Community - Season 4 [US] *Spoilers*

Lovely Bloke

that is awesome

Pang

This all sounds great! So glad to have Dan back after the debacle of season four.

Saw on FB that they have officially begun shooting season 5!

Sinfonia

My roommate (who has never seen the show) just pronounced bagels as 'bah-gels'... She will henceforth be known as Britta.

Saw that series 4 was on Netflix Canada and decided it was about time I caught up. After a slow start it's really getting better and better with each episode and the quality is consistent with that of series 4. The one thing I'm really liking is how they've allowed Pearce to mature a little more, really think all the celebrating over Chase's quitting will be regretted come next series. His character is the only one whose really had a character arc. He's gone from being quite an unpleasent old racist to a rather loveable old fool. Plus let's be honest, his character has been the butt of some of the shows best gags and episodes.

Don't care what anyone says but the puppet episode may very well be one of the coolest things ever made. It's like someone spent an evening in my head and then headed off to make something awesome. The thing is that I'm pretty sure is s mediocre as hell episode that would be completely forgettable were it not for the puppets.

alroley

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't care what anyone says but the puppet episode may very well be one of the coolest things ever made. It's like someone spent an evening in my head and then headed off to make something awesome. The thing is that I'm pretty sure is s mediocre as hell episode that would be completely forgettable were it not for the puppets.

It's probably my least favourite episode ever. But, the puppets were a cool idea - I just wish the writing had been better

So finished series 4 and I really do wish that Netflix them in the correct order. The episode titles and descriptions are correct but the corresponding episodes aren't. Jeff graduates well before the group even tie up the professor and there are some serious continuity issues thought as a result of the jumbled up order. Thing is that I wasn't all that bothered to sort it out. Sure I googled it but thought "meh" and just got on with it.

Overall there were a lot of great ideas and some genuinely great comedic moments but it really was a far cry from the heights of series one. A lot of people think this is down to the lack of Dan Harmon but let's be honest, the cracks were obvious throughout series 3 which is about the same standard as 4. The show has became to meta and the whole evil timeline gag is played out. It's simply not funny and the manner in which they try to work it in is jarring. Is the timeline simply part of Abed's imagination or is there more to it. Likewise the body swap episode felt like a missed opportunity. They way in which Britta and Troy's relationship was handled was quite inventive but it lacked any sort of emotional pay off.

Pierce's absence was felt. For me the most memorable moment of the entire series was Puppet Pierce singing about Eartha Kitt. It was a great payoff to a long running gag. Watching the series and it's obvious just what a gap there is now there's no Pierce. I know that most people hated him but honestly the only real expendable member of the group is Shirley. She adds little to the dynamic and any Shirley-centric episode is generally a low point. With Harmon returning I would really like to see them get Chase back as many of the shows best moments were ones which made fun of Chase and Harmon's real life dislike of one another.

The way in which they handled the Dean ruined his character. He's gone from a likeable oddball to an out right nutjob. By reeling back in Chang they've allowed the character to develop and while I miss old Chang, Kevin was one of the lasts series most consistently funny character. They need to bring the Dean down a level or two as there really are only so many dress changes that we can take. His stalking of Jeff is also more creepy than funny and I'm half expecting the last scene of the show to mirror the reveal in Psycho.

Also am I the only one dispaointed the Starburns wasn't behind the whole Changception? I was really hoping that he or some of the other students had, had enough of the gang and wanted revenge.

You know, taken for what it is series 4 isn't half bad. There are plenty of laughs and some of the set ups were inspired and it's certainly leagues ahead of shows such as 2 and a Half Men, the Big Bang Theory, etc. But with shows as consistency funny as The League and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on air it really would be hard to feel bad if Community didn't get renewed.

spektorfive

Is community on Netflix? I have netflix US/UK and not seen it on either one.

alroley

spektorfive wrote: »

Is community on Netflix? I have netflix US/UK and not seen it on either one.

It's only on certain ones.

EyeSight

alroley wrote: »

It's only on certain ones.

which ones?

The puppet episode could have been much better. and should have! they also under used Jason Alexander

spektorfive

I know it's on Hula Plus. If it's not on U.K or U.S. netflix which one is on? I would love to watch it, as have only seen them on my laptop. Be nice to watch on my T.V. ( I know I can buy the blu ray, but rather have it on netflix.)

alroley

EyeSight wrote: »

which ones?

The puppet episode could have been much better. and should have! they also under used Jason Alexander

Canada and Brazil. Maybe more. I'm not sure.

Grimebox

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't care what anyone says but the puppet episode may very well be one of the coolest things ever made. It's like someone spent an evening in my head and then headed off to make something awesome. The thing is that I'm pretty sure is s mediocre as hell episode that would be completely forgettable were it not for the puppets.

