(This is the thirty-second installment in an ongoing series. I am in the process of writing brief reviews of each and every episode of creator Dan Harmon's beloved cult-comedy series "Community." This project was originally conceived as a response to NBC's cancellation of the series before its renewal on Yahoo's streaming service. As this is a hobby, updates will come incrementally and it may take some time for me to complete this.)
A mixture of both some of the strongest and weakest elements across the entire series, "Aerodynamics of Gender" is a peculiar season two episode that somehow is able to overcome its faults and emerge a relatively engaging and fulfilling 20-or-so minutes. It's one of those weird scenarios where the tacked-on "B" storyline is compelling and hilarious, pressing all the right buttons in the best of ways. Yet, the "A" story is a bit misguided and feels weirdly mean-spirited in comparison to the general tone of "Community" and its delightful characters.
Annie (Alison Brie), Britta (Gillian Jacobs), and Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) are a bit dumbfounded when fellow study-group member Abed (Danny Pudi) decides to enroll in a Women's History course alongside them, especially as they wanted this to be a "girls only" affair. However, the three find a peculiar use for their friend when they discover that his keen sense of observation makes him the perfect tool to exact verbal revenge on a group of "mean girls." Soon, they turn Abed into a sort-of "ultimate weapon", as he insults everyone they dislike... not realizing that by exploiting Abed, they themselves have become the "mean girls." At the same time, Troy (Donald Glover) and Jeff (Joel McHale) grow tired of Pierce (Chevy Chase), whom is trying way too hard to fit in. They inadvertently find their way to a hidden garden within Greendale, where they discover a magical invention- a trampoline being kept secret by a mysterious gardener name Joshua (Matt Walsh), whom lets them use it, but only if they don't tell anyone...
It's almost counter-intuitive, but the main focus of the episode- the "Mean Girls" inspired story involving Britta, Annie and Shirley, doesn't quite work. The concept is a fine one, and perhaps with a bit more time to finesse the script, it could have been fantastic. But it felt a bit too abrupt and inorganic... especially once our three leads take an unexpected "heel turn" early on and become the "accidental villains" of the episode. While the performances are quite good (a moment when Jacobs starts "woofing" like a dog being one of my favorite Britta moments across the series), it just doesn't work for me. It's a good-intentioned idea with only so-so execution.
However, the subplot involving Jeff and Troy discovering an almost magical trampoline and the ramifications it causes within the group is outstanding. It's such a ridiculous and silly idea, but it gave me some of the biggest laughs of the season! Guest-star Walsh is an absolute riot in his portrayal of an almost sagely Greendale employee whom speaks in nothing but soothing, heady statements, while McHale and Glover deliver some brilliant turns as Jeff and Troy are substantially effected by their newfound "therapudic tool."
In the end, "Aerodynamics of Gender" is very much a tale of two extremes. One representing a massive but well-meaning misstep that never comes together. The other one of the most insane and brilliantly funny sub-plots to ever grace the series. To me, the strengths of what works outweighs the faults of what doesn't. And heck, I can even forgive most of the issues I have with the "Mean Girls" plot-line thanks to the good performances and the good intentions behind it. It might not quite work, but it's still a solid idea. So I'm giving "Aerodynamics of Gender" an overall pretty good 7 out of 10. Definitely one worth checking out. It just isn't quite perfect.
