by Graham Osborne
Here it is, we’ve certainly had an interesting ride. There have been some good times, and some bad times. And then there’s that season where everything went a little off the rails. But, somehow, against all odds, they managed to pull it back and return to form. The symphony of the show may have hit some bum notes here and there, but a series should (probably) only be judged as a whole, not by its individual parts.
Here it is, we’ve certainly had an interesting ride. There have been some good times, and some bad times. And then there’s that season where everything went a little off the rails. But, somehow, against all odds, they managed to pull it back and return to form. The symphony of the show may have hit some bum notes here and there, but a series should (probably) only be judged as a whole, not by its individual parts.
“Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television” ends this season of Community, and, possibly, the entire show, as the same group that banded together to save Greendale thirteen episodes ago once again completes their mission, leaving the inevitable question of “where do we go from here?” Cue a flurry of self-referential humour as each cast member pitches their own version of Season Seven.
Interspersed with the pitches, are the characters’ announcements about their plans for the future. It is the most poignant moment of the episode as the realisation of what is being discussed finally hits Jeff, and it is his reluctance to let the group go that shows how far this series has come. In the beginning, he viewed the Study Group as more of an albatross around his neck, a collection of people holding him back from returning to law. But now they are an integral part of his life, and the potential loss of any of them shows the extent of his growth as a person. As the episode progresses, the focus shifts more and more to Jeff’s fragile psyche and how he keeps trying to write a happy ending where everyone remains at Greendale to no avail. McHale brings forth a powerful performance as he delivers a heartfelt confession that brings a tear to the eye.
Interspersed with the pitches, are the characters’ announcements about their plans for the future. It is the most poignant moment of the episode as the realisation of what is being discussed finally hits Jeff, and it is his reluctance to let the group go that shows how far this series has come. In the beginning, he viewed the Study Group as more of an albatross around his neck, a collection of people holding him back from returning to law. But now they are an integral part of his life, and the potential loss of any of them shows the extent of his growth as a person. As the episode progresses, the focus shifts more and more to Jeff’s fragile psyche and how he keeps trying to write a happy ending where everyone remains at Greendale to no avail. McHale brings forth a powerful performance as he delivers a heartfelt confession that brings a tear to the eye.
Whilst the focus of the show is on Jeff, it is Abed who delivers the most touching of speeches. Pudi’s depiction of Abed as a television obsessed, socially inept outcast has created some of the funniest moments of the show, and his heavy leaning on the fourth wall has also driven some of the best plots. His commentary on the nature of series that continue past six seasons is what drives the soul searching of the cast, and it is his speech on what a good TV show should be that perfectly encapsulates everything that TV stands for; it needs to be fun, it needs to be comfortable and it needs to have its off days, so that we may appreciate the best bits all the more.
Despite the heavy sense of finality that pervades the episode, there are plenty of moments that let the levity shine through. Many of the pitches take some of the more established elements and play with them, even bringing Yvette Nicole-Brown back to play Shirley in a couple of them. The stinger also maintains the classic Community spirit by advertising a board game of the show, with a disclaimer that is more running commentary on the show’s colourful past with NBC and a deconstruction of the entire joke that leaves the entire show on a high. The chances of Season Seven actually existing seems infinitesimally low, but the way everything has been left, it doesn’t need another. The hashtag of six seasons and a movie is almost complete, there’s but one piece of the puzzle left. Let’s hope the writers can pull it off.
This final episode of Community ended in the only way it knew how, quirky and upbeat to the end. As for me, I’ll keep waiting for the movie to get written and pitch my version of Season Seven whenever I feel I don’t have enough meta-humour in my life.
I could cut to it.
But then it will never come true.
Despite the heavy sense of finality that pervades the episode, there are plenty of moments that let the levity shine through. Many of the pitches take some of the more established elements and play with them, even bringing Yvette Nicole-Brown back to play Shirley in a couple of them. The stinger also maintains the classic Community spirit by advertising a board game of the show, with a disclaimer that is more running commentary on the show’s colourful past with NBC and a deconstruction of the entire joke that leaves the entire show on a high. The chances of Season Seven actually existing seems infinitesimally low, but the way everything has been left, it doesn’t need another. The hashtag of six seasons and a movie is almost complete, there’s but one piece of the puzzle left. Let’s hope the writers can pull it off.
This final episode of Community ended in the only way it knew how, quirky and upbeat to the end. As for me, I’ll keep waiting for the movie to get written and pitch my version of Season Seven whenever I feel I don’t have enough meta-humour in my life.
I could cut to it.
But then it will never come true.
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