Confession: I approached the third season of Community with caution, because I was a little worried that the comedy would suffer under the pressure to top its frequently genius second season. Creator Dan Harmon has repeatedly said that Season 3 will feature fewer "special" episodes, which are the usually the ones that fans of the series cite as favorites. Zombies! Paintball! A chicken-finger mafia! Such ridiculous (and awesome) storylines don't happen in other comedies because there are no other comedies like Community.
But when you subtract the "special" episodes, you're left with a comedy that blends in with the rest of NBC's Thursday-night lineup. "Geography of Global Conflict," while perfectly serviceable, wasn't a high point for the series that has so often wowed us, and it may be time to accept that this will probably become more common. Yes, even for a series that once gave us a clip show featuring never-before-seen clips.
"Geography of Global Conflict" saw Annie battling her Asian rival (also named Annie) in a showdown of two Model United Nations clubs. The episode was a spiritual successor to Season 1's "Debate 109," which also centered on Annie at her basest level: a super-smart, ambitious bookworm who doesn't like to lose. The B-story featured Britta, also at her simplest: as a protest-happy eco-warrior who gets off on defying authority. It was a very "sitcom-y" episode—and I don't mean that as an insult. I mean it as a way of saying "Geography of Global Conflict" didn't separate Community from other network comedies.
The episode did have some great moments: the floating heads during the mock UN showdown, Garrett's repeated "crisis alerts," Abed's questions of Earth and Earth 2, and Annie's tantrum. But for the most part it was one of those episodes that you hope doesn't air as a repeat when you finally convince a stubborn friend to watch the show for the first time. "What's the big deal with Community, bro?" your buddy might say. And then you'd have to scramble to come up with a response like, "Trust me, dude. It's usually better than that!" Because usually it is.
Community can do great "normal" episodes: Troy's 21st birthday was far from "special." And when Annie's pen was stolen, Community turned the simplicity of the situation into one of the funniest half-hours in Season 2. Even the Dungeons & Dragons episode wasn't "special," per se. But sometimes when Community does "normal," as it did on Thursday in "Geography of Global Conflict," it's the same as the rest.
Notes:
– Our weekly coverage of Community may taper off. Writing about comedies is difficult, because there often isn't much to discuss beyond "Hey, remember that time when that guy did that funny thing?" Community is usually the exception, simply because it's so different. I'll definitely continue to watch it every Thursday (the show remains the only network comedy I make a point of watching every week), but I'll probably only check in when it does something great. Otherwise I'll just be writing stories that say, "It wasn't as good as it could be," and those aren't fun write or read. Sorry!
– Martin Starr was great in the episode, but I wish he had been featured more prominently. I also think the show could have done a LOT more with Asian Annie, but she was there just as a prop to rile Annie up.
– The Chang vs. Britta storyline was weird, wasn't it? Sometimes it worked great, sometimes it didn't work at all. By the way, Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" is my voicemail message. So I got a kick out of that.
– Seriously guys, WHO FARTED!? If you really want to know, check out the Tweet that Dan Harmon posted earlier this morning.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
This show is not funny at all i gave it one whole season and havent laughed so much.
I laughed out loud a lot in this episode, so for me it beat last week's episode where I laughed like 3 times total. Simple as that.
It's the little things that make this show great. The Britta/Chang story was a bit rubbish but the slow "Hello" sections were great. Likwise, the model UN debate was a bit rubbish but the bits inbetween, like when Troy took the lid off of Annies cup, were great. I love the "special" episodes but you can't have them every week or it will deminish their power, so the episodes inbetween need to rely on the relationships between the characters and the subtle comedy derived from their interactions (remeber the "White Abed" episode?). "Geography of Global Conflict" just felt too forced to me, and having just finished a Community marathon in preparation for the new season, I have to say that I think this was the worst episode to date, but I'm sure it will remain that way.moreless
I had the same thoughts watching this. I feel like Abed from season 2. "I'm hoping we can move away from the soap-y relationship-y stuff and into bigger, fast-paced, self-contained escapades."
I disagree. i believe this episode of community was right on track. This season their setting up for a change in the characters dynamics. Its predictable now but I feel like there is way more genuinly original comedy to come.( of course by community standards means paying homage to classic tv series plot themes) This is still the best comedy on standard channels, Louie is still the funniest out there. I say relax, be thankful its still on the air, and just mellow your expectations out a bit.
I liked the ep, twas pretty funny. You're right that it didn't stand out from other shows though.
Park and Rec rocks!!!!! By far the slickest show going!
I liked this episode. But Parks and Rec was far superior last night.
Still a really funny episode. Season 2 set the standard pretty high. Loved Chang & Britta's symbiotic relationship and Abed's obsession with a parallel earth. Also liked seeing that Jeff acknowledges his feelings for Annie, although he is trying hard to just be a good friend.