Which episode number is that? I actually skipped it at the time. I really didn't feel like watching puppets talking

Grimebox

Grimebox wrote: »

Which episode number is that? I actually skipped it at the time. I really didn't feel like watching puppets talking

It's episode 9 and if I recall correctly the title is Intro to Felt Surrogacy

It's a lot of fun and the songs and puppets are so adorable that you can't not love them but it's far from a great episode. It has a great set up and gimmick but does absolutely nothing with them. Like a lot of the series, it tries too hard to mimic one of the classic episodes. If there had been a Professor Duncan puppet I'd properly have been more forgiving but as they said last series, where the hell is he.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz8HzmT40uI

FlyingIrishMan

Looks like Season 5 is shaping up to be a good one.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/community-daily-shows-john-oliver-627453

miralize

FlyingIrishMan wrote: »

Looks like Season 5 is shaping up to be a good one.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/community-daily-shows-john-oliver-627453

FouxDaFaFa

Donald Glover is the news today after he posted a series of hand-written notes on instagram. You can see them here.

They address why he left the show and his fears about the future. He mentions his worry that Dan Harmon "hates" him. They're uncomfortably honest at times and dark, inspiring thoughtfully titled news articles such as "Is Childish Gambino losing it?"

I didn't leave Community to rap. I don't wanna rap. I wanted to be on my own. I've been sick this year. I've seen a bunch of people die this year. This is the first time I've felt helpless.

Overall, they read like draft song lyrics to me but it's clear he's going through a tough time. I wish him the best for the future. Community won't be the same without him.

phasers

I read them yesterday and they made me really sad. The poor guy seems to be having an existential crisis, I hope he finds whatever he's looking for.

Boom_Bap

When i read them, it read like a piece that he done on his Camp album where he talks about the girl he met at camp and the bus ride home.

I reckon these might be:
1. lyrics from a similar piece for the new album
2. a call for his label to allow him to release this year
3. a bit of publicity

But, I do also hope that mentally he is in a good place.

Shane St.

Ah just when they get Dan Harmon back on! This sucks.

Boom_Bap

Donald Golver has said that he's all good.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25852/title.childish-gambino-denies-being-clinically-depressed

NufcNavan

Slowly started to lose interest in this show about halfway through season 3. It just didn't seem to keep my attention any longer and there were quite a few poor episodes by that stage.

Loved season 1 & 2 though.

What does anyone else think? Does it pick up again in season 4?

missdisco

i agree with the earlier person that the Dean seems to be going over the top. he needs dialling back a bit.

Season 4 - weaker than season 3 but still charming in places.

phasers

We've got a premiere date - January 2nd

RE season 3: I can see why some people didn't like the direction it went and I do think there were the odd couple of dud episodes but overall I love season 3. Season 4 sucks and IMO has no redeeming features. Every character is written as a terrible caricature of themselves and it felt like the episodes were written by people who either didn't know or didn't care about the characters, which is odd because the show did retain some of the season 2/3 writers.

BlitzKrieg

the difference between seasons 1-3 and season 4 is all summed up by episode 3 of season 4

community has always gotten much humour from geeky or unusual things but it never stooped to mocking them. The Dungeons and Dragons episode (my personal all time favourite) didnt mock D&D, if you didnt like D&D you might laugh at some of the events of the episode, but the episode itself never did.

until episode 3 of season 4 where we get the sci fi con episode and it is just outright point and laugh at geeky things on almost the same level as the big bang theory.

EyeSight

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

the difference between seasons 1-3 and season 4 is all summed up by episode 3 of season 4

community has always gotten much humour from geeky or unusual things but it never stooped to mocking them. The Dungeons and Dragons episode (my personal all time favourite) didnt mock D&D, if you didnt like D&D you might laugh at some of the events of the episode, but the episode itself never did.

until episode 3 of season 4 where we get the sci fi con episode and it is just outright point and laugh at geeky things on almost the same level as the big bang theory.

This is so true. I didn't notice it before but now that you said it, that episode was very BBT!

oxygen

tbf season 1 was very middle of the road. It wasnt until season 2 they started adding the meta fiction theme that worked so well for it.
Season 4 was a complete mess though, a zombie of a TV show. Disappointed to see Donald Glover is cutting back, personally I think he has the best comic timing that all of them, thats why they give him the best lines.

Interested to see how this guy is going to fit in, he is a strange character addition, wonder will he act anything like his character from Breaking Bad.

FlyingIrishMan

oxygen_temp wrote: »

Interested to see how this guy is going to fit in, he is a strange character addition, wonder will he act anything like his character from Breaking Bad.

He is the professor this year, he teaches criminology. Fits pretty well.

Kirby

You just know Abed is going to throw in a breaking bad reference. Maybe he'll tell him he once helped run a chicken empire too :P

missdisco

I know other people are negative, but I kinda think that over time Troy and Pierce were characters falling into a rut. I think Jeff is still the best character (though Joel McHale is my nerd crush)

phasers

How on earth is he a 'nerd crush'?

pickarooney

Because he's best known from his starring role in the hugely successful US remake of The IT Crowd, of course.

Yeah, Joe McHale is anything but nerdy.

missdisco

I think you might have to be nerdy to know who he is though

phasers

Not really, he's very popular in America and wasn't he in Ted? That's not exactly a nerd movie

missdisco

I'm not in America and he wasn't the main star of that.

Boom_Bap

He presents a show called The Soup on E! which is large.

missdisco

well, we're now thoroughly dissecting Joel McHale's CV.

I love The Soup, but I've never met anyone who's heard of it. Unless they watch Community.

Thargor

oxygen

Thargor wrote: »

Image Above ^^^^

I was hoping it would end on a complete mess up of a quote from Pierce

phasers

Mike Ty...son.