‘Glee’: New Directions Lose Nationals, Honor Finn — Season 5 Episode 11 Recap – Hollywood Life

‘Glee’ Recap: New Directions Honor Finn Hudson At Nationals

It was time for one last trip to Nationals for the New Directions, and while the glee club would be canceled with a loss, the gang had a different reason to fight. While Finn (Cory Monteith) may not have been there to physically lead the New Directions at Nationals, he was definitely with them in Los Angeles in spirit. Gleeks, get your tissues ready.

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Glee New Directions Lose
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fox

Glee Club Takes On Nationals

While the season has been filled with emotions, up and down, this was no different. With everything on the line — Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) would be canceling the glee club if they lost — Will (Matthew Morrison) worked to get the group ready to take on the competition in Hollywood at Nationals.[hl_ndn videoid=”25684483″][hl_ndn videoid=”25680169″]

This season’s Vocal Adrenaline came in the form of Throat Explosion — no literally, it was the same thing: a ridiculously talented show choir with a super hot lead singer with a stellar voice. Throat Explosion was run by a cocky Jean-Baptis (Skylar Astin).

And, we’ve got to say, just as Vocal Adrenaline and Jesse (Jonathan Groff) did every time they took the stage, Throat Explosion completely blew us way with their cross over of “Mr. Roboto” and “Counting Stars.”

New Directions Perform Sweet Tribute To Finn

Sam (Chord Overstreet) worked hard to be a leader in Finn’s absense, but he wasn’t alone — for the first time since the tribute episode, Finn’s mother Carol (Romy Rosemont) and her husband, Kurt’s dad Burt (Mike O’Malley) came along to L.A. on an emotional journey. And emotional it was. Carol gave an encouraging speech to the club, just the way Finn used to before they took the stage.

Their performance may not have been choreographed perfectly or the strongest of voices, but instead it was a collage of Finn’s favorite songs — “More Than A Feeling,” “America,” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” — and they had more fun than ever before. Throughout, we saw flashes of Finn during the series — singing in the shower, performing on stage, crying to Mr. Shue.

‘The Game’s Just Over’

Sure, the New Directions came in second to Throat Explosion — but that didn’t matter. For a moment, they felt they let Finn down, but Carol and Burt were there to remind them, just as Finn would have, that they were winners who worked their butts off and had fun.

Unfortunately, there was no way to keep Will from getting the bad news from Sue — the glee club is canceled. Again, for the first time since the tribute episode, we saw a soft side of Sue, who said that Mr. Shuester should be happy and proud with all that the club had accomplished over the four years. “You didn’t lose, the game is just over,” she said.

Cut to NYC — Kurt (Chris Colfer) freaks out and tells Rachel (Lea Michele) and Santana (Naya Rivera) that the glee club is canceled. Yes, cue episode 100 when they all return to McKinley High.

— Emily Longeretta

More ‘Glee’ Coverage:

  1. ‘Glee’ Recap: Will & Emma Struggle To Make A Baby
  2. ‘Glee’: 100th Episode Was ‘Emotional’ & ‘Odd’ Without Cory Monteith
  3. ‘Glee’ Recap: Rachel Moves Out After Santana Steals Her Spotlight