Kind of a "blah" episode for me. The idea and concept of the Britta/Chang story is great, but while watching it, I just thought it was awkward. The UN story was okay -- Annie was great, and the others had a couple of funny bits regarding the countries they were representing. Basically, there's just something about both episodes this season that made them more awkward/odd/weird compared to the first two seasons.
It's not an all-time best episode of the show, but I've probably watched that CRISIS ALERT! floating head montage 5 times.
I am surprised that people liked season 2. Sure there are episodes I loved like the Halloween episode and the "fake" flash-back episodes but more often than not, the specialness of the episode was contrary to the comedy. Bottle episodes are bad, it doesn't make it good to make fun of one and the conspiracy episode was an undirected mess. And I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but I hated the repeat of the paintball episodes in second season because they took a good idea and ran it into the ground. That being said, I though the second episode of the third season was refreshingly funny after the garbage that was season 2. Season 1 has very few episodes that are entirely special, many of them are just witty and clever, which is more than can be said for most comedies this season.moreless
I liked this episode, I though the Chang/Britta thing was hilarious.
I don't understand the dislike for s3 so far. I wasn't all that impressed with the premiere but ep2 was terrific. Chen and Britta's interactions were especially funny. People's expectations for this show are ridiculous. If they aren't battling zombies, playing paintball, or blasting off to the moon everyone cries that the episode was boring or uneventful. I say we enjoy this quirky gem of a comedy while we still can because there isn't anything else like it on TV.
I thought it was very funny and the Chang story was hilarious even if it had no point the hello montages were great. And you should never try to predict Community or put it in a corner because it deserves way more credit than that!
They did two seasons of distinctive and original, and didn't get the ratings (or Emmy nominations). Maybe being just like the other (more highly rated) shows is a survival tactic.
Well I really liked it. I think if every episode is a 'special' episode then it isn't very special is it?
Well said. It is simply not possible to have a themed, or special episode every week. Tim, it is funny you should mention recommending this show to friends, because I did just that. I told my friend (who was very skeptical) to give this show a chance. He watched the first two episodes of season 3, and guess what? HE LOVED IT! He's now already halfway through the first seasons DVD's. This episode was hilarious (Troy taking the lid off Annie's cup killed me.) I for one, don't expect some sensational extravaganza every week, and if this is what you flippantly deem to be "the same as the rest", I seriously wonder if you're watching the same show I am.
I must count myself among the troubled. Just another example of network executives finding out what works, and doing the opposite. "Community really found its voice last season, we better stop the hell outta that crap!"
I have to confess, this episode was great. I haven't thought that this show was that funny or good, but this episode was hilarious. Hope Community can keep it up.
I'm still farting.
I didn't find one thing interesting about this episode and I love Community. Two episodes into this season and I am already unsatisfied. The show still has its moments, but there has been NOTHING spectacular about what I have seen so far. I don't know if the lack of "Special" episodes will cause a problem for me but after this episode I wonder how the shows will play out and if i will stay interested. Without the "special" they make Jeff a d**k in just about every situation, Britta is beyond obnoxious, Shirley is nonexistent, Abed and Troy are looney but they play off each other well, Annie tries too hard to be perfect and Pierce is Pierce. I love the characters but when you take away the "special" you have a blah comedy, still funny on occasion but still just blah. I hope the next few episodes bring the funny back.moreless
We ALL farted, Tim.
After hearing Dan Harmon say that there would be less special episodes I became worried but shrugged it off in the end. Now two episodes in and I'm more worried then ever. I remember when I first started watching Community in Season 1 I didn't think it was all that great. Then they started getting really good with those unique episodes. Now I feel like that are back tracking to the momentum of Season 1 again and sucking the life out of the show. The whole Brita and Chang storyline felt off to me the entire time and failed to feel special when compared to the Abed delivering a baby side storyline from Season 2. I'm really hoping that Dan Harmon hears the cries of the fans to go back to weird. Come on Dan! We (The fans of Community) are weird and when you take that out of the show then you might as well take us weird fans out with it.moreless
I loved this episode, it didn't seem too much like a sitcom. I especially liked the Chang and Britta storyline :) Britta tends to be my least favourite character, but here she was interesting and engaging again :)
Britta's and Annie's emotional eruptions were excellent!! More of those. Unfortunately shows many times give the over-the-top crazy reactions to male characters, while female characters are more subdued and controlled. That's why I really enjoyed the all-out reactions of Britta and Annie. Britta's rebellious outburst was made even funnier buy the fact that she had a camera right in front of her face when she had to act it out. It must have been a hilarious scene to film.