by Graham Osborne
Community could be very much viewed as having its honeymoon period (again!) for Yahoo. The series is still great fun to watch, but is that due to the heady scent of nostalgia pervading our nostrils, or is it because the writing is so damn excellent?
If it is the former, this episode could signify the beginning of the descent into mediocrity. If it’s the latter, then the episode is just a bum note in an otherwise wonderful symphony.
Community could be very much viewed as having its honeymoon period (again!) for Yahoo. The series is still great fun to watch, but is that due to the heady scent of nostalgia pervading our nostrils, or is it because the writing is so damn excellent?
If it is the former, this episode could signify the beginning of the descent into mediocrity. If it’s the latter, then the episode is just a bum note in an otherwise wonderful symphony.
The episode brings back the rivalry between Greendale and City College; unfortunately, City College’s plans do not entail the giant spider robot contraption that was shown at the end of the Season Three finale, rather a smear campaign regarding a degree that may or may not have been granted to a dog. The episode feels like more of a bottle episode, confined, for the most part to the study room, with the occasional excursion to another small area, with plenty of intimate close-ups to reinforce the cramped nature of the settings, the notable exception being the short music video/dream sequence of Britta as she bonds with Elroy.
If there is one thing that will be a letdown for this series, as well as any possible future series, it is the constant references to Yahoo. Admittedly, they are hosting the show on their website and it makes sense to work some product placement into the episodes, but it doesn’t feel right when compared with their treatment of Subway in Season Three. It doesn’t have to be as mercilessly mocking of the corporate structure as then, but a few veiled references to “other search engines” and whatnot would be perfectly in keeping with the world of Community.
If there is one thing that will be a letdown for this series, as well as any possible future series, it is the constant references to Yahoo. Admittedly, they are hosting the show on their website and it makes sense to work some product placement into the episodes, but it doesn’t feel right when compared with their treatment of Subway in Season Three. It doesn’t have to be as mercilessly mocking of the corporate structure as then, but a few veiled references to “other search engines” and whatnot would be perfectly in keeping with the world of Community.
Whilst the episode maintained the humour that makes Community the show it is, the initial texting joke ran a little overlong, especially when combined with having the actors record a voiceover as the text appears onscreen. The second and third time the jokes are brought up, it’s kept shorter and works a lot better than the initial slog at the very beginning.
After a strong first two episodes last week, Community has dropped the ball with the third. Hopefully they’ll be able to recover and prove the strength of the show again next week, but this time, it doesn’t feel as magical.
After a strong first two episodes last week, Community has dropped the ball with the third. Hopefully they’ll be able to recover and prove the strength of the show again next week, but this time, it doesn’t feel as magical.
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