From the beginnning of the episode, the theme of remembering Finn is set when Finn's (former Glee Club
member and leader who passed away suddenly) parents come into the choir room and tell the club exactly what Finn would have said before such a monumental event. They also have decided to come as chaperones.
Before heading to Nationals the GLee club sings "I Love L.A." as an ode to the city in which they will fight for the championship.
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| Shawn Baptiste and a member of Throat Explosion |
Once they ge to L.A., they run into a bit of a snafu as Sue Sylvester has called ahead and warned the hotel not to let Mr. Schue in because he had abducted 1 emotionally disturbed teenagers. At the same time, the New Directions meet Throat Explosion and their leader Shawn Baptiste, an intimidating show choir who has used their acrobatic skills coupled with their amazing vocals to make it to Nationals. Sam heeds the advice of Mr. Schue and steps up as the New Directions leader, trying hard not to be intimidated by Throat Explosion. Tina doesn't seem to appreciate this.
Mercedes is back and is more successful than ever! Apparently, she got a record deal after Kayne's maid gave the CD to him, then he gave it to Kim and she gave it to Ryan Seacrest who gave it to Sony Records. Now she will be writing six songs for their label and has her own record deal!
Marley is disappointed that she hasn't heard anything back from all the songwriting competitions she's entered. She tells Ryder that she's decided to give up Glee Club and will be joining the Accounting Club when they get back. Nationals will be her swan song but she makes him promise not to tell anyone else.
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| The picture of Finn that Sam brings along. |
That night the Glee Club sneaks on the the stage they will performing on the next day. Sam makes a great speech about Finn knowing that they would make it to this point together. He even brings a photo of him so Finn is there too. Unfortunately, Throat Explosion comes and ruins their moment. Shawn tells them that they have their condolences tonight but the next day they will get no grace or mercy from them.
Carole and Burt, Finn's parent's, have an emotional moment talking about how much they miss Finn. Carole thought being around all of his friends would make her feel happy but its just been depressing her. She thinks that when the senior class graduates she will lose a part of Finn that she can never get back.
Against Marley's wishes, Ryder tells Jake that she is planning on quitting the Glee Club when they get back. He says he has a few of the songs she entered in the competitions and they're good but he wants t find someone famu who would tell that to Marley. Although he doesn't know anyone famous, he does know Mercedes Jones is pretty much almost famous at this point.
Getting on the bus to the theatre where Nationals will be held, Sam looks in the briefcase where he's stored Finn's picture and finds it missing. Throat Explosion walks by their bus and Sam demands that Shawn give the plaque back. He says that they don't have it and Blaine convinces Sam to let it go. Sam jumps back on the bus and gives a stirring speech about Finn being inside all of them cheering them on despite his picture having gone missing.
At Nationals, The Amazonians, a group from Oklahoma City sing "Vacation." Blaine and Sam find their performance good but still believe they can beet them. During the performance, Burt and Carole pack up their suitcases and leave their hotel room seemingly headed back to Ohio.
Next up is Throat Explosion who do a glorious mash-up of :"Mr. Roboto" and "Counting Stars"with costume changes and dance moves that sets them far above the other groups.
Before the New Directions are set to perform, they gather backstage for a little pep talk from Mr. Shue but are interrupted by Burt and Carole as they return from almost going home. Carole tells them that they are the reigning National Champions and they need to go out there ready to win it
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| Sam and Kitty singing "America" |
The New Directions pour their hearts into performing "More Than A Feeling," "America" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." During their last song, Carole comments that they are singing all of Finn;s favorite songs and a montage of clips of Finn throughout his time in Glee Club intertwines with the live performance.
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| Mercedes Jones |
Before the results revealed, Mercedes finds Marley and tells her she only has three minutes to throw herself a pity part next time she gets rejected before she needs to pull herself up and writes another song. Mercedes talks about all of the rejection she went through to get to where sh is and tells Marley never to give up because she has way too much talent to let go to waste.
THE RESULTS:
Vicious Harmony (from Lake Tahoe) takes 4th
The Amazonians take 3rd
New Directions take 2nd
Throat Explosion is the WINNER
Although the New Directions tried their best, they fell short coming away with 2nd place.
When they get back to Ohio, they find that the picture of Finn had been mailed back. Apparently, a member of Throat Explosion had taken it but when Shawn found out he was furious, kicked him out of the group and mailed it back with his sincerest apologies.
As the New Directions gathered around the trophy case in the choir room, they lamented about how much they wanted to win first place for Finn and his parents. Carole tells them that he would have hated to loose to those guys but he would have come into the choir room telling them that even as firs-time show choir singers they stood tall against the best of the best. Burt add that Finn never had the best skills in anything he did but that he always new how to bring out the best in others.
In an ultra dramatic ending, Mr. Shue goes to Sue's office to await the fate of the Glee Club. He's told that the Glee Club has to go because they lost. Surprisingly, Sue gives him a pep talk that helps to cheer him up. She says, "You didn't loose William, the game is just over."
The show ends with the former Glee Club members in New York, Kurt, Rachel and Santana, finding out the news of the Glee Club being disbanded.
This week's music (in chronological order):
-"I Love L.A." — New Directions & Mr. Schuester — original by Randy Newman
-"Vacation" — The Amazonians (A glee club from Oklahoma City) — original by The Go Go's
-"Mr. Roboto/ Counting Stars" — Throat Explosion (A glee club from Fort Wayne, IN — original by Styx/OneRepublic
-"More Than A Feeling" — New Directions — original by Boston
-"America" — New Directions — original by Neil Diamond
-"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" — New Directions — original by U2
