“There’s just one thing, mountain flower...”---Thoughts on the Season Finale of ‘Community’

I tune in for very few shows on a regular basis, one of which is ‘Community’. I love, love, love ‘Community’. From the quirky characters to the outrageously over-the-top situations to the witty one liners and quips, 'Community' is just so clever and entertaining. A satirical show, Community makes a mockery of other shows and movies while subtly reinforcing the stereotypes associated with community colleges (“they’re ‘not real schools’”, “they’re easier”, etc.) Don’t worry, I can say this having attended a community college for a year prior to transferring to CU!


As with previous episodes, the finale aimed to mimic that of the traditional, open-ended, unexpected-twist finales that many other shows rely on. It makes sense, they want you itching to know what is going to happen next season! They’re not going to deliver a clear cut, black and white finale, I suppose. Season finales leave the viewer with something to be desired, the half-hour I spent watching it! No, but really, the final episode of ‘Community’ was disappointingly cliched. Instead of making a mockery how contrived other show’s finales can be, ‘Community’ essentially delivered a show just like the ones they make fun of.


What was with the out-of-the-blue love triangle between Jeff, Britta, Professor Slater? The sudden emergence of an extended love triangle leaves Jeff with a tough decision and the viewer completely blind-sided and confused. Of course, Professor Slater would show up again (after being M.I.A for so many episodes) to give Jeff another chance, who else would be the third party in Jeff’s love triangle? Just as guarded Britta finally lets her guard down, professes her love to Jeff in front of the entire school at the “Tranny Dance” (Greendale’s Dance for students ‘transferring to real schools’), and he, of course, in his typical nonchalant manner, sidesteps the sticky situation. Instead, Jeff excuses himself from the room, runs into Annie ( who decides not to leave Greendale with Vaughn), and they unexpectedly kiss. Quite an age difference between the naïve, flighty freshman and the narcissistic, smooth-talker! That will never work. He’s better off with Britta. All things considered, I expected more from ‘Community’, not the usual cliffhanger finale. Unlike most ‘Community’ episodes, the writers didn’t seem to have anything original and novel for the final episode.

Britta and Professor Slater vie for Jeff:




However, I enjoyed all the side stories (a reoccurring staple in the show), Troy constantly dropping hints to seemingly oblivious Abed about moving into his dorm, Pierce, as usual, looking for different ways to appear cool and hip, Annie wavering between being spontaneous with Vaughn or staying true to her scripted self.