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Recap - 'Glee': 'Special Education'

Rachel in Glee

© Fox

The episode begins with Will offering Emma tickets to sectionals. He suggests that she is a "good luck charm" for the club and Emma admits that she would love to come. Will explains that he is confident about the setlist and Emma correctly predicts that he is planning to open with a Finn and Rachel ballad followed by a classic rock number with Mercedes belting out the last note. She explains that they always do that and reveals that seeing the club perform Rocky Horror reminded her how much talent there is. She points out that Quinn has a great voice and Mike is a good dancer. "You guys used to be the underdogs and now you're a real team, which is wonderful," she says. "You're a constellation of stars. I'd hate to think you might be ignoring some of them because they don't burn so obviously bright." She worries that she's said too much but Will tells her she's said "just enough".

When Will arrives at glee club practice, Rachel announces that she has thought of the perfect ballad for her and Finn to perform. Will interrupts and explains that their competitors at regionals don't dance, so he wants to feature Brittany and Mike in the performance. Rachel is confused, asking if they will dance in front of her while she sings her solo, but Will explains that she's not getting a solo. Mercedes assumes that she will get it, but Will explains that he wants the winners of the duets competition - Sam and Quinn - to take the role. "Ken and Barbie?" Rachel splutters. "Are you trying to throw this?" Quinn tells her: "You used to be just sort of unlikeable but now I feel like punching you every time you open your mouth." Rachel tells Finn to do something and he suggests that Will is making a mistake by taking the "star quarterback" out before the "big game". He claims that it is about the team but Santana describes him as a hypocrite. Rachel claims that Santana doesn't know the meaning of the word but she replies: "It means your boyfriend is full of crap, hobbit." Rachel points out that Santana has been annoying her since the wedding, but Finn tells Rachel that Santana isn't worth it. Santana yells: "That's not what you thought last year in that motel room." She tells Rachel that Finn has been lying and announces that they slept together. Will shouts at the group to be quiet and tells them that this is the plan for sectionals. As Mike and Brittany get up to work out some choreography, Finn and Rachel look at each other.

Meanwhile, Kurt is walking through his new school, Dalton, smiling and greeting fellow students. He arrives at The Warblers' practice and, as a tradition, is given a canary called Pavarotti to look after. "He's a member of an unbroken line of canaries that have been at Dalton since 1891," he's told. "Take care of him so he can live to carry on the Warbler legacy. Protect him. That bird is your voice." Kurt jokes that he will take Pavarotti to his job at a cat rescue center at the bottom of a coal mine, but the group is unimpressed. The meeting moves on and Kurt discovers that instead of having a director, the group elects three members to lead them. Blaine explains that everyone gets a say and Kurt immediately suggests that they sing Duran Duran's 'Rio' at sectionals. However, the council tells Kurt that they are responsible for song selection. Still, one of them praises his enthusiasm and suggests that one day he will be on the council.

Back at McKinley, Rachel asks Finn if he really did sleep with Santana. He admits that he shouldn't have lied but explains that he was worried she'd get mad. "And you're kind of scary," he adds. Rachel asks why he slept with Santana and asks if Finn thinks she is prettier than her. It emerges that they are sitting in Emma's office, and she urges him not to answer the question. Rachel explains that her fathers went to couple counselingand they need Emma's help. Emma points out that they are both in glee club and suggests singing songs about betrayal, but the pair are unconvinced. She tries "plan B", asking Finn why he lied to Rachel. He replies that he didn't want to hurt her, but Rachel asks why he chose Santana and asks if it's because she's hot. Finn admits that Santana is "super hot" and Rachel asks Emma, as a therapist, if it would be productive to slap him. "I'm not a therapist but no," Emma replies. "Maybe you should storm out." Rachel does so.

Artie finds Brittany standing in the corner of a classroom, staring at the wall. She tells him: "I'm paralysed with fear. I've been here since second period. I really, really have to pee." She explains that she can't handle the pressure of leading the glee club's dance at sectionals. Artie says that she can do it but adds: "It's really too bad I can't give you my magic comb." When Brittany asks what he means, he says: "You've never heard of a magic comb? You comb your hair with it and you can't lose. I'd give you mine but I need it. Wait, since you're going to dance the lead at sectionals, if you win, I win." Brittany asks for the comb and Artie hands it over. Brittany tells him that he is the best boyfriend ever and they hold hands. "We're going to win this thing because of you," Artie says.

