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    What You Need To Know To Prepare Yourself For The Return Of "Glee"

    Yes, it's going to be a strange and difficult season. But we'll get through it together... and through many, many tissues.

    Glee returns Thursday, Sept. 26 with its Season 5 premiere, which will be the first episode since Cory Monteith's death.

    But as we brace ourselves to get to know the extended McKinley High family sans Finn Hudson, let's take a look at where we left off with the Season 4 finale, "All or Nothing."

    The episode kicked off with Brittany's very bizarre meeting with M.I.T. admissions, in which her doodles were interpreted to determine that she "might be the most brilliant scientific mind since Albert Einstein." As such, she was offered early admissions.

    Exactly that face, Brittany.

    Anyway, back at McKinley, it was time for Regionals for the 307492874th time!

    And in New York, Rachel was auditioning for Funny Girl with a rendition of Celine Dion's "To Love You More."

    Post-M.I.T. admission, Brittany went on a rampage, quit the Cheerios, and burned her uniform in effigy.

    Meanwhile, Ryder couldn't practice for Regionals because he was still being catfished. So he forced the New Directioners to fess up and finally, Marley did.

    Who needs Nev and Max, amirite?

    Blaine was shopping for an engagement ring for Kurt and lucky for him, the woman helping him at the store was an older lesbian who wanted to guide him in the ways of gay marriage!

    Oh, and Sue's baby daddy is Michael Bolton. And this was Mr. Schue's face when he found out:

    Sam was worried about Brittany so he called Santana to come from New York to help.

    Of course, after some White Chocolate and Trouty Mouth jokes, she obliged. And then Brittana reunited on Fondue For Two, which got a lot of play in the Season 4 finale.

    Blaine and Kurt went on a double date with Jan and her partner Liz (Meredith Baxter) to Breadstix.

    While Kurt swooned over the ladies, Blaine swooned over Kurt.

    And then Jan proposed!!!!!!

    Marley tried to make amends with Ryder, but then Unique revealed herself as the real "Katie."

    Time for Regionals, where Jessica Sanchez returned with The Hoosierdaddies and this girl, doing this dance:

    Backstage, Brittany revealed that she would be leaving to go to M.I.T. Then, Kurt and Mercedes understandably made these faces:

    And things got emotional:

    But, good news: New Directions won Regionals!

    And some more (arguably) good news: Emma and Mr. Schue FINALLY got married!

    In the choir room. Because where else?!

    All the while, Blaine was holding on to a certain little black box.

    And here's what we know about Season 5: It will kick off with not one, but two Beatles-themed episodes.

    Expect performances of "Yesterday," "All You Need Is Love,""Here Comes the Sun" and "Come Together."

    Though we're saying goodbye to some familiar faces, like Heather Morris (who's expecting a baby) and Amber Riley (who's currently kicking ass on "Dancing With the Stars"), there will be some new ones as well...

    Here's Santana and her new love interest Dani (Demi Lovato):

    And Adam Lambert with Chris Colfer. He'll be playing Kurt's nemesis at NYADA.

    The third episode of Season 5, titled "The Quarterback," will air on Thursday, Oct. 10 and will pay tribute to Cory Monteith.

    And (tissue time), Ryan Murphy tweeted this today in preparation for the episode.

    Ryan Murphy

    @MrRPMurphy

    Glee First Look

    / Via

    This is reportedly the synopsis for the episode:

    "In the wake of Finn's sudden death, former members of New Directions return to McKinley to remember their fallen friend. While a stoic Mr. Schue encourages all the gleeks to 'memorialize him the way we do everything — by singing about it,' some of the kids find the exercise more cathartic than others. At the Hudson-Hummel home, Kurt, Burt and Carole sort through Finn's belongings and what begins as a somber occasion blossoms into a poignant and much needed family moment.

    Meanwhile, Emma grows concerned when she believes Will is so busy taking care of others that he's not allowing himself time to grieve; Santana struggles with using her 'bitch' mask to hide her fond feelings for Finn, and has a run in with Bree, McKinley's 'New Santana'; and following a heart-to-heart with Coach Beiste, Puck honors Finn's memory by making a life-changing decision about his future."

    Are you prepared for Glee's upcoming emotional season? Tune in for the premiere on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.