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Viewed: Seasons 1-6

Let's get this out of the way first: the first three seasons of Community are unmatched. In terms of creativity, innovation, character relationships, witty dialogue, and narrative coherence, the first three seasons are among the very best that television has ever had to offer, standing alongside the likes of Frasier and The Office. Dan Harmon hits it out of the park, knowingly skewing TV tropes and brilliantly changing up the format (including an animated Christmas episode, the masterful paintball episodes, the mockumentary filmmaking eps, and more) while never losing focus of the loveable central ensemble of characters. Thank God that the first three seasons are long, too (25 episodes, 24 episodes & 22 episodes), as it took a while to get through, and it was an absolute pleasure. I know that Chevy Chase was a bit of a pain during filming, but I loved seeing him as part of the study group, and he's usually responsible for the edgier jokes that will make the politically correct crowd lose their shit. Even the lesser episodes of the first three seasons are still worthwhile - even when it's not gut-busting, it's still mighty enjoyable. Before long, I was hooked on Community, and greatly enjoyed any opportunity to watch the next episode - it was also my go-to show during the COVID-19 lockdown, when I lived in isolation for four weeks and only left home to go to work. To say the least, it was the perfect quarantine show to binge. But... Then we get to Season 4, for which Dan Harmon was fired. The show just doesn't feel the same, as it ruins careful character arcs and narrative development, and feels like a shadow of its former self. It gets slightly more tolerable as it goes on, but it still feels like a Community wannabe, and it presented like a far more typical American sitcom. Even the satire just doesn't feel as sharp or considered. Conceptually, the fourth season isn't awful (there's even a puppet episode), but the execution is more or less disastrous. With Dan Harmon returning as showrunner for Season 5, the fourth season is subsequently referred to as the "gas-leak year," and becomes the butt of many jokes. While the opportunity for such jokes is appreciated, the fourth season is still a waste, especially since it was Chevy Chase's final season. I feel robbed of the narrative and character possibilities that Harmon could've brought to the table. C'est la vie. Seasons 5&6 are an improvement, but still lack that lightning-in-a-bottle feeling of the first three seasons. Nevertheless, the new characters do make an impact, including Jonathan Banks, and the dynamic of the study group - now the "Save Greendale" committee - are still fun, even if it's not the same. Actors also continue to depart the series, with only four of the original seven remaining for Season 6, which is hard to take. Even John Oliver and the aforementioned Jonathan Banks eventually disappear. (I must also say that the green screen effects in Season 6, Episode 10 are appalling, and wouldn't pass muster on an amateur YouTube channel.) However, Harmon sticks the landing with a knockout finale that's every bit as brilliant as expected. Without spoiling too much, Harmon continues to skewer TV tropes, especially when the ending is near. The finish line is understandably emotional, and it was really something to be able to reflect on the six-season journey I just undertook. Aside from the shonky fourth season, Community is a great, great show. I was actually introduced to the show back in 2018 when I watched the first episode, but the lack of viewing options forbade me from sticking with it, even though it was on the list and I was totally onboard with it. How ironic that the show now streams on Netflix, Stan, and Amazon Prime. Anyway, I love Community and look forward to many future rewatches.

First Viewing Viewing Date: May 1st Via: Stan. Plot: When a kingpin threatens New York City, a group of mutated turtle warriors emerge from the shadows to protect their home, aided by a curious journalist. Rating: 5.3/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: May 1st Via: iTunes Store Plot: When a Chinese rebel murders Chon's estranged father and escapes to England, Chon and Roy make their way to London with revenge on their minds. Rating: 6.3/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 30th Via: iTunes Store Plot: Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel. Rating: 6.7/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 29th Via: iTunes Store Plot: A crew of oceanic researchers working for a deep sea drilling company try to get to safety after a mysterious earthquake devastates their deepwater research and drilling facility located at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Rating: 6.3/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 29th Via: iTunes Store Plot: After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him. Rating: 6.7/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 24th Via: Blu-ray Plot: Four unfortunate men from different parts of the globe agree to risk their lives transporting gallons of unstable nitroglycerin across dangerous South American jungle. Rating: 9.1/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 23rd Via: Stan. Plot: The new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they'll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her. Rating: 7.1/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 22nd Via: Google Play Plot: A gangster attempts to keep the promise he made to his dying father: that he would give up his life of crime and "go straight". Rating: 6.8/10