Community Series Review

Community (2009-2015)

Season 1 - 25 episodes (2009-10)
Season 2 - 24 episodes (2010-11)
Season 3 - 22 episodes (2011-12)
Season 4 - 13 episodes (2012-13)
Season 5 - 13 episodes (2013-14)
Season 6 - 13 episodes (2014-15)
Rent Community on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Dan Harmon
Starring: Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Gillian Jacobs, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jim Rash, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, John Oliver, Keith David
Rated: TV-14
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Plot
Suspended lawyer Jeff is forced to enroll at Greendale Community College with an eccentric staff and student body, initially inventing a study group to to meet a coed.

Verdict
This show infuses pop culture into nearly every episode through parodies and plots. It frequently breaks the fourth wall as it challenges basic sitcom structure. Beyond what it does, it's a fun show with many layers of jokes and gags. It peaks mid-way and the last couple of seasons aren't the same as main cast members began to leave. At it's best it's an easy watch with a humor rooted in culture that works best if you get the winks and nods. This series makes a lot of references. You don't need to know the references, but it adds a lot of depth to the show and allows you to be in on the joke.
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Review
Certainly each season offers episodes worth watching. The first season tried to establish what this show would be, the second and third season fully realized the premise. Season 4 is more gimmicky, season 6 just isn't the same show with half of the original cast gone, and that started in season 5. The shorter seasons feel rushed, but there just aren't as many episodes to build narratives and gags.

My ranking for the seasons from best to last would be 3, 2, 1, 5, 4, 6.

Yvette Nicole Brown, Chevy Chase, Donald Glover, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Joel McHale, Alison Brie play Shirley, Pierce, Troy, Britta, Abed, Jeff, Annie

A group of people are tricked into a community college study group by Jeff (Joel McHale) who wants to meet Britta (Gillian Jacobs) as he tries to cheat his way through college to get his degree. Jeff's attempts to woo Britta fail, and he ends up stuck in this study group with ridiculous people. This is a light sit-com about being in college with a diverse set of characters. We get plots for various shenanigans. It's a smart comedy that relies on other properties. This certainly has it's moments, even a few great moments. It does a great job of giving characters a distinct voice, and with such a big cast the episodes move quickly. The Trey and Abed vignettes at the end of each  episode are silly yet creative.

The second season further  embraces the reliance of pop culture as the basis for jokes. Entire episodes parody or pay homage to movies and television. This season also makes it clear that this show wants to avoid common tropes. There is a clip show that isn't a clip show, a play on what is typically a low effort episode.

Season three is my favorite season. It feels like the show knows exactly what its doing. This is a wacky, pop culture heavy show that has finally found its place. The dialog is quick, dense with jokes that rely on the viewer knowing the references. It's still funny without knowing the references, but it adds a layer. This show is quick to break the fourth wall and acknowledge the common plot concepts in shows that are far fetched or beyond coincidence.

Creator Dan Harmon was fired before the fourth season, and this season is regarded as less popular with good cause. The firing in part was due to Harmon's behavior and disagreements with Chevy Chase. This season is definitely wackier and not in the same style as previous seasons. There's also a lot of dark timeline type stuff. It feels like this season is trying too hard, either because Harmon left or trying to mimic previous seasons.

This show manages to get impressive guest stars, and this season may be the best example. Jonathan Banks plays a recurring role as a teacher. Harmon returned this season and Chase left the show before this season began. Chase stated the show was a mistake after he left, though it's reported he was difficult with which to work. Donald Glover also left during the season. It makes the show feel very different. While the show pivots well enough, it's not the same. Abed doesn't have as much to do. His dynamic with Troy always worked well. This season starts as a soft reboot after season four.

Season six is the final season and feels like it. It's a rush to close out the series as half of the original cast is now gone. While the show does have replacements, and I like Keith David in his role, it always felt like this should be the final season.

This is a show that doesn't overstay it's welcome, well other than the final season. It's certainly a show that would benefit from a re-watch just for the numerous references to other properties and how the show references itself. It also does a great job with making characters feel unique but not pandering.