Ep 21. Wonder-Ful

In Glee season 4 episode 21, titled "Wonder-Ful," the New Directions prepare for their upcoming Regionals competition with a theme of "Wonder-ful," celebrating the music of Stevie Wonder. As they rehearse their songs, a surprise visitor arrives: Mercedes Jones (played by Amber Riley), former member of the New Directions who has been away in Los Angeles pursuing her music career. Mercedes agrees to help mentor the group and perform with them at Regionals.

Meanwhile, Finn Hudson (played by the late Cory Monteith) struggles with the aftermath of his recent break-up with his girlfriend, Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michele). He confides in Mercedes about his uncertain future, and she encourages him to follow his dreams and not give up on what he loves.

The episode also focuses on the relationship between Artie Abrams (played by Kevin McHale) and his girlfriend, Betty (played by Jennifer Hudson). Betty, who is a nurse, encourages Artie to pursue his dreams of directing and tells him that she will support him no matter what. This prompts Artie to consider moving to New York City to attend film school, despite the fact that he and Betty would be long-distance.

As the New Directions continue to prepare for Regionals, tensions rise between members Blaine Anderson (played by Darren Criss) and Sam Evans (played by Chord Overstreet) after they both audition for the lead role of "Wonder-ful." The conflict comes to a head when they perform a duet of "Higher Ground" and attempt to outdo each other, but ultimately learn the importance of supporting each other as teammates.

The episode culminates in the Regionals competition, where the New Directions face off against their rival glee club, the Warblers, and another strong competitor, the Hoosierdaddies. The New Directions deliver powerful performances of Stevie Wonder hits, including "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and "I Wish," with Mercedes joining in for a show-stopping rendition of "Superstition." In the end, the New Directions emerge as the winners of Regionals, and the episode closes with them celebrating their victory and looking forward to what the future holds.

Overall, "Wonder-Ful" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the talents of the Glee cast while delivering a message of perseverance, support, and following your dreams. It also includes a poignant tribute to Stevie Wonder and his iconic music, which serves as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together.