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Movin' Out is the sixth episode of Glee's fifth season and the ninety-fourth episode overall. It premiered on November 21, 2013 and it is a tribute to Billy Joel.
Graduation is coming soon and Sue begins an annual Careers Fair for students to explore careers and dreams to pursue. However, there isn't anything supporting the Arts and Theatre and Will assigns the Glee Club with Billy Joel music, a person who struggled as an artist but managed to pursue his dreams and become a well-known star. At McKinley, Artie attempts to help Becky take a chance at college against Sue's decision to keep her at McKinley and Jake's attitude after Marley dumped him worsens, with Ryder deciding to interfere. Blaine and Sam depart to New York for a week to prepare for their careers: Blaine's audition for NYADA and Sam's interview for his scholarship at Hunter. However, due to Sam's lack of passion for college, Rachel assists in Sam's career in male-modelling and Blaine has a change of heart to what he wants to do in the future.
The episode was directed by Brad Falchuk and written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Plot[]
The episode opens to the first career fair held at McKinley High School. Will immediately calls out Sue for not organizing any stands for a performing arts career. Sue admits that she didn't organize anything in that area on purpose because it's a risky career to pursue, and she adds an insult to Will by saying that they would most likely end up being like Will. She gives Will permission, though, to open such a stand himself.
Later during glee-club practice he admits to the kids that Sue is not completely wrong, and that a performing arts career is indeed a risky choice. He encourages them to still pursue it if it's their dream. He then announces that he is making "Billy Joel" the week's assignment, since he struggled for years in that path and yet eventually became big. He compares Blaine and Sam to Billy Joel. Blaine has his audition for NYADA, and Sam has an interview for a potential scholarship. For that reason they're about to head to New York for the rest of the week.
They perform Movin' Out to make up for their absence while travelling to The Big Apple. They happily unite there with Rachel, Santana, and Kurt in their Bushwick Apartment.
Back in Lima, Artie notices Becky looking at a stand at the career fair. He approaches her and wants to know what she plans on doing after school. Becky tells him she's not considering going to college, but Artie, who happens to know that many universities offer special courses for people with Down's Syndrome, suggests she applies to one of them. They are interrupted by Sue, who inculcates Artie that Becky is better off staying in Lima as her secretary, which is the only environment she considers safe enough.
When Marley opens her locker, a bunch of roses fall out, but she is indifferent about them. Jake then approaches her and tries to apologize for cheating on her. Marley dismisses the apology, claiming that she should have known in advance that he couldn't be faithful and that she was naive for thinking she could change him. Jake claims to have indeed changed, but Marley makes it clear that she doesn't think he has or ever will change and walks off.
At the Spotlight Diner Kurt talks to Sam and Blaine about their stay in New York, to which Blaine admits that they had been visiting campuses instead of exploring the city. Blaine admits that he is considering other options in case he doesn't get into NYADA, but Kurt encourages him that he made sure Blaine will be accepted to the school.
Kurt then has Blaine sing Piano Man in order to get Blaine's voice warmed up for the audition. Blaine is introduced to the whole diner before beginning the performance.
Despite Sue's interference Artie approaches Becky again with a bunch of pamphlets he had collected from universities that offer programs to people with Down's Syndrome. Becky rejects them, though. She assures Artie that her future is none of his business.
Ryder confronts Jake in the weights room about how he could screw up his relationship with Marley. Jake acts unregenerate, telling Ryder that it's the way he is and that people will have to accept him that way. To underline this Jake performs My Life.
Meanwhile Sam messes up the interview he had for the scholarship by giving antic reasons as to why he wants to go to the university and offending the caretaker. Back at the apartment Rachel tries to encourage Sam to keep looking for scholarships, but he then confesses he doesn't even want to go to college and is only trying to do so for prestigious reasons. He also tells Rachel that he had wanted to become a male model ever since he was a child and has a concrete vision of what he wants to achieve. Rachel then promises him she will hire a photographer to take pictures of him he can use to apply to agencies.
Back in Lima, Artie is revealed to have ordered Becky into the auditorium where he performs Honesty to her. Afterwards Artie disputes having sung with any romantic thoughts but that it was his way to tell Becky she has to be honest with him. He asks her if she isn't considering going to college because she's scared, which Becky admits to. She explains that she's scared people will treat her badly at university. Artie then tries to convince her that many people, including him, will have her back.
