After watching "Community" twice in its full entirety, by binge-watching of course, I thought that compiling a list of the best episodes would get my opinion out there, maybe spark some discussion, or encourage people to watch one of the best sitcoms ever--and I'm not exaggerating. Looking only at seasons one through five, struggling to accept the fourth season as legitimate, and shuffling through plot and character development peaks, I present my up-to-date personal list of top episodes, ranked in order by how much I love them. These episodes, no matter what time, are episodes that I can just go back and watch for fun. Each one brings something unique to the show. Without further ado, here is the list.
12. "Aerodynamics of Gender"
Summary: Britta, Annie and Shirley discover that Abed is skilled at insulting the mean girls at Greendale, so they take advantage of his skills and flip the social order. Meanwhile, Troy and Jeff find a secret garden with a trampoline which they use for relaxation until Pierce foils their discovery.
Why it's super rad: It has Abed's RoboCop vision, Hilary Duff, and a "Secret Garden"allusion. The group dynamic is explored once again, but that happens quite often. Troy cries--it happens.
Best quote:
“You're like a machine." -Annie
“Like RoboCop." -Abed
“Exactly like Rowboat cop. Sharice is a bad rowboat. Sink her. -Britta
Rating: 3 out of 4.2 blorgons.
11. "Advanced Dungeons and Dragons"
Summary: The study group plays Dungeons & Dragons with another classmate, "Fat Neil," to improve his spirits, but Pierce's jealousy causes their good intentions to backfire in a tragic way. This episode is one of the more down-to-earth ones, only (really) taking place around the table.
Why it's super rad: It brings up the issue of self-image and bullying with an enthralling half hour. It is one of the most absorbing episodes because of how relatable it is. Also consider Hector and the Elf Maiden.
Best quote:“And so it was that the group began to describe themselves walking. And as they described themselves walking, so did Abed confirm they had walked.” -Narrator
Rating: 3 out of 4 Britta-bots.
10. "Beginner Pottery"
Summary: Jeff signs up for a pottery class (earlier foreshadowed by Troy in "Football, Feminism and You”) as his "easy" credit, but winds up failing the class when his jealousy towards another student gets out of control. At the same time, Pierce's incompetence risks the rest of the study group's grade in boating class as Shirley takes a leadership position.
Why it's super rad: Ghosting. Also, Pierce nearly sinks a boat in a fake sailing scenario.
Best quote:"Congratulations. You failed a class so easy that people passing in the hallway get a contact credit." -Professor Holly
Rating: 7.7 out of 10 dioramas.
9. "Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking"
Summary: Pierce pretends to be dying after overdosing on painkillers (or, "tripping balls") and takes the opportunity to psychologically manipulate and torture the other study group members. With Abed behind the camera, Pierce bequeaths gifts that explore everyone's insecurities.
Why it's super rad: Troy's hilarious rendition of the "Reading Rainbow" theme song through flowing tears. Oh, if he could only talk to his idol, LeVar Burton.
Best Quote: “Vengeance? Huh, no. I was never one to hold a grudge, Jeffrey. My father held grudges. I'll always hate him for that.” -Pierce
Rating: 800 out of 1001 falafels.
8. "Conspiracy Theories and Interior Design"
Summary: Jeff, once again, attempts to get credit by cutting corners. This time he makes up a dubious night school class called Conspiracy Theories in American History, which doesn’t exist in the Dean’s class list. The ultimate Jeff Winger blow off class is, in fact, one that never existed. After Annie tries snooping a ridiculous series of conspiracies, double-crosses, and schemes unfold on campus.
Why it's super rad: The ending is super-fun and--dare I say it--quirky. It's honestly super enjoyable watching this episode, from Professor Professerson and the beginnings of the blanket slash pillow fort idea to the Latvian Independence Parade.
Rating: 4 out of 5 MeowMeowBeenz.
7. "Documentary Filmmaking: Redux"
Summary: Dean Pelton is given the task to update the local Greendale television commercial, but the shoot soon goes extremely over budget and spirals out of control, like always, causing him to descend into sheer lunacy. Abed documents the whole ordeal.
