Scott Davis continues his look at the new series of Community with a review of episode 3, which aired in the US last week…
“The question isn’t where Constable, but when…“
It’s weird to think that we are now a quarter of the way through season 4 of Community. Only 12 or so episodes commissioned this time, with even more emphasis on cranking up the high-jinks at Greendale.
So far, it’s been rather disappointing, and as I have said in my previous two reviews, somehow the magic is lacking in this 4th semester.
Thankfully, episode 3 sees a somewhat return to form. For the second episode in a row, we are away from Greendale, with the gang all in tow for a visit to an Inspector Spacetime convention.
Troy and Britta are now firmly a “having sex” couple (though never kissing on screen) in secret, trying to protect Abed from the truth. But Abed is smarter than such falsehoods, and has made his own plans for the convention, befriending another fan on the net in the shape of Toby (Matt Lucas).
Meanwhile, Jeff is reluctantly along for the ride, completely out-of-place, until a hot fan (Tricia Helfer) shows some interest in his apparent similarities to Spacetime villain, Thoraxis. And Shirley and Pierce, despite not being invited, venture to the convention anyway, ending up contributing to a focus group on the US-remake of the show (with a hilarious end-credits “teaser”).
There are laughs a-plenty to be had here, mainly from Alison Brie’s Annie, who after getting the cold shoulder from Jeff, decides to get “payback” by posing as Mrs. Winger in there hotel room. That said, it seems that the whole cast have begun to settle into a stride under the new management, and where a week ago it looked like all doom and gloom for the show, a small burst of sunlight has peaked its head through the clouds.
In addition, we are slowly seeing a resolution of sorts to Abed and Troy’s relationship: both now realising that change, while scary, is a necessity in the moulding and maturing of a continuing relationship. Much like the show, itself redefining and maturing through a rocky transition, and one that we hope has as gratifying a resolution.
Scott Davis
Originally published February 25, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
