"Modern" COMMUNITY

Article originally published as TV Review: 'Community' - 'Modern Espionage' on Blogcritics.

The paintball war episodes used to be an annual tradition on Community, but it’s been a few years since the students took up the game. As the series quickly approaches the end of its sixth (and most likely final) season, it seems fitting to bring back such an iconic part of the show’s makeup in this week’s installment, “Modern Espionage.” And probably to end it once and for all.

Another paintball war breaks out on Greendale’s campus just as Frankie (Paget Brewster) has banned such things and is presenting an award to Deputy Custodian Lapari (Kumail Nanjiani, Silicon Valley, Portlandia). She begs Jeff (Joel McHale) to help her set an example and call the game off, and Jeff wants to help her. But he also doesn’t want to be the stick in the mud, nor does he want to let rival City College manipulate his co-workers and students into a losing battle. So he agrees to help the rest of the Save Greendale Committee, who are all active in the secret game, figure out who is behind the most recent contest and put a stop to it.

The result is a beautiful, stylized send-up of spy-type movies. Like past paintball outings, “Modern Espionage” doesn’t just tackle a specific film directly. Instead, it combines elements of a number of them such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, James Bond, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Die Hard, and various incarnations of Batman, presenting a homage, not a parody. There’s also a great speech about Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man worked in. Yes, some of these are superheroes, but Community is focusing on the spy and detective elements of the costumed vigilantes, rather than their super powered parts, so it fits.

As usual, some of the references are obvious, while some get pretty deep. Abed (Danny Pudi) and Annie’s (Alison Brie) style of combat at the gala is definitely from Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Dean’s (Jim Rash) ambush in the elevator feels lifted right from Winter Soldier, which in turn references Die Hard With a Vengeance. But did you catch the song playing in the elevator when the Dean is attacked, a melody used repeatedly in the show since season three? And while giving the Committee code names such as Bale, Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, and West are obviously actors that played Batman, did you know that The Dean’s moniker, The Voice of Diedrich Bader, is because Bader lent vocals to The Dark Knight in Batman: The Brave and the Bold?

The plot of “Modern Espionage” is thoroughly entertaining, but also fully Community. The suspense of The Dean’s elevator scene is great, but the only way he can defeat his enemies, which he does, is accidentally, not because of any skills he possesses. Having Jeff and The Dean face Lapari in the hall of mannequins seems an obvious thing to do and is great on itself, but the twist in that showdown is a hallmark of the show, with ineptitude ruling the day. The story is predictable, but that doesn’t matter.

This half hour uses the recurring cast well. From Vicki (Danielle Kaplowitz) and Garrett’s (Erik Charles Nielsen) one-person shows, to Todd (David Neher) and Starburn’s (Dino Stamatopoulos) parking garage confrontation, to Koogler’s (Mitchell Hurwitz) Club Club, we get to see bit players get good material and nail it. This is always welcome.

I do have a couple of complaints about “Modern Espionage.” For one, I would have liked to have seen Lapari joined by other actors who have played custodians in the past (most notably Nathan Fillion), at least in cameos. That’s not a knock on Nanjiani, whom I absolutely love, but it would be nice if he didn’t shoulder the burden of representing the colorful group alone when it’s shown to be a deep bench in the past. I didn’t like Frankie making the Committee actual babies. I’m also disappointed we never learn who Silver Ballz is, a hanging thread unlikely to be followed up upon, sadly.

None of these is super important, though, because Community serves its main characters, and that’s what’s important. Not only do they have a fun playground to use this week, but we see Jeff standing up for Frankie and all of them being forced to grow up a bit, coming together for good. Paintball is part of who they used to be, and as they’ve evolved, it fits less and less into their personalities. Most of the group fully embraces it when it returns now, but it’s glaringly obvious that they have moved beyond such things and this is a reversion, one last bit of fun, before they become responsible adults. Plus, the conversation between Jeff, The Dean, and Lapari about what Greendale is feels very right.

We may be near Community‘s end, with only two more episodes and an as-yet unannounced movie (but there has to be one – #sixseasonsandamovie!) left in the story. I’m OK with that because of the arcs the show has gone through and the wonderful way these characters speak to audiences. “Modern Espionage” is an excellent episode that serves Community well in the larger scheme.

Community posts new episodes every Tuesday on Yahoo! Screen.

