I'm obsessed with ranking things I love so I decided to tackle my favorite comedy: Community. What sets it apart in my eyes from the sitcom royalty (which includes The Office, 30 Rock, Parks & Rec, Brooklyn 99, How I Met Your Mother & Seinfeld) is the capacity to be a formidable foundation for parody. Essentially, the writers (outside of most Season 4 attempts) are able to meld together plot and parody to great effect without sacrificing one for the other. As will be evident in my rankings, when Community is able to pull this off, it truly is TV magic unlike anything else out there. The closet, one can argue, is HIMYM as they have some standalone attempts that hit a similar mark, but the consistency is far and away in Community’s favor.
I've broken the list in half in hopes to focus discussion on each section and to give myself more time to write up commentary on the "better" episodes.
Please comment below and tell me why you agree/disagree! Here are my rankings of episodes #110-56:
| #110 | "Advanced Introduction to Finality" (S04E13) | For all the genius the Dark Timeline gives us, this conclusion does not feel earned or entertaining. On paper, the idea seems fine: the Dark Timeline invades. But in execution, the logic is too much of a stretch to genuinely enjoy and it all feels forced. |
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| #109 | "Alternative History of the German Invasion" (S04E04) | One of the most--if not THE most--forgettable episodes. Centering the episode around the revived German villains (sans what made them funny the first time, Nick Kroll) meant this was doomed from inception. Decent set up of the Changnesia storyline, but even that feels underbaked. Strong argument can be made this is the worst episode, but the one below it gets docked more for the mistreatment of the dark timeline. |
| #108 | "Conventions of Space and Time" (S04E03) | This episode is a shell of an idea, similar to Season 4 finale. With a promising conceit, the background of the convention could lead anywhere. Ultimately, it leads us on an unlikable battle for Abed's favor that provides no growth or insight for the characters involved. And other cringy moments help to make this one another easy one to forget. |
| #107 | "Cooperative Escapism and Familial Relations" (S04E05) | In a show known for nailing it's holiday episodes, I was excited to see what they'd do with their only Thanksgiving entry. What we get is the 'Season-four-shell-treatment': they want to connect Shawshank with escaping Shirley's and that's literally all there is. Danny Pudi's Morgan Freeman impression is the only good to come from the scenario. I know others appreciate the Jeff/Father storyline, but it felt too disconnected with Thanksgiving storyline, which I thought should be featured more overall, for me to appreciate the performances or feel emotionally invested. |
| #106 | "Advanced Documentary Filmmaking" (S04E06) | Chang is one of my favorite characters. Had the Changesia angle been more genuine, as the episode leads us to believe until the end tag, then it would rank much higher. Instead, the obvious Chang-betrayal puts us back in well-tread territory, undoing the nicer aspects of this documentary episode. Ultimately, another instance of trying to retroactively make a memorable Community episode, missing the heart that could have made it special--although it comes close. |
| #105 | "Intro to Knots" (S04E10) | Another entry in 'Season-four-shell-treatment' made even more apparent with it being a Christmas episode. Great setup, interesting twist, but so much wasted potential. Had they cut the Die Hard stuff entirely, it may rank higher. I found the references repetitive and annoying and it led nowhere. There's just not enough focus to appreciate what's happening. I still get immense joy from the reveal that Chang can't tie knots, but the entire kidnapping storyline is too underdeveloped to be meaningful. |
| #104 | "App Development and Condiments" (S05E08) | One of the few high-concept episodes that falls flat to me. The more the world is taken over by the app, the less invested I became. Jeff's journey to return everyone to sanity was uninteresting, perhaps due to the aesthetic choices of the world-building. Some funny moments aside, it just doesn't succeed in being much more than a concept. Love the Tim & Eric cameo; should have been featured more. |
| #103 | "Intro to Felt Surrogacy" (S04E09) | The puppets, songs and cameos make this one a Season four highlight. It's enough to distract you from noticing there's not much beyond that. The storyline itself is absurd in a bad way. If they had embedded the dark secrets in much more straightforward way (and given Abed one even if he didn't end up sharing it) it would have been much more enjoyable. I would have loved to see this idea executed with the real creators at the helm. |
