Community -- Season Three

[cybrestrike]

Awesome episode. Lots of tips of the hat to the source material, with loads of excellent surprises...including two special guest stars that I had not seen coming. Overall it was great fun and a great homage.

[KiFF86]

Prof Omar: "Man's gotta have a code." Priceless.

I had the same reaction as the Dean

[the_coldest_sun]

Man, I really really enjoyed this episode! Not even sure what I can even add to the conversation. They were really on their A-game last night. I love when they incorporate all the secondary characters like they did. It was nice seeing Fat Neal, Todd, Magnitude, Gerold, the janitor, Prof Kane, etc etc. It really makes it feel they are part of a college community.

I hope Starburns ain't dead. He really was too ridiculous of a character to keep alive, but I enjoyed him! I guess after the starburns, the top hat, and the lizard, there wasn't much left to add to make him even more ridiculous. Although I'm sure they could've come up with something stupid for season 4. Also WTF, Michael Ironside?! I actually cheered when I recognized him. So weird seeing him guest star on Community.

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

The best thing was Leslie Hendrix doing the autopsy on the yam. At that point the episode hit perfection as an homage/parody of L&O.

But I'm so sad about Starburns--I didn't see that coming (glad I never read any spoilers).

[Jared]

The only problem with putting Michael Ironside in that role is I immediately wanted him to win the case.

I guess we don't have to feel as bad for Todd and the group's treatment of him earlier this season.

Starburns worked with Abed on some projects, he was probably on better terms with him than anyone else in the group. . I wonder how Abed will register his passing.

[KiFF86]

I loved Abed's response to not being able to tell time. "I'm special in other ways."

[Omega Alpha]

Not much character development, but this still was one of the funniest episodes of the season.

Prof Omar: "Man's gotta have a code." Priceless.

Just awesome.

[Treqqor]

At that point the episode hit perfection as an homage/parody of L&O.

At what point does something cross over from parody into just being lazy and copying the source material?

There were amusing moments, for sure, but it was distracting how specific the parody was getting. It was done almost TOO well and, for me at least, seemed a bit lazy and it takes away from what is generally a pretty creative show.

[Gryphon]

Not much character development, but this still was one of the funniest episodes of the season.



Just awesome.

No Character development? Then what do you call the fact that Jeff is the one who called out Annie for her unethical courtroom behaviour?

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

Given the amount of sweat and toil it must have taken to get all the details right, I don't see how anyone can accuse the crew of being lazy.

[Jared]

At what point does something cross over from parody into just being lazy and copying the source material?

Ah, the Family Guy test. I think Community passed. Some of the references were subtle, and there were still actual jokes written without solely relying on the parody.

[Treqqor]

Given the amount of sweat and toil it must have taken to get all the details right, I don't see how anyone can accuse the crew of being lazy.

Oh, not the crew and cast at all, they NAILED it, there's no denying that. It was perfectly executed, and they deserve ALL of the credit, the level of talent on that show is incredible.

I'm thinking more from the writer's room.

Ah, the Family Guy test. I think Community passed. Some of the references were subtle, and there were still actual jokes written without solely relying on the parody.

See, I didn't think the references were subtle at all. Heck, look at the opening theme.
It was written and filmed identically, beat for beat, the staging and blocking was outstanding, but only in terms of following exactly what I've seen for years on LA & Order. It was really the farthest thing from subtle. And that's what I found so distracting, unlike most of their other parodies, especially earlier on in the series.

[Jared]

Obviously the main structure was total Law & Order. The credits (hell, just the chong sound) is something everybody gets. But some of the gags were more subtle, in that if you're not a serious L&O watcher (or lapsed, in my case) it would go right over your head.

Was "Modern Warfare" lazy? The entire thing was shot and written to play like an action movie. I imagine that some women-folk to don't watch any action movies didn't get it. :)

[90'sCartoonMan]

It was nice seeing Fat Neal, Todd, Magnitude, Gerold, the janitor, Prof Kane, etc etc. It really makes it feel they are part of a college community.

I had the same thought, which is why I'm hoping Starburns isn't dead. He's a great side character! Is Dino just too busy these days?

But some of the gags were more subtle, in that if you're not a serious L&O watcher (or lapsed, in my case) it would go right over your head.)

Never seen an episode, and I knew there was stuff I was missing, but I still thought this episode was great. Loved Troy and Abed switching character types.

[Treqqor]

Was "Modern Warfare" lazy? The entire thing was shot and written to play like an action movie. I imagine that some women-folk to don't watch any action movies didn't get it. :)

That's my point exactly. The action genre, pulling from many sources to capture the essence of the whole genre as opposed to going to a specific show, grabbing an episode, and essentially swapping out the actors.