One of the best things about a Community D&D episode is that their odd twist on the format allows for so much breathing room and improvisation on the acting and directing. With the non-digetic sound effects, fantasy like score and narrator the whole episode feels like an adventure. In other words, the excitement of the role play of D&D is brought to life on the screen itself.
Abed, as the Dungeon Master and narrator is perfect is his role. It allows him to immerse himself in the character as he indulges his usual love for role-playing games, and his various acting parts as the two goblin interogees was both hilarious and brilliant. His smooth fantasy voice as the narrator acts together with the music and sound effects to really bring out the video game essence in the episode. Add to that the Abed of it all, his line to Hank about taking the game seriously was really good in that it not only kick-started the plot feud but also showed us how Abed is aware of what the stakes are, not just a mere game. In short, Danny Pudi killed it.
The other character who was brilliant was the Dean. It's not often we get him for a whole episode and I feel that with Pierce and Troy leaving we finally can indulge ourselves with the new cast. Yes, again John Oliver was missing, but Jim Rash stole the show with his dramatic line delivery, playing the part of a scared child wanting to be reunited with his father to a tee. Add to this the both hilarious and equally tense moment of reconciliation at the tower, where he puts on a emotional display in front of Jeff just to get a hug, while treating us to a tear-jerking reunion (for him at least).
Britta may have finally come full circle. I have talked about her character at length before, and how she became a walking joke for so long, but it seems that the days of her talking in her mock-serious tone and being the butt of the Britta'd joke are long gone. She is no longer struggling to be taken seriously, and her first lines to Hank were so heartfelt and some of the best lines she has had. It also contrasts what season 3/4 Britta would do, put on her therapist glasses and make an over-dramatic statement on affairs she shouldn't really poke into.
The sound in this episode was fantastic, I will say that. The stabbing, the arrows flying, and the mysterious and ominous music in the background fitting so perfectly and added another layer to the descriptions of the action for the audience.
One thing that might fly over the heads is Jeff's role at the start. Jeff has always been a good guy inside, and the fact that he genuinely cares about Hickey and his son is a great showing of his heart. It is fittingly similar to when Pierce tried to bully Fat Neil, and Jeff gets genuinely angry with him way back in S2.
Of course it's not perfect. I was disappointed that Shirley was cut early, she had only a few lines and hasn't had too many story lines this season. Apart from Andre and her kids, the sandwich shop also seems to be out of the picture. I hope she comes back into the picture. I was also disappointed at how easily Hank's team was convinced to side with him, especially after what Britta said. There was almost no back story on their past differences so it did kind of dampen the final battle and its stakes. Speaking of the battle, I feel like they might have over indulged on the jump shots, the sound effects and character actions in that scene. It went for too long and was a bit messy. I also wasn't a fan of the blurry fantasy LOTR effect they used randomly in the middle.
David Cross is very talented but I feel like he was underused. His comedic ability is probably not needed so much in a character like this so his off tangent joke about the toothpick completely took me out of the episode and was poorly executed. I also didn't like how him and Hickey 'reunited'; all it took was some anti-climatic spiel about a missing boss and Jeff giving half a speech which didn't make sense. Chang was quite invisible to say the least.
It is still a great sequel to the first D&D ep, and although some things went wrong it was solid, entertaining and brought about some new character habits we just might stick with. Only a few more episodes of Community left, and the dreaded wait to see if we get renewed. I for one will be enjoying each and every last bit to the end.
8/10
Stray Observations
- Joseph Gordon Die-hard. Nonsensical and hilarious.
- They've done some weird post-credit scenes before but I didn't get this one at all.
- Rubbing the sword? Could have been a bit more subtle, I don't really like that side of the Dean.
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