| #102 | "Economics of Marine Biology" (S04E07) | This one surprisingly grows on you. Initially, the prospect of Greendale selling out to lure in 'the whale' seemed like a half-hearted attempt to go zany (and revisit the Abed-college-movie terrain) but rewatching Magnitude lose his identity and remembering the P.E.E. subplot, this one has a lot of laughs and the surprising heart that made the show successful. |
| #101 | "Laws of Robotics and Party Rights" (S06E05) | There are some good jokes in here, but the execution of the main idea of telepresence robots used by criminals doesn't strike me as entertaining. I'm bored more than I'm laughing and it's a decent one to skip in rewatching. |
| #100 | "Heroic Origins" (S04E12) | They pretty much the nail the conceit in this episode. The comic book interlays and the fun exploration of how it all started are ambitious if not a little forced.The discovery of Chang at the center of it all, clearing the way for him to finally join the group, is a triumph. I'm also not bothered by the yet unmentioned Froyo shop that served as an important landmark in their backstory because it feels at home with the comic cliche. |
| #99 | "History 101" (S04E01) | Abed's imagining of Community as an entirely other sitcom (with Fred Willard as Pierce) is fantastic until you realize the real show is a shell of its former self. That contrast hurts what is actually a really fun episode. It also suffers from too many storylines not really gelling. It ranks this high because for better or worse, it sets the tone for the season and offers some memorable laughs. |
| #98 | "Intro to Recycled Cinema" (S06E08) | I love the bits of re-purposing the old footage of Chang to fit into Abed's new movie, but the rest of the movie scenes were unremarkable. The Steve Gutenberg cameo was great and his reactions to the film are entertaining. I love the "Ham girl!" line rocketing Chang into stardom. Beyond that though, it's all too light and uneventful that it's easy to rank low. |
| #97 | "The Art of Discourse" (S01E22) | If it wasn't for the super annoying fued between Jeff/Britta and high schoolers, this would rank much higher. The fun meta-exploration really finds a home with the college cliche fixation but so much time is wasted on "Da-Doys!" |
| #96 | "Football, Feminism, and You" (S01E06) | I'm very glad they dropped this version of Troy early on but it's really the first dud in its run. It does get points for bonding Shirley and Britta in a fun way. And I suppose there's some merit to fleshing out Troy as someone who'd fake an injury to avoid a football career, but it's still not completely true to Troy as a character. Perhaps the best example of the show trying to find its footing. |
| #95 | "Aerodynamics of Gender" (S02E07) | This one just doesn't do it for me. Sure, the idea of a magically calming trampoline sounds funny and they execute it well enough, it's just not something I really need to rewatch. I don't get much enjoyment from Abed's mean-girl routine either. |
| #94 | "Basic Genealogy" (S01E18) | Overall, it's an enjoyable episode. It suffers in rewatching because there's not much entertainment beyond Britta getting spanked by Troy's Nana. |
| #93 | "Celebrity Pharmacology" (S02E13) | I find Pierce extra-annoying in this episode. My main moment of joy comes from Chang taking over the role of drugs. The other storylines don't add much, but there are some good laughs throughout. |
| #92 | "Contemporary Impressionists" (S03E11) | I find Jeff extra-annoying in this episode. Sure, that's sort of the point, but it doesn't make his extra-narcissism any easier to enjoy. The group playing celebrity impressionists is enjoyable, but this is the least memorable episode in what may be the best season. |
| #91 | "Herstory of Dance" (S04E08) | This is a Season 4 gem. Beyond the lovely Brie Larson cameo, witnessing Britta's journey to actual pride and satisfaction is one of the great emotional moments in the series. What holds it back is the unnecessary double-date trope that just lets the cliched developments feel a little flimsy. This is helped by the lack of development of Brie Larson's character in the rest of the season. |
| #90 | "Custody Law and European Diplomacy" (S02E18) | The Chang-may-be-Shirley's-baby's-daddy arc was great and this episode is perhaps the most focused and rewarding concerning it. What drags it down is the unlikable Lukka and the somewhat boring plot surrounding his being an awful human. |
| #89 | "Advanced Gay" (S03E06) | While it was fun to see Pierce embrace some actual character growth, it doesn't really get capitalized on moving forward. This could have been a stepping stone for him; instead, it's a wasted opportunity. Some good laughs and it sets up two important plot points: Pierce's father's death and Troy's induction to the wild world of AC Repair |
| #88 | "Advanced Criminal Law" (S01E05) | I love Abed's elaborate prank, even though real-Troy would have been much more gullible. All the trial stuff is gold, too, especially the setting by the pool. While it suffers from the characters not being themselves quite yet, it's still a fun episode. |
