Sue, informing both Finn and Will that there are no available spaces for the glee club to rehearse, now that their season is officially over. Everything has been taken by other clubs, or rented out as meeting spaces for the income, and Finn is forced to hand over the keys to the choir room. Later in her office with Becky, however, Sue shows what could be a bit of remorse; the victory feels empty, and she expresses concern for what will become of the glee kids without their club. Finn and Will are left with the task of telling the New Directions that glee is over for the year until next September, save for a holiday concert later in the week. None of the remaining members seem too keen on the idea after having suffered the loss, and Tina very vocally places the blame for their loss on Marley.

Brittany finds a line of cheerios on the floor (the actual cereal) and follows them to an empty classroom, where Sam is waiting for her. He expresses that he's into Brittany, and that his biggest regret about glee being over is that he never got to sing a love song with Brittany. They sing the Frank Sinatra classic "Something Stupid", after which Sam tries to kiss Brittany, only to be turned down, for fear of putting him in danger. She fears a relationship with him will make the lesbian bloggers of the world, who have shown such love and support for her and Santana, will become angry at him and attack him. Back in NYC, Rachel is once more on the bad end of Cassandra July's dance class, this time over her needing a drink of water and having to stop. They have a brief altercation, which then results in a dance-off to "All That Jazz" from Chicago, which Cassandra, understandably, wins. Rachel comes out of it both humbled about her dancing, but sure that the way to win the Showcase is with her voice. Kurt stops by Carmen's office to check about his application for the second semester, only to be told that all she saw with him was flash, and no substance; that any second chances (something very rare for her) would come on her terms, not anyone else's.

Back at McKinley, it seems like the members of New Directions have started to move on, with glee club ended. Artie has joined the marching band as the drum leader and Tina and Blaine have joined the Cheerios. Unique has joined the floor hockey team, Ryder and Jake have joined the basketball team, and Joe has joined an interfaith paintball group. When they go to tell Finn, he doesn't take it very well, and informs them that the only other rehearsal time he could get was Friday night, and that he hopes they will be there. Afterwards, Brittany surprises Sam at his locker, asking him for a date on Friday at Breadstix, as he makes her happy. Finn's talk made her decide to go for it, the blogger community would have to stand by her decision - they share a kiss.

Back at NYADA, the room is packed for the Winter Showcase, where the best of the best will show their talents for a chance to win. A seemingly nervous Rachel is pacing on the stairs outside, where she is found by Brody. He's there to give her a pep talk, but she seems much more calm and collected than he expected, with Rachel extolling the idea of performing (and living) as if she'll never have another chance. They share a kiss before being interrupted by Kurt, who has come to find Rachel as it's her turn to perform. And perform she does, with a rousing rendition of "Being Good Isn't Good Enough," which earns her a standing ovation and requests for an encore. She follows it with the classic "O Holy Night", earning another ovation and praise from Carmen, who announces that after a short break Kurt would perform for them, if he felt he was ready. A panicked Kurt is followed out into the lobby by Rachel, where he proceeds to completely freak out over this sudden, impromptu audition he's been given, and his lack of costume or props. Rachel calms him, telling him he was at his best when singing just from the heart, as he did when performing for his hospitalized dad (in a touching shout-out to season 2). A very nervous Kurt returns to the stage to perform a beautiful, touching performance of "Being Alive", which earns him huge applause and a standing ovation.

Rachel calls Finn to talk to him about everything, talking him through the loss of glee club and the fact that it's not just about the competition. When asked about the Showcase, she reveals that she did in fact win. The phone call seems to be the inspiration Finn needs, and he goes to the Friday night rehearsal, only to be met by a single member showing up – Marley, who informs him that she found a place for them to rehearse, even though no one showed up. Finn sends an email to all the members of glee, with an inspiring message asking them to meet at 5:00 after school, in the courtyard. Even in the snow, Marley and Finn have a brief talk before starting a performance of "Don't Dream It's Over", as the other members slowly filter into the courtyard and join them. In a quick flash to New York, Rachel comes home to find Kurt has received his NYADA letter: he got in.

What comes next? Will Kurt accept his place at NYADA and give up Vogue, or will he decide to keep his place in fashion? What's next for the glee club, now that Sectionals are over and they're no longer eligible to compete? Tune in for next week's Christmas episode to see what's next for our favorite group of outcasts and performers!