Season 2, Ep 16 - Original Song
At Dalton Academy, The Warblers rehearse their opening number for Regionals: Maroon 5’s “Misery.” While Blaine does a great job singing the lead, Kurt doesn’t seem as into the performance as the others. Afterwards, Kurt privately confesses that while Blaine’s solos are “breathtaking” they are also numerous; he says he feels less like part of a group and more like a backup singer.
At McKinley, Rachel performs her original song “Only Child” for Finn; while he acknowledges the new song is definitely better than the first (“My Hairband”,) he recommends she try to dig deeper and get to the stuff ”that’s relatable to everybody.” From the hallway, Quinn watches the interaction between Finn and Rachel; she confesses (via voice-over) that while she really does like Finn, she is with him mainly for his cache of popularity. She feels confident that together they can be elected Prom King and Queen, which will restore her to the top spot on McKinley’s social ladder. Despite her confidence, Quinn feels like if anyone can steal Finn away from her it would be the more talented Rachel; in order to prevent that from happening (and to “keep (her) enemies closer,”) Quinn decides she needs to become Rachel’s new best friend. The next morning as Kurt prepares for school, he discovers that The Warblers’ mascot: the bird named “Pavarotti” (with which he’s been entrusted) has died. Upon his arrival at Dalton, Kurt sings The Beatles’ “Blackbird” to honor the fallen mascot. The other Warblers join in on the touching and heartfelt song. At McKinley, Will tells the kids that he’s received a “cease and desist” letter from My Chemical Romance and that they will not be able to perform “Sing” at Regionals. Rachel repeats her assertion that New Directions should sing an original song; this time Quinn (surprisingly) backs up the suggestion and volunteers to help Rachel write it. Santana suggests that if Quinn and Rachel can write a song for Regionals, the rest of the kids should be given the same opportunity; Will agrees.
In Rachel’s bedroom, she and Quinn start their musical collaboration; Rachel begins to sing a song she’s been writing based – it would seem – on her failed relationship with Finn. Quinn stops the song and suggests that the recently single Rachel is too “awesome” to be writing songs about something as pedestrian as a failed romance. At Dalton Academy, Blaine suggests (much to the surprise of the other Warblers) that instead of his solo, he and Kurt should sing a duet at Regionals. Once the others get past their initial shock they are convinced; Kurt is flattered and overjoyed. In the choir room, Santana performs her original song: a lounge ballad called “Trouty Mouth” which is a love song to Sam’s oddly large maw. While Santana seriously gets into the song, Sam objects and Will agrees. Next up is Puck, who sings his original rockabilly homage to the plus-sized Lauren Zizes: “Big Ass Heart.” Lauren loves it. Despite the catchy beat, Will still thinks the kids need to continue looking for a more appropriate anthem. In the hallway, Finn and Quinn talk; while he is preoccupied with winning Regionals, she views the contest more as a precursor to her winning the Prom Queen’s crown. She tells him as soon as they win Regionals, they need to make their relationship public; he worries that Rachel may still be too fragile to handle the news but Quinn refuses to negotiate. She gives him a kiss and walks away; an unnoticed Rachel has witnessed the entire exchange.
At Dalton Academy, Blaine tells Kurt he wants their Regionals duet to be Hey Monday’s “Candles.” Kurt wonders why Blaine has picked him to sing with; Blaine responds that while listening to Kurt sing “Blackbird,” the proverbial “light bulb” went on and his heart “expanded.” He says in that moment, he realized he’s “been looking for (Kurt) forever.” The two kiss. Back at McKinley, Mercedes performs her original song: a funky groove entitled “Hell to the No.” The song chronicles all of her personal trials from throughout the school year. Will still doesn’t think it is a winning song choice for Regionals; he tells the kids that the greatest songs are about “hurt” and suggests they need to get in touch with the pain they all feel inside. Artie mentions that considering how awfully Coach Sylvester treats them, they should be ripe with ideas; Will agrees and the kids start brainstorming for their song “Loser Like Me.” Rachel confronts Quinn and asks her if she and Finn are seeing each other; Quinn admits the truth. At first, Rachel is devastated but she begins to rebound when Quinn describes what her future with Finn (or “some version of Finn”) holds: spending evenings at home in Lima, Ohio watching Rachel on TV. Rachel says she hasn’t given up on the thought that she and Finn will end up together. Quinn scoffs and says her looks will always trump Rachel’s talent and adds that being stuck in “some little girl fantasy” is precisely why Rachel can’t write her epic song: “If you keep seeing things like there are happy endings you’re never going to get it right.” Rachel decides she should write her song alone and storms out; that night she cries as she sits on her bed and pens “Get it Right.”
