Community: 10 Best Moments Of Season 3

In many ways, season three of NBC’s Community is the most creative. Created by Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty) and starring an ensemble cast, the comedy sitcom follows a diverse study group attending Greendale Community College. In their third year together, the students continue their education while dealing with the craziness of the school, its students, and each other.

Resuming season two’s style, season three is filled with creative concept episodes ranging from pop-culture homages to unusually structured masterpieces. From individual scenes to entire episodes, there are countless memorable moments throughout. While it was difficult to rank, here are the ten best ones of season three. Full spoilers are below.

10 The Dean Sings With Jeff

Building since season one, the Dean (Jim Rash) finally gets his bonding moment with Jeff (Joel McHale). In “Studies in Modern Movement,” Jeff hides at the mall to avoid helping Annie (Alison Brie) move. He is discovered by the Dean, who threatens to tell the study group unless Jeff will sing karaoke with him. With no other choice, Jeff relents.

Scored to singer Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose,” the duet is hilarious, awkward, and somehow appropriate in the strange universe of Community. For Jeff, it was an embarrassing moment the study group will always remind him of. For the Dean and viewers, it was a fun moment that won’t be forgotten.

9 The Study Group Deal With Each Other

“Competitive Ecology” explores the unusual dynamic the study group has with each other. In biology class, each of them is paired with classmates they don’t know. They get Professor Kane’s (Michael K. Williams) permission to partner with each other, which leaves Pierce (Chevy Chase) to be stuck with classmate Todd (David Neher). Unhappy with the decision, they meet in the study room to figure it out.

With no agreement after 12 hours, the debate is the ultimate example of how dysfunctional the study group is. It also highlights how unusual they are compared to normal people. Todd, an easy-going and understanding former soldier, is eventually broken by them. In a way, the storyline is Community making fun of its ridiculous self.

8 Jeff And Shirley Fight And Bond Over Foosball

Continuing their surprising friendship from season one, Jeff and Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) tackle foosball in “Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism.” After Jeff is mocked by bullies for his poor performance, Shirley trains him. The two realize they played against each other during childhood and that young Shirley beat and bullied him. They release their emotions in a match and confess their positive thoughts of each other.

The team-up is not only funny but sheds a rare light on Jeff and Shirley’s pasts. Jeff, who was bullied as a child, is carefree as an adult as a result. Shirley, who was a mean competitor, is a caring mother to make up for her dark childhood. Also, not many live-action sitcoms can have characters fight and make up through an exaggerated animated scene but it somehow works for Community.

7 Britta Has Everyone Tell Horror Stories

In scary fashion, “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps” explores the diversity of the study group. After finishing the scoring of her psych tests on everyone, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) discovers there is someone who has traits of a murderer. She has everyone tell their ideal versions of a horror story and tries to determine who it is.

With the study group playing various characters in each of their stories, the episode is a funny, creative time. From Abed’s (Danny Pudi) logical tale to Pierce’s creepy fantasy, the stories explore the study group by having them express their styles of thinking. The twist that everyone except Abed (and Jeff) tested insane is a cherry on top of a classic Community episode.

6 The Study Group Play A Video Game

Like season two’s claymation episode, “Digital Estate Planning” takes the study group to a different medium: video games. After the death of Pierce’s father, Cornelius (Larry Cedar), the study group plays a video game hosted by his former assistant, Gilbert (Giancarlo Esposito). They learn the gaming session will decide who will get Cornelius’ inheritance originally meant for Pierce.

Filled with funny moments, “Digital Estate Planning” is another special addition to Community’s unique collection of episodes. Amongst the video game humor is a story about Pierce and the importance of the study group to him. By revealing the lonely Gilbert is Pierce’s half-brother, it hints at what he could’ve become if he didn’t have the study group to support him.

5 Abed Saves The Dean’s Commercial

Often a side character, the Dean gets his episode with “Documentary Filmmaking Redux.” With Greendale needing a new commercial, the Dean is assigned to direct a new one. Obsessed with perfection, he goes mad and drives everyone away. Abed, who was filming a documentary on the production, gives the Dean some of his footage and saves the commercial.

Featuring a stressed study group and a crazy Dean, the hilarious, jam-packed episode is fundamentally an exploration of a man who cares too much about Greendale. His passion encourages Abed to turn the messy footage into a great commercial featuring a caring Dean. Despite his strangeness, he truly cares about Greendale and Abed’s kind gesture rewards it.

4 Troy And Abed Go To War

Best friends since season one, Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed wage war in “Pillows and Blankets.” Divided on what fort material to use, they build their pillow and blanket forts in different parts of Greendale before one must be destroyed to allow space for another. Troy and Abed lead the students of Blanketsburg and Pillowstown against each other after neither yields.

Complete with narration and interviews, the episode is cleverly presented as a war documentary. Unlike the typical Community concept episode, it mixes multiple concepts for a fun, spectacular result. At the core of the blanket-and-pillow conflict is Abed and Troy’s friendship, which is fixed with the most Community solution: imaginary friendship hats.

3 The Study Group Become Detectives And Lawyers

Community has always greatly appreciated pop-culture and season three is no different. In “Basic Lupine Urology,” the study group’s biology experiment is found destroyed on the ground. As detectives, Troy and Abed investigate the crime around Greendale while Annie and Jeff go to trial once the suspect is found.

Homaging Law & Order, the investigation features a gauntlet of Community characters in the typical roles seen in the crime series. Filled with hilarious moments, the episode is a clear testament of the love Community has for the crime series by meticulously parodying its staples. Also, it gave birth to a classic Troy line, “He weaves baskets and lies.”

2 Jeff Gets The Sandwich Shop Case Thrown Out

Season three did not forget about Jeff’s origins as a selfish lawyer. In “Introduction to Finality,” Pierce and Shirley go to trial to decide who owns their sandwich shop. Alan (Rob Corddry), who runs Jeff’s old law firm and represents Pierce, threatens Jeff’s old job if he doesn’t drop Shirley’s case. Shirley allows it but Jeff convinces Pierce to drop the case too.

Jeff’s speech is the culmination of his journey from being a selfish lawyer to a member of the study group. Because they have done so much good for him since season one’s “Pilot,” Jeff displays one of his most selfless acts in the series in the one scene. The moment also summarizes what Community is ultimately about: coming together and helping each other.

1 The Seven Timelines

Community has always been unique but some episodes are on another level. In “Remedial Chaos Theory,” Troy and Abed hold a housewarming party at their new place. While playing Yahtzee, the pizza delivery arrives and Jeff proposes a dice roll to decide who gets it. Abed notes the roll will create multiple timelines, which the episode depicts.

The episode is a creatively structured way to explore the impact each study group member has. By featuring a timeline where one is absent, the remaining characters reveal the missing member’s role. With running jokes that vary from each timeline and classic moments for everyone, the housewarming party is one of the best moments of Community.

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