Swan Song (Glee)

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Swan Song is the ninth episode of Glee’s fourth season. It aired December 6, 2012, and features special guests Whoopi Goldberg as NYADA dean Carmen Tibideaux and Kate Hudson as dance instructor Cassandra July, ahead of the Winter Showcase.

Back in Lima, the glee club’s season ends badly after they lose Sectionals to the Dalton Academy Warblers. Sue Sylvester takes over the choir room, leaving the group, especially the seniors, worried about Nationals and their future. Finn Hudson tries to rally the team, but Marley Rose becomes the club’s only true constant. She finds a new rehearsal space on the steps outside the school, and slowly the others start to join her.

In New York, Kurt Hummel faces a tough second NYADA audition from Carmen Tibideaux, while Rachel Berry is invited to perform at the Winter Showcase. Cassandra July challenges Rachel’s dancing, so Rachel focuses on singing for her performance. At the Winter Showcase, Rachel performs “Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” and “O Holy Night” to standing ovations, and Kurt performs “Being Alive” to a standing ovation as well. Rachel wins the Winter Showcase, and Kurt is admitted to NYADA. Finn feels like a failure, but Rachel tells him to keep pursuing his dreams.

Marley remains committed to the glee club, and with Finn’s support, finds a new rehearsal space. The other members gradually join, and they end the episode with a group performance of “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

Songs performed in the episode (six in total):
- Somethin’ Stupid (Chord Overstreet and Heather Morris)
- All That Jazz (Kate Hudson and Lea Michele)
- Being Good Isn’t Good Enough (Lea Michele)
- Being Alive (Chris Colfer)
- Don’t Dream It’s Over (New Directions)
- O Holy Night (Lea Michele)

The episode was watched by about 5.43 million viewers in the U.S., with a 2.2/6 rating in adults 18–49. DVR viewership added roughly 2.54 million more viewers, bringing the total to about 7.98 million. In Canada, it drew around 1.074 million viewers. TV Guide later named the “Somethin’ Stupid” performance one of Glee’s best.