| #87 | "Environmental Science" (S01E10) | There's not much to this episode beyond the Jeff/Chang storyline but it's pretty compelling to push things forward. Humanizing Chang always warms my heart and for this to be our first real dive into his life, it's a decent foundation. The Fievel arc is pretty memorable thanks to Donald Glover's hilarity and the duet sung at the end. |
| #86 | "Paranormal Parentage" (S04E02) | A Halloween classic that doesn't suffer (much) from the season it's in. It feels like Community and even offers Pierce some great opportunities to shine. Entertaining all around, but would likely be that much greater with Harmon's influence. |
| #85 | "Origins of Vampire Mythology" (S03E15) | I'm always confused when I see the title because I think, "another Halloween episode?" I think that impacts my disappointment in this otherwise fine episode. The Pierce/Chang friendship makes me wish we had more. And Britta's texting/calling from the bedroom is actually pretty funny and there's a sad turn where Troy's kindness breaks the spell. |
| #84 | "VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing" (S05E09) | Another one shaded by my personal disappointment. I was thrilled to hear Vince Gilligan would cameo, but was bummed this was the result. The end tag was funny, though. Decent snapshot of the fallout from Troy leaving, although it's continually frustrating to see Brie Larson underutilized. Oh, yeah, there's something to do with textbooks too. |
| #83 | "Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts" (S03E12) | This one suffers from being forgettable beyond Troy and Abed's 'weird-down'. Of course, the wedding is a standout plot point, but one that gets shuffled away easily as the season progresses. |
| #82 | "Basic Email Security" (S06E06) | While being a weaker entry in Season 6, it definitely has some strong moments. The leaked emails leads to a hilarious discussion among the group and the unified purpose for an ultimately unworthy cause is great. The kid cop gag is solid, too. |
| #81 | "Basic Sandwich" (S05E12) | The second part of the Season 5 finale operates as a treasure hunt and what could have been a series finale if not for Yahoo. It's successful in it's first operation although the solution being a stinky, perverted former teacher with a dues-ex-machina contract is underwhelming. It would have failed as a series finale so thankfully we need not worry about analyzing it as such. Highlight is definitely Richie's brain-robbing ability. |
| #80 | "Basic Story" (S05E13) | The first part of the Season 5 finale sets up the treasure hunt with intrigue and the idea of Subway controlling Greendale feels like dire stakes. It's a fun set up that barely outshines its follow up. |
| #79 | "The Psychology of Letting Go" (S02E03) | While the heartfelt drive to get ice cream allows for a touching moment, the rest of the plots don't do much for me. Britta vs Annie seems gratuitous and Jeff's vanity was already worn out this early in Season 2. |
| #78 | "The Politics of Human Sexuality" (S01E11) | Some great laughs although the subplots don't add much to the enjoyment. Annie's search to see "it" is some good ole Reverse Porky's fun and Abed telling students to not use condoms over the PA is prime Community. |
| #77 | "Basic RV Repair and Palmistry" (S06E10) | A fun, meta episode that feels surprising considering it's somehow new territory all the way in Season 6. Some good laughs, good heartfelt moments, and sets up the great run of episodes that follow. |
| #76 | "The Science of Illusion" (S01E20) | A decently funny episode made all the more memorable for being the introduction of Troy and Abed's talk show. I'd probably rank it higher if not for the fact that I find Annie and Shirley vying to be the bad cop as too much of a 'meh' thing. |
| #75 | "Grifting 101" (S06E09) | An oddball episode made palatable by the hilarious Matt Berry. While a little farfetch'd in execution, it's a fun journey that's fueled by the absurd hi-jinx. |
| #74 | "Asian Population Studies" (S02E12) | Perhaps the most normal episode in the series. That's not a knock against it, it's just a little bland in comparison to what's around it. Some solid moments and laughs, although I find Rich perplexing and frustrating just as Jeff does because I don't know how I'm supposed to make sense of his character. |
| #73 | "Competitive Wine Tasting" (S02E20) | You can pretty much throw out the main storyline of Pierce's new, suspect, love interest. That bit drags the episode down in my opinion. The strength belongs in Abed's storyline where he asserts his pop culture dominance over a professor. We do get an interesting look into Troy and how he continually struggles to have actual struggles compared to the other character's, which rings true throughout the series. |
