[PascalsTriangle]

4x01 "History 101"
Airs: Thursday 2/7/2013 (08:00PM - 08:30PM)

Episode Synopsis

Spoiler:

2/7/2012 (08:30PM - 09:00PM) (Friday) : THE GREENDALE STUDY GROUP RETURNS FROM SUMMER BREAK FOR THEIR FOURTH YEAR - The Study Group returns from summer break ready to tackle their fourth year of Community College. Jeff (Joel McHale) is particularly focused on graduating and is just a few credits away. When there is a mix-up with a history class registration, Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) institutes an elaborate physical competition for class space. Meanwhile, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) helps Abed (Danny Pudi) deal with the anxiety he is experiencing over the thought of the study group graduating and breaking up. Chevy Chase, Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover and Ken Jeong also star.

Promo Pics

Spoiler:

[PascalsTriangle]

Spoiler:

Looks like we'll be revisiting some episodes from the past 3 seasons. Obviously from the promo pics we'll be seeing some more of Modern Warfare but also looks like we'll be seeing more of cooperative calligraphy by the looks of Annie's clothes.

[snesfreak]

lol you posted on the blog right before me, I took my post off.

[CommunityFan101]

My heart skip few pulses when I saw those pictures.... I am truly in the moment of awe

[MagiciteKefka]

Heh, Amelia Deanhart. This should be good.

[Brutalitops]

Yay for....................................YAY!

[PascalsTriangle]

Episode synopsis added

[CommunityFan101]

synopsis doesn't look bad, expecting much we are indeed!!!!

[PascalsTriangle]

Here's a preview that Joel showed the audience during his appearance on Ellen.

[Johan van der Groep]

We may hope the laughter came from Ellen's audience...

[snesfreak]

There's no way it's not from Ellen's audience.

[Champ Slice]

*sigh* enter the laughtrack...

[YOIP]

History 101 new Sneak Peak:

[XD375]

The lighting is a lot different and the dean seems more Flanderized than ever.

[CommunityFan101]

http://youtu.be/Y7ACRFd9aJ4

the recent trailer actually bums me a little bit :p I don't know what Community is like in this season, but from what I can see, its different from what we know

[aylakat]

On the bright side, it looks like they're sticking to over-the-top scenarios, which gives me a little faith. Maybe when we watch the scene in context it will look better.

[PascalsTriangle]

3 weeks until the premiere! Time to begin rewatching all 3 seasons.

[CommunityFan101]

ahhh finally 3 weeks to go!!!

[snesfreak]

Season 4 "First Look"

[Jecht]

I've been a bad fan I guess and just recently bought season 3 on DVD. I'm really excited for this new season. I'm also really excited about Venture Bros Season 5 (any fans?)

[snesfreak]

Cast interviews with Joel, Ken, Yvette, Jim, and Malcolm McDowell

[YOIP]

The season 4 promo currently running on NBC:

[CommunityFan101]

FAN SQUEEEEE OF THE NEW TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!

[Hardly the Space]

Originally Posted by Jecht

I'm also really excited about Venture Bros Season 5 (any fans?)

Oh oh! *juts hand up* I'm a fan! It's only the best cartoon ever created! I think many Community fans would appreciate it...

Anxiously waiting for season 5 but they always take forever

[PascalsTriangle]

More previews for season 4 at The AV Club.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/community,91445/

[PascalsTriangle]

Preview: changnesia

[CommunityFan101]

ohhh gaawwd spoiler much, I may have to chang my mind about season 4

It looks crazee

[Jecht]

Anyone else finding it less....funny?

[stush]

While i wait for it to be uploaded (hate being from australia), anyone want to give some impressions without spoiling anything?! :D

[PascalsTriangle]

Still conflicted about this episode. Definitely felt like it was trying too hard to be Community and I totally forgot about Britta/Troy.

Download for people who can't watch it yet (Pirate Bay)

Spoiler:

- Kind of a crappy way to introduce Annie's new career direction
- Pace felt insanely fast
- The whole "Hunger-Deans" felt too goofy for community

[XD375]

Okay, I'm not going to do a huge review, but here's some thoughts:

Spoiler:

-Opening the show as if it was now CBS quality was something I actually suggested, can't remember if it was on here or on my Dan Harmon Facebook Page though. That was perfect and had me laughing out loud, and it kept making me laugh every time they went back to the bad sitcom version of Community.
-The main plot wasn't very gripping, but it had its moments. Definitely not at the top of Community's quality, though.
-Greendale Babies was trying way too hard and I really disliked these portions.
-The Dean puns have grown on me despite my previous complaints.
-The fact that Chang still uses Chang puns despite pretending to think he is an amnesiac named Kevin is hilarious.
-Dan Harmon's name was still in the credits. I believe it was either as creator or just that mandatory consultant credit due to him having 10% share.
-This definitely isn't the worst Community episode I've ever seen.

