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Season Five of Glee aired between September 26, 2013 and May 13, 2014. The first 8 episodes aired on Thursdays at 9PM EST before moving back to Tuesdays at 8PM EST for the remainder of the season. The premiere was originally set for September 19, but was postponed for a week due to Cory Monteith's death.

The season saw Glee celebrating its landmark 100th episode in a two-part special event. The episodes aired on March 18 and March 25, 2014, respectively.

For the season, Melissa Benoist, Jacob Artist, Becca Tobin, Blake Jenner, and Alex Newell were promoted to series regulars, as their characters were only recurring in Season Four. Amber Riley, Heather Morris, Mark Salling, and Harry Shum Jr. were reduced to recurring guest stars after previously being in the main cast.

Due to Cory Monteith's passing, the show saw his character's death in the third episode of the season, which displayed a tribute to the late actor and character alike. Subsequent episodes also dealt with his death in different ways.

Following Monteith's death, production of Glee was halted for three weeks. Consequently, the season has only 20 episodes, instead of 22, like the previous seasons.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Special Guest Stars

Guest Stars

Co-Stars

Episodes

Image Title Original Airdate U.S. Viewers
(in millions)
Tumblr muqlna4tsK1qg49w0o2 500 1. "Love, Love, Love" September 26, 2013
5.06

Plot: The New Directions are back in action and take on their biggest assignment yet: The Beatles! As Will enlists the kids to pay homage to the classic song catalog from the Fab Four, Blaine and Kurt attempt to answer questions about their future together. Meanwhile, Rachel's New York ambitions take an unexpected turn and Santana is on the ready to assist her. Back at McKinleyArtie, and Kitty's bond strengthens, Sue's scheming has got her the role of the Interim Principal and Blaine attempts to solve Tina's loneliness.

Singles: "Yesterday" (Rachel), "Drive My Car" (Artie and Kitty with New Directions), "Got to Get You Into My Life" (Blaine and Kurt), "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" (Artie and Kitty), "Help!" (Blaine and Sam with Haverbrook Deaf Choir, New Directions, Vocal Adrenaline, and The Warblers), "A Hard Day's Night" (Rachel and Santana), "I Saw Her Standing There" (Blaine, Jake, Ryder, and Sam), "All You Need Is Love" (Blaine with Haverbrook Deaf Choir, New Directions, Vocal Adrenaline, and The Warblers)

502tina 2. "Tina in the Sky with Diamonds" October 3, 2013
4.42

Plot: In the second part of The Beatles tribute, The Junior-Senior Brundle Prom is just around the corner and Tina is more than prepared to receive the title of the Prom Queen. However, Bree has plans to push Tina aside and humiliate her, attempting to bring Kitty into the case, who is torn between siding with the New Directions or the Cheerios. While Tina is unaware of Bree's scheme, she is focused on Prom Queen, rejecting to go to the Prom with Sam, who now has an eye on college sophomore school nurse, Penny. Meanwhile in New York, Santana bonds with her fellow co-worker, Dani (portrayed by special guest star Demi Lovato) and Kurt attempts to bring Rachel's mojo back as Rachel wonders whether she'll get her dream Broadway role.


Singles: "Get Back" (Kurt and Rachel), "Something" (Sam with Jake and Ryder), "Here Comes the Sun" (Dani and Santana), "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (Jake, Marley, Ryder, and Unique), "Hey Jude" (New Directions), "Let It Be" (Kurt, New Directions, Rachel, and Santana)

5.03Still1 3. "The Quarterback" October 10, 2013
7.39

Plot: In the wake of Finn's sudden death, old friends return to McKinley to grieve in the only way they know - by singing. Kurt, Burt and Carole sort out Finn's belongings; Sue, Santana and Puck seek guidance as their anger and pain over Finn's death frustrates them; Will and Shannon assist in helping everybody else grieve, but Emma realises that Will isn't allowing himself time to cry and Rachel makes a return to McKinley, presenting the Glee Club with something meaningful.

