[Warning: This story contains spoilers from the Thursday, May 2, "Wonder-ful" episode of Glee.]
Fox's Glee used its penultimate episode of season four to pay tribute to Stevie Wonder, dedicating the hour to covering seven songs from the Grammy icon's vast musical catalog.
The penultimate episode of season four also set up next week's season finale as Mike and Tina returned to McKinley to help prepare New Directions for Regionals; the Fox musical also offered a look at the post–high school future for Artie, Brittany, Tina and Mercedes.
Here are 10 things we learned from "Wonder-ful."
STORY: 'Glee's' Chord Overstreet on the Road to Regionals, Finale Journey
1. Sutton Foster (Bunheads) and Mamie Gummer (Emily Owens, M.D.) are Rachel's (Lea Michele) big competition for the Funny Girl part, and she still needs Cassie's (Kate Hudson) signature to sign off on the gig, should she get the part. Rachel has her dance midterm the same day as her callback -- and Cassie plans on attending Rachel's big Broadway audition and assigns her the most difficult ballet routine for her new midterm -- which is the following morning. In a twist, Cassie brings out the rest of Rachel's class in a massive show of support ahead of her callback. (Though there's still no sign of Brody.) Apparently this serves as her midterm, proving Cassie isn't the demon she's been portrayed as all season long. "I saw something in you that first day and I thought to myself, this one is special, this one might make it," Cassie explains, noting the Brody situation was purely because of his abs. "You're going to get it, I know you will." And Cassie has now joined Mr. Shue on her list of mentors.
2. Brittany (Heather Morris) has been admitted -- early! -- to MIT. No update on what this means for her relationship with Sam (Chord Overstreet), who was on the back burner for the bulk of the episode.
3. Will (Matthew Morrison) proposed again to Emma (Jayma Mays) and they're getting married (or at least attempting to again) after Regionals.
PHOTOS: 'Glee's' Unforgettable Guest Stars
4. Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) can't seem to catch a break. She's wait-listed at veterinary school as a fallback. Did we know she had an interest in animals? Either way, she's full of attitude, taking issue with both Mercedes and Mike (Harry Shum, Jr.) being enlisted to help New Directions prep for Regionals.
5. Artie (Kevin McHale) is in at the Brooklyn Film Academy but says he isn't going. Kitty (Becca Tobin) encourages him to go, even though his mother is freaking out at the thought of him being alone in the big city. Artie returns home to see Kitty talking to his mother, Nancy (Katey Sagal), whom she tells about his acceptance to film school. "I'm afraid to go, I thought it would be easier to blame it on you," he tells her, rattling off a list of things she helped him do around the house. The real reason -- he doesn't want to leave her alone after she supported him following his accident. The end result: He's going to New York.
6. Mercedes (Amber Riley) has a new album coming out -- "Hell to the No," a nice touch to the original song featured in season two -- and is back in Ohio to work with Mike to film the video for the single. Just as things appear to be going well for her, her "producer," Martin, tells her that her CD is off of the release schedule until she shows more skin in the photo shoot. "They don't want me, they just want my voice and not my whole person," she tells Kurt and Mike. "Everyone is going to want me to look like Beyoncé." She ponders actually using a body double and turns to her parents for guidance. Her decision: It's her voice, the songs tell her story; she loses her record deal and decides to self-distribute the album, taking the "Higher Ground" and hell to the yes, it's the first Mercedes solo of season four!
PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 4 in Pictures
7. Jake (Jacob Artist) is a secret weapon -- and Mercedes wants the younger Puckerman (and Mike) to be the featured dancers in her video. "Baby, you're a damn superstar," she tells him as she encourages the sophomore to up his game with the glee club. Mercedes and Mike's guidance helps give Jake a boost of confidence heading into Regionals.
8. Kurt (Chris Colfer) is awaiting Burt's (Mike O'Malley) test results for news that he (hopefully!) is cancer-free and heads back to Ohio for his father's doctor's appointment. He uses it as a perfect excuse to visit McKinley -- and to see Blaine. The aggressive treatment worked and Burt's cancer is in remission. "I wasn't ready to leave you guys yet -- things aren't finished, there's so much to do: you getting married, grand-babies, having old-people sex with Carol. I'm so happy I'm not going to miss it!" he tells Kurt and his wife (Romy Rosemont). It's good news as it leaves the door open for the Emmy nominee to return to Glee even if his NBC comedy pilot Welcome to the Family moves forward.
9. Blaine (Darren Criss) is getting fired up about New York's marriage equality news and vows to be in New York soon enough to share in the excitement -- with Kurt. It sets up the story line we know is coming in next week's season finale where Blaine bumps into Patty Duke while ring shopping.
PHOTOS: 'Glee's' Season 4 Premiere Party
10. Blaine gifts a gay pride pin to Burt and asks for his blessing to propose to Kurt. Burt continues to be the smartest -- and most consistent -- character on the series and questions whether Blaine learned anything from Finn and Rachel (touché!). "You don't really get what it is to be married -- straight, gay, it's not the same as living together," he tells Blaine. "It's a really big difference between marrying a person and marrying an idea." While Blaine is visibly disappointed, Burt does his best to reassure him. "When two people love each other like you do, everything works out."
Did you think "Wonder-ful" was wonderful? How do you think New Directions will fare at Regionals? Should Blaine propose? Hit the comments below with your thoughts. Glee's fourth season finale airs Thursday, May 9, at 9 p.m. on Fox. Check out a promo for the finale, below.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
