And To Think They Were This Close To Regionals

This is it for the Thursday night line up until after the holidays. I know, I’m sad too guys...

Spoilers:

Community – “Regional Holiday Music” (A-)

Sadly, this is the last episode of Community I’m going to be able to review for a while. Apparently the network that just brought back Fear Factor has no room for it on their midseason schedule. The good news is that the show managed to go out on a high note, delivery yet another spectacular Christmas special. If there’s one show that knows how to do a holiday themed episode, it’s Community.

This year gave us a Glee parody, a rather easy target but probably pretty deserving nonetheless. Fairing warning though – I picked up on most of the references the writers gave us, but I’m not a regular Glee watcher, so I had to fill in some of the blanks every now and then using Wikipedia and some of my own intuition (mostly Wikipedia though). If I get something wrong, I apologise. For the most part though I thought they nailed it.

As is the case with most of these themed episodes there were certain sections that were better than others, but I’ve got to say I was pretty impressed with the consistency of the musical numbers. I actually thought Shirley’s turned out the best. Her little rumblings under the music as the choir children asked whose birthday they were celebrating sort of snuck up and stole the whole show. Other than a very well done recurring joke about regionals that was probably my favourite part of the episode.

Of course, I was also pretty happy to see the writers put Donald Glover’s musical talents to good use. A few of my friends turned me onto his stuff a few weeks ago and I couldn’t believe how good he was. Watching him and Danny Pudi bring it in a Christmas themed rap video was awesome, topped only by the reveal that they were performing the whole thing in front of their bunk beds.

It was pretty clever too the way they recruited Pierce by pandering to his generation’s well known “historical vanity.” I don’t think it was the best song, but I enjoy Pierce’s long chorus of “you’re welcomes.” As for Annie’s piece, her song definitely had some good lines in it, but it wasn’t until after the episode (when I hit Wikipedia) that I realized it was supposed to be a commentary on the over-sexualisation in Glee. Before that it was a little off putting...

But when it came time for the big pageant the whole ensemble didn’t disappoint. It’s always funny when Britta goes free style, so when Abed told her the words to his song were in her heart I was pretty excited. You had to love the collective disappointment of the crowd when she hit the stage. I also thought Mr. Rad’s breakdown was really well done by Taran Killam. I really like that they incorporated the fate of the last Glee club into his rant. The fact that he was responsible for the bus crash was a pretty awesome call back to the last time Community did Glee. Actually, despite the Christmas theme, “Regional Holiday Music” didn’t seem all that out of place with some of the series’ Halloween episodes. As Britta so expertly put it, “I realize the stakes aren’t actually that high, but somehow that just makes it extra scary.”

Anyway, it’s nice that Community could exit on a high note. For those of you who don’t yet watch the series, you’re probably not reading this, but I highly recommend you take the time to catch up. And then please, whenever it comes back, watch! The show needs the ratings. It’s too good to get cancelled.

My favourite lines:

DEAN PELTON: The Glee Club is at West Side Hospital recuperating from a collective nervous breakdown.

DEAN PELTON: And to think they were this close to regionals.
PIERCE: What the hell are regionals?
DEAN PELTON: They’re this close Pierce.

ANNIE: I feel like we let Mr. Rad down.
JEFF: No he let himself down when he left this house this morning wearing a sweater vest.

MR. RAD: Glee, it’s a feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.

ABED: Glee, I’ll understand every scene, because they’ll sing what they mean instead of making a face.

ANNIE: Wait you guys never let me rap with you.
TROY: Well we’re gonna need all hands on deck if we’re going to go to regionals.

ABED: But I kind of thought, you know, this was just for Christmas.
MR. RAD: No no no, this is forever. This is what we do now. This is who we are.

And line of the night:

DEAN PELTON: (with extreme disappointment) Oh Britta’s in this...

Parks and Recreation – “Citizen Knope” (A-)

I’m sorry, but this show cannot make an episode I don’t like. This was largely a transition episode and I still loved it, every sulgar filled second of it. Amy Poehler just takes my breath away... and not in the weird obsessive creep way, in the I respect you as an actress way. Her storyline was borderline sporadic this week and she somehow still found a way to make it all work.

Leslie’s community action group PCP was a good example. I don’t think we’re going to see much of PCP after this episode. I mean I could be wrong – this show loves to drag up its history (to hilarious results) – but judging by the ending it was more something to give Leslie to do while she waited for her polling numbers than a real arc onto itself. But despite the lack of any discernable plot significance Amy Poehler found a way to make the whole thing funny through the sheer will of her performance. I especially loved her homage to Friday Night Lights as she attempted to pump up her followers.