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with it so far! If someone as skeptical as me likes it I'm sure it'll be fine for most fans.

[snesfreak]

I liked it well enough, even though you can definitely tell that Dan is gone.
But it's not like it was unwatchable trash like some people (mostly on twitter) will claim.

[aylakat]

You know how Britta felt when Subway got fired, and then she saw Subway walking in the halls, and he said hello to her like he knew her, and he had had the sexual relationship with her because he was representing the corporation? And Britta was shocked and upset that Subway's corpo-humanoid personhood was transferred to another body?

That's kind of what tonight felt like for me. I'm going to watch it a couple more times before I decide, but... the show has things to prove to me this season.

[Jasoco]

It was interesting to say the least. I'm going to have to rewatch a few times to soak it all in. It felt all over the place.

Agreed with snesfreak. It's obviously not the same Community it was and it knows it and Abed knows it. They're preparing for the end and Abed doesn't want it to happen. Of course that's the opposite of season 1 where Annie didn't want things to change and sabotaged the group to keep them together. Oh, and then last season when Abed tried to "fix" things.

I am predicting next week is going to be a Halloween episode. I posted a chart on another forum with where each episode would have fallen if they kept it where it was and where they'll fall if we get a new episode every week from now on.

1 - October 19th (Tonights) - February 7th
2 - October 26th (Halloween) - February 14th
3 - November 2nd (InspectaCON) - February 21st
4 - November 9th - February 28th
5 - November 16th (Thanksgiving) - March 7th
6 - November 30th (Marine Biology) - March 14th
7 - December 7th (Herstory of Dance) - March 21st
8 - December 14th (Christmas) - March 28th
9 - January 11th - April 4th
10 - January 18th - April 11th
11 - January 25th - April 18th
12 - February 1st - April 25th
13 - February 8th (Finale) - May 2nd

[YOIP]

My thoughts on the episode:

Spoiler:

I thought it was good, even though the pace was rushed. The whole point of the episode I guess was of how Abed didn't want the end, and the same way of how we didn't want Community, poking fun at that.
As I had recently watched the dreamatorium episode, there was a hiccup in Annie's character suddenly wanting Jeff again and reducing the morals she gained from that episode in the previous season.
I don't know why, but I did find the Pierce/Balls thing funny, although the ending joke was dissapointing, it brought me back to when Pierce was that weird old dude making penis jokes, but it's clear they are downplaying Chases's character.
I found the "sitcom" scenes pretty funny, I guess I just like them making fun of themselves, but the animation bits were a bit too far, I think they just tried to put too much "Community" into one episode of Community, wanting to give you things that Community is supposed to do.
The Hunger Deans was definitely overplayed in commercials, it wasn't really the whole main plot of the episode.
But listen, I found it funny, and when I can laugh at Community I'm happy, I'm glad it was written by someone who's been on the show since season 2 and can't wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.
"Should we run?"
"In these heels?"

[PascalsTriangle]

I am interested to see where the whole Chang thing goes. Upon second viewing, I am relieved. It is different, but good. If nobody else wants to tackle a review I'll write one tomorrow.

[Hardly the Space]

I was very wary about the new season but I really liked this episode! I thought Abed's happy places were particularly brilliant, and the rest was solid. I thought the show looked a little different, something about the directing, or the lighting, or maybe the set designs, but I thought the writing was pretty up to par. Sometimes it did sort of feel like they were trying too hard, but I think that might have just been the pressure of it being the premiere episode, and in the next few they'll be able to tone it down a bit and let things be more natural.

The fans are afraid of moving on, so the characters are afraid of moving on. The fans are afraid the show will change, so the show opens as a three camera sitcom with a laugh track. I really liked that aspect of it. I was worried the new showrunners would just try to pretend like nothing had changed, but instead they directly drew attention to it. That's the kind of meta-commentary I love in my Community

The fact that Chang still uses Chang puns despite pretending to think he is an amnesiac named Kevin is hilarious.

