Chevy Chase is funnier than he’s been in decades as the clueless Pierce. This might be his best role since, I don’t know, Fletch. He’s wonderfully oblivious when he’s not being actively spiteful. There’s the great Ken Jeong as Senor Chang, formerly their Spanish teacher and now just desperate to join their study group. The man can’t not be funny. The Daily Show’s John Oliver is terrific as the substitute Anthropology professor. And Jim Rash’s Dean Pelton just keeps getting better and better. (“Would that this hoodie were a time hoodie.”) Plus, he looks exactly like a live-action Dr. Venture.
The behind-the-camera talent is just as impressive. Series creator (and frequent writer) Dan Harmon co-created The Sarah Silverman Program and the failed (but glorious) pilot Heat Vision and Jack. Community is just as inventive as his other work, but it has a heart that those other shows didn’t approach. He makes us care no matter how silly it gets. The Russo Brothers are frequent directors (and executive producers) – before this they directed a whole bunch of Arrested Development episodes, which is a heck of a thing to have on your record.
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.