| "The Quarterback" | |
|---|---|
| Glee episode | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Glee,_The_Quarterback_Still.jpg) Past and current New Directions members commemorate the late Finn Hudson. | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Brad Falchuk |
| Written by | Ryan Murphy Brad Falchuk Ian Brennan |
| Featured music | |
| Production code | 5ARC03 |
| Original air date | October 10, 2013 |
| Guest appearances | |
"The Quarterback" is the third episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the ninety-first episode overall. Written by all three of the show's creators—Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan—and directed by Falchuk, it first aired on Fox in the United States on October 10, 2013. The episode sees the death of character Finn Hudson, and acts as a tribute to Hudson and to actor Cory Monteith, who had played the character since the start of the series, and who died on July 13, 2013. The episode's plot centers on the impact Finn's death has on the characters, specifically Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera), Noah Puckerman (Mark Salling), and Rachel Berry (Lea Michele).
The episode has been received positively by critics, though some criticized the show for not revealing a cause of death for Hudson. Upon its initial airing, this episode was viewed by 7.40 million American viewers and garnered a 2.9 rating in the 18–49 age group. The total viewership and ratings for this episode were up significantly from the previous episode. It was the show's highest rating since the fourth season episode "Britney 2.0".