Popular

To see the script for this episode, go to Popular.

Popular is the fourth episode of Season 1 of Glee: NDNG. The script was released on the 15th of January, 2021.

Teen sexuality is tricky. Liam Cook remains conflicted over his feelings for Damien Russo, and Valerie Lopez-Pierce remains disapproving of anything other than heterosexuality. Meanwhile, September Puckerman has a boy she's thinking of, Blue Brooks is thinking of his childhood friend September, and Beth Corcoran finally admits the truth to herself about her feelings for a certain jock.

This episode continues the plot lines of Liam's feelings for Damien, Viola's crush on Valerie, and Valerie's struggle with her religion, and introduces plot lines such as Logan's family problems.

Plot
The episode opens with Logan, in his bedroom, on a FaceTime call with his brother, Artie. He complains about the lack of attention from their parents, compared to what Artie receives, despite being a grown man, who moved out years ago. Both admit that Artie's disability makes them overprotective. Logan rushes to get ready for school, singing Favourite Son, and exits the house, unnoticed, slamming the door.

In Ivan's English class, he asks Liam for the answer to a theatre related question, and Liam claims not to know, to Ivan's confusion. Sky gets into conflict with Valerie, because she asks him not to say 'queer' about himself. Ivan refuses to make him stop, saying it's his right. He looks back over at Liam, to find him asleep. After class, he gently wakes him, and asks what's going on. Liam brushes him off. When asked about the homework, it's revealed that he doesn't have it. Ivan reassures him, and mentions Glee Club. Liam, realising that it means seeing Damien, says that he might not go.

In the halls, Beth's watching Ricky, as girls fawn over him, while Quentin tries to talk to her about choreography. Quentin notices, immediately. Beth's and Ricky are both delighted when he catches her eye, but it quickly fades when Isabel arrives to inform Beth of an extra cheer rehearsal, conflicting with her plans for the Glee Club. Meanwhile, Liam's watching Damien, in a similar situation to Ricky. (Surrounded by Cheerios.) Aubri notices, and her kindness increases Liam's guilt. She draws yet another heart on his arm, at his request. When Damien starts approaching, Aubri steps between the two, until Isabel moves on to threatening Damien. Aubri hastily tries to get Liam away, but he still needs to get something from his locker. (Which Damien's being backed into.) Beth admits her feelings for Ricky, to Quentin, and he's entirely unsurprised.

In Music, Liam's doing Math homework under his desk, while Music teacher Alfie Winstanley rants at a jock, for his lack of appreciation for classic rock. He complains about his students' taste in music, and sets an assignment to listen to his playlist, to Quentin's delight. Valerie claims she couldn't listen, as they're un-Christian. She uses Freddie Mercury's bisexuality as a reason, and Alfie points out the flaws in her logic, to her horror and Viola's surprise. Soon, he notices Liam doing his homework, and asks him a trick question, which Liam easily answers, saying that he knows it from Glee Club. When the class laugh, Alfie pointedly praises Liam.

Meanwhile, in History, Blue and September are passing notes. He sings Meet Me On The Roof, and she soon joins. Afterwards, she questions the decision to go against the rules, and Blue dismisses it. They've never cared about that before. Blue questions her decision to join so many extracurriculars, and she says she needs the popularity, claiming that it brings happiness. She asks Logan if he'd be happier if he was popular, and he hesitantly agrees.

In Art class, very few of the sophomores are focusing. Quentin's looking at rehearsal notes, Liam's half-asleep, again, and Viola's doodling. She sings a slightly changed version of Just Breathe, longing for Valerie, and getting sick of the jocks. Afterwards, Quentin sees what she's drawing. Costume designs! He begs her to make costumes for the club, but she quickly declines.

At lunch, in the choir room, September's staring at Blue, when Shawn enters with Alfie, who's come to observe, which makes Liam happy. Shawn defers to Beth, who very quickly explains the order of business, as lunch is only so long. (Hence why she totally spent her time eating lunch, and not recording vocal arrangements.) The club quickly go off track, until Beth whistles to get their attention, surprised that it works. She calls September up, as Ophelia quietly questions Beth's affection for the girl. September says she has a song for a guy she knows, (to Blue's disappointment) and sings Pulled. Blue, especially, enjoys it, and leads the teasing of September, afterwards, desperate to know who the guy is. As Beth leads September away, to give feedback, Ophelia tells Tobias that their reputations are on thin ice, especially Beth, and that everyone wonders why she spends so much time with September. Tobias wonders if she's jealous, which Ophelia quickly denies.

After rehearsal, the club quickly pack up, not listening to Beth. Damien tries to talk to Liam, with little success. Viola drops the costume design she was working on earlier, which looks like it's meant for Valerie. Quentin gets her attention, but decides against telling her, and pockets it. Ricky whistles, and calls exactly what Beth said, over the noise. She's grateful, and Ricky offers to take her out for something to eat, carry her folder, and walk her to class. Beth accepts the first, and when Ricky's gone, September simply raises an eyebrow, and Beth knows exactly why. They leave together, talking about song choices. Alfie tells Shawn that he's impressed with the club, and Shawn says it's all down to Beth. Magnolia and Logan are left alone. He admits all his problems to her, and she's uninterested, until, for some reason, she isn't. She tells Logan she could be the answer to all her problems, and sings Popular. Logan is doubtful, and wonders what the catch is. Magnolia tells him to date her, and he VERY gladly agrees. She exits, leaving him in the dark, pleased with himself.

In the after school rehearsal, Beth's surprised to find September and Blue missing, but she only particularly cares about one. At James' insistence, she continues on regardless, distractedly, singing Rewrite the Stars, with Ricky. He soon has all of her attention on him. September and Blue are revealed to be kissing, in the broom closet, and Blue tells her to ignore Beth's text. By the end, Rcky and Beth are staring into each other's eyes.