How Community Changed

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NBC's Community had a lot of interesting shifts through the years, and the biggest one can be found in the original version of the show found in Dan Harmon's pilot. Jeff Winger, Abed, Troy and especially Britta are different in some big and small ways here, which is what I want to talk about this week.
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[@captainmidnight]

What do you think of the characters in this first episode?

[@technocore1591]

In my head canon Britta never changed. The way they portray Britta in the beginning is exactly how you would perceive her when you first meet her because that is exactly how she presents herself. It’s only when you get to know her does the façade of the hip, with it, chick (who use to live in New York) wear down.

[@benwasserman8223]

You can tell the show was finding its groove with Troy's evolution. After he ditched the jock personality and began embracing his inner nerd with Abed... well we've all seen the compilations and memes.

[@antoniotolo8372]

S2 and S3 were probably the best overall, but I do think Chang was at his best by far as a Spanish teacher in S1

[@benefic7997]

I think you're right that, in the pilot, Britta was a bit boring and certainly not weird enough, but it's sad that the show didn't keep her smart side and just made her dumb weird instead of just weird.

[@angusmcphail7031]

My favourite part of early Jeff is his first appearance is him asking Abed what time it is, then trying to walk away once he realized his mistake.

[@LaneyStudios5]

I'm in a weird camp when it comes to Community, I personally do feel the show does get better over time, but I much prefer Britta and Pierce from those very first episodes, and I think Chang was perfect as a Spanish teacher because if he was actually that good at Spanish, then it means even though he's crazy, he's competent, and an authority figure that you have to in some way respect/listen to because he actually knows what he's talking about in this one specific topic

[@weirdskyreallyweird.5519]

As much as the over the top homage episodes are by far my favourite, I think the pilot and early season 1 episodes have some of the best traditional jokes, for example "I thought you had a bachelors from Columbia?" "Now I need one from America."

[@mr.grahamca]

S1E13 with Jack Black is even parodying the changes shows used to make after the midseason break

[@analcommando1124]

Jeff's dress style at the beginning of season 1 did seem odd but I can see it as a reflection of his state of mind. He probably didn't want to appear he cared or wanted to be at Greendale. He felt Greendale wasn't worth his time but yet at the same time he was insecure about being there. In episode 8 of season 1 when Jeff became homeless it didn't take much for Jeff to embrace the carefree slacker life with Abed.

[@DarkKnightofAnime]

Your definitely making it clear how much you love Community as a show Midnight

[@epcalderhead]

Rewatching Community I came to appreciate Chevy Chase as Pierce. He made me laugh more than I remembered. So great episodes to rewatch over and over.

[@Jotari]

There is definitely a difference in tone, writing and characterization , but to some extent there's also some realism to everyone being so different in the pilot. They're all strangers at that point, to they're putting on a front, trying to present themselves as mature and together, before time goes on and they become friends willing to show more of their real goofball selves in front of each other.

[@thecoconutmilk]

I've always loved Jeff in the show. I know he gets outshined by other casts like Troy, but I do love his character, even from the beginning. Like okay sometimes he's an asshole but the show always makes sure there are real consequences for him. Plus I think he has a LOT of hilarious dialogue ("I thought you had a bachelors from Columbia" "Now I have to get one from America"). My only complaint is he didn't get the good ending he deserved!

[@sean_mccadden]

The gradual change in personalities honestly made it so much more real since people gradually change how they act between people they just met and people who they’ve known a while. Definitely makes most sense with Troy since he was a jock in highschool so he would start off having that more arrogant jock attitude at first until he got more comfortable and then start being more of who he actually is

[@justsomeguywholovesberserk6375]

Yes, it's great.

[@benwasserman8223]

Another weird/old thing about the pilot: seeing John Oliver just... well act. Honestly I've watched so much Last Week Tonight that having him play a character feels really off.

[@FictionalAlarm]

The last few years I've found myself re-watching season 1 of Community more than any other. I genuinely love season 2 and 3 as well, but something about the simple storytelling and jokes in season 1 still resonate with me. Advanced Criminal Law (Pool side court room), Into to Statistics (1st Halloween ep), Home Economics, Debate 109, the STD fair, Interpretive Dance (Troy and Britta dance classes), Communication Studies (Britta drunk call), Physical Education (Jeff playing pool), Beginner Pottery, and so on are some of my favorite episodes. They always make me laugh no matter how many times I go back to them.

[@elysia3294]

the paintball episodes are one of the few episodes that I rewatch on a semi regular basis just cause they are that good

[@shinaikouka]

AP Bio is an example of a show that I saw change a bit over time. I think the showrunners/writers realized that the weird characters in the class were worth focusing more on as you can see a gradual shift from simply focusing almost solely on Glenn Howerton's Jack Griffin to also focusing on the weird dynamic that the class has amongst itself and with their "teacher".