Geek Syndicate

The Dean has been replaced with a Moby impersonator and the study group expelled. The gang try and enlist police help in their quest to clear their names, but soon realise that it is up to them to stage an elaborate heist – with the help of the air conditioning repair school annexe – to free the Dean and get their reputations back.

Last week, Chang staged a therapy session to trick the study group into thinking they were insane, and it is time for their revenge. The heist allows each of the group to play a different character; Abed and Troy are wise cracking plumbers, Annie infiltrates Chang’s security and Jeff plays a Criss Angel-esque magician, much to the delight of the Dean. As always, the show draws on pop culture and movies as inspiration and this week, the gang go all Ocean’s Eleven.

Chang began to formulate his plan during the impersonator episode and has set himself up as the Messiah of Greendale, although he has forgotten to rein in the air conditioning repair school annexe. This leads to Troy having to make some difficult decisions that will effect. Each of the group.

This is a supremely silly and fun episode of Community and the first of a two part season finale. It is not as overtly confrontational as the paintball episides that we have seen in the past, but it is still a lot of fun. Community has felt the loss of the school in recent episodes, and this week the gang – and the audience – get to return to familiar turf. The school itself is as much a character in the show as any of the others and it is great to see it back on screen.

There are some brilliant moments through the episode – the Dean’s reaction when Jeff touches him, and the school as dance club are standouts – and the episode allows the show to return to formula… Whatever that is. Chang is defeated and the Dean reinstated. What next? Biology exams! Right? RIGHT?!

GS Reviewer: Brogen Hayes