Season 4, Episode 20:  Lights Out

Ownership of Glee:  FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

= = =

With McKinley experiencing a blackout, Will has made it unplugged week in Glee Club.

Violet decides to start the week off with her and Sam's acoustic version of the Rufus Wainwright cover of Jeff Buckley's 'Hallelujah.'

[Hallelujah by Violet and Sam]

When the two end, the glee club claps.

"Guys that was... amazing. Truly amazing. Where did you guys come up with the idea for that number?" Will asks.

"Well we both love the song, and thought it would be a good choice for this week's assignment." Violet answers.

Sam nods. "Yeah. Plus I knew Violet would be awesome on this song."

Will smiles. "This is something you two have aced. Guys, you better bring your A-game." He tells his other students.

"Good job guys. That was amazing." Blaine says.

Tina nods. "I loved that song."

Violet and Sam smile at each other and then hug.

= = =

The next day, Sam sings 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling.'

[You've Lost That Loving Feeling by Sam]

After the performance is over, Violet claps for him.

"Wow, you see that, guys? That's the kind of power and passion that we need for regionals. Good job, Sam. Um, next up, uh, Artie. Show us what you got." Will says.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shue. I can't do Miguel without my synth. I needs my synth!" Artie says.

"No, you needs to man up." Violet comments.

Artie looks at her. "Excuse me?"

"You know how often the power went off at my house, how many times my dad couldn't afford to pay the stupid bill?" Sam counters.

"Relax, dude." Artie tells Sam.

"I had to entertain my brother and sister with just my guitar and my voice, and we didn't have any synth. I mean, like, I saw you texting during my song, and it's not just you; it's all of us. We're so focused on being plugged in to the Twitterverse and the Blogosphere that we don't appreciate what's actually right in front of us. And I think that that's just sad and lame." Sam rants.

Violet places a hand on Sam's shoulder. "I agree Sam."

= = =

Ryder decides to perform the next day.

"I know these songs are supposed to be unplugged, but I asked Mr. Shue permission to do a full orchestration." Ryder says.

"Which I gladly agreed to, because Ryder eloquently told me that what he wanted to unplug were his feelings." Will adds.

"I want to really reveal myself through this song. And frankly, I think I kind of need the support to get there. I'd like to dedicate this song to all of us, and for all the slushees... real and proverbial... that we've all taken to the face over the years." Ryder finishes.

Ryder sings R.E.M.'s 'Everybody Hurts.'

[Everybody Hurts by Ryder]

Violet gently claps for his performance.

"That was amazing, Ryder." Violet says.

Will nods. "You certainly unplugged whatever you were looking to let out."

"I didn't want to just get them out. I wanted to get in touch with them so I could maybe have the balls to tell you guys something. Something that's pretty hard to talk about." Ryder explains.

"It's cool, bro. You can let it out." Jake encourages.

"I've actually only told one person this. Not even my parents know. But... I'm not sure if I could trust that person to keep it secret. So before this gets out, I want to be the one to open the box. When I was 11, I was molested by my babysitter. She just walked in on me in the shower, and she touched me a bit." Ryder reveals.

Violet gently lays a hand on Ryder's shoulder for support.

"Wait, hold on. Did you just say 'she?' Like, as in a girl? Like, a teenage girl?" Artie asks.

"Yeah, she was, like, 17, 18." Ryder confirms.

"Dude, you were 11 and some hot 18-year-old plays with your junk? I'd have killed for that. Why are you ashamed of this?" Artie asks.

Violet's glare becomes cold towards the wheelchair-bound boy.

"I don't know, I... It kind of messed me up a bit. Like, I have trouble trusting girls because of it, I think." Ryder says.

"Guys, this is not something to high-five about. Ryder, I'm sorry, but I'm obligated to report it." Will tells Ryder.

Ryder shrugs. "Whatever, she already got locked up. She was caught doing it to some other kid."

"Okay, I'm sorry, but why-why is that a crime? I mean, it's every teenage boy's fantasy. I mean, there's, like, 50 '80s movies about it." Artie states.

"I mean, My Tutor, Private Lessons, Gym Class..." Sam trails off.

"We get it, Sam, thanks." Violet says.

"Guys, this is so uncool. His truth is his truth, not yours." Jake defends.

"You know what, it's cool, okay? Uh, the guys are right. I don't know what I was thinking. Uh, I'm, like, the luckiest guy in here. So... You know, yeah." Ryder says.

"Good job on the song." Jake compliments.

Ryder nods. "Thanks."

Violet walks with Ryder after glee club ends. "I think you were very brave to admit that happened to you at such a young age, Ryder. I'm sorry the guys were jerks about it. If you ever want someone to talk to... I'm here. I may not understand what you're going through, but I can listen and give advice if you really need it."

Ryder smiles. "Thanks Violet. I feel like you're one of the only people that really gets me."

"I'm glad you think that. And just so you know... I'm not your catfish. I wouldn't do that to you and I wouldn't hurt Kurt like that." Violet informs him.

Ryder nods. "I appreciate you telling me. It seems like you're one of the only people I can trust right now."

Violet smiles. "Thanks. I appreciate that honor."

= = =

Artie and the glee club sing Queen's 'We Will Rock You' on the auditorium stage, using nothing but ordinary everyday objects as instruments.

[We Will Rock You by Artie and New Directions]

= = =

The power comes back on by Friday.

"Citizens of McKinley, the power has been restored. Congratulations to all of us for refusing to resort to idol worship and rampant cannibalism. We have discovered that the blackout occurred when a Mylar balloon congratulating my secretary Donna on her successful hysterectomy became trapped in an outlet behind her file cabinet. McKinley Titans, it is a new dawn. Let us welcome a new era of peace and prosperity. Yours truly, Principal Figgins." Figgins says over the P.A. system.

"Okay, let's flip some switches and rock out, please." Artie insists.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on, guys. Don't plug back in just yet. There's one more thing this power outage can really drive home for us:  The power of singing a capella." Will says.

"I hate whistling." Brittany states.

"Nothing but our voices for this next number.bNo other instruments or bottles or tools or anything. At the end of the day, our voices are the only instruments that truly matter. So make it count." Will says.

After glee club, Violet walks up to Jake. "Hey Jake. I just wanted to tell you that I was proud of you for defending Ryder the other day in glee club. It was cool that you defended him." Violet says.

Jake smiles. "Thanks Violet. I figured someone had to say something, and I didn't want to be a bad friend."

"Well you are like your brother in that aspect. Noah will come to your aid in a heartbeat, no matter what." Violet tells the younger Puckerman.

Jake smiles. "So I'm like my brother in the friendship aspect?" He asks as Marley walks at Jake's other side.

Violet nods. "Yes you are. You're a good kid, Jake, and you're an even better friend." She says.

Violet walks off, leaving Jake and Marley to think about her words.

= = =

The New Directions perform an a cappella version of 'Longest Time.'

[Longest Time by New Directions]

At the end, they all cheer.

"We're coming for you Regionals!" Violet says.

Ryder nods. "Hell yeah we are!"

= = =

1369 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. Hallelujah - Violet and Sam
2. You've Lost That Loving Feeling - Sam
3. Everybody Hurts - Ryder
4. We Will Rock You - Artie and New Directions
5. Longest Time - New Directions

This was a good episode. I hope you guys enjoy the Ryder/Violet friendship, as well as the Jake/Violet friendship.

Next episode:  Wonder-ful

2 episodes to All or Nothing

We are two episodes away from the season 4 finale. Just letting you guys know when I'm finished with this book, I will be updating my Finn x OC book. I hope you guys will read it; I think you'd like it!