Why it's super rad: Jeff playing the dean is one of the best character-playing-another-character portrayals ever. Side tangent: the actual dean's meltdown at the end is worth the rematch. It gets me laughing every time.
Best quote: “I've become a stranger to myself. I'm bald now. I've always been bald. I merely dreamt of having hair. And now the bald man is awake.”-Jeff
Rating: 56 out of 65 hand crafted Italian faucets.
6. "Cooperative Calligraphy"
Summary: Annie freaks out and then sends the study group into lockdown mode when one of her purple pens goes missing during a study session. Tensions heat up and almost tear the group apart as Abed wearily resigns himself to a "bottle episode." The group tries to find the pen before the puppy parade ends.
Why it's super rad: This "bottle episode" is so well done under the limited setting and lack of non-recurring characters. It's amazing to watch the dark, yet hilarious, revelations pan out. Plus, "Annie's Boobs" make an appearance.
Best quote: "I want to see if those wiener dogs are born that way, or if they start off normal and then get wiener." -Troy
Rating: 98 out of 110 Gwynnifer calls.
5. "Pillows and Blankets"
Summary: Troy and Abed are at war, strange right? Well, get used to it. That's the whole premise of "Community."Abed, the leader of the United Forts of Pillowtown, and Troy, in command of the Legit Republic of Blanketsburg, fight over the territory of Greendale. Many side stories interweave to form a historical account of the battles.
Why it's super rad: It's a classic marriage between a sit-com and a History Channel show. Good moments to note: Troy’s “all-tomato” and Chang’s "Changlorious Basterds" police force.
Best quote: "This is real Neil, with pipes of steel, signing off with the smooth sounds of Daybreak." -Neil
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Hawkthorne Wipes.
4. "Contemporary American Poultry"
Summary: Chicken fingers are all the hype as the study group becomes mafia-esque, slowly taking over Greendale using a currency of fried meat. Abed and Jeff square off for control of the study group.
Why it's super rad: It has an introduction to "Annie's Boobs," a classic mafia montage, and a "Sixteen Candles" reference at the end.
Best quote: “To victory. It feels unfamiliar but it tastes like chicken.” -Jeff
Rating: 92 out of 100 oversized bags owned by Shirley.
3. "Modern Warfare"
Summary: Greendale becomes a war-zone when the dean declares a school-wide paintball tournament with a prize of the winner's first pick of classes in the upcoming semester. Jeff and Britta have sexual tension to the max in the least appropriate time while the war rages out of control.
Why it's super rad: This idea went from a parody of most action flicks to an actual series of paintball episodes that fans know and love. Specifically, this is "the one that started it all." Although some don't "ship" Jeff and Britta, it feels better just watching their quips play out as they finally do something about whatever they have together.
Rating: 95 out of 101 dalmatians for the dean.
2. "Epidemiology"
Summary: After the dean accidentally taints food at the campus Halloween party the study group tries to fend for themselves as the zombie-like outbreak spreads quickly.
Why it's super rad: It has zombies, sexy Dracula, and an endless "Abba" soundtrack. Also, Jeff is nearly attacked by a cat three times. An extremely wacky theme is pulled off, bravo!
Best quote: "Make me proud. Be the first black man to make it to the end." -Abed
Rating: 9.7 out of 10 blue smart cars.
1. "Remedial Chaos Theory"
Summary: At Abed and Troy's housewarming party, Jeff decides to let the decision on who gets the pizza rest on the roll of the dice, leaving Abed to contemplate six alternate realitiesWhy it's super rad: This episode shows seven different timelines, introducing the Darkest Timeline, Troy's timeline, which is seen later in the series. This is honestly one of the most finely written sitcom episodes of all time and that's saying something. Not only is it dark and funny like always, but it is also thought provoking and well structured.
Best quote: "You're a pie pusher! You push pies to get love!" -Britta
Honorable Mentions
Just because the mediums used are so cool.
"Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas"
Abed wakes up to discover that everything at Greendale, including the study group, has been rendered in stop-motion animation. It's one of the better Christmas episodes in sitcom history.
"Digital Estate Planning"
Pierce and the study group competitively play an elaborate 8-bit game, "Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne," against Pierce's father's assistant to win the inheritance.