Singles: "Seasons of Love" (Alumni and New Directions), "I'll Stand by You" (Mercedes with New Directions), "Fire and Rain" (Artie and Sam with New Directions), "If I Die Young" (Santana with New Directions), "No Surrender" (Puck), "Make You Feel My Love" (Rachel)

010~4691 4. "A Katy or A Gaga" November 7, 2013
4.01

Plot: Nationals is in four weeks and Mr. Schue just got the secret setlist of the New Directions' competition at Nationals. One of the show choirs, Throat Explosion, proves to be a threat, and so, Will gives the Glee Club an assignment: Katy Perry or Lady Gaga. The Katys will sing Gaga songs while the Gagas will sing Katy songs. Given the assignment, Sam is eager to use it to improve the chances of him and Penny getting together, Marley struggles to become a Gaga and impress Jake and Sue and Bree have bad plans, involving the Glee Club. In New York, Kurt's Madonna Cover band is in development as one stunning performer, Elliott (portrayed by guest-star Adam Lambert), auditions, causing Kurt to become conflicted.

Singles: "Marry the Night" (Elliott), "Applause" (Artie, Blaine, Marley, Ryder, and Sam), "Wide Awake" (Kitty, Jake, Tina, and Unique), "Roar" (New Directions and Pamela Lansbury)

Tumblr mvg6e1ToNR1r4ezfzo1 500 5. "The End of Twerk" November 14, 2013
4.22

Plot: After the New Directions watch Blaine's scandalous twerking video, Will is inspired by it and introduces a new assignment: Twerk. Just as the Glee Club gets into it, Sue is already on her way to ending twerk at McKinley, igniting the war between her and Will one step further. Furthermore, at McKinley, tension and drama arises as Unique continues to be harassed and bullied as she enters the boy's bathroom and Jake and Bree's affair is finally revealed to Marley. In New York, rebellion is in the air after Rachel takes a risk with Funny Girl and convinces Kurt to get tattoos, however, for both Kurt and Rachel, rebellion often comes with a risk.

Singles: "You Are Woman, I Am Man" (Paolo and Rachel),  "Blurred Lines" (Bree, New Directions, and Will),  "If I Were a Boy" (Unique), "Wrecking Ball" (Marley), "On Our Way" (New Directions)

AbsentNaya Rivera

Tumblr mvltq00WhZ1shg6yqo1 500 6. "Movin' Out" November 21, 2013
4.09

Plot: Graduation is coming soon and Sue begins an annual Careers Fair for students to explore careers and dreams to pursue. However, there isn't anything supporting the Arts and Theatre and Will assigns the Glee Club with Billy Joel music, a person who struggled as an artist but managed to pursue his dreams and become a well-known star. At McKinley, Artie attempts to help Becky take a chance at college against Sue's decision to keep her at McKinley and Jake's attitude after Marley dumped him worsens, with Ryder deciding to interfere. Blaine and Sam depart to New York for a week to prepare for their careers: Blaine's audition forNYADA and Sam's interview for his scholarship at Hunter. However, due to Sam's lack of passion for college, Rachel assists in Sam's career in male-modelling and Blaine has a change of heart to what he wants to do in the future.

Singles: "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" (Blaine and Sam), "Piano Man" (Blaine with Diner Patrons), "My Life" (Jake), "Honesty" (Artie), "An Innocent Man" (Ryder), "Just the Way You Are" (Blaine, Kurt, Rachel, Sam, and Santana), "You May Be Right" (Will and New Directions)

Tumblr mw631a4Xip1qg49w0o4 1280 7. "Puppet Master" November 28, 2013
2.84

Plot: Blaine becomes incredibly controlling when the time comes for the Glee Club to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming National Championships. When he decides to ask Kurt for more advice, Kurt calls him a "Puppet Master," forcing Blaine to become even more controlling and furious. Back in New York, Kurt has trouble, being a puppet master himself as he attempts to find a venue for Pamela Lansbury's first gig, which his other bandmates aren't too keen about. At McKinley, Jake gets a shocker from Bree and Sue struggles with her femininity.

