Community invaded once more by Germans

Article first published as Community invaded once more by Germans on TheTVKing.

NBC's Community has floundered quite a bit in its fourth season, coming up with stories that generally fit in the tone and scheme of the series overall, but feeling a bit hollow underneath, the characters just not being as smartly written as they are before, and the plot not quite as tight.

I'm happy to report that this week's installment, "Alternative History of the German Invasion," is the first episode to overcome these problems and deliver. I won't claim it's the most creative or funniest installment of Community, but it does get everyone right, is just weird enough to work, and there aren't all the obvious holes I've been able to poke in the other three chapters this year.

The premise is that the study group begins their alternate history class with their new professor (Malcolm McDowell, Franklin & Bash, Entourage), only to find out that the Germans they tussle with in the past are also taking the class. The Germans' new leader (Chris Diamantopoulos, 24, The Office) takes over the group's usual meeting room, and then even their table, too. But when our heroes try to reclaim their designated spot, they learn that the rest of the campus sees them as the villains.

It's interested to get this flipped view of the main cast. We are so used to the story being focused on them, it's odd to step back and see that all of the people around them are sick of it. I guess, in the real world, we would also object to their egocentricity and the tightness of the impenetrable clique. The scenes where the action flashes back to previous episodes, demonstrating how Jeff (Joel McHale) and the others treat their classmates, is eye opening, and will change the way I view Community from here on out.

But beyond that, this plot also ties into the title of the episode and the new history class they have just started, so much so that they assume that the professor is just trying to teach them a lesson, making them seem even more self-involved than they already are. It's a neat trick, looping back in on itself, and something Community has a track record of excelling it, even if they haven't lately.

I love that the Germans are the choice to use as the bad guys because, not only do we get some wonderful Hogan's Heroes (or Hogan's Villians) callbacks, the latest in a long line of TV references the show makes, but it's so unexpected. When reduced to goofy stereotypes with thick, fake accents and fiendish conquering attempts, viewers' minds will automatically pigeonhole the modern day German students into the same category as the wartime enemy of the 1930s and '40s. Thus, when the twist is revealed, it's all the more surprising and brilliant.

Add to that the forbidden friendship that Abed (Danny Pudi) strikes up with one of the rivals (Alex Schemmer, Weeds), and Shirley's (Yvette Nicole Brown) running gag of trying to get home to her kids, only to be blown off on a suggested outing after the conflict, and there are some great layers to the half hour, too.

At the conclusion of season three, Jeff realizes its OK to be nice. He has been trying for the last few episodes to stick to those guns, but without the support of his friends, he has no chance. Thus, it's gratifying to see them all coming 'round once they realize their mistakes, painting and fixing up other study rooms so that other groups on campus might have the same kind of special thing that they have. It's a love letter to Greendale and the fans, and it might just mean that Community leaves these characters as beloved alumni, rather than Seinfeld-esque jerks.

Though, they haven't completely learn their lesson yet, as we see when Abed and Troy (Donald Glover) refuse to do the nice German's podcast in the tag at the end.

I would like (OK, like is the wrong word here) to mention that Pierce (Chevy Chase) seems more and more checked out with each passing week. He is already separating himself from the group and their reality, which is a nice, if regrettable, set up to his impending departure. At least it can be written in a way that makes sense, rather than his absence being sudden and jarring.

Elsewhere, the Dean (Jim Rash) is tasked with caring for Chang (Ken Jeong) during his Changnesia. At first, the Dean doesn't buy that "Kevin" is reformed, assuming this is some evil plot by Chang. Then, when Kevin turns himself in to the police for the past wrongs the Dean tells him about, the Dean finally buys his story, happy to help work with Chang if he has really turned over a new leaf.

I keep waiting for the reveal that this all an elaborate scam by Chang, and I do think that it probably is. But I applaud the way "Alternative History of the German Invasion" keeps us guessing. Even if Chang is the ultimate bad guy, he has gone so far that something like this is necessary to bring him back into the fold, so he gets to show off his genius as well as his ugly intentions. Plus, when the Dean judges Chang for putting his name into words, it's an ironic ball of humor that I cannot get enough of.

Jeong does make some interesting choices in the way that he plays the seemingly brainwashed Chang. Why does he pull the stuffing out of the Dean's pillow? I don't know. But it's these small touches that make the overall picture more odd and enjoyable.

"Alternative History of the German Invasion" may not rank among the best episodes of Community at this point, but I would argue it's the best of the season so far. If it's taken three weeks for the writers to get into the groove, minus those of their number they have lost, that's an acceptable sacrifice, especially if they keep up the consistency and quality going forward. I am happy to let a bit of my pessimism about this season fade away, and am very much anticipating the next zany adventure.

Community airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.