Marley admits to her mother that she resented Jake after he cheated on her, but that she warmed back up to him after he left the flowers for her. But then when he sang My Life she got upset with him because he made himself sound like the victim. Despite that she misses Jake. Millie says she understands the bad-boy draw and understands then tries to build her daughter back up by reminding her that she never lost her virginity to him. According to her it should be something special, and that she should choose a good guy to lose it to, and not just one she has feelings for.
Rachel introduces Sam to the photographer that took all the pictures for Funny Girl whom she had hired for a private shooting with Sam. She then takes many pictures of Sam in various costumes and a few in his underwear.
In the next scene Artie is called by Sue into her office. There she tells him once more, this time in a more threatening manner, that he is to stop meddling with Becky's future life. Artie reveals that Becky told him she wants to go to college, and Sue then reveals to his surprise that she knows that and has even done research about all the possible programs for her. She claims that she's trying to make Becky stay with her because Becky isn't ready for the post-graduation world, but Artie then comes forward and says that he thinks Sue isn't ready to part ways with Becky. He reveals that her parents gave him permission to take her on a tour to the University of Cincinnati, where they have a great special education program. Sue has nothing more to object against that and instead tells him that he has to make sure the school is good enough for Becky.
In the following scene Ryder asks Marley to go out with him from out of the blue. When she objects he sums up all the good values he has, but Marley explains that she has to recover from her recent break-up with Jake, though. Ryder then dedicates An Innocent Man to her. When he asks her to go out with him once more after that she says "yes". A wrathful Jake then gets up and exits the choir room much to the astonishment of the others.
Back in New York Kurt and Blaine are deciding on an outfit for Blaine to wear at his NYADA audition. When Blaine sees how much energy Kurt is putting into his audition his feelings of guilt become too big and he gives away that he no longer wants to audition for NYADA. There are many more things Blaine is interested in, and he doesn't want to go to a school where all he can study is performing arts. Kurt is able to see through this, however, and thus realizes Blaine is simply scared of not being great enough for New York. Kurt encourages him further by saying that he is great and will make it even if NYADA doesn't accept him. Through those words Blaine manages to regain some of the confidence he'd been lacking.
In Cincinnati Becky is shown around the campus and is eventually introduced to her potential fellow students who treat her very warmly. Artie is shown to be very content with that outcome.
Sam has an appointment with an agency representative. Although she is very insulting she does show interest in having him as a model. She makes him aware that life as a model isn't easy and not well-paid either, and that it is not guaranteed he will become big, since he is just one out of many. Sam isn't overawed, and says that even getting this appointment is a great achievement. Bichette proceeds to say that he'll need more pictures to continue his career with them, but that he'll have to lose ten pounds for that. This leaves Sam horror-struck.
Back at the apartment Santana is shown to be very annoyed at Blaine for purchasing a piano as a thank you present. When Sam declines food that Rachel offers him they all become worried. They try to convince him that starving himself won't end well and that he should rather look for another agency, but Sam won't listen. Blaine then suggests they sing a song to convince Sam. Blaine, Kurt, Rachel and Sam sing Just the Way You Are, as Santana storms off, saying that it'll be a nightmare in the apartment. However, Santana ends up joining them later into the song.
In Ohio, Becky is about to knock off work, but Sue orders her to have a seat in her office, because she wants to know how the trip to Cincinnati was. At first Becky is reluctant to say how she really feels out of fear of hurting Sue, but she then admits that she loved it there and really wants to go. When Becky asks the principal if she's sad, Sue admits she's sad about losing her, but also proud. They then go over Becky's application letter together.
Ryder is shown to be enjoying that he is apparently dating Marley, although she doesn't seem to share the excitement. When Jake approaches them and wants confirmation as to what their relationship status is, and Ryder gently rebuffs him by stating their status is none of his business anymore. Jake then congratulates them and holds a girl in each of his arms as he walks off. After that moment Marley becomes clear and says that they aren't dating and that she still needs time. Ryder says he's okay with it, though he does look disappointed on the inside.