Singles: "Into the Groove" (Pamela Lansbury), "You're My Best Friend" (Blaine with New Directions), "Nasty/Rhythm Nation" (Bree, Jake, and Marley with Cheerios), "Cheek to Cheek" (Sue and Will), "The Fox" (New Directions and Pamela Lansbury)

Christmas Rachel 8. "Previously Unaired Christmas" December 5, 2013
3.29

Plot: Some edits are made to a never-before-aired Christmas episode that was kept hidden by FOX, which can now be shown. In an alternate universe to Glee, Actually, the Glee Club in Lima celebrates Christmas but also have to prepare for the 50th Annual Christmas Decoration competition, which Becky, Sam, and Tina are all eager to win. The Glee Club (who also have taken the role of The Christmas Club) also have to prepare a living Nativity Scene, and Marley, Tina, and Unique are all eager to play the role of Mary. Despite Kitty secretly wanting the role, she doesn't audition, leaving Marley and the Glee Club to organize the Nativity. In New York, Santana joins Kurt and Rachel for a New York Christmas and Rachel reveals that she's landed them a part-time job as Christmas elves in a Santa Land Mall, which doesn't go as planned.

Singles: "Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)" (Kurt, Rachel, and Santana), "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Will and New Directions), "Mary's Little Boy Child" (Marley, Tina, Unique), "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" (Cody, Kurt, Rachel, and Santana), "Love Child" (Unique with Marley and Tina), "Away in a Manger" (Kurt, New Directions, Rachel, and Santana)

Glee-season-5-santana-funny-girl-understudy-frenemies 9. "Frenemies February 25, 2014
2.99

Plot: Artie and Tina compete against each other for the spot of Senior Class Valedictorian, and also for a solo at Nationals, which strains their friendship. In New York, Kurt begins to believe that Elliott is out to take control of Pamela Lansbury. Rachel gets a shock when Santana tries out for her understudy, which causes a feud between the two roommates.

Singles: "Whenever I Call You Friend" (Artie and Tina with New Directions), "Brave" (Rachel and Santana), "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" (Artie and Tina with New Directions and Will), "Don't Rain on My Parade" (Santana), "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" (Kurt and Elliott), "Every Breath You Take" (Rachel and Santana), "Breakaway" (Artie, Blaine, and Tina with New Directions)

Tumblr my0o36m97Q1r4ezfzo1 500 10. "Trio" March 4, 2014
2.68

Plot: Rachel and Santana continue to feud over their roles in Funny Girl, much to the despair of Kurt and the other members of Pamela Lansbury. Meanwhile, Tina, Blaine and Sam make the most of their last days before graduation and Will and Emma keenly maintain their efforts to have a child.

Singles: "Jumpin' Jumpin'" (Blaine, Sam, and Tina), "Barracuda" (Elliott and Rachel), "Don’t You (Forget About Me)" (Blaine, Sam, and Tina), "Danny’s Song" (Emma and Will), "Gloria" (Elliott, Rachel, and Santana), "The Happening" (One Three Hill), "Hold On" (Artie, Blaine, One Three Hill, Rachel, Sam, Santana and Tina)

CoA Stills BTS (40) 11. "City of Angels" March 11, 2014
2.30

Plot: The Glee Club travels to Los Angeles for Nationals, where they devote their performance in honor of Finn. They meet their biggest rivals; Throat Explosion. Listening to Will's advice, Sam steps up and becomes the leader. However, his own contagious optimism is threatened when he loses a good luck charm. Meanwhile, Burt and Carole look forward to sharing the Nationals experience with Finn's friends. When Ryder finds out that Marley has given up on songwriting and is leaving the Glee Club after the competition, he and Jake get help from Mercedes to change her mind.

