And here's what you missed on Glee:
After New Directions wins Nationals, Superintendent Harris has converted McKinley into a performing arts school and appoints Will as its principal, and Sam takes over New Directions. Did we mention New Directions isn't the only glee club choir at McKinley High? There is now the Troubletones, Duly Noted, an all-boys group, and a junior varsity glee club. Also, Vice President Sue Sylvester was impeached from office.
And that's what you missed on Glee!
Sam Evans enters the hallways of William McKinley High School for the Performing Arts. He looks around at the students passing down the hall. He goes deep in thought.
Sam's Voiceover:
It's been three years since I became the director of the New Direction in that time. I thought I had finally found my purpose. But eventually, everything changed. Members graduated, and the integrated Warblers found being in a co-ed group weird, so they defected to the all-male group Duly Noted. If we're being honest, I should have seen that coming. The Troubletones and Duly Noted have been bringing in titles. However, New Direction has slowly become…what's the word…New Direction has gradually become obsolete.
I let Mr. Schue down. Superintendent Harris mysteriously vanished, and Sue has taken over in the interim. I heard Mr. Shue arguing about funding in his office the other day. If New Direction doesn't bring in a title soon, we must cut the club. But I will restore the New Direction, or my name isn't Sam Evans.
Sam approaches a bulletin board where he pins up a sign-up sheet. As he proceeds to walk away, May James comes to the board. She looks around the halls before pulling out a pen and signing.
May's Voiceover:
Can I be honest? If not with you, then who? I'm signing up for New Directions with my own hidden agenda. You see…I found out recently that I was adopted. I kind of convinced my parents to let me move to Ohio to learn more about my birth mother. I realized she went to this exact school. Mr. Schue went to school with or around the time my birthmother did, so if I get close to him, maybe I can find more information about her.
May scrolls into the Finn Hudson Auditorium, where Sam is seated in the audience. She walks onto the stage, where a spotlight hits her. She covered her eyes as the light was hitting her hard.
Sam: Welcome to the New Direction glee club auditions. Let's start with your name, classification, and selected song.
May: My name is May James. I'm a newly transferred Sophomore. I'll be performing Moon River sung by one Ms. Audrey Hepburn.
Sam: Good choice. Whenever you're ready.
May awkwardly stands in front of the mic. She takes a deep breath as the pianist begins to play.
May:
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
May smiles as she slowly leans into her confidence. She was beginning to enjoy herself as the performance continued. Sam watches with a smile. He was truly captivated.
May:
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end
Waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me
Sam shoots from his seat, applauding. May is taken aback but gives a cute little curtsy and then walks off the stage. Sam jots down some notes on his pad of paper.
Mr. Schue closes his office door. He walks over to his desk and begins to skim over some papers. Grace Cyrus sits in his office across from her desk. You can tell she did not want to be there by her body language.
Mr. Schue: Your probation officers said you needed to complete community services. Unfortunately, he didn't tell me why, but you've been assigned to McKinley.
Grace: I wouldn't be here if I didn't know that already. Can you just tell me what I need to do so I can leave?
Mr. Schue: I have the perfect job for you.
Will and Grace appear at the football stadium where the Titans and the Cheerios practice.
Mr. Schue: Our head cheerleading coach is on maternity leave. You'll be in charge of the Cheerios until she's back.
Confident and combative, Elena Vega approaches the two as she tightens her black shoulder-length signature Cheerio's ponytail.
Elena: I'm Elena. I'm the vice-captain of the squad. I'm pretty sure that I'll be captain this year. If you have any questions, you can come to me.
Grace begins to roll her eyes. She turns around as an upbeat version of "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley starts to play. Elena and the Cheerios are dancing in the background performing.
Grace:
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing
You should've heard them knocked-out jailbirds sing
Grace with The Cheerios:
Let's rock everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Elena steps from the formation, taking the spotlight. The football teams stop practicing as they move closer to spectate. You can just see the hormones surging through their adolescent bodies.
Elena:
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
Elena with The Cheerios:
Let's rock everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Grace spots Sam appearing in the distance. She begins to smile as her interest is peaked.
Grace:
Number forty-seven said to number three
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure would be delighted with your company
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Grace joins the front and center of the Cheerios. She begins to perform with them. Elena continues the choreography, but she begins to become a little competitive. Grace spots Sam appearing in the distance. She begins to smile as her interest is peaked.
Grace and Elena with The Cheerios:
Let's rock everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
As the music ends, Grace snaps out of her fantasy. Sam stands in front of her with his hand extended.
Grace: Excuse me?
