Community: Season 6, Episode 13: Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television
This episode pushed the envelope and definitely showed the fact that they have truly embraced their new home on the internet. They have fewer, almost no limits and the first time they dropped the F bomb in this episode, I had to rewind it at least twice and pay close attention to the caption to make sure I heard right. They got a little more hardcore, which is always potentially helpful and harmful to shows like this in particular. You’ve gone almost six whole seasons without it, which could have attracted a certain audience that could easily have been put off by the inclusion of that word. On the other hand, it proves that the show is for a much more mature group and is far less fearless than it once was.
The gang sat around and imagined what season (year) 7 would be like and everyone had a different pitch. They were all unique and awesome and I’m glad everyone fed into Abed’s view of the world. This show, usually through Abed, has always been much more self aware than pretty much any other and it went farther than usual in showing us. It also seemed very aware of its own potential mortality. The show knows there may not be a season 7 and went a pretty long way to remind fans how great it has been and can still be. Maybe they’ll stop with six seasons and a movie like they’ve said. They even ended the episode with a hashtag #andamovie. I’m all on board for more, because this show really is unlike any other.
The various gags in this episode were fantastic, starting with Elroy’s “maybe” to the question of his return, going into the black cast member jokes (which included a pretty funny cameo from Shirley) and Chang’s fart insult to season 4 (the season without show runner, Dan Harmon). The only thing that was weird to me was Jeff’s guess of Franky being a lesbian in his “pitch.” I think it was unusual of the show to not have her or anyone else comment on it, even though all of the other characters commented on the other viewpoints of themselves.
Two F bombs, a kiss between Jeff and Annie and a lot of love and hugging later, “The Nipple Dippers,” as they hilariously dubbed themselves, signed off for now… or for good. Annie, Abed and Elroy taking off at the end of the episode could mean the end of it all, or it could just be temporary. It would be great if we get that movie and even better if we get a couple more seasons. Judging from the quality of this episode and it’s potential for being the series finale, I wouldn’t be too upset if this is where it ended, but I really hope I don’t have to say goodbye just yet.
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