Do you mean to say Chang is faking his amnesia? Because I don't think that's the case, I'm pretty sure it's genuine, and for a least a few episodes he will be Kevin, a nice, normal guy with bits of Chang peeking out

[PascalsTriangle]

Originally Posted by Hardly the Space

I was very wary about the new season but I really liked this episode! I thought Abed's happy places were particularly brilliant, and the rest was solid. I thought the show looked a little different, something about the directing, or the lighting, or maybe the set designs, but I thought the writing was pretty up to par. Sometimes it did sort of feel like they were trying too hard, but I think that might have just been the pressure of it being the premiere episode, and in the next few they'll be able to tone it down a bit and let things be more natural.

The fans are afraid of moving on, so the characters are afraid of moving on. The fans are afraid the show will change, so the show opens as a three camera sitcom with a laugh track. I really liked that aspect of it. I was worried the new showrunners would just try to pretend like nothing had changed, but instead they directly drew attention to it. That's the kind of meta-commentary I love in my Community



Do you mean to say Chang is faking his amnesia? Because I don't think that's the case, I'm pretty sure it's genuine, and for a least a few episodes he will be Kevin, a nice, normal guy with bits of Chang peeking out

Given the ominous presence of Chang in the S3 finale, I'd say he's up to something. Playing dumb, perhaps.

[Hardly the Space]

Originally Posted by PascalsTriangle

Given the ominous presence of Chang in the S3 finale, I'd say he's up to something. Playing dumb, perhaps.

Perhaps, but I think they're trying to do something different with him for the new season.

Anyway personally, I always wished they had followed up on his Gollum-like split-personality from Anthropology 101, where part of him hates the group and part of him wants to join them

[ChaosRed]

Thoughts:

Spoiler:

It was not the worst episode of Community.

It was pretty close to the worst episode of Community.

The Abed TV stuff was amusing, but never funny.

The Communi-Babies thing was out there, and I actually enjoyed that part a lot.

I also liked the "promos" for shows like "Cooking with Swords".

Dean jokes were AWFUL.

Annie's character was way off, I know she was a minor character in a crowded episode, but this was some of the weakest lines I've ever seen written for her, they were, cringe worthy.

But mostly what failed for me I think was the technical aspects. Lighting was brighter and at times, rather slap-dash, not the usual quality. The editing was AWFUL in parts, and this was quickly slapped together faster than any episode I've ever seen. Sloppy edits, lazy delivery, the episode really came across as a dress rehearsal sometimes. This was cut fast, punched out cheaper than we've ever seen before and it really showed.

This should have been a lot funnier than it was, but the technical work was done faster and sloppier than ever before. It was really obvious to me. This looked like a show, where much of the people who worked on it, we're "phoning it in".

I think Dan Harmon would have changed some aspects of the script, to bring the story home more and he most certainly would not have been happy with the editing and lighting in this episode.

I'd much rather have Fred Willard in the show than Chevy and there's part of me that thinks, the writer of this episode was thinking the exact same thing.

It looks like it will be a weak season, but intriguing enough that I'll watch.

I've seen worse Community, but not a whole lot worse.

[PascalsTriangle]

For those wondering, this episode was written by Andy Bobrow. His other Community writing credits include:

2.04 Basic Rocket Science
2.10 Mixology Certification
2.18 Custody Law & European Diplomacy
3.02 Geography of Global Conflict
3.14 Pillows & Blankets (Part 2)

I'm actually a big fan of the first 2 episodes he wrote, and I liked 3.02 more than most in season 3.

[actuallyliam]

They really needed Dan Harmon. Because Dan knows when he goes to far. He perfected the over the top episodes of Community, what really flopped in this episode was the overuse of concepts. It should have been an introduction to season four instead it was a incompatible mix of concept episodes back to back. The animation sections were not needed and it fell rather flat and rushed.

The highlights, the beginning was done perfectly. The hunger deans was a great concept. The ending had heart. Seeing the return of joyce kim and the others.

Overall, I give it a C-, It had it's moments. But so far it has very few community feeling scenes.

[actuallyliam]

Originally Posted by ChaosRed

Thoughts:

Spoiler:

It was not the worst episode of Community.

It was pretty close to the worst episode of Community.

The Abed TV stuff was amusing, but never funny.

The Communi-Babies thing was out there, and I actually enjoyed that part a lot.

