- The members of New Directions tackle their assignment of getting out of their comfort zones and determining whether they're more like "Katy" (Perry) or (Lady) "Gaga." Kurt holds auditions for his new band and must decide if he'll let in the overly bold performer, Starchild. Meanwhile, Jake gets closer to Bree as he and Marley grow apart.—Anonymous
- Mr. Shoe comes in to the practice room with the names of the show choirs they'll be competing against, including Throat Explosion out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the new choir everyone's been buzzing about. They don't even go to class, just practice.
Tina thinks Throat Explosion are all Lady Gaga and they don't stand a chance because they're a bunch of Katy Perrys. Mr. Shoe thinks they have a mix of both and takes a poll on who considers themselves a Katy or a Gaga. For this week's exercise, Katys will get their Gaga on and Gagas will go Katy.
In NYC, Kurt comes to the diner and announces he's forming a band. He wants the girls to join. Rachel says thanks, but she's devoting her energy to "Funny Girl." Santana says yes as long as she gets a say on who gets to join.
Penny talks to Sam at his locker. She's got a fake tattoo on from going to a Skrillex concert and says she has a musical dark side. He goes on and one about his love for the canceled Nickelodeon show "True Jackson VP." He asks her out, but she's going to a Nine Inch Nails concert with her ex-boyfriend.
Sam goes to Blaine for help, thinking that Penny seems like a Katy, but she's really a Gaga. Blaine suggests they bring Penny in to see Sam perform his Gaga song.
In NYC, Kurt is bummed that no one is showing up for his band auditions -- except for someone called "Starchild" (Adam Lambert). He comes in -- wearing giant platform boots, a top hat and sparkly tails and sings "Marry the Night" including a twirl from the chandelier. Santana is wowed, but Kurt proclaims his look a little "outré" for the look he's going for.
Bree checks in with Sue Sylvester, dressed only in police caution tape for her Gaga number. Sue wonders why we are continually forced to choose between two female pop archetypes, but nevertheless proclaims the exercise the most annoying thing the club as ever done.
Marley suggests date night plans to Jake, but he's tired of the Bread Sticks and movie routine and suggests they shake it up.
On stage, Sam addresses his fellow Gagas, including Artie, Blaine, Ryder and Marley. He has a catwalk and strobe lights, but no other edgy ideas. He gives the sheet music for "Applause" and says he's off to recruit them a packed house. He asks Becky for help.
Back at home, Rachel asks Kurt why he rejected Starchild. Kurt thinks he's a little too fringe, and after watching Rachel book a Broadway show, he's ready for some mainstream success himself. Rachel urges him to stay true to himself -- and call Starchild back, which is a problem because he doesn't have his number, or his name.
Marley's idea of mixing it up is buying tickets to see John Mayer. Jake goes along with it. Bree asks him for help choreographing a Cheerios number, and at Marley's urging he says yes.
Sue interrupts class to read morning announcements and Becky plays a teaser Gaga video starring Sam in a plastic mask, telling people to come to the auditorium at 3:30. When Sam checks with Penny, she says she can't make it because she's getting a piercing. He suggests they get pierced together this weekend, so she can make his Gaga show. She agrees.
Unique, Tina, Kitty and Jake try to plan their Katy performance, but are in a Gaga state of mind. Jake leaves to go help the Cheerios and Unique gets worried for Marley. Unique and Marley peek on rehearsals and see Bree grinding on Jake. Unique urges Marley to go full Gaga in her performance.
The Gagas perform "Applause." Sam sings with his shirt off and skeleton-like wings. Artie is in white face make-up with inflatable something behind his chair, Blaine, as he later says, looks "like Siegfried and Roy," but Marley comes out in a Katy Perry pink wig and candy striper outfit. The audience is confused.
When it's over, she says she wasn't comfortable with the sea shell bikini. The rest of the Gagas are ticked off, since they went for it. Mr. Shoe chews her out for putting her personal feelings above the group and suspends her for the rest of the week.
The Katys still haven't gotten anywhere on their plans. Unique says she did try to get a lion from the zoo, but it turns out Lima doesn't have a zoo. So he got Jake dressed up like a "gay Thundercat." Tina suggests they're thinking about it all wrong, they have to strip it down to just the music.
At work, Kurt waits on Starchild, aka Elliot Gilbert, with none of his make-up or get-up on. He wants to be in Kurt's band. Kurt welcomes him, saying he can be whatever he likes.
Sam checks in with Penny, who awkwardly confesses she didn't hate his performance. She doesn't have a musical dark side, her exes do. She likes mainstream, like Carrie Underwood and Katy Perry. Sam is relieved. After confessing to being a Katy himself, he kisses her.
Sam brings Penny to the Katy Perry show. Kitty, Jake, Tina and Unique sing a striped down version of "Wide Awake," with no choreography, just sitting on stools and singing.
Jake tries to cheer Marley up. She's bummed to have been banned from the Katy performance. He invites her over after school and suggests she keep the costume on. He mentions his mom is working a double shift and won't be there.
Later at his house, they're making out when she stops him. He gets frustrated, asking how much more patient he needs to be. She gets angry and tells him to just go have fun with someone else.
Cut to Jake asking Bree if she wants to go somewhere private.
Later in Kurt's place, they try to come up with a band name, but he rejects them all. Rachel comes home and offers up Pamela Lansbury. Kurt loves it, the sex appeal of Pamela Anderson and the quiet dignity of Angela Lansbury. Rachel finally agrees to be in the band.
Back in the rehearsal room, Mr. Shoe suggests they come together as a unified group for their final number. Sue Sylvester interrupts. She suspends everyone for a week for their risqué costumes. She doesn't care that nationals is in four weeks. Mr. Shoe warns her that he always seems to win their little war.
It's time to hear them "Roar."
They close with everyone in Gagas and Katys then into a jungle scene, with all the guys in loin cloths.
Back in New York, Pamela Lansbury rehearses.
Marley comes in and waves at Jake on stage. Bree lurks beside her.
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