McKinley's Class of 2012. (Soaps.com)
As "Glee" entered its third season, Gleeks around the globe were concerned with how Ryan Murphy and company would handle the graduation of some of the show's central characters. Would this be the end of an era? What's going to happen next year? While we didn't quite get any definitive answers to these questions, we were in indeed treated to a roller coaster season with more ups than downs, and plenty of soapy goodness to keep (almost) everyone satisfied. From marriage proposals to tragic car accidents, lesbian sex tapes to artifical insemination, and the arrival of new characters while losing some to graduation, take a look back at how all the McKinley drama unfolded.
Episode 1 - The Purple Piano Project
Sam's absence at McKinley is filled by transfer student Blaine, Sugar's introduced as the spoiled rich kid, and Quinn goes bad-ass by dying her hair pink and quitting glee club. Grade: B
Episode 2 - I Am Unicorn
Rachel's mom Shelby starts her own glee club at McKinley, Quinn returns to her regular All-American self so she can try and get custody of her daughter, and Blaine breaks Kurt's heart by securing the lead in the school musical. Grade: B
Episode 3 - Asian F
Brittany runs against Kurt and Rachel for the position of Class President, Mike stands up to his strict parents to pursue his dream of being a professional dancer, and an overshadowed Mercedes decides to quit New Directions and join Shelby's glee club. Grade: A-
Episode 4 - Pot O' Gold
Exchange student Rory makes his debut with New Directions, Santana and Brittany jump ship from New Directions to the new glee club, and an emotionally-confused Puck makes out with Rachel's mom. Grade: B+
Episode 5 - The First Time
In a predominantly "West Side Story" themed episode, Coach Beiste meets Cooter Mankins, Kurt and Blaine have sex for the first time, and Rachel gives her virginity to Finn! Grade: A
Episode 6 - Mash Off
Shelby's Trouble Tones face off against New Directions, Quinn's plan to get her daughter back is exposed, and Finn calls out Santana for being a closet lesbian. Grade: A+
Episode 7 - I Kissed A Girl
Rachel is busted for rigging the votes for Class President so that Kurt would win, Brittany wins the school election, and Santana reveals her homosexuality to her family and friends. Grade: A+
Episode 8 - Hold On To Sixteen
A suspsended Rachel is banned from Sectionals, the boys track down Sam and get him to return to McKinley and the glee club, and New Directions wins Sectionals. Grade: A-
Episode 9 - Extraordinary Merry Christmas
The Trouble Tones disband and rejoin New Directions, the kids perform for a local PBS Christmas Special, and everyone remembers the true meaning of Christmas after helping out at a homeless shelter. Grade: B-
Episode 10 - Yes/No
Coach Beiste reveals that her and Cooter eloped over Christmas break, the glee kids help Will propose to an ecstatic Emma (who says, "Yes"), and Finn proposes to Rachel (who gives no response). Grade: A
Episode 11 - Michael
In a Michael Jackson-themed episode, Sam tries to rekindle his relationship with Mercedes, Blaine gets injured after an incident with The Warblers, and Rachel accepts Finn's marriage proposal! Grade: A+
Episode 12 - The Spanish Teacher
Sue reveals she's looking for a sperm donor to get her pregnant, Emma gets tenure at McKinley High, and Will becomes a history teacher so that the students can learn Spanish from someone (e.g. Ricky Martin) who truly knows the language. Grade: C+
Coming Out Of The Closet. (Soaps.com)
On Valentine's Day, Kurt is hit on by secret admirer Dave Karofsky, Brittany and Santana share a kiss, and Finn and Rachel decide to get married as soon as possible. Grade: B+
Episode 14 - On My Way
Sue reveals her pregnancy, Karofsky attempts suicide, New Directions wins Regionals, and Quinn gets into a major car accident while texting on her way to Rachel and Finn's wedding! Grade: A+
Episode 15 - Big Brother
Sue decides to regain her winning edge by helping New Directions win Nationals, Quinn survives the car wreck but is confined to a wheelchair, and Finn tells Rachel that he's not sure she loves him and wonders if they should go through with the wedding. Grade: B
Episode 16 - Saturday Night Glee-ver
In a Bee Gees-themed episode, Mercedes becomes an internet sensation thanks to YouTube, Brittany posts her and Santana's sex tape to help Santana get famous, and Finn decides to apply to "Inside the Actor's Studio" in New York. Grade: B+
Episode 17 - Dance With Somebody
The glee kids pay tribute to Whitney Houston, new kid Joe gets close to Quinn as he helps her with physical therapy, and an emotional Will reveals that doesn't know how to say goodbye to some of the graduating kids this year. Grade: B+
Episode 18 - Choke
Coach Beiste reveals that she's being physically assaulted by Cooter, Puck discovers that he's not able to graduate, and Rachel suffers an epic choke during her NYADA audition. Grade: C+
Episode 19 - Prom-asaurus
Sam and Mercedes are happily back together, Puck makes Becky feel like a queen, and Quinn and Santana fix the vote so that Rachel is named prom queen with Finn as her king. Grade: B
Episode 20 - Props
Rachel is determined to get another tryout with NYADA, a down-and-out Puck gets harrassed at school, and Coach Beiste gives Cooter the ol' heave-ho. Grade: B
Episode 21 - Nationals
Lindsay Lohan and Perez Hilton guest star as Nationals judges, Will and Emma have sex for the first time, and New Directions (including a no-longer-in-her-wheelchair Quinn) wins its first ever Nationals championship! Grade: A+
Episode 22 - Goodbye
Finn and Kurt are denied of their New York dreams, the McKinley seniors (including Puck!) graduate, and Finn lovingly cancels the wedding and sends Rachel off to New York City. Grade: A
Loved "Glee's" third season? Hated it? Somewhere in the middle? Be sure to sound off with your opinion in the comment section below.
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