Dystopian COMMUNITY

Article first published as Dystopian COMMUNITY on TheTVKing.

This week's installment of NBC's Community is called "App Development and Condiments." A pair of software developers (Brian Posehn and Steve Agee from The Sarah Silverman Program) introduce Greendale to a new social rating app for their smart phones, MeowMeowBeanz. Soon, as is par for this college, the app makes the campus devolve into a futuristic dystopian society where the highest rated rule the caste system, and the lowers are treated as slaves.

Only at Greendale Community College can the world change so rapidly. It's not like we haven't seen it before, even within this fifth season. A scenario is introduced into the population, and they whole-heartedly embrace it. Until, that is, it gets too dangerous and real and the study group find a way to dismantle the whole system, having worked out their own personal problems. It's the closest thing Community has to a formulaic episode, and it's highly enjoyable.

MeowMeowBeanz is a clever idea. While "App Development and Condiments" doesn't seem to parody any other particular work, it's sort of like if facebook and hot or not went crazy and evolved into a Hunger Games type of world in which everyone is ruled by this bad, useless technology. And having little cat faces all over the dark set is absurd in the best of ways. Toss in some strange future dance and some white curtains, with a flamboyant class just one step below, and suddenly Community has created a familiar and, at the same time, wholly original landscape.

Of course, these are all trappings for the real story. This week finds Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) with her feelings hurt because Jeff (Joel McHale) didn't invite her to a dinner he knows she can't attend. Community doesn't do Jeff-Shirley stories often, but whenever they do, it's great. They are such similar people in their love of other people's adoration, while also being completely different in their belief systems and manipulative tactics, and they make for a surprising friendship.

"App Development and Condiments" lets Shirley and Jeff play out their feud on a grand scale, drawing everyone else into the battle. This hyper reality is a major draw of the show, and it's quite fun when a personal beef is taken to such extremes. At heart is the argument which can be solved with a simple apology, but everything has to fall apart before either can swallow their pride enough to mend the bond, forced to take a look at themselves by their friends forcing them to do so.

Everyone has their own way of coping with the circumstances of the episode, showing beautifully the wonderfully varying people who make up the show. Annie (Alison Brie) becomes Shirley's butt-kisser. Abed (Danny Pudi) succeeds because he understands numbers and stats, but then doesn't like being in a position of authority. Professor Hickey (Jonathan Banks) gets ahead by pretending its his birthday, every day for over a week, while Chang (Ken Jeong) discovers people like limping and commits to that fully. Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos) tries to serve everyone at once, spying and sneaking, but never rising far.

We also have new character Koogler (Arrested Development creator Mitchell Hurwitz), who seems to come straight out of an 80s film, a fact hit home by the fake movie trailer in the tag. Not an actor, it seems unlikely that Hurwitz will become part of the recurring cast, which makes his appearance superfluous. I enjoyed his role, but would rather he not be included at all if his presence isn't going to be explained or repeated.

Lastly, we have Britta (Gillian Jacobs) doing what she does best - championing a cause. In this case, she's the one that brings down dystopia when she stages a revolution. Her fellow students begin to listen to her only when she has mustard on her face, so she embraces that until eventually the effect wears off. But it's great to see self-righteous Britta, desperate for approval, making it less likely to be given.

"App Development and Condiments" does seem like a fairly typical episode of Community, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. They are layers of story, always present in the best of the series, and some terrific one-liners, such as when Jeff scolds the students for playing through this on a Saturday, when they could have gone home. Tiny bits, like a 4 approving of 'forbidden love' between 4 Jeff and 2 Britta, sell the universe presented. Very good job.

In fact, if I have one complaint about this season, which we are more than halfway through, it's that the Dean (Jim Rash) hasn't really had any story, reducing him back to the small, supporting role he used to occupy. Rash deserves better material, and he is hilarious when he gets it. Let's hope there's at least one meaty Dean story before the end.

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

COMMUNITY Investigates Another Crime

Article first published as COMMUNITY Investigates Another Crime on TheTVKing.

The latest installment of NBC's Community is called "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics." Like the previous Law & Order spoof, this episode, including the lighting, tone, and opening credits, is done in a style different than the typical week. Here, we have the cable version of the genre represented, a higher quality, more ambiguous focus on the characters and how the crime relates to them, rather than the dastardly act itself.

