by Josh Johnson
via screencrave.com
“Community” started out as an unassuming sitcom with that guy from the one actually good show on E! as its main draw. Now, after this week’s episode, “Pillows and Blankets,” I have a declaration to make–“Community” is the new “Lost.”
While “Community” doesn’t have the mythology that creates ten questions for every one answered that “Lost” had, the two share one major similarity–any time you try to explain what happens on “Lost” or “Community” to someone who hasn’t seen the show, it will make perfect sense in your head, but your friend will think you’re insane. Remember this conversation?
Your Friend: So what is “Lost” about anyway?
You: A group of people crashes on an island.
Your Friend: What’s so special about that?
You: Well, there are other people on the Island, and they want to capture this one kid who is psychic, but then the leader of the Others, Ben, captures Jack because Ben has cancer but the Island won’t heal him even though the Island cures cancer, which means the Island doesn’t like him. Also, there’s a smoke monster. And polar bears.
Your Friend: That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
Now, here’s what is going to happen when you try to explain “Community:”
Your Friend: So what is “Community” about anyway?
You: A group of misfits form a study group at a community college.
Your Friend: What’s so special about that?
You: Well, they do these pop culture references, like play Dungeons and Dragons and become claymation, and then two of the characters got mad at each other so the whole school erupted in a pillow fight because the Dean of the Air Conditioning Repair college wanted one of them to join his school. Also, there’s paintball. And a Dreamatorium.
Your Friend: That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
Just like no other show could pull of what “Lost” accomplished with its mythology, no other show could pull of what “Community” aired on “Pillows and Blankets.” While a school-wide pillow fight may seem stupid to a first-time viewer, “Community” veterans know that there really isn’t any other way to solve a Troy and Abed fight. It would actually be more unbelievable for a long-time watcher if the fight consisted of Troy and Abed not talking to each other until someone apologized.
That’s not to say that “Pillows and Blankets” was stale or predictable. It was a fantastic episode, and Season 3’s second-best episode, behind only the flawless “Remedial Chaos Theory.” Each role was filled perfectly by the characters–Annie the doctor (who used Gatorade for the IVs), Pierce the double-crosser and buffoon, Shirley the soldier (proven in the paintball episodes), Jeff the non-acting bystander, and Britta the intrepid but terrible photographer (my personal favorite). Sure, there was broad comedy, such as the hilariously convoluted “North Cafeteria” name explanation, but the real satisfaction from this episode came from knowing the characters and realizing that a pillow fight is the only way to get Jeff to continue maturing, and to get Troy and Abed to reconcile.
Now, maybe it’s time for the students of Greendale to go back to class. Or maybe it’s time for them to spoof “Avatar.” I don’t know, and, frankly, I’m not sure I care. Anything that happens in “Community” makes such perfect sense that I’m sure whatever seemingly long-winded parody they do next, those of us who’ve watched since the beginning will understand it was the only way. While that won’t make explaining “Community” any easier, it will only add to one of the best shows on television.
Josh Johnson is music editor. Email him at jjohnson@nyunews.com.