Sam: I said I'm Sam Evans. I'm the Coach of the football team. We'll see a lot of each other with you taking over the Cheerios.
Grace: I guess so, Mr. Evans.
Grace starts to shake Sam's hand. Their eyes connect, and a spark is ignited.
Autumn Rivers, not really one for blending in, her clothing was severe, including mesh tops, patent leather clothing adorned with zippers, plaid skirts, and heavy boots, opens her locker door.
She begins to rotate her books out when suddenly Elena slams the locker door shut. Autumn becomes frustrated but tries to remain composed.
Autumn: How can I help you, Elena?
Elena: You missed Cheerios practice. It's the first practice of the year, and unfortunately, since you're the captain, you need to be there.
Elena begins to scan Autumn and notices her new aesthetic.
Elena: This new look is a choice.
Autumn: Yeah. It's mine.
Autumn storms off, leaving Elena.
May appears in the hallway, where faint music can be heard. She starts to follow the sound until she reaches the band room. May peaks through the door to see Chase Collins playing his guitar. Chase's style was a more indie rock and skater-inspired wardrobe with slim jeans and tight-sleeved t-shirts.
May slowly enters the room, but Chase hasn't noticed her.
Chase:
Coming in unannounced, drag my nails on the tile
I just follow your scent, you can just follow my smile
All of your flaws are aligned with this mood of mine
Cutting me to the bone, nothing left to leave behind
You ought to keep me concealed just like I was a weapon
I didn't come for a fight, but I will fight 'til the end
This one might be a battle, might not turn out okay
You know you look so Seattle, but you feel so LA
LA-yeah, yeah-yeah
Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah
And I love the way you hurt me
It's irresistible
Oh, yeah
Oh-oh, yeah
I love the way (Yeah), I love the way (Yeah)
I love the way you hurt me, baby
I love the way (Yeah), I love the way (Yeah)
I love the way you hurt me, baby
May: She must have really hurt you.
Chase turns around, startled by his visitor.
Chase: Hey! You have no right to be listening in on someone.
Chase starts to pack up his things. May moves closer.
May: I'm sorry, but I heard you playing down the hall. I didn't know…
Chase: Yeah…Whatever.
Chase exits out of the band room. In the distance, we see Sam at the other entrance.
Sam takes a seat in the faculty lounge. Grace pours herself a cup of coffee and sits at his table. She gives him a flirtatious smile, but Sam is focused on his sign-up sheets.
Grace: What do you have here?
She grabs the sign-up sheet from his hand.
Grace: Glee club? Is that really a thing?
Sam: I'm unsure if you noticed, but McKinley is a performing arts school. Glee clubs are a big part of the school. It's been that way since I was in school.
Grace: Oh God! Don't tell me you were actually a student here. You poor thing.
Sam smiles as he takes back the sheet of paper.
Sam: If I don't find a way to save New Directions, they might disband the club. And that glee club is more than a performance club like the Troubletones or Duly Noted. It's where the voiceless find their voices. A place for outcasts to feel like they belong.
Grace: I don't know much about glee clubs, but if that's what you're looking to provide, maybe you should use that as your sales pitch. Show the kids why New Directions is the place to be.
Sam: You're right.
Grace: I know. I usually am.
Grace grabs her coffee and proceeds to leave the faculty lounge.
Chase is sitting on the ground near his locker, wearing headphones. May exits out of her class and spots him. She makes her way towards him and sits beside him, pulling books from her bag.
He continues to ignore her, but he's clearly starting to get annoyed.
May: Do you want to know something?
Chase: Not really.
May: I heard you singing earlier, and you should join the glee club. You're trying to put up this bad boy façade, but I can tell that you're the artsy type.
Chase: And what makes you think that you know anything about me?
May: Stop being so defensive. It's more to you than you're letting people see.
The bell begins to ring. Students start to scatter in different directions. May rises.
May: Mr. Evans is still conducting auditions. There's an impromptu meeting tomorrow after school. I hope to see you there.
May smiles as she continues down the hall.
Sam paces through the aisle. He hears footsteps approaching.
Autumn: I heard this is where glee club auditions are being held.
Sam: Yeah. I'm Mr. Evans. I'm the director of New Directions. What's your name and classification?
Autumn: Autumn. Autumn Rivers. I'm a sophomore.
Sam: Cool. How about we get started? Whenever you're ready, you can begin.
Autumn stands center stage. The auditorium was silent. Sam observes from the audience.
Autumn:
Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good
The band joins in as she belts the note. Sam smiles, hearing the power in her voice. The band accentuated her voice. She continues to sing with pain, passion, and rawness.
Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
Elena watches with resentment from the auditorium balcony. Autumn moves and sways as she begins her preparation for a fantastic final belt of the lyrics.
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Sam rises to his feet, cheering and applauding.
The door to the choir room slowly opens. Chase quietly closes the door behind him. He opens the cabinet in the corner, pulling out camping gear: sleeping mat, pillow, and covers. He begins to set up in the corner, out of sight.
As time goes by the sun begins to light the choir room, Chase starts to her rattling at the door. He quickly throws everything back into the cabinet. He turns around to see Sam standing there.
Sam: Mr. Collins?
Chase: Good Morning, Mr. Evans.
Sam: Did you sleep here last night?
Chase stutters, trying to find the correct answer. Several students, along with May, slowly trickle into the room. Sam steps closer to Chase for privacy.
Sam: There's a lost and found in my office. You can use the showers in the locker room.
May watches the interaction from afar. Chase nods his head and quickly exits the choir room. Sam focuses his attention on the other members. He drags the famous whiteboard over to the center of the room. He begins to write REINVENTION.
Sam: Reinvention! I want to thank each of you for auditioning.
Mikey: I'm only here because the Duly Noted waitlist had a waitlist.
Mikey is a self-aware, cynical, and quick-witted kid who has always struggled with his weight and, consequently, has taken a social backseat. Next to him sat Sarina Jordan, who tends to come across as stuck up and innocent but is very kind-hearted; her hair is in a very Ariana Grande-styled ponytail, and she wore glasses.
Dallas was quiet and spoke only when necessary. He's honorable and chivalrous, and he usually almost always can be seen wearing a cowboy hat. Lastly, there was Nathen, an incredibly caring friend to practically everyone. He's sweet and always puts others before himself, perhaps too often.
Sam: I know that New Directions isn't everyone's top choice right now for Glee Club, but we are a title-holding show choir like Duly Noted and the Troubletones.
Mikey: Not to be that guy, but New Directions hasn't won a competition since 2015. Duly Noted has won Nationals the past 2 years.
May: We can't have that mindset. If we think we're going to lose, then we will.
Dallas: Manifestation is real, bro.
Mikey gives both May and Dallas the side eye.
Sarina: Excuse me, Mr. Evans. Are we even supposed to be meeting this earlier? Classes are starting soon.
Sam: I called you here this early to see your competition.
New Direction quietly sneaks into the auditorium. They take a seat along the back row. On the stage is Duly Noted, led by Apollo Davidson. They have adopted the New Direction's previous uniform: a red blazer with white trim, a plaid tie, a white shirt, gray pants, and black shoes.
Mikey: They look amazing!
Dallas (to the other members): That one could talk the hide off a cow.
Everyone shrugs in confusion. May, Sarina, Nathen, and Mikey continue to spectate. Apollo turns his attention to the crowd.
Apollo: No need to hide. We're always ready to perform.
The New Direction rises from behind the chairs. "Shine" by Years and Years begins to play. Apollo gets into formation as Duly Noted starts to dance.
Apollo:
I remember us alone
Waiting for the light to go
Don't you feel that hunger?
I've got so many secrets to show
When I saw you on that stage
I shivered with the look you gave
Don't you hear that rhythm?
Can you show me how we can escape?
Duly Noted:
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Apollo:
I was biting my tongue, I was trying to hide
Duly Noted:
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Apollo:
I'll forget what I've done, I will be redefined
The performance becomes more high-energy as the song picks up. Apollo winks to New Direction, with Mikey fangirling over the number.
Apollo with Duly Noted harmonizing:
It's shaking the sky, and I'm following lightning
I'll recover if you keep me alight
Don't leave me behind
Can you see me? I'm shining
And it's you that I've been waiting to find
I'm holding it all tonight
Unfolding it all tonight
You know that you make it shine
It's you that I've been waiting to find
I'm holding it all tonight
Unfolding it all tonight
You know that you make it shine
It's you that I've been waiting to find
Apollo with Duly Noted harmonizing (Duncan):
(Tonight) Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (Tonight)
It's you that I've been waiting to find
(Tonight) Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh (Tonight)
It's you that I've been waiting to find
Apollo smiles as he and the rest of Duly Noted clear the stage. New Directions look at each other with dread.
The Cheerios and the football team are on the football field practicing. Grace appears beside Sam.
Grace: Hey Coach.
Sam: Morning. How's the team treating you?
Autumn steps onto the field and begins to stretch along with the Cheerios. Elena rises up and begins to storm over.