Puck and Will are sitting in an office together. Will explains that the glee club needs another member so that they can compete at sectionals. He adds that he normally goes to Rachel and Finn but knows that Puck is the best-known kid in school. He asks him to become an ambassador for glee club and find a new member. Puck asks what's in it for him and Will replies: "You love glee club. If you get a new member and we win, you get to keep doing what you love." Puck agrees to help out.

Glee S02E09
Over at Dalton, Blaine catches up with Kurt and admits that he knows it was difficult for him to deal with his ideas being shot down in glee club. "It's just a different energy," Kurt replies. "Not better or worse. Just something I have to get used to." Blaine agrees and explains that the school has a tradition of rewarding people with a good attitude. He invites Kurt to audition for a solo at sectionals. Kurt is thrilled.

Meanwhile, Puck heads into the locker room and gives the other football players a speech about Bruce Springsteen. Karofsky and Amizo are unsure where Puck is going but he announces that they should join glee club. Amizo is unconvinced, saying: "Why don't you come to my church on Sunday and get some of my cousins to sign up for the Klan?" Puck insists that glee club is cool but Karofsky disagrees. He says they should make an example of Puck and the footballers pounce on him.

The next day, at glee club, Santana admits that she hasn't seen Puck for a while. Mercedes suggests that he has quit so that he won't be involved in losing sectionals. "I can't blame him," she adds. "The set's real light on Mercedes." Tina adds that if the Warblers win, it will be because of Kurt and they shouldn't clap. Rachel walks in with tape over her mouth and Will asks what she is doing. She peels off the tape and says: "I'm not doing anything. You silenced my talent, I'm merely protesting. My talents are wasted in this club. My star shines too bright and I think you're threatened by it." Will throws down his papers in anger and shouts at her to take the tape off. "You have a terrible attitude," he says. "You're a lousy sport. It's not OK anymore." Rachel says she is upset about a couple of things and looks over at Finn. Will points out that she should be happy that the glee club is so full of talent and complains that all the members are involved in "me talk". He tells them to be good sports and cheer on the other glee clubs. Suddenly, Puck walks in with Lauren Zizes, who explains that she found him in a Port-O-Potty. In flashback, it emerges that Karofsky and Amizo pushed Puck into the potty and he was trapped for 24 hours. Lauren freed him and agreed to join glee club if he agreed to certain conditions, including "seven minutes in heaven" with her. Back in the present, Puck admits: "I have to say, she kind of rocked my world." Santana is disgusted, but Will welcomes Lauren to glee club.

Later, in the corridor, Santana walks past Finn and blows him a kiss. She walks over to Rachel and says: "Did I tell you he bought me dinner after?" Puck notices that Rachel is upset and explains that he resolved to start being nicer to people when he was trapped in the Port-O-Potty. "Then I realized there's no way I could do that so I changed it to just Jews," he explains. Rachel admits that she is having problems with Finn and Puck reveals that he is an expert in boyfriend troubles because he is normally the cause of them. They walk out together, arm in arm. Meanwhile, Tina approaches Artie and announces that they have a "big problem". Artie asks if it is Tina's outfit, but she suggests that Mike and Brittany are having an affair. Artie insists that they are just rehearsing together but Tina tells him not to be naive. "She's a cheerleader and he's a football player," she says. "You and I never had a chance with either of them." Later, Artie asks Brittany how her preparation for sectionals is coming but she just replies: "It's good." He invites her to a movie or for a latte but Brittany makes her excuses and leaves.

Rachel is at the piano by herself when Kurt walks in. He explains that he has been invited to audition for a solo and needs her help. Rachel points out that he is their competition now but Kurt replies: "Even though we hate each other we had our moments. And I could use your expertise. No-one knows how to kill a ballad quite like you. You are as brilliant and talented as you are irritating." Rachel agrees to help and Kurt explains that he thought about singing 'My Heart Will Go On'. Rachel tells him it's not personal enough, adding: "Do you ever fantasise about your own funeral? I do. Finn throwing himself into the grave out of grief and all the heartfelt speeches and the regrets." Kurt tells him that she's "insane", but Rachel continues: "Clearly no-one in glee club appreciates me - is it so wrong for them to fantasise about them finally realizing how amazing I am but it being too late? There's only one song that expresses those feelings." She performs 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', and later Kurt sings the song at his audition. Blaine smiles but signals at Kurt to restrain his hand gestures. The group claps when Kurt finishes. Later, Kurt waits with two other Warblers to find out if he has been successful. However, Blaine emerges and explains that only Nick and Jeff made it through. Kurt is disappointed and, after he asks for advice, Blaine tells him not to try so hard. "Did you notice we all wear uniforms around here?" he says. "It's about being part of the team." Kurt admits that he is used to having to scream to get noticed, but Blaine replies: "You're not going to make it as a Warbler if all you care about is being noticed." Kurt agrees and apologizes. "I know it's going to take some getting used to," Blaine says. "But you'll fit in soon enough. I promise."