The case at the center of "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics" is simple enough: the butt crack bandit is back, dropping coins down the exposed backsides of the folks at Greendale. Annie (Alison Brie) becomes obsessed with uncovering the culprit as the population goes into a panic. Jeff (Joel McHale) reluctantly agrees to help, as long as Annie doesn't tell anyone he's doing so.

The suspects are numerous. Could it be Professor Duncan (John Oliver), who has recently returned from a sabbatical spent caring for his ailing mother (she's not dead, he's just wasted enough time on her)? How about Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown), whose re-opened sandwich shop is profiting from the ban on change? Or Britta (Gillian Jacobs), hoping to make a name for herself by studying the psychology of the bandit? Or Starburns (Dino Stamatopoulos), who is found to have faked his death and has been hiding in the college stables? Or even creepy Professor Bublitz (musician Ben Folds)?

Well, one can make a strong case for any of the above at first, and while a couple of them are ruled out throughout the course of the half hour, there is no clear answer by the end. Instead, we're left to think the identity of the criminal isn't that important, and perhaps the search for them will make up another episode some time in the future.

It's a bit disappointing that Community chooses not to expose the bandit. After all, viewers want the answers to their questions, and it's unsettling to not be given such. We are fine making our own guesses, but we want to know if we're right or not, especially when the field of suspects is so deep and the clues are so numerous and clogged with red herrings.

However, that's not the point, and it's true to the style of what the episode imitates to not have the mystery solved so easily. Instead, the main plot is what goes on between Jeff and Annie. The Dean (Jim Rash) accuses them of getting into the antics of the investigation just to spend time together and steal a few embraces. He may very well be right. They've never worked as a couple, but there is definitely still strong attraction there, and these circumstances allow them to be brought out.

Could there ever be a future for Jeff and Annie on Community? I do think so, though probably only as a series endgame. A large theme of the show is finding oneself, and it's difficult to do that in a relationship. That's likely why none of the couples on the show have worked out, and it makes sense. I still enjoy their dancing around one another, which is shown sparingly enough to not have grown stale, and by addressing the issue head on, it seems like there is movement, even if it's miniscule.

Despite the dark and serious nature of "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics" it is still very funny. Troy's (Donald Glover) turn as the traumatized victim is hilarious, it's good to have weird Starburns, who has now designed a cat-powered vehicle, back, and Duncan is amusingly creepy. Chang's (Ken Jeong) backwards costume is ridiculous in the best of manners. Scenes make use of many of the minor recurring players, from Garrett (Erik Charles Nielsen) screaming in panic, to Leonard (Richard Erdman) almost kissing Jeff to illustrate a point. Even with an uneasy conclusion, it's a very satisfying installment.

There's also a moment of major sadness when Shirley reveals that Pierce (Chevy Chase) has died. This not only reinforced the more depressing mood this season, but also leads us in to next week's "bubble" episode, set just after the funeral, and pretty much halts all action on the A story for this week. I love that the characters are affected by the passing of one of their own, even if they seemed annoyed with him during his life, and it neatly solves why we can't have Pierce back, while leaving the door open for more hologram cameos from him down the road.

It's worth noting that in the previous crime-themed episode, Starburns is said to have died at the end, only to turn out to be a ruse. Might the same be said for Pierce if the messy issues between Chase and the studio can be sorted out? Plus, Pierce's father faked his own death, so all signs point to an easy come back, should the opportunity arise. Perhaps the fabled movie after seasons six? #sixseasonsandamovie

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

Community triple dose ends season

NBC's Community had the rare opportunity last night to air not one, not two, but three episodes! Of course, not knowing this far ahead of time, each of the final three are stand alone stories, while still contributing to the larger whole. Also, not knowing if the series would be renewed or not, the final episode gives enough closure that it could serve as a series finale, with just a few seconds of content cut out. Thank goodness, this is not the case, and Community will return next year mid-season. #SixSeasonsAndAMovie

In the first half hour, "Digital Estate Planning," the gang, still expelled from Greendale, goes with Pierce (Chevy Chase) to his deceased father's company to learn how he will get the estate. Upon arrival, they learn that Pierce's father, Cornelius (Larry Cedar, Deadwood), has left them a video game in which to compete for his inheritance. Not only that, but the man explaining this to them, Gilbert Lawson (Giancarlo Esposito, Breaking Bad, Once Upon a Time), is actually Pierce's half brother, and he wants the money!

