When the show premiered, we all knew Alison Brie best as Trudy Campbell on Mad Men. But now when she appears on the AMC show, I just think of her as a time-lost Annie. An overachiever with a dark past, Annie brings a unique sort of crazy to the table. (Check out Season One’s “Debate 109” for the moment where she became a real comedic force.) And while Yvette Nicole Brown’s Shirley was probably the least developed character in the early days, she came to life when she was paired as Jeff’s gossip buddy, and there’s been no turning back. She’s probably the most fun character to throw into a storyline, as she brings a different perspective than any other member of the main cast. A divorced, devoutly religious mother of two young boys, she presents the kind of voice that’s often lacking on network TV.
This season really needs a Pierce centered episode before Christmas. I don’t think we’ll get one, but I really want one.
Great review. I’m not as scientific as you, but this show definitely evolved and evolved quickly …in the same way Simpsons did from Season 1 to Season 2. I knew I liked something about The Simpsons and Community in Season 1, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Luckily, the writers for both shows figured it out and both are brilliant.
How long to you supposed Community can keep this up?
I LOVE this show. i didn’t want to love it, but now I am hooked. I watch them several times through on-demand. I can’t even say which is my favorite but Basic Rocket Science and Epidemology are a close tie. But the paintball one was great! I just thought the premise was unworkable but they are great every week. I don’t think I’ll ever say that about Outsourced.