RECAP: Glee - Prom Queen

This week Glee heads to the prom, and while New Directions gets wrapped into performing, the Gleeks still had plenty of time for drama. Santana, Lauren and Quinn all vie for prom queen honors While plenty of old flames are rekindled.

Things start off with Principal Figgins calling Will and Sue into his office. His prom band bailed on him, so he orders New Directions to provide the entertainment, promising them some cash as an incentive. As prom coordinator, Sue's not happy with the decision.

Meanwhile, the junior prom is just a few days off, and people are getting ready. Mercedes is upset because she hasn't been asked out yet. Rachel consoles her by saying she'll go with her, but Mercedes finds the idea to be even more depressing. "Don't worry," Rachel assures her. "I have a plan."

Kurt asks Blaine to the prom, but a bad experience at a Sadie Hawkins dance has him feeling uneasy about the proposition. Kurt implores him to face his demons, assuring him he won't get beat up, and Blaine gives in.

Rachel and Mercedes ask Sam to accompany them to the dance, as a sort of "three-way prom date," but Sam can't afford it. They let him in on their prom budget, promising they'll be as thrifty as possible. Sam relents and says he'd be honored to go.

Santana is surprised when she finds out that Kurt and Blaine are prom dates, and asks Kurt if he wants her protection. She'll do anything for votes, and sticking up for him gives her a good chance to win the coveted prom queen title.

Rachel asks for help on Adele's "Rolling In The Deep," but gets an unexpected surprise when Jesse St. James walks into the auditorium, leading to an emotionally charged duet. Their voices blend well, and it's nice to see Jonathan Groff back on the show. Jesse apologizes for doing her wrong (last season, he led her on, but egged her after retreating to rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline) and asks if she's free for prom.

Listen to "Rolling In The Deep"

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Finn is annoyed once he discovers their plans, and tries to butt into Rachel's business. She tells him they're no longer dating so he shouldn't care, but he tells her he still cares about her.

After spurning Brittany, Artie tries to get her back by serenading her with Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely." It's a great performance, and Artie really shines when he's in the spotlight, but she's too hurt to take him back.

Artie sings: "Isn't She Lovely"

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Back at school Karofsky escorts Kurt around as a member of Santana's posse, but Kurt says the reason he hasn't been bullied lately is because the school is desensitized to the gay issue. He can tell that Karofsky is struggling with his secret, and urges him to think about coming out. Karofsky breaks down, telling Kurt how sorry he is for all of the horrible things he's done to him in the past. This marks a turning point for Karofsky's character, as he finally shows a softer side.

And before you know it- it's prom time. Sam and Mercedes head to Breadsticks with Rachel and Jessie, but things get tense when Finn and Quinn come in. Finn and Jessie begin to trade barbs, but Mercedes tells them they're killing the vibe and tells Quinn to get her man and get lost.

Puck kicks off the festivities singing the viral hit "Friday" with Sam and Artie, who busts some cool rhymes over the bridge.

Listen to Glee cover Rebecca Black's "Friday"

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Rachel takes the microphone next, delivering the painful ballad "Jar Of Hearts." She's obviously directing it at Finn, and the two exchange plenty of loaded looks. Finn is torn.

Listen to "Jar Of Hearts"

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For a while, things go well. Sam tells Mercedes she looks beautiful and asks her to dance. Is there something brewing between them? Fan-favorite Blaine takes to the stage to deliver "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You."

Listen to "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You"

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But then prom drama happens. Artie gets caught trying to spike the punch, and Sue threatens to go all crazy dentist on him unless he fesses up on who put him up to it. She suspects Puck but he won't snitch.

On the dance floor, Finn gets all jealous and confronts Jesse as he puts the move on Rachel. It becomes an intense shoving match, and the two keep shoving each other. For a heated altercation, it's really strange that the two would simply shove each other that much. Finally, Finn throws a punch, JUST as Sue comes in to break it up. They're both ejected.

Finally the moment we've all been waiting for: revealing the night's King and Queen. Surprisingly, Karofsky is announced as the Prom King, and even more surprisingly, Kurt is named Prom Queen. Stunned silence engulfs the crowd, and everyone is shocked.

Things devolve into a cryfest then as Kurt runs out, devastated that people would play such a mean-spirited joke. Quinn slaps Rachel in the ladies' room for ruining her Prom Queen dreams, and Santana is upset that her prom date won and she didn't.

After being consoled by Blaine, Kurt decides to go back in and show the school that he's not ashamed. He takes the tiara and scepter from Principal Figgins and giving a nod to the recent Royal Wedding, utters "Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton." All of a sudden, he's won the crowd over. He and Karofsky get their dance, but Kurt challenges him to come out. Karofsky freaksout and exits, but Blaine steps in for the dance. Mercedes and Santana set the mood with a pitch-perfect "Dancing Queen." Somehow, all the anguish that permeated the gym not ten minutes prior has dissipated, making a happy ending out of another drama-filled episode.

Listen to "Dancing Queen"

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NEXT WEEK: Only 2 new episodes this season. Before the big finale in New York, New Directions prepares for Nationals with new club advisor Jesse St. James.

Justin Starling (@CitadelNow) for Citadel Digital © 2011

Images: FOX