Singles:  "I Love LA" (New Directions and Will), "Vacation" (The Amazonians), "Mr. Roboto/Counting Stars" (Jean Baptiste with Throat Explosion), "More Than a Feeling" (New Directions), "America" (New Directions), "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" (New Directions) 

100 still (14) 12. "100" March 18, 2014 2.80

Plot: After the defeat at Nationals and the consequently imminent break up of the glee club by Principal Sue, the alumni return to McKinley to share stories and to celebrate what the last 100 lessons have meant to them. Among the returnees are the dueling divas Rachel and Mercedes, who, in spite of the fact that they are making progress in their own industries, seem determined to revive an old feud. A new and improved Puck, recently inducted into the military, intends to impress Quinn, his old girlfriend and mother of his daughter - he receives an unwanted surprise in the process. The MIT student and newfound mathematical genius Brittany believes that she has permanently lost her creative streak, and the Broadway bad girl and alcoholic April Rhodes may have a solution for the doomed glee club, but not if Sue has anything to say about it.

Singles: "Raise Your Glass" (April and Will with Alumni and New Directions), "Toxic" (Brittany, Quinn, and Santana), "Defying Gravity" (Mercedes, Rachel, and Kurt), "Valerie" (Brittany and Santana with Alumni and New Directions), "Keep Holding On" (Puck with Alumni and New Directions), "Happy" (Holly with Alumni, April, New Directions, and Will)

Tumblr n2owk2NZB41ql1znmo2 1280 13. "New Directions" March 25, 2014 2.68

Plot: The alumni and current students say their last goodbyes to the Glee Club. Holly and April remain determined to save the New Directions, but meet fierce resistance from Sue. Meanwhile, the seniors prepare for graduation, although Tina is still unsure of her direction in the world. With Kurt and Mercedes' help, Rachel and Santana mend old differences, while both Puck and Quinn and Brittany and Santana prepare for new lives with each other. Will struggles to bid farewell to the club he loves.

Singles: "I Am Changing" (Kurt and Mercedes), "Party All the Time" (Holly with Alumni, New Directions, and Will), "Loser Like Me" (Artie, Blaine, Sam, and Tina), "Be Okay" (Rachel and Santana), "Just Give Me a Reason" (Quinn and Puck), "Don't Stop Believin'" (Alumni, New Directions, and Will)

NNY Rachel BTS (2) 14. "New New York" April 1, 2014 2.59

Plot: Blaine, Sam and Artie move to New York after graduation, and all struggle to adapt to life in the Big Apple. Kurt and Blaine find that living in such close proximity to each other causes unwanted friction between them, and Elliott is forced to step in. Artie is once again taken advantage of due to his disability, and Sam is lacking in motivation, much to Blaine's frustration. Meanwhile, Rachel happily benefits from her major role in Funny Girl, but learns an important lesson in the process. An unexpected arrival draws them all back together.

Singles: "Downtown" (Artie, Blaine, Kurt, Rachel, and Sam), "You Make Me Feel So Young" (Blaine and Kurt), "Best Day of My Life" (Blaine and Sam), "Rockstar" (Elliott and Kurt),  "Don't Sleep in the Subway" (Artie and Rachel), "People" (Rachel)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa BenoistBlake JennerJane LynchMatthew MorrisonAlex NewellNaya RiveraBecca TobinJenna Ushkowitz

Vigil 3 15. "Bash" April 8, 2014 2.78

Plot: While the NYADA students prepare assignments for the mid-winter critique, Rachel struggles to cope with the combined pressure of her Funny Girl role and her dramatic studies, while Kurt deals with a gay bashing incident. Rachel makes a drastic decision about her future following a confrontation with Madame Tibideaux over her poor effort in classes, and an argument between her and Kurt has unforeseen consequences. Meanwhile, Mercedes begins to question whether her interracial relationship with Sam will harm her Music career.