The morning of sectionals, the group gets onto the bus and Emma appears. Will admits that he thinks his new direction for New Directions was a "terrible idea" as the kids are out of sync. Emma admits that she can't come. She reveals that she didn't tell Carl she was going with Will and admits that Carl has had issues with her and Will spending time together since Rocky Horror. "CounselingFinn and Rachel made me realize that the withholding of the truth can make someone feel as bad as lying," she says. "So I told him the truth last night and we had a big fight and we made up. And he told me that he loved me and I told him that I love him back." Will admits that the club will miss Emma, but they are interrupted by Rachel, who leans out of the bus to say: "Mr Schuester, not that I really care, but if we don't leave now we're going to miss the competition." Emma wishes Will luck and kisses him on the cheek.

At sectionals, Rachel tries to find some candy for Lauren. Kurt finds her and she asks if he got the solo. He admits that she didn't and Rachel worries that the Warblers must be really good if he wasn't picked. "We are doomed," she says. She apologizes for being selfish and adds that she is sure Kurt was good. "I was," Kurt says. "I think I was. Being in The Warblers has made me question everything I thought about myself." Rachel agrees and asks if Kurt misses them. "I do," he says. "Being a Warbler is great but I don't think they appreciate my individuality as much as you guys did. And I can't help but think I let you guys down." Rachel reassures him that the group understands why he left and Kurt asks why she was never this nice to him before. Rachel admits that he was her only real competition before and Kurt agrees. They hug, and Kurt asks after Finn. Rachel admits that she hasn't spoken to him much after finding out about him and Santana. "You didn't know about that?" Kurt asks. However, he is interrupted when Blaine arrives to pick him up.

Glee S02E09
The competition begins, and The Hipsters perform 'The Living Years'. Rachel takes her seat, ignoring Finn as she walks past him. The Warblers are next up and sing 'Hey, Soul Sister'. Kurt looks over at Rachel, who reminds him to smile. At the end of the performance, Rachel and Mercedes lead a standing ovation. New Directions head backstage to get ready and Lauren admits that the costumes are causing some "unmentionable chafing". Quinn frets that the last time the group performed for an audience she went into labor and admits that she is having post-traumatic stress disorder. "FYI, I'm totally available to fill in," Mercedes says. Artie accuses Brittany of "adultery" and she admits that she doesn't know how he found out. "I can't believe I did it," she says. "I never felt more awful about anything in my life." Artie moves away and Mike asks Tina what's wrong with him, but she calls him a "jerk". Rachel storms in, asking Finn if he told Kurt about sleeping with Santana. It soon emerges that everyone knew about the dalliance except Rachel. "Nobody tells you anything because a, you're a blabbermouth," Santana says. "And b, we're all just pretending to like you." Puck interrupts, saying that he kind of likes Rachel, but Finn stands up to yell at her. He points out that Rachel was dating another guy when it happened and adds that although he shouldn't have lied, what she is really upset about is it being Santana. "Who are you right now?" Rachel replies. Lauren sits and eats, saying: "Best green room ever." Rachel announces that the glee club will have to find another sub because she's not going on stage with Finn. Artie adds that he doesn't want to be on the same stage as Brittany, and Tina agrees. Will arrives and shouts at them, adding that he is ashamed of them. He points out that this time last year they had no setlist, no choreography and no chance of winning but did anyway because they worked together. "I don't care if you guys hate each other," he says. "I want you guys to go out there and sing together for six minutes to remind yourselves that you're not alone."

