For many seasons,Communityentertained us with its unique characters, humorous storylines, and smart references. Underrated during its run, this TV show has continued to build a fanbase through its second life onHuluandNetflix.
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However, with every good TV show, some episodes are less successful than others. This doesn’t mean they’re terrible, though. As, especially when it comes toCommunity, it can be argued that every episode has something that makes it enjoyable and binge-worthy for the audience regardless of its rating.
“Economics of Marine Biology” (S4 E07, 6.7/10 Rating) — PEE and Millionaire Whales
The seventh episode of Season 4, this episode sees Greendale Community College trying to attract a whale (a rich person who is a perpetual student). In the meantime, Troy and Shirley take a “Physical Education Education” class, where Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) excels while Troy (Donald Glover) unexpectedly struggles.
Annie (Alison Brie) and Dean Pelton’s (Jim Rash) attempts to lure in their whale is quite entertaining to watch here, especially as they escalate into Magnitude (Luke Youngblood) losing his “pop pop” catchphrase. The culmination of this narrative is Magnitude’s almost mental breakdown trying to come up with a new phrase, leading Annie and Pelton to realize the error of their ways. Shirley and Troy’s class does get a little ridiculous, but Abed’s (Danny Pudi) B-story of starting a fraternity does provide additional moments of humor.
“Intro to Felt Surrogacy” (S4 E09, 6.8/10 Rating) — Puppets and Music
In avery experimental and creative episodethat is very common forCommunity,this episode sees the study grouprecall a traumatic experience through hand puppets. What follows is a Muppet-esque musical episode with occasional interaction with human guest stars.
Admittedly, the musical part of this episode might feel a little out of place (especially when they do it better in other holiday episodes). This aside, the use of puppetry as a main narrative tool is quite entertaining. To begin the episode with everyone unable to look at each other for an unknown reason provides a hook to get the audience intrigued from the get-go.
“Alternative History of the German Invasion” (S4 E04, 7.1/10 Rating) — Oktoberfest and Changesia
This episode sees the reintroductionof the foosball Germans from “Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism” (S3 E09) when they end up in the same history class. Throughout the episode, they seek to best the Germans once again when a battle for the study room begins. Secondary to this is the reintroduction of Chang, who appears to be suffering from Changnesia.
Introduced at the beginning of the episode is the concept of “History being written by the victors,” and this concept is executed very well throughout. Initially, the study group believes that they are the heroes as they always appear to be. However, they soon discover that they are actually the villains when their fellow students turn on them and reveal the consequences of their actions.
“History 101” (S4 E01, 7.2 Rating) — Hunger Deans and Imaginary TV Shows
The first episode aftercreatorDan Harmonwas replaced as showrunner, this kicks off the study group’s senior year. Abed struggles with the reality of eventually graduating and imagines his version ofCommunitythat will keep the study group together forever. Needing a history class to graduate early, Jeff (Joel McHale) participates in a competition to obtain the group’s entrance into the “History of Icecream” class. While this is happening, Annie and Shirley pull senior pranks on Dean Pelton.
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In all, Season 4 is disliked by fans for a perceived drop in quality following the ousting of Harmon. However, this does not mean that the episodes are without their positives. Here, Abed’s imagined shows are pretty funny, especially as they begin to collapse as reality sets in. Additionally, Annie’s impersonation of Dean Pelton when Shirley tries to teach her how to pull pranks is highly memorable.
“Advanced Safety Features” (S6 E07, 7.2 Rating) — Guerilla Marketing and Making Friends
This episode sees the returnof the character of Subway (real name Rick, played byTravis Schuldt), who is now a guerilla Honda salesperson. He reunites with Britta (Gillian Jacobs) and enlists her to help sell cars. Elsewhere, Abed and Annie attempt to become better friends with the new group member, Elroy (Keith David), and Jeff becomes jealous when they manage to.
It’s the Britta and Rick plot that shines in this episode. Though the character development of Elroy is good to see, watching the two of them enact subliminal selling strategies on their fellow Greendalians is very entertaining. Add to this Dean Pelton’s hilarious susceptibility to this marketing and Britta’s final closure with Rick by the episode’s end. Youcould argue that this episode is betterthan it gets credit for.
“Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy” (S2 E18, 7.3 Rating) — Fathers and the Balkans
Coming towards the end of the second season, the A plot of this episode sees Shirley enlist Jeff’s help to get Chang to sign away his parental rights to her unborn baby. In the B plot, Britta romances Abed and Troy’s new friend Luca and finds out he is a war criminal.
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Possibly disliked by fans due to its lack of hijinx, this episode ofCommunityis an example of the show dealing with more serious issues. The B plot’s use of war crimes may be cringeworthy, but the A Plot with Jeff turning Shirley’s request to his advantage is very much a Jeff-worthy act. Chang is also less grating here as he tries to work out how to act like a father.
“Conventions in Space and Time” (S4 E03, 7.3 Rating) — Focus Groups and Make Believe
A reintroduction of the fictitious programInspector Spacetime,this episode sees the study groupattend a convention for the show. Troy becomes jealous of Abed’s new friend Toby (guest starMatt Lucas) at the convention, while Pierce (Chevy Chase) and Shirley get brought in for a focus group. Elsewhere,Annie pretends to be Jeff’s wife, and Jeff hits on a woman while pretending to be anInspector Spacetimeactor.
ReintroducingInspector Spacetime(Community’sversion ofDoctor Who) is always an entertaining addition to the show. Additionally, having the episode based around the show but not focused solely on it is a smart move asCommunityhas already done other episodes like this (see S3 E16 “Virtual Systems Analysis”). Annie’s escalating play-acting, especially with hotel staff, is also an excellent side story.
“Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations” (S4 E05, 7.4 Rating) — Thanksgiving and Prison
In a tale of two Thanksgivings, one sees Britta accompany Jeff to his reunion with his father, while the other has the rest of the study group attend Shirley’s family dinner. While Jeff and Britta’s storyline plays out in traditional fashion, Abed narrates aThe Shawshank Redemption-esque storyline at Shirley’s.
It’sThe Shawshank Redemptionplot that is quite literally the redemption of this episode. While Jeff’s storyline has important character development, it doesn’t quite hit the mark with its guest stars. Luckily, the combination of Abed, Troy, and Annie is always a good one, and the juxtaposition with Shirley as their warden is expertly done.
‘Lawnmower Maintenance and Postnatal Care’ (S6 E02, 7.4 Rating) — Virtual Reality and Parents
In the second episode of Season 6, this episode opens with Britta moving in with Annie and Abed. She soon discovers that her parents have been giving the two money and funding her life from a distance in general. Elsewhere, Jeff and Frankie try to correct Dean Pelton’s mistake of buying a virtual reality system.
Dean Pelton’s increasing obsession with the VR system is hilarious, especially since the system is not only bad but needlessly complex. Jeff’s pairing with Frankie is also a particularly good pairing due to Jeff’s sarcasm and Frankie’s straightforwardness. Britta’s rebellion against her parents is slightly annoying, but her conversation with Frankie is also quite good.
“Basic Email Security” (S6 E06, 7.4 Rating) — Hackers and Emails
This Season 6 episode seesthe Save Greendale Committee (previously the study group) threatened to have their emails exposed by an unknown hacker. The only way to avoid this is to cancel a controversial comedy act. Despite the group generally disliking the act, they decide to go up against the hacker, and their emails are released.
The conversation the group has regarding the release of personal information provides pointed commentary on the real-life hacking of the personal data of celebrities. Additionally, the scene where everyone confronts one another after their emails are leaked is particularly entertaining.
