Frenemies (Glee)
"Frenemies" is the ninth episode and spring premiere of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the ninety-seventh episode overall. Written by Ned Martel and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on February 25, 2014. Effective with this episode, the show moves back to Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm Eastern time from Thursday nights at 9:00 pm Eastern time.
Plot
Continuing from where the show had left off, Tina Cohen-Chang is distressed that she's only on the waiting list for Brown University, and Artie Abrams cheers her up through a performance of "Whenever I Call You Friend". Their relationship sours when Principal Sue Sylvester announces that they both have equal qualifications to be class valedictorian and will have a "speech-off" to decide who will get it. In addition to this, Artie and Tina also compete for a solo at Nationals through a performance of "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)", during which Tina accidentally pushes Artie out of his wheelchair.In New York, Santana Lopez grows dissatisfied with her prospects in light of Rachel Berry's achievements on Broadway, and auditions to be Rachel's understudy in Funny Girl through a performance of "Don't Rain on My Parade", copying Rachel's signature moves whilst giving her a stinging memory of her 'Choke' audition. Rachel is infuriated, and trades insults with Santana. Their rivalry is furthered when Santana gets the job, and director Rupert Campion announces that the show is using the fact that they came from the same school in Ohio as part of the show's publicity.
Meanwhile, Kurt Hummel suspects that Elliott Gilbert is trying to steal the band from him, and decides to get closer by pretending to want guitar lessons. Elliott takes Kurt to a guitar store, where they perform "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" and realize they enjoy spending time together. Elliott reassures Kurt he is not trying to upstage him. Kurt uploads a picture of them together, giving Blaine Anderson slight feelings of discomfort.
At the speech-off, Artie and Tina apologize to one another by praising each other in their speeches. Sue's assembled panel, consisted of Will Schuester, Coach Shannon Beiste and Janitor Figgins, ends up tied, and Sue instead gives valedictorian to Blaine, making Artie and Tina co-salutatorians. While Blaine, Artie and Tina gather to sing "Breakaway" with their friends, Rachel decides to move out of the loft and cut ties with Santana, making their friendship come to an end.
Production
The episode was in production by November 20, 2013, and Chris Colfer tweeted about "pole dancing" in a scene that morning with Adam Lambert.Effective with this episode, the show moves from its broadcast time of 9:00 pm Eastern time on Thursday nights, its time slot for the fourth season and for the fall portion of the fifth season, to Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm Eastern time.
Special guest star Peter Facinelli returns as Rupert Campion, the Funny Girl director. Other recurring characters in this episode include McKinley football coach Shannon Beiste, janitor and former principal Figgins and cheerleader Becky Jackson, and NYU student and Pamela Lansbury bandmember Elliott Gilbert.
Seven songs from the episode are being released as singles: Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" featuring Darren Criss, McHale, and Ushkowitz; "Whenever I Call You Friend" by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks and "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" by En Vogue, both performed by McHale and Ushkowitz; "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl featuring Rivera; "Every Breath You Take" by the Police and "Brave" by Sara Bareilles, both performed by Michele and Rivera; and The Darkness' "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" featuring Lambert and Chris Colfer.