Invitationals

To read the script for this episode, go to Invitationals.

Invitationals is the fifth episode of Season 1 of Glee: NDNG. The script was released on the 19th of January, 2021.

The club are busy preparing for their show choir competition debut, but certain members have other things on their minds. All but one. Will Quentin Talley think of a setlist, and pull the club together in time for curtain up?

This episode continues the plot lines of Liam's internal conflict, Magnolia and Logan's relationship, and Viola's crush on Valerie.

Plot
The episode opens on a cheer rehearsal, with Beth at the top of the human pyramid, smiling brightly. Ophelia complains to Damien, then tells him that Liam's watching. He warns Damien to stop flirting with Liam, as he's taken. Damien insists that they're just friends, until Ophelia points out that Liam avoids him like the plague. Damien confesses all, and denies that they have any real feelings for each other, insisting that he just confused Liam. Ophelia's incredulous. Soon, they notice Ricky, throwing a ball with some jocks, and get Beth's attention. Ricky's distracted by her, until he's hit by the ball. Meanwhile, on the bleachers, Quentin's seen frantically scribbling in a notebook. When the Cheerios are finally allowed a break, they go to him. Damien wants to go and see Liam, but Ophelia says that he left. Quentin tells them that he's working on their Invitationals setlist, as Beth has enough to do. He tries to show her, but she's distracted by Ricky. As Quentin sings Help, it's clear that the same situation's been happening often. (In some cases, Lyra appears, and laughs in sympathy.)

Aubri's lying on the grass on the quad, when Liam runs over. He claims he was distracted by Math homework, and apologises for his recent strange behaviour. They talk, so clearly in love, even when Liam's distracted by Damien. Liam assures Aubri that he's still there, with her, and she wonders how long for. She sings Pretending, and tells Liam they should go for dinner that evening. Liam tells her he can't, but says he'll lie to his parents, the next day, and take her to Breadstix. They run to Glee rehearsals together, hand in hand.

In the choir room, Beth is absent, and Quentin's still writing. Magnolia's kissing Logan, being gleefully possessive, which he seems to enjoy. Ophelia's disgusted, (and definitely not jealous,) until Tobias placates her. Blue and September talk about how late Beth is, and September says that she's barely spoken to Beth in days, because Beth doesn't have time for her, anymore. Winstanley starts to help Quentin with the setlist, but it's cut short by Beth arriving, hastily, with much more makeup than she had on before. It becomes clear that Beth doesn't have a plan, as she shifts responsibility onto Quentin, as he has the rehearsal notes. Quentin ignores her, but eventually points out that he already gave her the notes. He asks how he ended up being the one to do everything, when the club was Beth's idea. She says she's been busy, and Quentin wonders what with. He says that she simply has her mind on other things, despite her protests. He asks if she's in our out, and Beth says she's in. Quentin tells her to prove it, and continues his tirade, ending with saying that yes, Beth's trying, but everyone else is trying harder. Beth slaps him, to everyone's horror, including her own, and he, caught off-guard, falls from the piano he was sitting on. The teachers signal for Shawn to take over, but he frantically refuses, to their exasperation.

After rehearsals, Magnolia and Logan agree to go to the mall after school, (as he refuses to leave campus before then,) and they leave. Ivan checks on Quentin, and Quentin promises to have the setlist finished by the end of the next day. Ricky and Beth are left in the club room, alone, and Beth's relieved that she still has him, something Ricky denies. He calls Beth out for her behaviour, and won't listen to her defense, as he's heard all he needs to. He leaves, and suddenly the lights are out, with a spotlight on Beth. Ricky reappears, with September and Quentin. The three sing Good for You, joined by Beth, and eventually, the other two Cheerios and Tobias, clearly a manifestation of Beth's guilty conscience. At the end, Ophelia pushes Beth to the floor. When she looks back up, everything's back to normal, and no one's there.

At the mall, Magnolia's dragging Logan around, and he's happily following. She starts turning him against Beth, and tells him to stay away. They see Danny, and Magnolia insists that Logan shouldn't associate with him either, as he's a lowly freshman with no social status, unless it's useful to be around him. Logan thinks that using people is wrong, until Magnolia says it's the only way to climb the social ladder. Logan makes an awkward attempt at 'guy talk' with Danny, anyway, who teases him, until Magnolia drags him away once more. She tells Logan that his newfound confidence isn't down to his new clothes, and doesn't come from the inside. It's all because of her. He immediately agrees.

The next day, at lunch, Quentin's alone in the choir room, still working. He sings All By Myself, and is joined by Beth, who's eating lunch by herself, in the cafeteria. Liam comes into the choir room, gives Quentin a sandwich, and offers his help. Misty, Sky, Lyra and Damien soon offer theirs as well. Damien tries to talk to Liam, who says there's nothing to talk about, and he isn't ready. He tells Damien to stay away from him and Aubri. Tobias comes in, also offering help, and eventually reveals that Ophelia told him to, but made him promise not to tell. As Quentin moves on to the subject of costumes, a bag of them is thrown through the door, courtesy of Viola. Quentin starts to mention Beth, but stops himself and gets to work.

That night, Beth FaceTimes Rachel, and confesses everything, sure that it's unfixable. Rachel soon tells her otherwise, telling her about the fights the old club had, and narrowly avoiding saying Quinn's name. Beth asks Rachel's advice, and is told to work as a team, and value her friends. Beth attempts to FaceTime Quentin, and then call him, but it goes to voicemail.

In the choir room, an hour before Invitationals, the club is frantic, and Beth's missing. Quentin wishes she was there, and it's revealed that she wrote the lead for her, even after everything. Shawn says the club should get back to rehearsing, but Quentin says they should wait for Beth. Ophelia insists that Beth isn't coming. She's gone for good, and probably hasn't even called. Quentin tells her he's had his phone off, because he was so busy, and that it doesn't sound like Beth to act like that. James asks how the club's doing, and if they're ready. All but Magnolia say it doesn't feel right without Beth. Danny's snarky with Magnolia, and Magnolia tells Logan to defend her. At Shawn's request, Quentin gives up on waiting for Beth, only for her to come in! The two have a tearful reunion and forgive each other. Quentin says there's still time to find Beth a costume, and teach her everything, and he rushes to do so.

Waiting in the wings, Quentin's delighted to see his mother there. Ophelia searches the room, and is disappointed. Damien consoles her, and the club go on. They perform a mashup of Seasons of Love, 9 to 5, and Positive, which is a hit.