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"Clearly You Don't Understand Anything about Defeating Trolls" and the Best Lines from NBC's Thursday Night Comedies

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (36)

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Community. Grade: A+. Not just the best episode of comedy this season so far, but maybe the best episode of “Community” since the original “Modern Warfare.” An outstanding genre-warping Rashomon style storyline with Chekhov’s gun and a timeline to satisfy everyone. Plus, Eartha Kitt got banged six times.

  • “There’s no such thing as Single Malt Platinum Boobs and Billiards Club?” — Jeff

  • “Makeout 101. Less Dad talk.” — Jeff

  • “It’s called friendship. Look it up. Encarta it.” — Pierce

  • “You have olives by the toilet.”— Britta

    “Its a fancy party Britta.” — Troy

  • “Ooh pizza pizza in my tummy. Me so hungy me so hungy.” — Britta

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    Parks and Recreation Grade: A-. Either that was an outstanding episode of “Parks and Rec,” or “Community” put me in such a good mood that it felt like it. Ann was great (the “I Love Lucy” bit was fantastic), and Ron Swanson got to be Ron Swanson. All it was missing was a sweet Andy/April subplot, which was made up for by the Treat Yo Self B-plot.

  • “Are you tough as nails? Would you rather sleep on a bed of pine needles than a mattress? Do you find video games pointless and shopping malls stupid? Do you march to the beat of your own drummer? Did you make the drum yourself? If so, you might just have what it takes to be…a Swanson. Pawnee’s most hardcore outdoor club starts today. Boys and girls welcome.”

  • “I made a Gertrude Stein.” — Pawnee Goddess

  • “Before we proceed, do any of you have any dietary restrictions? Correct, you do not.” — Ron Swanson

  • “Needles in yo face, pleasure in yo base.” — Donna

  • “Uh oh. Batman’s crying.” — Donna

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    The Office Grade: B. Now we know what Andy’s Rosebud is. Poor guy, but it’s nice to get some back story on him to help explain the way he is. It was kind of a sad episode, and unusual for a comedy in that Andy didn’t get his redemption moment. However, it was Dwight’s elaborate Garden Party that stole the episode. The downside: Josh Groban is so good, I wish he’d been used to more effect. I hope he returns for another episode.

  • “Get up there and sing or I will cut your larynx and you’ll never be able to sing again.” — Meredith

  • “Oops. We’ve dropped our prices.” — Andy

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    Comments

    Best part was Troy reacting to the chaos and the troll doll. Donald Glover is so awesome.

    Posted by: Snorky at October 14, 2011 11:06 AM

    • That episode of "Community" was like the bottle episode on steroids. I loved how some of the time lines highlighted what each person brings to the group, like how without Abed's influence they all descended into drama. I also loved how the real timeline implied that they might all actually be better off without Jeff. I wonder if they're going to keep exploring that one all season.

    Also, it clearly demonstrated what we all knew. Without Troy, everything falls apart.

    Posted by: Socrates_Johnson at October 14, 2011 11:16 AM

    First person to get me a Gertrude Stein wins! No seriously I want one.

    Posted by: Nimue at October 14, 2011 11:23 AM

    Troy is everyone's Constant.

    I think the awesomesauceness of "Community" definitely affected your viewing of "Parks & Rec." That was a fair to middling episode at best. Still, seeing Ben in a Batman suit was an unexpected pleasure.

    The Garden Party book gag on "The Office" was a bit of a stretch - when did Jim find the time to write and have it professionally printed up? - but I did love the closing ceremonies.

    Posted by: MelBivDevoe at October 14, 2011 11:27 AM

    "Chop busted, fellow adult, chop busted!" "I demand to be housewarmed!" "It feels fun!" "YOU!"

    Man, Troy was on FIRE tonight (har har har, I really didn't mean it that way). Sometimes I think DG overdoes it a bit, but wow. I've been geeking out about this episode and babbling about it to anyone who drifts across my line of vision since last night, so...well done, show. Well done.

    Posted by: dsbs at October 14, 2011 11:28 AM

    Donald Glover's facial expressions alone are funnier than a lot of people on tv these days. That bug-eyed look he made at the troll was priceless.

    Favorite line not on the above list:
    "What does a pregnancy test look like?"
    "It's a plastic thing, with a thing at the end."
    "Oh, ok. Then this is definitely a gun."

    Posted by: Markus at October 14, 2011 11:30 AM

    Community was beyond genius this week.

