(This is the thirty-seventh installment in an ongoing series. I am in the process of writing brief reviews of each and every episode of creator Dan Harmon's beloved cult-comedy series "Community"- my favorite sitcom. As this is a hobby, updates will come incrementally and it may take some time for me to complete this task.)
"Asian Population Studies" is something of an odd episode when it comes to "Community." It's important for a number of reasons. Primarily because it serves as a catching up point for several major sub-plots running throughout the series. It also introduces (and re-introduces) characters who have made a wave in one way or another in the past. And yet... on its own, it actually has a fairly simplistic and, if I may be so bold, "patchy" story tying it all together.
It's a frequently funny episode that's just... well, a bit messy.
The recent sobriety of Professor Duncan (John Oliver) has made the study group realize they may need to expand with a new member. And Annie (Alison Brie) is hoping that her crush Rich (Greg Cromer) might fit the bill, much to the chagrin of Jeff. (Joel McHale) At the same time, Troy (Donald Glover) reveals to Pierce (Chevy Chase) that Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) had sex with Chang (Ken Jeong) at the Halloween party... a development complicated by the arrival of Shirley's ex-husband (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) and the revelation that Shirley is eight-weeks pregnant. Who's the father? Who will be the newest member of the study-group? And will Jeff and Rich ever squash their rivalry?
At its best moments, "Asian Population Studies" works thanks to the increasingly bizarre developments of its multiple storylines. Malcolm-Jamal Warner makes for a welcome addition to the cast in his supporting role, and Shirley's storyline is easily the stand-out of the episode. It's also nice having Cromer back in some capacity. He's one of the more interesting guest characters the show has had to this point, and he lends a lot to the proceedings. It's just a shame that like so many other wonderful guests, he doesn't make too many appearances overall in the series. But that's episodic television for you.
Unfortunately, the greatest strength of the episode is also its greatest weakness. Because for all intent and purpose, this episode really is just a writhing collection of sub-plots that are loosely spun together. It feels a little less cohesive than the average episode, and even a bit unfocused at times. It's just a little too hard to connect with it as a result. It still mostly works. But it's one of the typically excellent second season's weakest offerings.
I'm giving "Asian Population Studies" a solid 7 out of 10. It's charming and funny when it counts. But it's unfortunately a bit of a step-down after the previous few episodes.
"Asian Population Studies" is something of an odd episode when it comes to "Community." It's important for a number of reasons. Primarily because it serves as a catching up point for several major sub-plots running throughout the series. It also introduces (and re-introduces) characters who have made a wave in one way or another in the past. And yet... on its own, it actually has a fairly simplistic and, if I may be so bold, "patchy" story tying it all together.
It's a frequently funny episode that's just... well, a bit messy.
The recent sobriety of Professor Duncan (John Oliver) has made the study group realize they may need to expand with a new member. And Annie (Alison Brie) is hoping that her crush Rich (Greg Cromer) might fit the bill, much to the chagrin of Jeff. (Joel McHale) At the same time, Troy (Donald Glover) reveals to Pierce (Chevy Chase) that Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) had sex with Chang (Ken Jeong) at the Halloween party... a development complicated by the arrival of Shirley's ex-husband (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) and the revelation that Shirley is eight-weeks pregnant. Who's the father? Who will be the newest member of the study-group? And will Jeff and Rich ever squash their rivalry?
At its best moments, "Asian Population Studies" works thanks to the increasingly bizarre developments of its multiple storylines. Malcolm-Jamal Warner makes for a welcome addition to the cast in his supporting role, and Shirley's storyline is easily the stand-out of the episode. It's also nice having Cromer back in some capacity. He's one of the more interesting guest characters the show has had to this point, and he lends a lot to the proceedings. It's just a shame that like so many other wonderful guests, he doesn't make too many appearances overall in the series. But that's episodic television for you.
Unfortunately, the greatest strength of the episode is also its greatest weakness. Because for all intent and purpose, this episode really is just a writhing collection of sub-plots that are loosely spun together. It feels a little less cohesive than the average episode, and even a bit unfocused at times. It's just a little too hard to connect with it as a result. It still mostly works. But it's one of the typically excellent second season's weakest offerings.
I'm giving "Asian Population Studies" a solid 7 out of 10. It's charming and funny when it counts. But it's unfortunately a bit of a step-down after the previous few episodes.