Immediately after her collapse onstage at Sectionals, the glee club helps Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist) backstage.
With New Directions' performance season over, Sue claims the choir room and auditorium for her own use, leaving the glee club without a practice venue, but confides to Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter) that she considers it an empty victory.
Interim director Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) tries to rally the glee club members to prepare for the upcoming holiday concert, but the entire club is dejected and points out to Finn that several members are seniors and do not have a "next year" to make another run at Nationals; Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) and Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) in particular blame Marley for their loss.
In New York, Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) prepares for his second NYADA audition, and dean Carmen Tibideaux (Whoopi Goldberg) hands Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) a highly coveted invitation to perform at the Winter Showcase.
Marley – the only student who remained committed to the glee club – tells Finn that she has found a new rehearsal space: the steps outside the school.
Recurring guest stars include Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba), glee club members Joe Hart (Samuel Larsen), Wade "Unique" Adams (Alex Newell), Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist), Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist), Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin) and Ryder Lynn (Blake Jenner), cheerleader Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter), and NYADA junior Brody Weston (Dean Geyer).
[9] In December 2012, TV Guide named the "Somethin' Stupid" rendition one of Glee's best performances, with the periodical commenting: "this sweet oldie proved the two could dance, crack jokes and make beautiful music together.