    Posted by: A-schaef at October 14, 2011 11:37 AM

    Best thing about last night's episode of P&R? I mean, aside from the Batman costume which was maybe one of the best things EVER and led to some very sexy dream-- ahem, yeah. Best thing? DONNA. So much Donna! I love Donna so much! Donna Donna Donna!

    "What do we treat ourselves to?
    Clothes! Treat Yo self!
    Fragrances! Treat Yo self!
    Massages! Treat Yo self!
    Mimosas! Treat Yo Self!
    Fine leather goods! Treat Yo self!"

    "It felt really good to have a bunch of really butch little boys be super into me. That came out wrong. "

    "Velvet slippies, cashmere socks, velvet pants, cashmere turtle. I'm a cashmere-velvet candy cane. "

    Oh, so many. The only weakness was Chris' storyline, which was just stupid and distracting.

    I will treasure those gifs forever.

    Posted by: Figgy at October 14, 2011 12:07 PM

    After "Community" ended last night, I said to myself, "Self, that may have been the best episode they've ever done." This morning, I still agree. Damn good show, old boy. Damn good show.

    The highlight of "Parks and Rec" for me was Adam Scott in the Batman suit. He looked so much like Michael Keaton in that thing, they ought'a play father/son in an Apatowian super hero comedy. Also, I would've spent my Treat Yo'Self money the same way, but I would look far more ridiculous.

    Posted by: RobP at October 14, 2011 12:09 PM

    God dammit! Last night my DVR decided to simply cancel my series recording of Community. And it sounds like I missed a doozy of an episode. Now I have to watch it online like a commoner.

    Posted by: RabidShihTzu at October 14, 2011 12:13 PM

    Community was sheer brilliance.

    And I enjoyed the non-Chang element, A LOT.

    Posted by: layla at October 14, 2011 12:24 PM

    Community was genius. The entire time I was watching it I'm thinking " TAKE THAT PAJIBA!!!"
    Stve Levitan of Modern Family even tweeted how great it was.

    Posted by: kirbyjay at October 14, 2011 12:36 PM

    This is the first time I have enjoyed every episode on NBC's (limited) Thursday night lineup.

    Also, can we pretend that The League is on NBC?

    "Everyone, you are invited into the Jew fort!"

    "I didn't know that Sukkah is a high holy day."

    "He's like a useless Good Will Hunting."

    Posted by: Three-nineteen at October 14, 2011 1:09 PM

    I shit you not in the scene where it showed Andy and Dwight on the billboard my 7 year old son blurted out that man is pooping on his penis and started hysterically laughing. My wife and I looked at each other and couldnt contain ourselves. Kids call it like they see it.

    Posted by: Glyn at October 14, 2011 1:16 PM

    The League was pure gold this week, even more than usual. Even Andre got a good line in, instead of just being the butt of all the jokes.

    Posted by: Socrates_Johnson at October 14, 2011 1:17 PM

    So, now that Community has acknowledged its alternate timelines, does that make the 'Fringe'-like breaking between Earth 1 and Earth 2 in the "Model UN" episode a foreshadowing of things to come? Is it too much to expect that a later episode, when we least expect it, will actually have the characters meet themselves and battle to the death? If that doesn;t become at least a b-story in "Paintball III" I'll be very disapointed. Also, Britta Perry's pizza song is mega-lame besides Dawn Summers's.

    Say, if they re-order the episodes correctly (like they did in the season one DVD) will future generations ever get the "303" and "304" reference in the opening scene or will that just confuse my great-great-great-great grandchildren?

    Posted by: greg at October 14, 2011 1:30 PM

    @Greg:
    I need a link to revisit Dawn's anchovy song... I can't find one! Thanks for reminding me of that!!!

    Posted by: layla at October 14, 2011 1:58 PM

    "The only weakness was Chris' storyline, which was just stupid and distracting."

    And yet totally justified by the moment when Jerry decided to accept Chris' hug.

    Posted by: Duvall at October 14, 2011 1:59 PM

    like i said before, no Chang is better than a waste of Chang.

    That being said, I found Britta to be extra hot this ep (ref. gif poster by DR).

    Is it just me or is Annie's face getting chubbier? *gasp*

    Shirley is annoying the gang as much as she's annoying me.

    I get the love for DonnieG but this much love? geez.

    I'm definitely not throwing my bra around for this episode as much as everyone else here coz the only part where i laughed out loud was during the dark timeline with the fake goatie.

    i laughed my ass off during Senor Chang's reign or the pottery class/Patrick Swayze like episodes and I'm still waiting for dat Community to return.

