Optimistic high school teacher Will Schuester tries to refuel his own passion while reinventing the McKinley High School’s glee club and challenging a group of outcasts to realize their star potential. Going up against McKinley’s cruel high school caste system and facing harsh criticism from everyone around him, Will is determined to prove them all wrong.

As Will aims towards completing New Directions, a visit from his father reminds him how much this all means to him. New songs are introduced and a song originally given to a star, is given to a celibate. Will forms an all-male a cappella group, but when he neglects the glee club, the kids decide to hire a well-known choreographer to coach them. Meanwhile, Mercedes falls in love. The other six additions to New Directions are introduced. Josh Groban appears as himself.

Will decides to give New Directions some competition between them by having the boys go against the girls. Terri becomes the school nurse to check on Will.

The glee club gets some news that’s sure to rattle a few nerves. Meanwhile, Quinn connects with her “funky” side with a little help from Mercedes, and Will gets revenge on Sue.

New Directions continues to strategize their set list for Nationals with a little help from Jessie St. James. Meanwhile, an unexpected loss rocks the world of one of McKinley’s own.

GLEE goes back in time to see why the original members of New Directions signed up for glee club in the first place.