Singles: "No One Is Alone" (Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel), "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" (Mercedes), "Broadway Baby" (Rachel and Blaine), "Not While I'm Around" (Blaine, Mercedes (album), Rachel (album), and Sam (album)), "Colorblind" (Mercedes), "I'm Still Here" (Kurt)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa Benoist, Blake Jenner, Jane LynchMatthew MorrisonAlex Newell, Naya Rivera, Becca Tobin, Jenna Ushkowitz

Tumblr n2gaxrXflP1rojy6eo5 250 16. "Tested" April 15, 2014 2.44

Plot: Blaine discovers his newfound love of cronuts has the side-effect of weight gain - the "Freshman Fifteen.” Combined with witnessing a more self-confident Kurt rapidly rising at NYADA, Blaine begins to suffer a crisis in confidence. As Artie enjoys a success with the ladies at Film School, he is quick to avail himself of all opportunities presented him. However, he soon discovers that his Casanova ways comes with a price. As roommates Mercedes and Sam explore being a couple, she confesses that she is still a virgin and is not sure when she will be ready for them to make love for the first time.

Singles: "Addicted to Love" (Artie), "I Want to Know What Love Is" (Mercedes), "Love Is a Battlefield" (Blaine and Kurt), and "Let's Wait Awhile" (Artie and Mercedes)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa BenoistBlake Jenner, Jane LynchMatthew MorrisonAlex NewellNaya RiveraBecca TobinJenna Ushkowitz

Tumblr n3s33y4cE51qg25zco4 500 17. "Opening Night" April 22, 2014 2.45

Plot: Rachel suffers a crisis of confidence as the date of her opening night on Broadway rapidly approaches. Despite the housemates best attempts to return her to her usual self, the situation is not helped by the arrival of Sue, who has grudgingly accompanied Will to New York to watch the performance. Unexpectedly, Sue finds love, and Will's life changes forever. Meanwhile, Rachel is forced to face the music, and live her lifelong dream for the very first time.

Singles: "Lovefool" (Rachel with Santana and Tina), "NYC" (Sue and Will), "I'm the Greatest Star" (Rachel), "Who Are You Now" (Rachel and Sue), "Pumpin Blood" (Rachel with Blaine, Kurt, Mercedes, and Santana)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa BenoistBlake JennerKevin McHaleAlex NewellBecca Tobin

Mercedes still tbu 18. "The Back-Up Plan" April 29, 2014 2.41

Plot: Rachel is presented with a unique opportunity and takes a risk that could either take her career to the next level or kill it entirely. Meanwhile, Mercedes asks for Santana’s help finding a “new sound” for her latest single, and a wealthy New York socialite takes Blaine under her wing.

Singles: "Wake Me Up" (Rachel), "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (Mercedes and Santana), "Story of My Life" (Blaine and Kurt), "Piece of My Heart" (Blaine and June), "The Rose" (Rachel)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa BenoistBlake JennerJane LynchKevin McHaleMatthew MorrisonAlex NewellChord OverstreetBecca TobinJenna Ushkowitz

Tumblr n4g8uql9ve1qg25zco3 500 19. "Old Dog, New Tricks" May 6, 2014 2.10

Plot: Santana attempts to help Rachel perform damage control on her flagging public image, with mixed success. Kurt tries to help a home for retired Broadway performers with their production of Peter Pan, but is upset by the lack of concern that his friends show. To prove he is responsible, Sam adopts a dog - despite Mercedes’s objections.

Singles: "I Melt with You" (Rachel, Mercedes, and Sam), "Memory" (Kurt and Maggie), "Werewolves of London" (Artie and Sam), "Lucky Star" (Kurt and Maggie), "Take Me Home Tonight" (Artie, Blaine, Kurt, Maggie, Mercedes, Rachel, Sam and Santana)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa BenoistBlake JennerJane LynchMatthew MorrisonAlex NewellBecca Tobin, Jenna Ushkowitz

TURBP Stills 4 (2) 20. "The Untitled Rachel Berry Project" May 13, 2014 1.87

Plot: Rachel meets a famous television writer whose eccentric personality catches her and her friends off guard. Meanwhile, Sam and Mercedes deal with the pressure of commitment as their careers take off, and the time has finally come for Blaine’s big showcase with June Dolloway at NYADA.