"Digital Estate Planning" is awesome because much of it is done in 8-bit animation, with the characters becoming part of the game. It contains a number of great jokes and references, such as Britta (Gillian Jacobs) "screwing up drinking" and Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed (Danny Pudi) singing a new version of their talk show theme song! It is also awesome because it forces Pierce to look at himself and who he is, as well as face the fact that he has a sibling. There is some serious soul searching, once Pierce eventually figures out how to stop running his character into walls. And the finale of this episode hints at a major plot point at the end of the season, which is also an overall theme in Community: People are stronger together than apart.

Plus, Abed finds love with an 8-bit girl whose family is slaughtered by Annie (Alison Brie) and Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown), and they have hundreds of children!

Episode two, "The First Chang Dynasty," is the long-awaited show down between the study group and Chang (Ken Jeong). They plan an elaborate, Ocean 11 style, heist to rescue the Dean (Jim Rash) from Chang's evil clutches. This is also a great excuse to dress in costume, and Britta's goth gal getup is extremely memorable.

Unfortunately, "The First Chang Dynasty" is one case in which the group's ineptitude does not pay off. Chang may be evil and like using his own name incessantly, but he's also smart. He thwarts their attempts to fool him, and is only stopped because members of the school board happen to walk in on the entire thing. Thus, Greendale returns to normal. Or as normal as Greendale gets.

"The First Change Dynasty" is a wonderful episode because, underneath the goofiness, the bond between these students and their dean is felt. This is again echoing the same theme as "Digital Estate Planning," really setting up how the season will end. The characters get into trouble, and it takes a noble sacrifice by Troy to save them. This reaffirms just how far they would go for each other. And it's great that Jeff (Joel McHale) rewards the Dean with a kind touch that sends him collapsing to the floor in ecstasy.

It's a little disappointing that the Dean doesn't give the group credit for the Biology class after the events of "The First Chang Dynasty," as that class is what leads to the Chang mess in the first place. But at least he revokes their expulsion. "Introduction to Finality" picks up months later, as Jeff tries to study for the summer Biology final, which the other members of the study group seem utterly unconcerned about.

How odd that in "Introduction to Finality," Jeff is the only one that cares about school! Once upon a time, he was the least interested in the curriculum, anxious just to graduate and get back to his life! But in this episode, Jeff really commits to Greendale one hundred percent. Not only does he keep trying to study, in spite of the insanity going on around him, he also sacrifices any chance to return to his career in a trial in which he defends Shirley against Pierce, who is represented by Jeff's former colleague, Alan (Rob Corddry). It really brings things full circle, and demonstrates the kind of man Jeff has become!

It's a good thing that Jeff picks this moment to stand up for his friends and choose happiness because an Evil Abed is afoot in "Introduction to Finality." Depressed over losing Troy, who we'll get to in a minute, Abed becomes Evil Abed, intent on bringing darkness into this timeline. He easily takes out Britta, sending her into a spiral of self doubt. But when he tries to go after Jeff with a bone saw, which is hilariously delayed because he needs an extension cord, he is instead surprised to be confronted with total goodness. Troy isn't the only one who cares about his friends in the group, and seeing this affirmed by Jeff's actions cures Abed of his own depression.

It's odd that it takes an act of martyrdom to cure Abed, considering another action of the same is what drives him there in the first place. Troy sacrifices his happiness and freedom to keep the group out of trouble, agreeing to enroll in the Air Conditioning Annex. But, it turns out, Troy gets there at the opportune time, as Murray (Dan Bakkedahl) kills Vice Dean Laybourne (John Goodman) in order to assume the position, and Troy, as the chosen one, is the only one who can stop Murray from getting away with it.

What results from this crime is that Troy must engage Murray in a battle to the death in air conditioning repair. Yes, it's silly, but it's still a great, inspiring sequence! Especially when Troy spares his foe, rather than letting Murray die. Community has a tendency to go a bit over the top, which is part of its charm. But when Troy defeats Murray, the others want to lock the killer in some bizarre chamber, and it takes Troy to bring a dose of reality to the situation, instructing the others to hand Murray over to the cops to be tried for murder. One may not think a bit of realism can be funny, but this one truly is!

