‘Glee’ Recap: ‘Night of Neglect’ – Season 2, Episode 17

Tonight was an exciting one for gleeks, when 'Glee' returned after a month-long hiatus with the much-anticipated 'Night of Neglect' episode -- and PopCrush has your recap right here.

When New Directions start to count their pennies for Nationals in New York City, they quickly realize they don't have much to go on, so Will suggests that they sell salt water taffy. But a continental divide develops when half of the glee club forgets that Artie, Tina, Mike, and Brittany are due to compete in an academic decathlon that's a week away, and because the finals are in Detroit and they can't afford the trip, Will steps in to help them, too.

Mean-spirited cheerleading coach Sue puts together a secret League of Doom, which includes Will's ex-wife, in order to "destroy the glee club" by breaking up Will and his new lady and bringing down the spirit of the kids with insults. That's right -- Gwyneth Paltrow is back as substitute Holly Holiday, but this time things aren't so hot with Mr. Schuester.

To help the McKinley High kids, Miss Holiday suggests that rather than selling candy, the club should host a benefit -- a 'Night of Neglect' fundraiser -- to build their self-esteem. Sticking with the theme, the club agrees to only perform songs by neglected artists whose brilliance isn't always appreciated.

Also back in 'Night of Neglect,' Charice returns as Sunshine Corazon, and the lead competitor from Vocal Adrenaline petitions the McKinley High glee club with a rendition of Eric Carmen's 'All By Myself' (a Celine Dion hit) -- and agrees to bring her 600 Twitter followers to the show if they let her perform.

Lauren Zizes showers Mercedes with flattery so that she can run the show as her manager, which sends the unsung hero on a diva-licious rage. We also find out that Carl leaves Emma because they never consummated their marriage -- but we wonder, does that mean no more Uncle Jesse on 'Glee?'

When Mercedes becomes too much to handle, Quinn and Finn try to enlist Rachel to help tame the beast, and she obliges. Meanwhile, Dustin Goolsby (Cheyenne Jackson) of Sue's legion tries to seduce Miss Holiday, much to Mr. Schue's dismay.

Come showtime, Kurt and Blaine come together to attend the benefit, but when Sunshine doesn't show, neither do her followers and the auditorium is virtually empty. Tina hits the stage first with ‘I Follow Rivers’ (Lykke Li), but she can't quite take the heckling from Sue's minions.

In an unusual 'Glee' moment, Mike gives a dance number (no singing!) to Jack Johnson 'Bubble Toes' that would battle even Chris Brown. Tina is still backstage in tears, so Holly Holiday steps in show the hecklers what damage they're doing with their sharp tongues, and convinces them all to leave.

Mercedes doesn't feel appreciated as a star, so Rachel shares the heartwarming story of how Aretha Franklin earned her crown -- which opens Mercedes' emotional side, and she asks why Rachel always gets the pedestal over her. Unexpectedly, Rachel encourages her to step in and take it away, and Mercedes comes to her senses and lays down a Grammy-worthy version of Aretha's 'Ain't No Way.'

Next, substitute Holiday lays down a breath-taking cover of ‘Turning Tables’ (Adele) with a string orchestra at her back, which causes Will to re-think the downfall of their folding relationship. After her performance, she spills that she's gotten a new job and will be packing her bags -- not only because she can't commit, but because Emma is actually in love with Will!

Season 2, Episode 17 paid tribute to forgotten artists and one-hit wonders who don't typically get a chance to shine in the light of the usual Top 40 covers and blends. Stay tuned to 'Glee' and PopCrush -- next week is the big 'Born This Way' Lady Gaga episode!