Elena: I'm still trying to figure out your problem, but practice was scheduled 20 minutes ago.
Autumn: I thought I was captain.
Sam points to the young ladies.
Sam: You might want to stop that before it escalates.
Grace: Such a boy scout.
Grace departs, but not before sending some flirtatious looks towards Sam.
Grace: Alright, ladies, no more catfighting. Let's get this practice started.
Elena and Autumn separate.
Autumn: I quit. I can't be around this girl anymore.
Autumn grabs her things and storms off the field. Sam continues to observe while also jotting down notes on his clipboard.
May, Sarina, and Mikey are seen walking down the hall. May spots Chase going into the choir room.
May: I'll catch up with you guys. I forgot something in my locker.
The group dispersed, with May following behind Chase. She notices Chase ravaging through the cabinet, but he picks up on her presence.
Chase: I need you to stop sneaking up on me and following me.
May: I hate to break it to you, but I'm doing neither. I just wanted to talk to you.
Chase grabs his bookbag and tries to head for the door, but May steps in front of him.
May: This morning…
Chase: I don't have time for this. I have to get to class.
Chase pushes past May. She has a look of worry as she watches Chase walk away. She turns around and notices a picture inside the trophy cabinet. There's a picture of New Directions, Mr. Schue, Holly Holiday, and April Rhodes. May moves closer as if she knows someone in the picture.
She snaps out of it and proceeds to exit.
May: Sorry I'm late.
May said as she raced down the walkway in the auditorium. She joins the rest of New Directions. Sam stands beside Autumn.
Sam: Everyone, this is Autumn. She'll also be joining us.
Autumn joins the rest of the club.
May: This morning, you thanked us, Mr. Evans, but we didn't have a chance to thank you.
Mikey: New Directions is no Duly Noted, but you're giving us a chance to shine.
Sarina: I'm a freshman but have already made some new friends. I haven't always been good at doing that, so thank you.
Dallas: If I felt any better, I'd think it was a setup
Mikey: No one understands you.
Nathen: We prepared a little number. Hope you like it.
The newly formed New Directions are on stage, seated on stools. The pianist begins to play "Invisible" by Hunter Hayes.
May:
Crowded hallways are the loneliest places
For outcasts and rebels
Sarina:
Or anyone who just dares to be different
Autumn:
And you've been trying for so long
To find out where your place is
But in their narrow minds
Sarina:
There's no room for anyone who dares to do something different
Oh, but listen for a minute
Dallas:
Trust the one
Who's been where you are, wishin' all it was sticks and stones
Mikey:
Those words cut deep, but they don't mean you're all alone
And you're not invisible
Nathen:
Hear me out
There's so much more to life than what you're feeling now
Someday you'll look back on all these days
And all this pain is gonna be invisible
May:
So your confidence is quiet
To them, quiet looks like weakness
But you don't have to fight it
'Cause you're strong enough to win without a war
Autumn:
Every heart has a rhythm
Let yours beat out so loudly
That everyone can hear it
Yeah, I promise you don't need to hide it anymore
Sami:
Oh, and never be afraid of doin' something different
(with Nathen: Dare to be somethin' more)
Nathen:
Trust the one
Who's been where you are, wishin' all it was sticks and stones
Mikey:
Yeah, the words cut deep, but they don't mean you're all alone
(with Autumn: And you're not invisible)
Grace navigates her way through the hallway. She notices Sam, who is in the process of locking his office door. As he makes his way down the hall heading in her Direction, he waves as they brush past one another.
Grace:
Hear me out
There's so much more of this life than what you're feeling now
And someday you'll look back on all these days
And all this pain is gonna be invisible
Elena opens her locker. She looks at her reflection in the mirror hanging from the door.
Elena:
These labels that they give you
Just 'cause they don't understand
Autumn:
If you look past this moment
You'll see you've got a friend
Elena and Autumn:
Wavin' a flag for who you are
And all you're gonna do
Yeah, so here's to you
The auditorium door swings open as Chase makes his way inside.
May and Chase:
And here's to anyone who's ever felt invisible
Chase joins them on the stage.
Chase (belting the note):
Yeah
And you're not invisible
Hear me out
There's so much more to life than what you're feeling now
Yeah, someday you'll look back on all these days
From the back of the auditorium, Sam watches with pride.
Sam:
And all this pain is gonna be invisible
It'll be invisible
Sam joins them on the stage as the club members cheer. Sam places his hand on Chase's shoulder. In the moment, Chase and May steal a glance at each other.
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Episode will premiere every Thursday at 8:30 PM CST