046. Paradigms Of Human Memory (Community)

"A leprechaun took our clothes!"

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 21st April 2011
EPISODE NUMBER: Season 2, Episode 21
WRITTEN BY: Chris McKenna

Remember the Community episode where Troy broke the group's raft on St Patricks Day? Or Mexican drug runners almost executed Pierce for being a racist? Of course not, because although Paradigms skewers conventions of the clip show to great effect ("Just give him some examples, Pierce"), the episode is entirely new footage. A clip show without the clips. Once again, the show cannot resist playing with the meta. Troy's reaction to the flashback-within-a-flashback series is hilarious, as the constant jumping through time begins to wear on him. They even take aim at fandom culture - a Troy and Pierce montage set to slow, sappy music making fun of shipper videos.

The formula of the episode is reminiscent of a sketch show. The "clips" are all very short, very different scenes, meaning the episode moves at past pace - and thus the joke come thick and fast too. It gives the show a creative freedom to drop in whatever jokes they want. Better yet, some of the clips intertwine and overlap.

But to say this episode doesn't further the plot is inaccurate. The group - and audience - are given the major revelation that Jeff and Britta have been sleeping together all year in a secret friends-with-benefits arrangement. And it's a storyline that has actually been set up throughout the season.

The episode visits many memorable locations - a haunted house, a camping trip in the wilderness and an insane asylum. Many of the scenes could've made great episodes on their own, but despite only giving us an abbreviated version, we do not feel shortchanged. The sheer amount of effort that must have gone into making this episode is mindblowing.

026. Contemporary American Poultry (Community)

"If God were edible - not that I'm Catholic - but if it were cool to eat God, he'd be a chicken finger"

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 22nd April 2010
EPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 21
WRITTEN BY: Emily Cutler & Karey Dornetto

The most film-savvy sitcom on TV, this was the episode that Community graduated from sly references to full-blown parody. The plot of the episode takes its cues from Goodfellas, as Abed imagines the operation to take over control of the school kitchen and controls the production of chicken fingers as being similar to a mafia movie. The parody doesn't detract from the story, and Abed's narration creates a fast-paced episode with an epic feel.

The episode mixed up the dynamics of the group, which was interesting, as Jeff reacts badly to not being the head guy in charge. Danny Pudi also proved he could carry an episode that centered on him. The group turning into divas was amusing to watch.

If you want more than just gangster jokes in this episode, you'll get it. The monkey named Annie's Boobs was funny enough to earn several reappearances, and the "streets ahead" running gag is one of the highlights. The joke was actually the result of fan interaction, again proving what a meta experience the show is. It's such a shame to hear this show is not doing well, but I'd rather it stayed true to its audience with gems like this than pander to the masses.

005. Modern Warfare (Community)

"Come with me if you don't want paint on your clothes"

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 6th May 2010
EPISODE NUMBER: Season 1, Episode 23
WRITTEN BY: Emily Cutler

On a show with a reputation for its sharp movie parodies, of which there are many in this episode, Modern Warfare has become a remarkable achievement in its own right, and would come to be known as "the paintball episode". It was so popular it even inspired a sequel of sorts.

The episode begins with Jeff waking up in the middle of a warzone, 28 Days Later-style. A paintball game has turned into a survival horror experience after the announcement of the prize, priority registration. The action movie box is soon checked, with Jeff taking his look from Die Hard's John McClane, also referenced at the end. Senor Chang's look resembles a character from Hard Boiled. The fight scenes resemble The Matrix and the plot is Battle Royale. That's a lot of different elements, but it's a cocktail that works.

Modern Warfare is not only great entertainment, but it creates a tense, absorbing atmosphere. The paintball game was a genius concept. Previous rules were now gone, giving the show a freedom it had never had before. They created a warzone environment that was new, exciting and fun.

Oh, and the Jeff/Britta sexual tension was also advanced, with the couple doing it for the first time. It recieved just the right amount of prominence: Acknowledged, but without taking over the show.

Modern Warfare is a modern classic.