TV in Review: Community, “Origins of Vampire Mythology”

Last night’s new episode of Community began with Troy and Abed playing a hand-clapping game, reminding us that they are best friends. And we are reassured that their brutal feud over pillows and blankets has been left in the past.

But Pierce is jealous.

PIERCE: How come I’m not best friends with anyone in the group?

That’s right, the character Pierce is evidently unaware of the additional voice mail message that came out in which the actor who portrays him, Chevy Chase, rips Community as a “f*cking mediocre sitcom.” Now, so long as Chase and show creator Dan Harmon are willing to bury the hatchet for the sake of their wallets art, I don’t think this will actually hurt the show. The producers were already smart enough to cast Chase as a curmudgeonly old man with a tenuous grasp on reality. How does this hurt that image?

Also, have I mentioned before how much I enjoy Jim Rash’s portrayal of Dean Pelton? And is there any other show on TV which could introduce the central conceit of the episode with such speed and elan?

DEAN PELTON: Just letting students know that if you’re on campus this weekend, you’ll have to park on the street because of the carnival. On an unrelated note, I’m into trains now.

But wait, it gets better…

BRITTA: I have an ex-boyfriend that travels with a carnival.

It turns out that Britta is still obsessed with her ex-boyfriend Blade.

PIERCE: Her pain unifies us. She has the King Arthur of bad taste in men.

Indeed, it’s like Britta is an addict, and she needs her friends to tell her that…

Even with the absurdity and fast-paced fun, it’s a quieter episode, minus the grand concepts of, well, a civil war between people building forts out of pillows or blankets. And that’s okay with me.

There are hints that Troy longs for Britta, while Pierce and Chang try to spark a bromance…

PIERCE: I decided to go outside the group for a best friend.

Jeff winds up as the voice of wisdom this time around, suggesting that they all calm down and start loving themselves a little bit more, so that they can stop chasing after others for the solution.

JEFF: None of us have to “go to” anyone and the idea we do is a mental illness we contracted from breath mint commercials and Sandra Bullock.

Yeah, this time around, Community really is about community.

NBC first broadcast Season 3, Episode 15 of Community on April 12, 2012.

SEE ALSO
tvdinner&amovie: thoughts on community: origins of vampire mythology
TheTwoCents: Community – Recap & Review – Origins of Vampire Mythology
The Funny Feminist: Community’s Changing Character Dynamics
Polentical: TV in Review: Community, “Pillows and Blankets”