Harry Shum, Jr.

The race for McKinley High Senior Class President comes to an end, and someone is caught trying to fix the results. Coach Beiste challenges Sue over Cooter, and Sue's own election day arrives. Life gets more complicated for Quinn and Puck, Santana comes out to her family, and a shocking event imperils New Directions' plans for participating in the forthcoming show choir Sectionals competition.

Irish exchange student Rory Flanagan (Damian McGinty) arrives at McKinley High.

Emma Pillsbury's parents come for a visit, and Mike Chang struggles with his grades while his parents work to get him back on track.

Will separates the group for another mash-up competition. Kurt, tired of being harassed by Karofsky, spies for New Directions at Dalton Academy, where he meets Blaine. Blaine encourages Kurt to stand up for himself. Coach Beiste discovers the boys use her as a turn-off method and attempts to quit her job. Puck returns and develops a friendship with Artie through his community service project.

When Puck goes to juvie, New Directions welcomes Sam as a new member and Will assigns a duet competition for the week. Finn and Rachel throw the competition so that Sam will feel welcome. The love triangle between Artie, Tina, and Mike develops, as does Santana and Brittany's relationship.

When both Will and Sue are bombarded by even more budget cuts, Finn and Rachel try to find new recruits for New Directions. Meanwhile, the football team adjusts to new football coach Shannon Beiste, who temporarily kicks Finn off the team. Quinn replaces Santana as head of the Cheerios, and Tina and Mike begin dating. Guest star Charice performs as an exchange student from the Philippines.

Believing the glee club members are becoming complacent ahead of Sectionals, Will pits the girls against the boys for a mash-up competition. Terri takes a job as the school nurse to stop Will becoming closer to Emma. With encouragement from Terri, Ken proposes to Emma, who reluctantly accepts. Terri gives the glee club pseudoephedrine tablets, enhancing their mash-up performances. Rachel and Finn feel guilty and confess, resulting in the competition being nullified, Terri being fired, and Sue being appointed co-director of the glee club. Quinn agrees to let Terri secretly adopt her baby, enabling her to continue faking her pregnancy.