*Spoilers Ahead*
The Greendale gang goes on the road this week and it provides a fun chance for them to get out of the study room. Unfortunately, for them, it means being stuck in Elroy’s RV.
The story of “Palmistry” revolves around the group piling into Elroy’s RV with a giant fiberglass hand strapped to the top. Despite Abed’s continued attempts to flashback we only learn where this hand came from through Jeff. The Dean, naturally, purchased the hand and Frankie got him to sell it. The group are now going to give the hand to the buyer. The only problem is that the RV breaks down leaving the group stuck on the side of the road for the night. Eventually, the group turns on The Dean who, essentially, caused this whole situation and end up hurting his feelings. From there the group does what it does best and bickers at each other until they eventually reconcile at the end.
Like much of this season, “Palmistry” isn’t exactly original in what it does but it has a script jam packed with jokes and just about everyone gets a chance to shine this week. There is even a decent emotional hook, even if it’s essentially the same one a lot of episodes this season have used.
So, what’s the catch? A lot of my reviews of this season of Community have been more than a little critical, especially compared to my reviews of other series. It doesn’t help that this is a show I’m very fond of so when it underperforms, as I feel it has for a large part of this season, I want to hold it accountable because I know it can do better. So, what’s wrong with this one? Really only one thing but it’s a thing that drains a lot of this episode for me, Abed.
Really, I just mean Abed’s insistence on attempting to do a flashback. It was a funny joke that quickly got old the more it was brought up. The fact that it takes up a large portion of the episode and, ultimately, resolves the story doesn’t really endear me to it. Abed is usually the character the show handles best, mainly because he’s the closest to the show’s sensibilities, so to see him misused was a bit disheartening.
As I said before, the show does manage a decent emotional bow to tie up this episode as the gang decides to keep the fiberglass hand after The Dean explains his reasoning. It’s a sweet moment and it really made me enjoy this episode. For all the missed jokes regarding Abed’s flashbacks this episode still managed to make me feel a little something at the end. That’s more than I can say for much of this season.
Maybe I’ve just become too cynical? I’d hate to think that I’m falling out of love with one of the shows that made me the television junkie I am today. Episodes like this remind me of at least part of what I want from this show.
As we come closer and closer to the end of this season it’s becoming more and more clear that this might be the final season we get. The fact that I’m fine with this makes me sad, my hope is that Dan Harmon and crew have some real standout episodes planned for what could possibly be the final three episodes of Community.
Bits ‘n Pieces
- Keith David easily stole this week for me. Elroy attempting to mask his rage at the whole situation was great.
- Another sign that things might not look good for another season, both Ken Jeong and Paget Brewster are going to be starring in network shows next season.
- This episode also featured the season’s best tag. I love that the tags hace become little short stories featuring random people mentioned or seen in the episode.
- “I will drive my house off a cliff!”
- “There is a bright side to this. Most conventional weapons don’t require electricity.”
- “I’m an adult and you can’t make me not cry!”
- “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go poop.” “Could you lie then?”
If you’d like to give me feedback or just chat about Community you can email me at theSuperAlbino@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter @JesseSwanson