Pilot

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

Pilot is the first episode of Season One of Glee: NDNG. The script was released on the 19th of April, 2020.

Ambitious yet uninspired junior Beth Corcoran finds herself a new project in restarting McKinley High's formerly glorious Glee Club, the New Directions. She quickly enlists the help of her best friend, Quentin Talley, a sophomore, and the nervous and somewhat reluctant new Math teacher, Shawn Larson.

This episode introduces plot lines such as Beth's clear crush on quarterback Ricky Vincent, Quentin's distant pining for the mysterious Lyra Harper, and Shawn's sheer panic over his newfound responsibility.

Plot
A student in a Cheerios uniform is walking down the halls, doing a voiceover. The student is revealed to be Beth Corcoran. She talks about her life, but laments that she want more from life. Drama, and excitement. She's met by Quentin Talley, her best friend. The two share some gentle banter, and Quentin flirts with a jock, much bigger than him. The duo run away, and Beth shares her longing with Quentin, who finds himself distracted by a picture on the wall, of the old New Directions. The idea to restart the Glee Club occurs to Beth, almost immediately.

New Math teacher Shawn Larson walks into the teacher's lounge, where he meets Ivan Pierce, an English teacher, and James Benson, the school Guidance Counselor. They become fast friends, though Shawn's crush on James is evident. Ivan reveals that he never wanted to teach English, and would rather teach Music, but he couldn't find work. James is quick to point out that he's worked there for 9 years. We also learn that Shawn teaches Math because it's what his parents wanted him to do. Their conversation is interrupted by the entrance of Beth and Quentin. It's likely that they originally came to talk to Ivan, but their attention is caught by Shawn's bag, covered in musical-related pins and badges. They ask Shawn to supervise the Glee Club, and he readily agrees, though soon after they leave, he freaks out, and turns to Ivan and James for reassurance. He's afraid he'll forget to turn up for the auditions, so James writes the details on his arm, and Shawn's strangely mesmerised.

Misty Erickson and Viola James are in the halls, Misty telling Viola a story from her ballet class, when they both notice sign-up sheets for the club. Beth, seeing them, rushes over, to ask if they're going to join, though she tries to be casual. Quentin follows, unimpressed. Misty's quick to sign up, but Viola insists that she can't sing or dance. Quentin doesn't believe a word, reminding her of a play they did back in middle school. However, Quentin is soon distracted by Lyra Harper in the distance., having to be dragged away by Beth. Misty continues trying to convince Viola to sign up, but, when she makes no progress, she lies that she left something behind, and runs back to the sign-up sheet, writing Viola's name. When she returns, Viola is suspicious of her.

Quarterback Ricky Vincent's sitting by the football field, when his best friend Jude Moody appears, instantly starting to tease him. Jude's reputation as a bad boy soon becomes clear. He skipped football practice to smoke, although what he was smoking is ambiguous, and likely illegal. Jude takes pleasure in confusing Ricky, until Beth appears, flustering Ricky. They chat, both clearly nervous and smitten, repeatedly forgetting that Jude's even there. Beth asks them to join the club, and Ricky's hesitant, aware of his reputation. Beth reminds him that she's the head cheerleader, and it isn't stopping her, but Ricky remains convinced that it's different for him. Beth starts to lure him in, with talk of competitions, and trophies, and the fact that some of the football team were in the old New Directions, before walking away, with one last plea to consider it. Ricky tells Jude that they have to audition, and Jude reluctantly agrees.

Meanwhile, Quentin stands outside the office of Principal Schuester. Inside, the principal is in the midst of a rather explosive argument with his son, Danny Schuester, over Danny's recent rebellion. Danny storms out, past Quentin, who reluctantly enters. Principal Schuester tells him of unjust complaints about his behaviour, from the jocks. Quentin's all too used to this, and brushes past the subject, which the principal is perfectly happy with. Quentin moves on to asking for permission to restart the Glee Club, which, to Quentin's surprise, Schuester is completely behind. He tells Quentin of his history with the New Directions, and hopes that the new club can live up to their standards, which Quentin is sure they can. Schuester gives him one last piece of advice, which is to not let power go to his head, and the same goes for Beth.

At lunch, autistic student Liam Cook is sitting in Ivan's classroom, eating alone, enjoying the music from his headphones, when Ivan walks in. Liam's quick to offer to leave, but Ivan won't hear of it. Liam's always welcome in his room. Liam confesses that he hates the cafeteria, finding it much too overwhelming. Ivan agrees. Soon, Ivan's niece, Valerie Lopez-Pierce comes in, to return Ivan's sheet music. We learn that Valerie's the president of the Celibacy Club, and recently transferred from Catholic school, under somewhat mysterious circumstances, and her family are concerned. Ivan tells her about the Glee Club, and encourages her to join, catching Liam's interest in the process. After Valerie leaves, Liam asks about the club. He's enthusiastic, but uncertain if he can do it. He rushes off, to convince his girlfriend, Aubri, to audition with him.

Freshman Logan Abrams is playing piano, in a practice room, where he sings Ingenue, convinced that no one's listening. When he finishes, Quentin applauds him, listening from the doorway. Logan is startled, obviously. Quentin introduces himself, but Logan says that everyone knows him, to Quentin's delight. Logan reveals himself to be the polar opposite of Quentin. He doesn't want fame, he doesn't want to be anywhere near the spotlight. All he wants is to survive his first year of high school. Quentin offers him the chance to audition for the club, but Logan refuses, saying he'll leave the singing to his brother, which, strangely, makes him reconsider immediately. Quentin leaves Logan wondering what the hell just happened, and looks into the next practice room, where Lyra and Sky are, singing, and signing along to a song, in ASL.

After a cheer rehearsal, Beth exchanges banter with Damien Russo, and her frenemy, Ophelia Yates. Ophelia's boyfriend Tobias Turner appears, to bring Ophelia water, and carry her bag, to Damien's amusement. Beth tells them about the Glee Club, and Ophelia mocks her, pointing out that she talks about the old New Directions, often. Ophelia soon moves on to encouraging her to quit the Cheerios, acting concerned for her having so much on her plate, but clearly just wanting Beth's captain status, though she denies it when Damien says it. The group soon leave, after Damien jokes with their rather threatening cheer coach, Isabel Stanton, who's secretly amused. After Damien makes fun of Tobias' clothes, Ophelia chases him across campus, not to defend her boyfriend, but because she picked his clothes.

At the audition, Shawn comes in, slightly late, being pushed by Ivan and James. Beth's delighted to find that Ricky's auditioning. The other auditionees are Beth's annoying 'sort-of-sister', Magnolia Berry, Misty, Jude, Ophelia, to Beth's surprise, and, of course, Tobias, then Damien, September Puckerman, and her friend Blue Brooks, Valerie, Logan, and Viola, who had to be pushed by Misty. Liam enters, just as Beth's about to end the auditions, followed by Aubri Johnson, who insists that she doesn't sing. Liam hesitantly auditions, impressing everyone. As everyone's about to leave, Ivan sees Danny watching from the doorway, though he runs off the second he realises he's been noticed.

In the first rehearsal, everything's in chaos, and Beth and Quentin realise what a task they have on their hands. The club won't listen to Beth, but when Ivan calls for attention, they listen, and he gives Beth the floor. The chaos soon starts again, but Beth watches her new creation with pride.