    Posted by: haplo at October 14, 2011 2:03 PM

    It was easy to miss, but towards the end of P&R, when Leslie is talking outside of the cabin, you can just make out Andy through the window behind her holding 2 puppies and laughing like a crazed murderer-that guy is the best!

    Posted by: HT at October 14, 2011 2:16 PM

    I only saw P&R, but I loved nearly every second of it. "Treat Yo Self" was the highlight for me. Ben and Tom are already awesome together, but you throw Donna into the mix and it's pure magic.

    And I agree with HT, Andy rocks! I kind of want him and April to have a kid. As goofy as Andy is, I think he'd be kind of an incredible dad.

    Posted by: Mel C. at October 14, 2011 2:37 PM

    Sorry for neglecting you Community, you're stil awesome.
    I maybe be jumping from Team Annie to Team Britta!

    HAPLO is right, Britta was extra hot in that episode.

    Posted by: Junierizzle at October 14, 2011 2:52 PM

    I was thinking the same things haplo was thinking about Community aside from not liking the episode as much as everyone else. I really enjoyed it. Crazy what happens when you focus on the group and don't try to throw in Chang and other random characters to compete with the groups' plot.

    And like I said last week, more Troy and Abed. Its hard to go wrong with those two. Donald Glover should be a superstar.

    Posted by: Dave at October 14, 2011 3:31 PM

    I used to have a coworker with a Norwegian troll doll very similair to the evil one on his desk all the time.

    shudder

    Best Community episode possibly ever, but without question top 5.

    Posted by: Patty O'Green at October 14, 2011 3:37 PM

    In my opinion, those top 5 Community episodes (in no particular order) are as follows:

    Modern Warfare
    Epidemiology
    Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
    Remedial Chaos Theory
    Intermediate Documentary Filming

    I'm not commited to that last one necessarily.

    Posted by: Patty O'Green at October 14, 2011 3:44 PM

    I wish though, that P&R would have Leslie show just a little bit of regret over breaking up with Ben. I mean, she does always keep her personal life close, so maybe it is in character and it's just me wishing for it. We did get a longing glance last episode.

    HT, I loooved that. Even little Andy moments are great.

    Posted by: Figgy at October 14, 2011 4:36 PM

    I love when Ben's nerd flag gets to fly randomly and when he talked about Game of thrones not being cancelled. That was one of my favourite parts. Also Ben in the Batman suit. OK, really all of Ben. Oh community - that was just spot on.

    Posted by: Muertemaria at October 14, 2011 5:13 PM

    Yeah, we should include "The League" in the lineup of Thursday comedies. And "Sunny" was pretty great, too.

    Posted by: Slash at October 14, 2011 6:04 PM

    Ya'll can blame the evil troll doll all you want for this chaos, but I think we all know the true face of unsettling evil now.

    Danny Pudi's Ultra Grin.

    Posted by: Shane at October 14, 2011 7:47 PM

    That was simply one of the best Community episodes. I was SO worried about them this season but that was incredibly redeeming. Interesting, hilarious, and still keeping to the show's true nature. Big fan.

    Donald Glover for an Emmy please.

    Posted by: grace b at October 14, 2011 8:56 PM

    Yeah, Community proved again it's still the best thing to happen to TV in the last five years. Parks & Recreation is what The Office was trying to be, but Community is its own new thing.

    Posted by: Lucas at October 15, 2011 3:29 AM

    I guess I'm in the minority here, but I didn't really care for Community this week. It felt pretty forced. P&C was infinitely better. Treat Yo Self!!

    Posted by: camytaru at October 15, 2011 1:02 PM

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: Community at its best is the best show on television. Period. And they finally got back to what they are good at!!! Ah, so refreshing. Markus is correct in acknowledging this brilliant line:
    "What does a pregnancy test look like?"
    "It's a plastic thing, with a thing at the end."
    "Oh, ok. Then this is definitely a gun."

    Parks & Rec was solid, I agree the Jerry/Chris storyline was weak, but everything else was incredible. Ron Swanson is my favorite character on television ever.

    The Office was on the weaker side, but Jim/Dwight storyline saved it.

    ROXAAANNNE!!!!

    Posted by: Littlejon2001 at October 16, 2011 3:09 PM

    No, no no, that can't be right...

    Posted by: Stacie Akerson at October 19, 2011 8:09 AM

    No, no no, that can't be right...

    Posted by: Val Sondles at October 19, 2011 5:31 PM

    Parenthood: The state of being better chaperoned than you were before marriage. It is a saying I read recently that I liked.

    Posted by: what is infertility at December 5, 2011 6:43 AM