There are many articles discussing the best episodes, but it is a difficult thing to do because they show evolved in so many ways by the end, not to mention switching writers for a season. I decided to break them down into different categories so that a wider array of the most excellent episodes can be appreciated for what they are. Season 2 is unquestionably the best. There’s no debate about it. In doing extensive research for this episode, I realized that only a single episode from season 4 made it on this list. This season had new writers because there were “creative differences” with the original creator/writer for the show. While I don’t remember feeling like it was a particularly bad season, it was mostly just average not that memorable. Joel McHale said he refused to come back if they didn’t bring Dan Harmon back, and thank goodness he did because seasons 5 and 6 were worth it. I also surprisingly dearly loved season 6, something I was not expecting to considering three of the original cast members had departed. They handled their absences like pros; created some genuinely great and hilarious episodes that still felt like the same show, and brought the series to an appropriate (though terribly bittersweet) end.
FUNNIEST STANDALONE EPISODES
I’m talking about ones that, while would be even funnier in context of deep knowledge of the characters, stand on their own as freaking hilarious and worth watching over and over.
I’m talking about ones that, while would be even funnier in context of deep knowledge of the characters, stand on their own as freaking hilarious and worth watching over and over.
- Epidemiology S2E6 A Mysterious zombie outbreak starts at the Halloween party and everyone must fight to survive. We get the return of the doctor student who doesn’t seem to actually know anything. Troy’s reaction to the jumping cat is one of my favorite Community moments of all time: I cry with laughter every single time:
- Conspiracy Theories and Interior Design S2 E9 Dean Pelton tries to bust Jeff for a phony night school credit, which only unveils a series of conspiracies (who is Professor Professorson?) plots, and double-crosses between Jeff, Annie, and the dean. In the midst of this, Troy and Abed create an expansive dorm wide blanket fort (that holds a civil rights museum, the turkish district, and a Latvian parade):
- Intro to Political Science S2E17 Dean Pelton decides to organize an election for campus president. Among the candidates are Jeff and Annie, and the race becomes personal between the two. Jeff has some great speeches and we get into for the first time the character of Magnitude, and in the meantime Troy and Abed provide the school tv network’s commentary. In a side plot, a Secret Service agent becomes attracted to Abed.
- App Development and Condiments S5E8 This episode has classic Greendale extreme shenanigans. A new social network app called MeowMeowBeenz allows the users to rate a person between 1 to 5 MeowMeowBeenz. The school quickly develops into a Hunger Games-esque dystopia, with the more popular rated students controlling everything, forcing the losers to perform in a talent show.
- Wedding Videography S6E12 Abed films a documentary for the event of the wedding of “weird” Garrett. The group has a pre-wedding party, are late to the wedding, and everybody is in full form during the reception as they try to be the best wedding guests ever. I was laughing this entire episode through. Season six really went out on a high note, this is one of the sharpest comedic episodes of the entire show.
BEST EPISODES THAT PARODIED OTHER TV SHOWS
This was a major theme of season 3. The show took on styles of different TV shows and mockingly lived them on Greendale’s campus. Listed chronologically.
This was a major theme of season 3. The show took on styles of different TV shows and mockingly lived them on Greendale’s campus. Listed chronologically.
- Pillows and Blankets S3E14 *Perfectly* presented in the style of Ken Burns' documentary, The Civil War, what started as a casual fight about blankets and pillow forts between Troy and Abed blossoms into full-on war that overtakes the campus. One of my all time favorites, you guys, this show is genius:
- Basic Lupine Urology S3E17 Someone sabotaged the group’s science lab experiment, and go into Law and Order SVU mode to solve the mystery, ending with the classic dramatic cross-examination on the witness stand that reveals all.
- Regional Holiday Music S3E10 A highly satirical Glee styled episode guest starring SNL’s Taran Killam. The group gets roped into participating the school Christmas show. Lots of singing with strong mocking of Glee ensues.
