Glee-Cap: The New Rachel

It's back to school time, Gleeks! How was your summer? You know, I'm kind of upset you didn't KIT – I mean, when you say you're going to keep in touch you keep your promise. It's cool, because my summer was cool. So, let's back into it shall we? Where are things going to go? Are you ready, Gleeks? It's on – season four is on!

Life has begun for Rachel as she adapts to New York – her new dance teacher, Cassandra July (Kate Hudson) gives her a dose of reality, while her new classmate Brody (Dean Geyer) gives her something nice to look at. Meanwhile, the battle is on at McKinley to be 'the new Rachel' and the remaining members along with new transfer Wade 'Unique' Adams (Alex Newell) take to the McKinley stage with 'Call Me Maybe' to decide who will fill Ms. Berry's shoes.

Kurt is living the life of someone stuck between a dream and a hard place – working at the Lima Bean and helping with glee club, but wishing for more. Meanwhile, the glee club has become popular since their Nationals win, but the feeling of 'being special' has faded as the members join with the jocks to mock the chubby lunch lady.  Glee club hopeful Marley meets up with her mother – the mentioned lunch lady, while she wonders if she'll even make it in glee club given their current status. Kitty (Becca Tobin), or as Sue has deemed her – the new Quinn Fabray, seems to have become the head bitch in charge of the Cheerios and been helping Sue with her brand new baby girl. At NYADA, Cassandra shows Rachel how a real performer works it by performing a mash up of "Americano" by Lady Gaga and "Dance Again" by J.Lo.

Auditions for new glee club members sees the good, the bad, and the ugly – including the mysterious and attitude filled Jake (Jacob Artist) singing Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never", but will his bad attitude sink his chances of glee club glory? Rachel attends her first class with the legendary Carmen Tribuex (Whoopi Goldberg) and performs "New York State of Mind" while miles away from the big apple, Marley is thinking the same state of mind and song.

Artie announces that Blaine is "the New Rachel" while Marley joins the ranks and Jake is shut out, leaving him angry. Blaine and Kurt share a moment as Blaine explains to Kurt that he belongs in New York and performs "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons to give him the shove he needs to get to his dreams. Mr. Schue finds out that Jake has a connection to a former New Direction – he is Noah Puckerman's half brother, but the badassdor has no idea, and Jake is not ready to abandon his attitude and accept the offer to join glee club.

Marley gets her seat with the glee club kids, but speaks up when they continue to make fun of her mother, outing her big secret of who her mom is. Meanwhile, a tearful Burt sends Kurt off to New York with love and optimism a plenty. The bubble bursts as the glee club is sent back to loser status, while Marley gets her first chance to shine with the New Directions performing Adele's "Chasing Pavements". Rachel calls Kurt to admit she's been lying about how great things are that leads to the two best friends being reunited in the city of their dreams – New York.

With Rachel and Kurt heading in new directions and the New Directions finding their own new direction – it looks like it's going to be quite a journey. So, hold on to that feelin, Gleeks, and I'll see you next week.

Two words: BRITNEY. 2.0! It's Britney, bitch.