I also liked the "promos" for shows like "Cooking with Swords".

Dean jokes were AWFUL.

Annie's character was way off, I know she was a minor character in a crowded episode, but this was some of the weakest lines I've ever seen written for her, they were, cringe worthy.

But mostly what failed for me I think was the technical aspects. Lighting was brighter and at times, rather slap-dash, not the usual quality. The editing was AWFUL in parts, and this was quickly slapped together faster than any episode I've ever seen. Sloppy edits, lazy delivery, the episode really came across as a dress rehearsal sometimes. This was cut fast, punched out cheaper than we've ever seen before and it really showed.

This should have been a lot funnier than it was, but the technical work was done faster and sloppier than ever before. It was really obvious to me. This looked like a show, where much of the people who worked on it, we're "phoning it in".

I think Dan Harmon would have changed some aspects of the script, to bring the story home more and he most certainly would not have been happy with the editing and lighting in this episode.

I'd much rather have Fred Willard in the show than Chevy and there's part of me that thinks, the writer of this episode was thinking the exact same thing.

It looks like it will be a weak season, but intriguing enough that I'll watch.

I've seen worse Community, but not a whole lot worse.

I think, if Dan Harmon was in control the episode would have turned out different. Because the writing of the concept of the show is done by the group with the jokes and dialogue being done by the writer of the episode. The writers would have a meeting on each episode to read through the script. The showrunners (Apparently two people who produced a low rated, 1 season show on ABC family were more qualified than Dan Harmon, who produced three seasons) would have made a final pass on the script before it going to production. We don't know how much of the original writers work is still in it.

[Jecht]

I was very disappointed. It reminded me of watching Big Bang Theory rather than Community. The lighting, camerawork, Jeff being overly generous is trying to hard. Everything felt force

[aylakat]

I wrote a review here, not the most positive one, but one that I feel is fair given the circumstance. http://www.ilikeweirdstuff.com/2013/...er-19th-maybe/

[YOIP]

1.8 rating everybody, cool, cool, cool.

[snesfreak]

On NBC a 1.8 gets you another season!

[ChaosRed]

First episodes of the season typically get a pretty decent rating, it's the decline in episode 2 that you need to watch. Still, it could catch if it stays on Thursday nights, I'd like to see that!

I just watched the episode again. This needed more polish. I am confident Harmon would have changed aspects of the script, reshot certain scenes that had poor timing (the "tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" scene for example,was one of the most painful scenes I've ever seen Community do and it had no real payoff at all).

That said, it's really not the worst episode. It has moments.

Greendale Babies is hilarious, even on second viewing, the little promos on the corner, the clear digs at boiler plate sit-coms and the mugging characters do as they deliver punch lines or there's any kind of innuendo. All good stuff.

But it was slapped together too fast...it lacked that precise execution I've come to know and love. Even the music bumpers during a scene transition were off, the lighting was definitely off on a lot of interior scenes.

One reason why the episode didn't work was it was premised on the fact that you should not fear change. It was a direct take on the fan's fear the show would change dramatically into laugh-track crap like Big Bang. But the payoff should have been, as it sequenced back to the "real" show, it should have smooth, crisp and funny, when often it wasn't.

Also the making fun of cheap "antics" at the end, hits a really sour note, since the Hunger Games sequences were just cheap antics.

So the show doesn't really pay off, it tries to make the point that it will still be a crisp, clever show and not to fear the change, but then never delivers a crisp, clever show.

Again, it's not the worst episode, but it is definitely a very poor start to season 4. They had the courage to confront the fear within the fan base, to recognize it, to play with it, (which is admirable), but then they never really pay off or deliver.

Good news is, it is entirely possible, the show gets tighter as the new stewards settled into the season. Also by confronting the big change at the top in the first episode, they can settle back into an episode that can deliver smarter jokes.

Really, in a nutshell, that's what was wrong with the episode, it was poorly edited, the timing was way off and the jokes, for the most part, were really, really dumb. It had moments, there were flashes of what makes the show so clever, but it is definitely one of the poorer episodes of the show.

[PascalsTriangle]

I'd have to agree with Snes. Given Community's ratings trend and NBC's low standards for renewal, I'd say a fifth season is well within reach. Community's viewership has been stable for a while now and with all the episodes on Netflix it's easy to attract new fans.

[PascalsTriangle]

Posted my review, be sure to comment!