The most memorable episodes of Community are well known for their innovative use of pop culture in their storylines, but it’s one specific element of these episodes that truly make them the best episodes of the series. Sitcoms follow a standard A, B, and C plot structure for every episode. This is true for traditional network shows like Friends as well as more adventurous series like Rick and Morty. What makes the very best episodes of Community special is that they break from this format.
As Community found its footing late in its first season it began to readily embrace references to well-known film properties and genre tropes like Aliens and crime procedurals. Each of these episodes eschewed the standard "A, B, C" story structure for a cohesive “group game” concept that had the group of main characters all placed into the same conflict, either cooperatively or against each other. This episode format guaranteed that the main characters would always be interacting with each other and their actions would always directly affect someone else in the group in some way. This not only helped to keep the audience invested with all sides of a conflict, but it maximized the opportunities for the show to cash in on the incredible chemistry between the lead actors of the cast.
The first good example of this was “Contemporary American Poultry,” the 21st episode of season 1 where the group rigs the cafeteria service line, so they control the distribution of coveted chicken fingers. This episode is widely known as the Community Goodfellas episode, but it wasn’t simply a recreation of gangster classic à la Family Guy’s Star Wars clone “Blue Harvest.” The mapping of Goodfellas over this story is organic and serves the conflict. It also illustrates Abed’s need to use pop culture references to connect with others. Just two episodes later, Community would fully realize the potential of this story format with what would become their signature episode, “Modern Warfare,” better known as “Paintball pt. 1.”
Why the Paintball Episodes Were So Good
“Modern Warfare” throws the kitchen sink at the audience in the references department. 28 Days Later, Terminator, The Warriors, Die Hard, and Predator are just some of the movies that are referenced in the episode. These references are a big part of what makes the first Community "Paintball" episode memorable, but what makes the episode work is the story throwing all the main characters together in a literal battle royale against the entire school. Not a single character does anything that is not driving this central conflict and the references all remain in service of this conflict, rather than the other way around. This battle royale format works so well that it is taken one step further In the spiritual sequels “A Fistfull of Paintballs” and “A Few Paintballs More.” The references to spaghetti Westerns and Star Wars are more stylistic, but they still map perfectly over the group game premise.
Just as this group game is a fantastic baseline for the strongest episodes, “Remedial Chaos Theory,” “Advanced Dungeons and Dragons,” “Pillows and Blankets,” the worst episodes lack it entirely. The more traditional Community season 1 is among the most uneven of the series, and the much-maligned season 4 is rife with episodes overstuffed with uninspired references. “History 101” is the perfect example of the worst of both worlds, splitting off the group early on in the episode and forcing a ham-fisted and unnecessary Hunger Games parody into the story.
Community was a true ensemble show. It was always at its strongest when all the characters acted in service of a single storyline. The group game format not only brought out the very best in what Community could be, but it allowed the show’s love of pop culture references to compliment the story in the most rewarding was possible for the audience.