19. Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking (Season 2, Episode 16)
The Story: Pierce pretends to be dying after overdosing on painkillers and takes the opportunity to psychologically torture other members of the study group. As Abed attempts to make a documentary out of the incident, Pierce bequeaths seemingly thoughtful gifts designed to exploit his friends’ insecurities.
Why It’s Earned Its Place: Community‘s greatest strength has always been its ability to ruthlessly lampoon pop culture, with pinpoint accuracy and without a trace of vitriol. Mockumentary sitcoms like The Office, Parks and Recreation and Modern Family land squarely in its sights with this episode, and Community has a great deal of fun refining the format for its own purposes, knocking down conventions while simultaneously honoring what makes them such tried-and-true storytelling methods. “Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking” is a consistently raucous outing, from Troy (comic gold) squirming under the gaze of his idol LeVar Burton to Abed taping the proceedings with his trademark, aloof cynicism.
Best Quote: As hard as I tried on this one, it’s a tie, between Troy’s tearful, hilarious rendition of the Reading Rainbow theme song (seen below) and this priceless exchange between Jeff and Britta:
Britta: [pretending to be Jeff’s estranged father] Hi. I’m Jeff’s dad. Hi.
Jeff: [pretending to be Britta’s dad] Oh, hi Jeff’s dad. I’m Britta’s dad.
Britta: What? why?
Jeff: I don’t know. Got drunk, didn’t have a condom, and her mom gets freaky when she hears Oingo Boingo.
Britta: Oh, God, I wish I could relate, but much like my son I’m a closet homosexual.
Jeff: Don’t apologize for that. You’re talking to the guy that banged Britta’s mom. I have NO standards!
Britta: Well, what do you say we take a tumble? I’ll put on a wig.
Jeff: That’s it, you’re under arrest; I’m an undercover cop.
Britta: It’s not illegal to be gay.
Jeff: It is here in Iran.
Britta: Not if we’re in the Green Zone.
Jeff: That’s Iraq, stupid.
Britta: Well, what do I know? I’m Jeff Winger’s dumb, gay dad!
18. Physical Education (Season 1, Episode 17)
The Story: Jeff clashes with a billiards teacher (guest star Blake Clark) who requires that Jeff wear gym shorts for his class. Meanwhile, the study group encounters a white version of Abed when they attempt to help their friend woo a classmate.
Why It’s Earned Its Place: Abed’s legendary impersonation of Don Draper is the only qualification that this episode really needs, but “Physical Education” is filled with terrific one-liners and pop culture references, in addition to some well-placed insight into Abed, unquestionably the most challenging character on the show. It’s also one of Community‘s best ‘normal’ episodes which, early in the show’s run, proved that it could make the most of its community college setting and diverse cast while providing strong, character-driven stories.
Best Quote: “When you really know who you are and what you like about yourself, changing for others isn’t such a big deal.” – Abed, handing the group an unexpected life lesson after they fail to set him up with a potential admirer.
17. Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas (Season 2, Episode 11)
The Story: Abed wakes up to discover that everything at Greendale, including the study group, has been rendered in stop-motion animation. With the help of Professor Duncan (recurring guest star John Oliver) and transformed holiday versions of the study group, Abed sets out on a difficult quest to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
Why It’s Earned Its Place: One of the most ambitious holiday specials ever attempted on television, “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” is deeply heartfelt, flawlessly animated and achingly funny. But while the episode’s claymation is undeniably cool, it also makes a profound point about Abed’s progressively severe psychosis. With “Comparative Religion,” Community took on the vicious conflicts that annual celebrations can stir up, but with “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas,” the show goes even darker, exploring the sense of pain and abandonment that loneliness around the holidays often brings bubbling to the surface. The episode’s acerbic humor, poignant message and unique presentation more than qualify it for this list.
Best Quote: “No, it’s a metaphor. It represents lack of pay-off.” – Abed, after Duncan presents to him the first season of Lost as the ostensible meaning of Christmas.