Quick Take: Community, "Physical Education" "I choose shorts!" – Jeff
Review: Community, "Physical Education" (S0117) First, it can't be said enough that Ken Jeong as Spanish Professor Chang is reason alone to watch Community (as is anything with the weird and wonderful Jeong). Second, it's great to see any episode where there's focus on Abed (Danny Pudi), who is carving out one of the most unique and funniest characters on television week after week.
We now know Abed well enough that it's obvious that he is perfectly fine to "be himself" in approaching a pretty girl the gang believes to have a crush on him by literally being himself and not approaching the pretty girl who might have a crush on him, and get to laugh along while the gang is clueless. It then gets even better when Abed uses his observational and directoral powers to cast himself in different "roles" to make the approach. That bit parlaying into Abed "playing Jeff" to get the girl later in the episode really pays off and takes the show to next levels.
Community continues to find ways to breathe comedic life into the academic environment. This week, it's Jeff (Joel McHale) taking a billiards class, which is taught by a short shorts wearing and no nonsense coach. Pool is a gym class, coach explains, handing out uniforms. "You're gonnna look like an ass in those," an older gent tells Jeff.
Overall, perhaps the best overall episode of a stellar freshman season.
More random notes on "Physical Education":
It says a lot about this cast and its chemistry that they can get as much mileage as they did over Britta's (Gillian Jacobs) mispronunciation of "bagel."
"Whoever she is, she's fat. These thick pencil lines are drawn with a heavy hand." Pierce (Chevy Chase)
"You're gonna Can't Buy Me Love me?" – Abed
"I call this class the desecration of America's coolest sport." – Jeff
Abed playing Don Draper from Mad Men for Annie (Alison Brie), amazing. And even more amazing as Annie plays Trudy Campbell, Pete's wife, on Mad Men. Pretty remarkable that Brie acts on one of the best comedies on TV and one of the best dramas of all time, at the same time!
"Let's go, Slumdog." – Jealous boyfriend to Abed
Brilliant super subtle moment when Abed says "Let's face it, I'm adorable" and quick cut to Troy (Donald Glover) nodding "uh huh."
Loving Senor Chang taking bets during the Jeff v. billiards coach faceoff. Jeff and coach showing off their skivvies (and more?), loving not quite as much!
The end of episode comedic pairing of Abed and Troy was downright avant-garde this week. Muppet Show riff?
Video: Community, "Physical Education" Get 'er while she's hot, from Hulu:
Recap: Community, "Physical Education" Jeff's will is tested in his new billiards class and Abed tries to woo a potential mate by bringing out different sides of his personality.
From Around the Web: Community, "Physical Education"
A.V. Club: Community has always had an oddly philosophical bent, but that's getting more pronounced as the series goes on. Most comedies have very small stakes, and while Community's storylines are mostly pretty small, the stakes in them couldn't be bigger. This is a show about whether it's better to live your life trying to please other people or whether it's better to figure out a way to carve your own path.
Daemon's TV: Also finally, here's a question for everyone. What couple would you rather see on Community out of: Troy & Annie, Shirley & Pierce, Jeff & Britta, Abed & Annie, Britta & Troy, Abed & Troy
Eric is the publisher and revered leader of TV Geek Army… at least in his own mind. TV Geek Army is a place for serious TV reviews and news for serious fans of great television. Contact: eric-[at]-tvgeekarmy.com