Then, with balance restored to the Community universe, "Introduction to Finality" plays a version of the show's theme song, with images of each of the characters finding a good ending flashing over it. It's a heart-warming, touching sequence, and one of the best in the show's run. What's more, on top of the expected endings, a couple of dangling threads are tossed in, since the series is, indeed, returning. Chang's next mission? Take over a rival school, surely to do battle against Greendale. And, it turns out, Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos) faked his death! It's the perfect ending to an awesome season!

Community will return to NBC next year, likely in January. #SixSeasonsAndAMovie

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Community DVDs or catch up with streaming episodes, please click here. Article originally published as Community triple dose ends season on TheTVKing.com

Community continues to shock and awe

NBC's Community raises the stakes in "Course Listing Unavailable." Upset by the death of Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos), which leads to a professor quitting and the study group, among others, forced into attending summer school, the students of Greendale rebel. Chang (Ken Jeong) takes the opportunity to seize power, initiating martial law and liberally using pepper spray. The school board is furious. Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) and the study group, now known as The Greendale 7, intend to make Chang the fall guy, but before they can, Chang replaces the Dean with a double (J.P. Manoux, Aaron Stone, ER), who gets The Greendale 7 expelled.

Community is having a hell of a spring run. Two weeks ago, the show blows many a mind when Annie (Alison Brie) breaks Abed's (Danny Pudi) brain and has to fix it in the Dreamatorium. Last week's installment is a full-fledged tribute to Law & Order, complete with a play on the theme song and the iconic noises, as well as some really good jokes. And now, "Course Listing Unavailable" starts a wild ride, surely a multi-episode arc, where the students must fight for their very right to attend class!

At heart of the story of Community, no matter how far out on a limb the series goes, is that it is a show about students attending community college. Now that The Greendale 7 are expelled, what will they do? Hopefully, it will take more than one week to expose Chang's scheme and resume their rightful place in the halls of Greendale. If they can overthrow the tiny dictator, though, it seems likely the real Dean will be so grateful that he will give them the credits needed to make up for this expulsion. Thus, their summer school problem will be solved, after using much more effort than going to classes would have taken.

Chang is a weird character, and he is not everyone's favorite. This is all right, because he is often in the background, and goes weeks without having any real story. However, the plot of "Course Listing Unavailable" plays perfectly to his strengths. Chang gets to be crazy and actually cause serious trouble, rather than just being an annoyance. His army of children is fantastic, because they have the same emotional maturity, and they are the only group of people that would willingly serve such an insane ruler. This is using Chang in the absolute best possible way.

Jim Rash continues to delight as the Dean. Now with an Oscar under his belt for a screenplay he wrote, Rash still proves he has the sitcom comedy chops to act ridiculous. In "Course Listing Unavailable," viewers see him select an outfit from his closet in order to break bad news to the study group in the form of a pun. It's something one may long assume the Dean does, but it's fun to get this glimpse of the process. And it's moments like these that make Rash (and his equal parts lovable and creepy character) invaluable to Community. Rescue the Dean! The show can't afford to lose him!

With everything else going on, the death of Star-Burns is a bit overshadowed. While never a key player in Community, Star-Burns is one of the B-cast, which is essential to give the school its charm, and to fill out the universe. It's funny how his death affects the characters. Jeff (Joel McHale) may just be trying to cause a riot to avoid summer school, but Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) have some feelings about his passing. After all, Britta once made out with him! Though, Troy (Donald Glover) likely cares more about Star-Burns' lizard, and Abed and Pierce (Chevy Chase) are probably just jumping on the band wagon, in the differing ways that they usually do so.

There is no series like Community on television. It's a brilliant piece of writing, with an awesome cast. The stories take wonderful chances and go in unexpected directions. For instance, who could predict that the end of "Course Listing Unavailable" would reference back to a fall episode about the roll of a dice, already a series classic? (Is this a hint that most of the season has happened in an alternate universe? Hopefully not!) Or that Subway, a major sponsor, would allow their restaurant to be trashed as part of the riot? Or that the students would, years later, criticize the anus-like school symbol they helped create?

Community deserves the chance to keep doing what it's doing, and the television landscape would certainly be worse off without it. So NBC, please renew Community for at least another season! Give the characters a chance to graduate! Community airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Community DVDs or catch up with streaming episodes, please click here.