At McKinley, Will prepares to get the kids on the bus to leave for Regionals; Sue approaches and (after admitting she forged the earlier “cease and desist” letter) begins to gloat about her plan to win the singing competition. Apparently, Sue has learned the identities of the three judges: her former lover Rod Remington, an exotic dancer-turned-nun Sister Mary Constance and a recent Tea Party candidate Tammy Jean Albertson (who is not a witch.) Sue plans to pander to them with a custom set list including songs about “a fella I like to call – the Jesus.” In the auditorium for Regionals, Aural Intensity begins the competition by singing Sonseed’s “Jesus is My Friend.” Both New Directions and The Warblers seem confused by the song choice which elicits a standing ovation from Tammy Jean. Next, The Warblers prepare to take the stage; Kurt is terribly nervous but Blaine manages to calm him down. The Warblers sing backup as Kurt and Blaine take the lead parts for “Candles.” In the audience, Rachel takes note of how intently Finn is listening to the lyrics which chronicle the lonely feelings that make up the aftermath of a failed romantic relationship. The song ends and the crowd goes wild. The Warblers launch into their second song: Pink’s “Raise Ur Glass.” The song brings the auditorium to its feet as everyone dances. Afterwards Puck comments, “Holy crap, they’re good.” Rachel can’t argue and knows The Warblers will be hard to beat.
In the alley behind the theater, Rachel tells Will she’s having second thoughts about singing her original song; despite Mr. Shuester’s assertion that her song is really good, Rachel seems apprehensive about performing the highly personal number, especially in front of Finn. Will says they are free to perform “Sing” but tells Rachel it would be a shame if she passed up the chance to show everyone who she really is: “the most talented, original performer this place has ever seen.” It’s all she needs to hear. Backstage, Finn offers Rachel words of encouragement; she tells him to listen to her lyrics because “I mean every word.” Onstage, Rachel begins to sing; it doesn’t take long for her nerves to dissipate and it becomes obvious why she is the star of the group. Finn seems transfixed by the song and by the singer; Quinn takes notice. The rest of the group joins in as the song ends to raucous applause. Next, New Directions performs “Loser Like Me.” Sue looks uneasy when she realizes the song is about her. The audience loves the song and they all begin to dance; as the song screams to a finish, Will and the gleeks are overjoyed.
Following the judges’ deliberation, the drunken wife of the Lieutenant Governor announces the winner: New Directions. The glee kids explode in jubilant thrills as Blaine, Kurt and The Warblers politely deflate. Sue – as graceless in defeat as she ever is in victory - punches the Lieutenant Governor’s wife in the face. Later on a hillside, Kurt and Blaine bury Pavarotti; Kurt admits to feeling upset about the competitive loss but Blaine says they are really winners because they found each other. They walk away hand in hand. In the choir room at McKinley, Will congratulates the kids on their victory; while he acknowledges their win was a team effort, he and the rest of the gleeks single out Rachel as the “Regionals MVP” and present her with a trophy all her own. Rachel addresses her fellow Glee Clubbers and thanks them for having enough faith to agree to perform her song; she says (as she looks at Finn) that while she may never get “the brass ring,” she is grateful for finally feeling “chosen.” Later, Quinn approaches Rachel; she takes credit for dishing out the harsh dose of reality needed to spawn the song and says now that she and Finn are “officially” dating, she hopes Rachel will support their bid to become Prom King and Queen. Rachel counters that with her newfound fame at McKinley, she won’t rule out a run for the crown herself; she mentions that considering the way Finn was looking at her while she was singing, Quinn has just cause to feel threatened. A newly confident Rachel walks off leaving Quinn in an uncomfortable state of uncertainty.
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