| #72 | "Applied Anthropology and Culinary Arts" (S02E21) | An overall fun episode despite the Shirley pregnancy arc already being tired by this point. Britta trying to deliver the baby is gold and Chang being humanized will always please me and this is perhaps his greatest, human moment. Not the biggest fan of Pierce buying Troy/Abed's handshake, but it leads to some fun moments. |
| #71 | "Analysis of Cork-Based Networking" (S05E06) | Being the first episode without Troy, naturally it's gonna suffer. What it does well though is capture the college-based zaniness that works so well for Community, highlighting new and background characters with the singular focus on an attainable goal. And we get the genius of 'Bear Down for Midterms'. |
| #70 | "Ladders" (S06E01) | A great introduction to perhaps the most underrated character, Frankie. While essentially being another 'Repilot' it does a good job in setting the new-ish stage while providing the same amount of laughs we expect from a good Community episode. |
| #69 | "Studies in Modern Movement" (S03E07) | Troy and Abed are especially grating in this episode and it really makes you sympathize with Annie. There's some redemption with their sweet shadow puppet performance. The highlight, though, is the Jeff/Dean karaoke of Kiss From a Rose. |
| #68 | "Interpretive Dance" (S01E14) | The dancing secret is great and a real chance for Donald Glover to shine with his range. It also offers one of the first instances of Troy being the heart of the group, sacrificing his secret to save Britta. If it wasn't for the bore that is Jeff/Slater romance, this one would rank higher. |
| #67 | "Intro to Political Science" (S02E14) | Solid episode that's only crime is the debate setting not nearly being as funny or interesting as the episodes ranked higher than it. |
| #66 | "Geography of Global Conflict" (S03E02) | Fun episode with some memorable moments. Not a big fan of the UN showdown as the format but it works for Annie's obsessive passion. I wish Martin Starr would have been used more, his character had potential. |
| #65 | "Basic Crisis Room Decorum" (S06E03) | This episode is when I knew this final season was going to be done the right way. This has the classic feel of a Season 3 episode but with new characters bringing a fresh twist to what we already enjoy on the show. |
| #64 | "Introduction to Finality" (S03E22) | What could have sadly been a series finale, this episode delivers in all the right areas. It's a satisfying conclusion to the Troy HVAC Messiah arc and ends on a hopeful look into the future |
| #63 | "Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism" (S03E09) | I always enjoy the Jeff/Shirley pairing and the connection in this episode is a strong look into their past and an example of growth. Any time Shirley can show off some unexpected skills that make her into a badass, sign me up. The anime cut of them facing off feels so right and unforced. Sadly, the B plot with Annie breaking Abed's DVD is complete filler. |
| #62 | "Biology 101" (S03E01) | A fun start to my favorite season. A successful foundation for what is the most ambitious season in terms of narrative connective tissue. This one sets the tone. |
| #61 | "Course Listing Unavailable" (S03E18) | The momentum leading to the big gut punch at the end feels meaningful, as if the group could really be seeing its final days. |
| #60 | "Accounting for Lawyers" (S02E02) | First episode where the group leaves the campus is a landmark moment. Very funny episode that gave us some classic moments like the Drew Carey cameo and the chloroform scene. |
| #59 | "Spanish 101" (S01E02) | An early outlier in my opinion: the second episode of the series actually showcases the characters well! We get hints of Chang's facade (Italian flags on flashcards/his eccentricity), we get Troy/Abed's iconic rap, Pierce's focus on bonding with Jeff to fight off loneliness, Britta's being exposed as a lazy activist, and Shirley's baking brownies! |
| #58 | "Early 21st Century Romanticism" (S02E15) | This episode really benefits from all its seprate parts working together under the theme of Valentine's. Britta being needlessly defiant in the name of acceptance, Troy/Abed pursuing love only to realize their love matters more, and Jeff accepting Greendale through letting Chang move in is powerful. Even stronger, Pierce overusing his pain meds and seeing a tiny Andy Dick is funny until its made poignant by the dark ending. |
| #57 | "Debate 109" (S01E09) | This episode gets major points for sparking the Jeff/Annie relationship, but it's one of my least favorites in rewatch. I guess it's the debate setting. Not taking away anything from the episode in terms of quality, it's solid. |
| #56 | "Bondage and Beta Male Sexuality" (S05E07) | Some good character moments. I really enjoyed seeing Abed express a new emotion while be kept from seeing his movie. The Britta love triangle is interesting, but it doesn't add much beyond showing Duncan has an actual human side. |
Submitted December 05, 2019 at 08:39PM by grimgravyboat https://ift.tt/2LqOXhX
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