Singles: "Shakin' My Head" (Mercedes),  "All of Me" (Blaine), "Girls on Film" (Sam with Charlie), "Glitter in the Air" (Rachel), "No Time at All" (Blaine and June), "American Boy" (Blaine and Kurt), "Pompeii" (Artie, Blaine, Brittany, Kurt, Mercedes, Rachel, and Sam)

Absent: Jacob ArtistMelissa BenoistBlake JennerJane LynchMatthew MorrisonAlex NewellNaya RiveraBecca TobinJenna Ushkowitz

Major events

  • Blaine and Kurt get back together and engaged and overcome obstacles in their relationship, such as living together in New York and Blaine's work-relationship with June Dolloway.
  • Artie and Kitty start a relationship and eventually break up.
  • Tina becomes Prom Queen 2013.
  • Sue becomes Principal at McKinley, while Figgins is demoted to Janitor.
  • Rachel is cast as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of "Funny Girl".
    • Santana becomes Rachel's understudy and their consequent feud and reconciliation.
    • Rachel drops out of NYADA to focus on her Broadway career.
    • Rachel leaves Broadway to pursue a career in television.
  • Finn's death and its consequences to the New Directions, Will, and McKinley alumni for the remainder of the series.
  • Kurt creates his first cover band, Pamela Lansbury, but due to lack of success and the feud between Santana and Rachel, he creates a new one: One Three Hill.
  • Marley and Jake's relationship and eventual break-up after Jake's affair with Bree.
  • The loss at the 2013 Nationals and the subsequent disbandment of the New Directions.
    • April and Holly's return to McKinley to honour and later help save the glee club.
  • Brittany and Santana get back together.
  • Puck and Quinn become a couple.
  • The graduation of several characters: Blaine, Sam, Brittany, Tina, Becky, and Artie
  • Tina's struggle to find a college.
    • Her acceptance to Brown University
  • Blaine, Sam, Artie, and Mercedes move to New York.
  • Sam and Mercedes' relationship and eventual breakup.
  • Sam's work as a model and quitting his modeling career to go back to Lima.
  • Mercedes leaves New York to go on a mall tour with Brittany and Santana.

Trivia

  • This is the first shortened season (20 episodes). Previous seasons had 22 episodes.
  • Chris ColferDarren Criss, and Lea Michele are the only three cast members to appear in every episode this season.
  • Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams) is absent for the first time in the series in Opening Night.
    • With his absence, there is no actor who has been present in every episode.
  • Kurt and Blaine have their respective last solos in this season.
  • Mercedes had more solos as a recurring character this season (with a total of five solos) than when she was a regular character last season (only one solo).
  • Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez) wore a black wig in later episodes of the season as she dyed her real hair blonde, which was not seen until Old Dog, New Tricks.
  • This is the only season where:
    • Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones) is not a series regular.
    • Jacob Artist (Jake Puckerman), Melissa Benoist (Marley Rose), Alex Newell (Unique Adams), Blake Jenner (Ryder Lynn), and Becca Tobin (Kitty Wilde) are series regulars.
    • Ashley Fink (Lauren Zizes) does not make a physical appearance. She is only seen in a flashback in City of Angels.
    • They released more EPs (11) than any other season.
    • Will and Tina do not sing a released solo.
    • Glee has the least amount of mash-ups with only two.
      • This is also the first season to not include a Madonna mash-up.
      • This is also the first season to not feature a mash-up competition.
    • There are less than two competition episodes in a season, with City of Angels being the only episode in which the Glee Club competes in all the season (in this case at Nationals).
      • This is also the only season in which there is no Sectionals competition.
    • There are no scenes set on the Gymnasium during the whole season.
    • They do not cover a song from Chicago. The previous ones all consisted of exactly one Chicago number: Mr. Cellophane, Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag, Cell Block Tango and All That Jazz. Mr. Cellophane was reprised in the season six episode 2009.
    • Rachel doesn't sing in the first duet of a season (Season 1 being Don't Stop Believing, Season 2 is Telephone, Season 3 is Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead, Season 4 with New York State of Mind, and Season 6 being Suddenly Seymour)
  • This is the last season:
    • Naya Rivera and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang) are series regulars.
    • Blaine, Jake, Marley, Ryder, Sam, and Unique appear as New Directions members.
    • Melissa Benoist appears.

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