- Basic Intergluteal Numismatics S5E3 based on crime/thriller show genre with dark and moody cinematography and dramatic acting. The notorious "Ass Crack Bandit" (whose sneaks around and drops a coin down the back of someone's pants when they lean over) returns to campus. The group falls victim to his ways one by one as they investigate, but in the end, they can't be sure.
PAINTBALL EPISODES RANKED
Probably the best recurring storyline (though absent in season 5) of the show, certainly the most memorable.
5) Season 3 (E19) Abed reminisces about the past year, and a flashback shows they had a paintball theme in a Noir Theme.
4) Season 4 (E13) Jeff dreams about a the “darkest timeline” that involves use and a big battle of high tech paintball.
3) Season 1 (E23) the dean hosted the first paintball war with a prize. Jeff is skeptical at first but goes into full action movie mode. It’s so so classic.
2) Season 6 (E11) these last two are pretty close I went back and forth several times. A great final battle in which the paintball has been banned but an undercover game commences, and no one can be trusted.
1) Season 2 (E24) This battle is the quintessential paintball episode. Created by the evil city college and had a ringer involved, this more of the western-combined with Star Wars-theme.
BEST EPISODES OF THE SERIES
These are episodes that hit all the highpoints of what a polished and clever sitcom should be, in terms of story, writing, editing, even character development, humor, and emotion. Ranked based on my view as the top 3, lowest to highest.
3) Mixology Certification S2E10 Troy turns 21 (which he didn’t realize because his mom told him everyone turns 10 twice) and the group takes him out to celebrate. It presents the continued theme of Jeff and Britta being the “parents” for much younger Annie and Troy as they start coming of age of age: Annie - as Britta sneaks her in the bar with a fake ID - and Troy - Jeff gives him a manly pep talk and sees them as equals now. Various funny conversations go down at the bar: as Pierce struggles to get in with his wheelchair, we find out about Shirley’s partying past and Abed spends the night chatting about one of his Sci-Fi shows. The tables turn when Jeff and Britta get wasted and birthday boy and totally sober Troy takes everyone home.
2) Cooperative Calligraphy S2E8 Simple situational comedy at its best. Annie’s favorite pen goes missing and the group goes on lockdown all night: something so trivial creates chaos because of the “higher principle of trust at stake between beyond just the object in question” (says Annie). That mistrust and anger tear them apart as they try to figure out who stole it and go after each other, ripping up carpets, emptying bags, and stripping to prove their innocence. The worst part is, they missed the school’s puppy parade.
“Everybody stay within each other’s eyesight -- one of you is a monster.”
1) Remedial Chaos Theory S3E3 One of the most popular and widely agreed upon fan favorite, and critically acclaimed, earning an Emmy nom for writing. The group has a party at Troy and Abed’s new apartment, and while playing a game of Yahtzee the pizza arrives. They roll a die to determine who has to go down and pick it up. The episode then splits into different timelines, with each alternate timeline playing out every possible outcome of the die roll. It endeavors to do a lot--running gags that repeat and end differently every time--and is jam packed with great moments as every character gets a highlight.
“I DEMAND TO BE HOUSEWARMED”
HONORABLE MENTIONS: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Brief list - I narrowed it to my favorite from each season - these you need to follow the show closely to fully appreciate. Not especially funny or clever, but very important to understanding the character growth throughout the show.
Pascal’s Triangle Revisited S1E25 Troy and Abed's discuss moving in together. Includes the epic beginning of Annie and Jeff’s will-they-won’t-they relationship.
Paradigms of Human Memory S2E21 An episode full of never before seen major flashback clips that shows how far the gang has come.
Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism S3E9 Shirley and Jeff discover their pasts intertwine.
Cooperative Escapism and Familiar Relations S4 E5 Jeff finally meets his dad.
Cooperative Polygraph S5E5 Major secrets get revealed as the group takes a lie test.
Advanced Safety Features S6E7 A Britta and Dean Centric episode.
Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television S6E13. The season finale. Practically perfect in every way.
The end. If you made it all the way through, wow, I'm impressed.
I am so happy I discovered this show. #SixSeasonsandaMovie