The group get ready on the stage and Brittany peers through the curtains. Artie asks why she would cheat on him and says she admitted it in the green room when he accused her of adultery. Brittany admits that she thought adultery "meant being stupid, like being a dolt". She admits that she did something worse - lost his magic comb. She suggests that the comb was their only chance of winning and she didn't want to let him down so has been avoiding him. Artie admits that the comb wasn't magic. "I found it on the floor and ran into you on my way to throwing it in the trash," he says. "And you let me comb my hair with it?" Brittany asks. Artie tells her that she is "magic" and apologizes for not telling her that in the first place. They kiss and Brittany tells him: "When I'm out there dancing today, it won't be for the team or for the crowd. It will be for you." Meanwhile, Puck finds Lauren doing push-ups. She explains that she is a wrestler and that is how she gets psyched for a competition. Puck reassures her that she doesn't have to be nervous, but she insists that she isn't because show choirs are "stupid".

Glee S02E09
Quinn and Sam prepare for their performance. They stare at each other and Sam tells Quinn that she looks "beautiful". The pair walk through the crowd singing 'The Time Of My Life', with New Directions singing backing vocals. At the end, Kurt and the rest of the crowd give them a standing ovation. The group then perform 'Valerie', with Santana on lead vocals and Mike and Brittany dancing in the front. They get another standing ovation and Will looks on proudly. Later, New Directions, The Warblers and The Hipsters gather on stage to find out the results. Mercedes waves at Kurt and he smiles back. The judge announces that the contest was tied and both New Directions and The Warblers will go through to the regionals. Finn and Rachel hug and Finn says: "It's gone." Rachel agrees but looks sad.

At school, Will takes in New Directions' trophy to show Emma. She congratulates him, but announces that she needs to tell him about her weekend. She reveals that Carl took her to Las Vegas and shows Will that she has a ring on her finger. He asks if it is an engagement ring and she replies: "It's a wedding ring actually." Will is lost for words, but eventually says: "I'm happy for you." Emma begins to say something but he interrupts, adding: "Let's just leave it at that." He walks out.

Rachel and Finn are walking down the corridor. Rachel admits that winning sectionals reminded her that being part of something special makes you special. Finn asks if they are part of something special and Rachel says yes. Finn says that he loves her and they hug. "No more lying, ever," Finn promises. Rachel admits that she has to tell him something and pulls him to one side. "Last week when we were fighting I was so mad at you," she says. "I was so hurt I wanted to make you feel as bad as I felt." In flashback, we see Puck and Rachel kissing. However, Puck announces that he did this to Finn before and can't do it again. He leaves. Back in the present, Rachel apologizes and promises it won't happen again. "I knew you were a lot of things," Finn says. "I loved you because and in spite of all of them. But I never thought you were mean." Rachel suggests that what Finn did with Santana cancels this out but Finn points out that they weren't together at the time. "How could you do this to me?" he asks. Rachel suggests that they go to another counselingsession, but Finn replies: "You can't have couple's counselingif you're not a couple." Rachel asks if he is breaking up with her and Finn says: "What you did was really bad Rachel. And you knew how sensitive I'd be about this after what happened with Quinn." He walks away and Rachel follows him, yelling: "You said you'd never break up with me." Finn turns round and says: "I never thought you'd make me feel like this." He walks away, leaving Rachel crying in the corridor.

At Dalton, Blaine arrives after receiving a message from Kurt. Kurt admits that he is worried about Pavarotti, pointing out that he won't sing and is losing his feathers. Blaine explains that he is just moulting and getting a new coat of feathers. "Don't worry about it," he says. "He's got food, water. He seems to like his cage. Just give it a little while. He'll be singing again in no time." He reminds Kurt about the Warblers practice later.

Tina and Mike arrive for glee club practice and Tina apologizes for doubting him. They kiss and walk into the room. Will congratulates everyone on their sectionals win and explains that he's glad to be moving on to regionals and nationals. Santana admits that they heard about Emma getting married but Will says they don't need to talk about it. He explains that he would like to celebrate their win the best way they know how and asks Rachel if she would like a solo. Rachel admits that she doesn't feel like a solo and defers the job to the "unsung heroes" Tina and Mercedes. "You don't have to ask me twice," Mercedes jokes.

Tina, Mercedes and the rest of the club sing 'Dog Days Are Over'. As they perform, Kurt smiles at Pavarotti. Meanwhile, the name on Emma's office is changed to her new married name. Emma kisses Carl inside but looks conflicted as she hugs him. Elsewhere, Rachel takes down the Finn and Rachel calendar and "Finn 4Ever" sign from her locker. The episode ends with New Directions standing together at the end of their performance.


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