Community 1.25: the episode in which Britta hits rock bottom and Jeff makes out with Annie

[sisterjune]

Basically I have SO MANY feelings about Community's finale last night. That I actually wrote a goddamn essay. God what is this show doing to me. At this rate, I'll be writing fanfics soon

Comments

[boingball]

Good review - thank you!

I think another (possible) aspect to Britta in this episode is this: she is reacting to things like being anonymously nominated for this thing and Jeff trying to move her hair and the free-therapy advice of John Oliver's character at the beginning - reacting by becoming an exaggerated/sarcastic version of what she thinks the world is trying to tell her it wants her to be. ("Oh, is THAT how you think I should behave? FINE." kind of a thing.) So you've got that going on but at the same time you have Slater interested in Jeff again, and that's messing with Britta's mind a bit - not because she necessarily wants Jeff for herself, it is just the way her ego is (remember the Annie/Vaughan/"I'm not Juno" stuff). The two things mix together into a weird mutation she isn't quite in control of.

I totally agree that Harmon is up to something, here, that we just can't quite see yet. I am really looking forward to seeing where things go in the next season.

[firthgal]

I don't know if J/A shippers are seeing that last scene as grandly romantic, I think most see it for what it is. Their UST coming to a head in a moment that just felt right for them (even though, you know, it was the worst moment possible to be making out with each other). They were both feeling pressured or lost or what have you, and they both unexpectedly ended up in the same place at the exact time that they both needed each other, and they could just be themselves with each other. No masks, no snark, no insecurities, just complete honesty that comforts them both. And in that specific moment, they just let down their shields and went in for the kiss that they've both been dying to have again ever since the end of 1x09. It's messed up, but at the same time, it's so very right. But obviously it's not going to lead them into a romantic relationship, because Jeff still has to deal with Britta and Slater and Annie just broke up with Vaughn, so you know there are issues there, too

[sisterjune]

I AM SO SORRY that his is so late! I was having a crazy week, more than in the most i am working on currently but yeah I meant to respond to this since five days ago D:

The thing with Jeff/Annie shippers is that all we ever expected were breadcrumbs. Never once did we expect Annie to be in the running for endgame. NEVER. Even though it makes complete sense to us based on their dynamic, we just never expected the show to defy convention and go there. So last night was definitely a game changer for us. But most are still expecting Jeff/Britta to be the show's OTP, because that's just what TV has conditioned us to expect.I think you have a very valid point there. I wasnt looking at it that way, but you are right, Anne/Jeff defies tv convention and even I didnt see this coming. I also agree that it didnt come out of nowhere by any means. I think it had been building but again because of tv conventions none of us really expected to actually HAPPEN. We never expected to see payoff to all that UST. I like that they changed up the game and

[dotty]

"As for the "DAN HARMON IS A CHAUVINIST" group - lol maybe they should start watching The Big Bang Theory next season."
Heh! This. *Nods*

[sisterjune]

Please excuse my lateness! So sorry ;_; I meant to reply to this ages ago but I had a crazy week.

So agree here, I think that Troy mentioned "jumping the shark" in the SAME episode that turned fandom upside down is no coincidence. I have no doubt that Harmon was fucking with all of our heads here and deliberately jumping shark.
Dan Harmon already said that Jeff/Britta weren't supposed to be ~*OTP 4eva!!!11ELEVEN*~ and Jeff/Annie wouldn't work
XDDD OTP4EVA. I want them to be OTP but I dunno man, this show keeps upending my expectations! But curious, when did Harmon say that? I havent read alot of his interviews, so was it one of those or on his twitter?

LOL. I saw my dad watching Big Bang Theory yesterday and it really is as HORRENDOUS as everyone says. Four minutes in and I wanted to claw my own eyes out. SO AWFUL. Compared to that, Harmon is practically motherfucking Gloria Steinam.

[dotty]

I pretty much agree with most of this, I haven't read any of the backlash since my internet was down last night but I would be horribly sad if this fandom turned ulgy when it's been such a wonderful fandom uptil now.
Personally I don't take the ships in Community too seriously, in any direction, because ultimately this is a comedy show and that's why I watch. If I want real, serious shippyness I have about 40 other shows for that, so I'm happy to let comedy be comedy without demanding it to be serious drama too. ;)

And I completely love all characters and their behaviors in this episode and felt it was crystal clear that the point was that these are not fully grown people who are ready for the end game relationships, whoever they might be with. And this wasn't to be mean or ruin characters, it was because flawed characters are more fun and more lovable than perfect ones.

[sisterjune]

sorry sorry for the lateness! I really meant to respond last week, I;ve just been having a real nutty week and yeah, sorry again D:

Glad to hear you are keeping the faith and also not taking things to heart. I confess even though I saw where the discontent was coming from I didnt understand how people were THAT angry over the finale. It was a bit disappointing perhaps or a bit slap shod or confusing but I didnt see it as nearly as offensive as alot of other fans. I just wasnt getting any malice out of the writing. It was done to be shocking and raise emotions not to insult or offend anyone, or slag off Britta.

it was because flawed characters are more fun and more lovable than perfect ones.
Completely agreed! :)

[dotty]

No worries! :)

Yeah I could sort of see where it was coming from too, only hope it doesn't scare off viewers. Kinda feels like the show is doomed already with TBBT as competition. :/