We were lying on the couch, our stomachs hurting from the constant laughter we endured, the episode paused to give us a break. Me and my best friend were on a five-episode-a-day pace, it was our show and we couldn’t stop watching. We found it easy to watch for hours and it was difficult to take our eyes off of the fast-paced action and witty remarks. Community is a legendary show that is truly binge-worthy and never ceases to satisfy my love for a good laugh. It’s beautifully written, the acting is strong, and the plot and references are spot on. I love how it’s relatable and the episodes make me wish that I could experience it for myself.
“Community” is set in Greendale Community College and follows a Spanish study group consisting of Troy and Abed, two best friends and pranksters, Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), the leader and resident know-it-all, Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown), the mom of the group, Annie ( Allison Brie) the nerd. Britta Perry (Gillian Jacobs), the unpopular hippie, and Pierce (Chevy Chase), who overall is just a bad guy.
The best episodes in this sitcom are the three paintball episodes which are filled with exhilarating action, hilarious jokes, and an edge-of-your-seat plot. The first episode begins with Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) announcing a game of paintball with a prize of priority registration, a high-stakes chance for some fun and class security. Chaos ensues inside Greendale. The abundance of jokes and references paired with incredible acting creates a realistic environment that makes the viewing experience that much more engaging. The plot is similar to one of an action movie with plot twists like betrayals and unlikely alliances. Tense relations in the group are reminiscent of scenes straight out of real life, giving a genuine quality to an episode that can feel far-fetched.
The penultimate paintball episode is an exciting one and the way this was filmed may be the highlight of this entire series. Writers Dan Harmon, Andrew Guest, Hilary Winston, and Dino Stamatopolous masterfully created scenes straight out of a Wild West classic while giving characters personas reflecting who they truly are. With costumes and lighting that make you forget you’re watching a show set in a community college, these episodes take it to a whole new level. Defections at crucial moments, a whole new array of alliances, and the emergence of an unexpected leader come together in a memorable storyline. A show that still has me remembering and laughing after I’m done watching is a show well done. The group ends up together by the end of “A Fistful of Paintballs” and has to reveal a dirty secret that no one ever wants to hear.
The final episode in this trio features the reveal of a mind-blowing plot twist that throws a wrench in every idea I had about their situation. References to famous movies like Star Wars contribute opportunities for quite a few good laughs while acts of bravery from characters like Magnitude (Luke Youngblood) and Shirley work as catalysts for victory. The writers add a touch of romance as well in an out-of-the-blue moment between two of the main characters. The students of Greendale show some school spirit in a heartwarming conclusion to season two.
These episodes and the show itself are incredible by many factors but there are two things for me that take this show above and beyond. Firstly, the relatability is amazing with it taking place in the halls of a school, a place where many of us have been at one point in our lives. This and the archetypal characters can remind us of people we may know in our own lives and utilizes the idea of emotional realism. Emotional realism is the idea that if a consumer of media is able to relate to the characters, scenery, or situation they are more likely to become interested or invested. Many of the characters are relatable, for example, Jeff the know-it-all, Annie the nerd, or even Shirley who is the mom of the group which gets the viewer (myself included) incredibly invested. The second factor that is closest to my heart is the fact that I watched this show with my best friend, starting a whole lineup of jokes and references for us. This show and these episodes are incredibly versatile and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh and a great time.
