Community : Most overrated episode?

Most overrated episode?

In everyshow you watch, there will always be episodes that are generally loved by everybody, but you just can't understand the hype, even when you love the show.

In the case of Community, I would have to say that in my very humble and personal opinion, the most overrated episodes are both Basic Intergluteal Numismatics and Geothermal Escapism. I like the style of the former, but I just feel that people were too happy to see Duncan and Star-Burns back again, and they were overrall very excited to see an entire episode based on a beloved joke from season 2. Except the mystery-solving theme had been already explored in a much better way in Basic Lupine Urology, and the jokes in Basic Intergluteal Numismatics are just... flat.

In the case of Geothermal Escapism (and I've said this before), to me it just feels like "Let's do a paintball episode but not quite paintball". Again, the jokes are not very strong and the story just feels forced. People can rave on and on about how out-of-characteter everybody was in season 4, but this episode is a perfect example of how they do that all the time in Community. When they need Britta to be poignant and wise, they just go with it. Also, there's no way Jeff would commit in that form to "the floor is lava". I know he commits to paintball and there was a lot of money in game, but the floor is lava is way too dumb for someone like Jeff.

I'm not saying either episode is bad. I'm just saying that in those two particular episodes, I just don't seem to understand the hype.

So what do you think are the most overrated episodes? Let's have a civilized conversation.

Re: Most overrated episode?

To judge which was highly rated I looked at the top 10 in the imdb episode ranking and the season 6 finale Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television was number 3.

I'll have to go with that one as I could think of at least one funny moment from the rest of the top 10 just by reading the description. This one, nothing. I barely remember watching it.

Re: Most overrated episode?

That's what I tried to do as well. I looked at the top 10-20 ep and pretty much agreed with which ep are on the top 20 list. So I don't think any of these are really overrated. But I just didn't agree with the certain order. For example, I don't agree with 2nd paintball ep, 2.23 being way higher than Pillows and Blankets 3.14. That episode belongs in the top 5, didn't even make the top 10.

So I think 2.3 is the most overrated in comparison.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Within the first 3 seasons (the only seasons of this show worth a damn) my pick for most overrated episode would have to be Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

That ep seems to make it on EVERYONE's "top" list, for reasons that continue to elude me. I mean, what am I missing here? I'm at a point now that I know pretty much the first 3 seasons by heart (thanks, Peachtree reruns!), and I can think of at least two dozen eps that are better/funnier (significantly so, in most cases).

Hell, there are even a few "gas leak" eps that are better than D&D.


They say genius skips a generation. Mom's a genius, so I guess I'm a genius too

Re: Most overrated episode?

The question is, do you role play? I was relatively new to the hobby when I saw AD&D, and it hit on soooo many of the tropes that the more experienced players told me about. I showed that episode to my group, and they all thought it was hilarious.


All glory to the Hypnotoad

Re: Most overrated episode?

I Played D&D when I was a kid (many, many moons ago) and it hit on many of the nostalgia points for me in the same way GI Jeff did. But the whole scene between Hector the well endowed and the elven maiden with the pagasuses has been played out many times over the years in many smelly bed rooms, game rooms, back rooms of card shops, etc... That scene killed me. Especially when you read Annie's lips and then Troy takes notes.

Not to mention that it might be Pierce's best episode of the whole series and he's my favorite. Plus you get Chang in blackface (this little hate crime).

My vote for most over rated is Remedial Chaos Theory. I didn't hate it, I actually like it, but I wouldn't put it my top episodes list and, like has been said about AD&D, I just don't get the hype around this episode. It got repetitive and very little happened. Some of the alt timelines were good but I don't think it's genius.

Was it good? Sure! Did I enjoy it? Yes. But do I get excited when it's next in the marathon? Not really. To me it's a bit overrated.

Re: Most overrated episode?

I am a clinical social worker, and I used to do play therapy with children. We played games a lot, and the games weren't just about being the winner. It really can contribute to a child's needs, and I see a lot of importance in it. Seeing this kind of care put into helping someone's mental health issue through game play on television, developing in just one episode a fully realized character in Neal, and the entire production of the episode really makes this one of my favorites.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Agreed. Advanced Dungeons and Dragons is absolutely fantastic.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Modern Warfare. Yeah, it's a good episode but by no means is it a groundbreaking episode like most fans seem to believe and it isn't even that funny. The 2nd season paintball episodes are far better.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Well, now that's an unpopular opinion, but you know what? I actually agree with you. Sure, it's one of the most classic episodes, but it's nos as good as people make it out to be. Considering it's the highest rated episode of Community here, I would say it definitely is overrated.

Re: Most overrated episode?

I agree with considering both the D&D and Paintball episodes. I liked them both but neither actually represent what I love about Community: episodes with a deluge of jokes. The D&D episode always bothers me with the study group being sort of patronizing to Fat Neil.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Two that come to mind but for different reasons

-Geothermal Escapism. Pretty much for the same reason as you. It just didnt feel that original and to tell you the truth it wasnt really funny.

- Modern warefare. Hear me out, it's not a bad episode by any means. It will probably crack my top 10 but just barely and because most people think it is the best episode of the all show than I must deemed it overrated

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Re: Most overrated episode?

I didn't like the timelines episode. I got bored of the concept after a while and it wasn't funny.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Remedial Chaos Theory. There, I said it. It's always in everyone's Top-5 episodes, and even comes in at number one on many a list. And it's a pretty darned good episode. I'll admit that much. But I really think it's overrated.

To me, it's just a standard high-concept episode that everyone inexplicably fell in love with for whatever reason. It's clever, yes. But is it more clever than other gems like Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas or Modern Warfare? I don't think so. Outside of planting the seeds for some future gags and episodes, I found it to be completely without consequence in itself. I keep seeing it pointed out as the "gold standard" of the series... but why? It's just an amusing side-story with some funny vignettes. Cool, cool, cool... But why is it so beloved?

It's a good, fun episode. But I don't at all get the obsessive love people have for it.

And FURTHERMORE, this is my signature! SERIOUSLY! Did you think I was still talking about my point?

Re: Most overrated episode?


In the case of Community, I would have to say that in my very humble and personal opinion, the most overrated episodes are both Basic Intergluteal Numismatics and Geothermal Escapism.


Having any episode from seasons 5-6 in your top episodes list is an indicator of stupidity and lousy taste.

Re: Most overrated episode?

Definitely Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television. All of season 6 was tripe and this was just the cherry on top. The meta stuff wasn't particularly funny and the bar scene is terribly shot and edited. Jeff and Annie felt like fan service and basically came out of nowhere (no setup in the rest of the season). Then the end tag was just more unfunny meta twaddle. Hated it.
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