Physical Education

(This is the seventeenth part in an ongoing series, in which I am writing brief reviews of each and every episode of Dan Harmon's beloved cult- comedy "Community." Originally conceived as a response to NBC's cancellation of the series before it was revived for its final season on Yahoo.)

Who'd have thought that bagels and gym-shorts could make for such a hilarious and compelling episode of television? "Physical Education" continues hot on the heels of the the previous episode and maintains its high quality, though in a far different light... While "Communication Studies" was a fine example of the series at its emotionally fulfilling best, "Physical Education" is a perfect example of "Community" as straight-forward comedy. With a ridiculous (and ridiculously hilarious) set of story lines at its disposal and the fabulous acting chops of the cast on full display, it's another of my favorites in the first season.

After Britta (Gillian Jacobs) is chastised for her inability to properly pronounce "bagel" in the beginning of an amusing running joke, two concurrent new story lines emerge. First, Jeff (Joel McHale) has enrolled in a billiards class and arrives dressed to the nines in an elaborate leather jacket, assuming the class is an easy-A where he can look cool. However, he's shocked by the professor (the hilarious Blake Clark), who takes it very seriously and refuses to let Jeff take part unless he wears gym shorts (as it is technically a physical education class), causing tension between the two. At the same time, the rest of the study group discovers that one of their used textbooks appears to have a drawing of Abed (Danny Pudi), and put together that it must have belonged to a girl with a crush on him. After some snooping, they discover who had previously owned it, and try to encourage Abed to get to know her, hoping to set the two up. However, it will take some convincing (and some hilarious "training") to get Abed to be more appealing.

This is one of those episodes that is just chock full of great humor, wonderful quips and roll-on-the-floor gags that will leave a big, dumb smile on your face long after it is over. Every single cast member charms, in particular McHale and Pudi, who are given some of their best material yet here. McHale knocks it out of the park consistently throughout as he grows increasingly frustrated by his professor's attempts to thwart his ability to just look cool. And it all builds to a very gutsy climax where McHale really shines... and also potentially grosses everyone out. Pudi also has a lot of fun things in this episode. The one moment I think everyone remembers is the iconic scene where the rest of the study group tries to help train him to be more appealing, leading to an intense and amusing sort-of "seduction" scene with Annie (Alison Brie) that makes keen use of an impersonation of "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm.

"Physical Education" certainly isn't one of the "strongest" or most hard-hitting in the history of "Community." It's little more than a one-off story that lacks connection to the overall plot, and its events don't factor much into following episodes. But still, there is most definitely something to be said for a series to just go all- out for an episode and craft a fun and wildly entertaining ride to give the audience something fun to watch. And I do very much view "Physical Education" as just that, done to perfection. It's one of the funniest episode of the series and is a perfect example of the show's expert comedy. And so, I have to give it a perfect 10.

This is probably my absolute favourite Community episode of all, because this is where the madness really kicks off. Up until this point in the show it seems to just be another quirky sit-com, but the pool table scene at the end, followed by a string of hilarious and ridiculous episodes like Basic Pottery and Modern Warfare is where I fell in love with this show.

This isn't going to be a show about relationship building or character development. This isn't going to be a show that's going to follow any sort of coherent storyline. This is going to be crazy and ridiculous, and if you like this episode you will enjoy the entire series.

When Jeff receives shorts Leonard comments on how Jeff would look wearing them. Jeff responded that he spoke to Leonard's familiy on family and knows about his past.

However episode 18 (the next episode) is when family day actually takes place. Furthermore Jeff's current girlfriend at this stage is not present in this episode at all but in epidose 18, there is a dynamic shift in their relationship.

This does raise the question if these two episodes were released in the correct order.

The scenes with Abed and Annie, and Abed and Jeff are some of the best of the series. Annie is especially hilarious and cute, approving of Abed's Don Draper imitation (extra funny because her character on Mad Men didn't care for him) and sneaking peaks at Jeff later on.

The twist with Abed's situation and the group teaming up on Britta are also classics. Great episode despite the meh-ish pool plot.