And it really didn’t matter what situation they put her in either. From Leslie accidentally assuming Ben’s news was that she was pregnant to the way she felt out which present to give to campaign manager Elizabeth, Poehler showed time and again that she is one of the best comedic actresses on television right now. I guess it’s true – clear eyes full hearts can’t lose... sorry I just really love that line.

I also quite liked Ben’s solo excursion this week. I mentioned in my last review that I was hoping the writers would take the opportunity to have Ben try something else for a little while, and this was definitely a good start. He’s really developed into his own character this season, and scenes like his horrible interview with Dennis Feinstein or his surprisingly inspiring run in with Jean-Ralphio just showcase what an incredible blessing that is for the show. I’m really starting to like Adam Scott. He’s got great timing and he plays his straight man role quite well.

While I’m at it I might as well round out the review by praising the rest of the cast as well, especially Mr. Nick Offerman. He seemed lead the whole ensemble in what was a very charming little side story. I really thought everybody contributed here, from Andy delightfully eating everything in sight to the slew of great Jerry moments. And watching Ron get choked up at first viewing of the marshmallow version of himself – these are just great characters firing on all cylinders.

I also just want to quickly comment that the ending tag of this episode was maybe the funniest the show has ever done. Jean-Ralphio is such an awesome character. Who else would be able to get himself fired in less than 30 seconds? And the way it just rolled off him too... he didn’t even skip a beat on his way out the door.

To the quotes:

ANDY: I need to get a picture of me holding this so I can frame it.

LESLIE: William, here is a Knope 2012 tree ornament. And Elizabeth I got you a Knope 2012 menorah... maybe...
ELIZABETH: No.
LESLIE: No, okay, then I got you a tree ornament.

BEN: You’re putting an awful lot of sulgar on your pasta.
LESLIE: This is just sugar.

ANN: Okay, those are poisonous so no one eat them.
ANDY: Yeah, duh.
ANN: Go throw up.
ANDY: I didn’t eat any --
ANN: Go throw up.

LESLIE: Speaking of which, the fact that Yahtzee is not in the Rec Center is a tragedy on par with human trafficking... slight exaggeration.

LESLIE: I’ve talked to everyone in the entire state who’s ever run a campaign. Nobody wants a candidate who’s polling at last milkshake sip levels.

JEAN-RALPHIO: Why don’t you use that time and go after one of your passions, like model trains or like, toy Gandalphs or something.
BEN: I don’t know why you jumped straight to model trains... I mean, it’s accurate.

And line of the night:

LESLIE: There’s nothing we can’t do, if we work hard, never sleep, and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.

The Office – “Christmas Wishes” (B-)

Ahhhh! What happened to Erin? I’m not sure if I like this side of her. She’s normally so sweet and unassuming. Only rarely does she ever wish death on someone. It’s all Robert’s fault for getting her drunk. He corrupted her!

Seriously though, I am glad that the writers have given Erin a new storyline – I specifically mentioned something along those lines in my last post. I know most people didn’t like their relationship the first time around, but a lot has changed since Andy and Erin first went out, and I for one welcome the writers reintroducing that plotline. They’re going to need to make Jessica a somewhat stronger character if they want to get the same vibe as early Jim and Pam, but Andy following her home was a good start.

 The episode as a whole though really didn’t do it for me, which is a pity considering the surprisingly strong history of awesome Christmas episodes from The Office. Even when the show was really struggling in the waning Steve Carell days they could still manage a good Christmas episode. Unfortunately this one was one of those rare exceptions.

I think my biggest problem was with the Dwight/Jim storyline. You could really see in this episode how much Dwight has changed since the early days, and it’s not for the better. Dwight doesn’t prank people. He never has. He’s been pranked plenty of times himself, but he is not the one who pulls them. The fact that all of sudden he’s some sort of mastermind just rang so false it made it impossible to enjoy the storyline, even if what followed had been funny, which it wasn’t. Even Jim felt like a caricature of his former self in this one, and that guy is hard not to like.

There was one bright spot though. I really though Nate (I think that’s his name anyway), one of the new warehouse workers, was funny. He was one of the guy’s air guitaring along with Dwight in the surprisingly strong musical interlude, but his best scene was opposite Darryl and Val as he cut his way into the middle of their conversation. He’s been really funny pretty every time I’ve seen him so far and I wouldn’t mind seeing the writers throw him a few more guest appearances. He’s really shaping up to be an awesome peripheral character.

Alright, some notable lines:

ANDY: I did get you an acre of property on the moon.
DWIGHT: Where? Dark side or light side?
ANDY: Light side.
DWIGHT: Is it by the sea of tranquility?
ANDY: As a matter of fact yes, directly adjacent. Beach front.

ERIN: I love Jessica and I haven’t even met her yet. It’s like we don’t even need to meet, you know. I already love you, stay home.

And line of the night:

NATE: You had me at clookies. I can’t wait to find out what they are.