25. Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps (Season 3, Episode 5)
The Story: Psychology profiles of the group run by Britta (Gillian Jacobs) reveal that one of them has psychopathic tendencies. Determined to figure out which group member could be a potential murderer, she gets everyone to tell their spookiest story during a pre-Halloween party.
Why It’s Earned Its Place: An episode that simultaneously deconstructs the horror genre and peers into the psyches of its main characters, “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps” is as ambitious as it is winning. The story told by Annie (Alison Brie), for example, is a both infantile condemnation of the friends-with-benefits arrangement shared by Britta and Jeff (Joel McHale) and a declaration of her puppy love for Jeff. Meanwhile, Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) tells a tale that reveals her innermost judgments of the other group members. It would be almost overly acidic if it wasn’t for the inclusion of hilarious creations like Devil Dean (Jim Rash) and Pierce (Chevy Chase)’s suave alter-ego Magnum.
Best Quote: “Troy and Abed sewn together!” – Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed (Danny Pudi) rejoicing after a mad scientist version of Pierce inadvertently grants them telepathic powers.
24. Regional Holiday Music (Season 3, Episode 10)
The Story: When Greendale’s glee club is put out of commission following a collective nervous breakdown, the study group is approached to take their place in the Winter Pageant. Struck by the holiday spirit, Abed attempts to persuade his friends to participate, though he fails to realize the dark motivations of outwardly sunny Glee Club Director Cory Radison (guest star Taran Killam).
Why It’s Earned Its Place: Honestly, Troy and Abed performing the hilarious rap number “Christmas Infiltration” (seen below) is by itself enough to qualify “Regional Holiday Music” for this list, but Community‘s ruthless, pitch-perfect take-down of FOX’s Glee only strengthens the case for its inclusion. Plus, any episode that includes nods to Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Twin Peaks is A-ok in my book. As a whole, it’s subversively funny.
Best Quote: “Boopy doopy doop-boop… SEX!” – Annie attempting to seduce Jeff through song.
23. Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
The Story: Ex-lawyer Jeff Winger arrives at Greendale Community College in hopes of gaining a legitimate degree that can help him get back on his feet. As he attempts to seduce a beautiful blonde named Britta in his Spanish class, Jeff accidentally forms a study group filled with misfits.
Why It’s Earned Its Place: The episode that started it all. In the pilot, we get a brief introduction to all of the characters, with a focus on Jeff and Abed, as well as a terrific introduction to Community‘s hilarious, rapid-fire style of writing. Though the show set itself up somewhat conventionally, the intelligence of Community‘s humor, and the strength of its cast, was immediately obvious from the start.
Best Quote: “I discovered at a very early age that if I talk long enough, I can make anything right or wrong. So either I’m God or truth is relative. In either case, booyah!” – Jeff, dismissing a professor’s query about his morals around cheating.