Meanwhile Sue and Becky are attempting to ruin the art's stand Sue had finally set up. Will comes around wanting to know what made Sue have a change of heart. She says everyone deserves a chance, but ridicules Will saying the New Directions will grow to be unsuccessful and will think of Will in resentment. Tina along with Kitty and Artie interfere, showing themselves to be certain that they will end up being stars. Sue tries to cause a fight, but is interrupted by the return of Blaine and Sam. Sam reveals that Blaine crushed his NYADA audition, and that he himself would try hard to make it as a male model (stating that Billy Joel himself never went to college). Sue is disgusted by all this and Becky calls them crazy, leading Will to say "Becky, you may be right... we may be crazy!" Despite Sue trying to stop it from happening, Will starts singing You May Be Right, with the rest of New Directions and other students joining in the fun.
Songs[]
| Song Title | Original Artist | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) | Billy Joel | Blaine Anderson and Sam Evans |
| Piano Man | Blaine Anderson | |
| My Life | Jake Puckerman | |
| Honesty | Artie Abrams | |
| An Innocent Man | Ryder Lynn | |
| Just the Way You Are | Blaine Anderson, Kurt Hummel, Rachel Berry, Sam Evans, and Santana Lopez | |
| You May Be Right | Will Schuester and New Directions |
- Movin' Out, an EP accompanying the tribute episode, was released on iTunes.
Guest Cast[]
Special Guest Star[]
Guest Stars[]
- Lauren Potter as Becky Jackson
- Erinn Westbrook as Bree
- Trisha Rae Stahl as Millie Rose
- Andi Chapman as Arwyyd Johnson
- Mal Merpi as University of Cincinnati Tour Guide
- Wendle Josepher as Barbara Brownfield
Co-Stars[]
- Mason McNulty as Little Sam
- Ravi Sinha Smith as Little Blaine
- Rudolfo Martinez as Rudy Martinez
- Margaret Muller as Female Student
- Luke Zimmerman as Male Student
Uncredited[]
- Chelsea as Jordan Stern
Trivia[]
- This is the tenth time that the episode is named after a song sung in it, the others being Home, Dream On, Silly Love Songs, Blame It on the Alcohol, Born This Way, I Kissed a Girl, Extraordinary Merry Christmas, Diva, and All or Nothing.
- "Movin' Out" was also the title given to a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel and the choreography of Twyla Tharp that premiered on Broadway in 2002.
- This episode had a rating of 1.6 with a total of 4.44 million viewers. Source
- The college program that Becky applies for at the University of Cincinnati, called the Transition and Access program, is an actual program offered by the college for individuals with developmental disabilities. Source
- Jenna Ushkowitz revealed on her podcast that she was upset that she didn't get to sing in this episode. She also stated that she really wanted to sing Vienna by Billy Joel.
- Billy Joel commented on the use of his music on the show, saying he was very happy his songs were being used on a show that is targeted towards a younger audience. Source
- Despite Kurt getting a tongue piercing in The End of Twerk, it is not shown or mentioned.
- This is the third episode where Blaine sings a solo, a duet and a group number, the first being Dynamic Duets and the second being Love, Love, Love. Coincidentally, at least one duet and one group song featured Sam.
- Glee's YouTube account mistakenly says that this episode is called Movin' On.
- This episode marks the first appearance of Millie Rose in Season Five and her last appearance in the series.
- Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) is the fourth song where a/two character(s) sings a solo/duet in the episode when they come to New York. The others being Rachel singing Roots Before Branches with Finn, Blaine singing Teenage Dream (Acoustic Version), and Santana singing Girl on Fire.
- Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) is the also the second song where a/two character(s) sings a solo/duet while they are actually on the transportation to New York. The first was Rachel singing Roots Before Branches with Finn.
- This episode marks the last time Ryder sings this season and on the show.
Mistakes[]
- During the scene in Kurt's bedroom, Kurt is grabbing Blaine's right hand, but in the next shot he's holding the left one.
Quotes[]
| “ |
With our take on a classic BJ... Billy Joel |
” |
| “ |
Artie Abrams, wheel your butt into my office now. |
” |
| “ |
Will: You may be right, we may be crazy. |
” |
| “ |
Bichette: You're lips, they're kinda like.... Sam: Trouty? |
” |
| “ |
Becky: I don't want to hurt your feelings, Coach. |
” |
![Artie (Kevin McHale, L) and Becky (Lauren Potter, R) have a conversation in the “Movin’ Out” episode of GLEE airing Thursday, Nov. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2013 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Mike Yarish/FOX [UHQ]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/glee/images/1/1c/Tumblr_mvv8lx5qyw1rojy6eo2_500.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/400?cb=20131106235501)
