The episode was written by series co-creator Brad Falchuk, directed by Paul McCrane, and first aired on January 16, 2015, on Fox in the United States.
The episode takes place as Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel prepare an assignment for New Directions but have conflicts in their teaching styles.
Rachel and Kurt welcome back New Directions alumni Puck (Mark Salling), Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron), Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera), Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris), and Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) to help with the assignment and discover their teaching styles clash, as Rachel is optimistic and Kurt is realistic due to his breakup.
Coach Roz Washington (NeNe Leakes), Sue, Quinn, and Tina all confront Darrell about his intentions with Becky, but he makes them realize that a person with Down syndrome should be treated like everyone else and that their concerns are not valid.
Rachel and Kurt tell New Directions members Jane, Mason, Madison McCarthy (Laura Dreyfuss), and Roderick (Noah Guthrie) that they are one step closer to being ready for Sectionals.
Returning recurring characters that appear in the episode include former New Directions members Puck (Mark Salling), Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron), Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera), Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris), and Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz), Dave Karofsky (Max Adler), Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter), and Roz Washington (NeNe Leakes), along with new recurring characters Mason McCarthy (Billy Lewis Jr.), Madison McCarthy (Laura Dreyfuss), Jane Hayward (Samantha Marie Ware), Roderick (Noah Guthrie), and Spencer Porter (Marshall Williams).
The mashup of Morissette's "You Learn" and King's "You've Got a Friend" was sung by Michele, Colfer, Agron, Morris, Rivera, Salling, Ushkowitz, Ware, Guthrie, Lewis Jr., and Dreyfuss.
"[5] Miranda Wicker from TV Fanatic stated the "writing this season is cheesier than normal and quite stilted, with "goodbye" hanging on every word.