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===[[Meta references]]=== |
===[[Meta references]]=== |
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*'''Up against the wall''' |
*'''Up against the wall''' |
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| − | **''''''Abed apologizes to Annie for missing her birthday, |
+ | **''''''Abed apologizes to Annie for missing her birthday, Halloween, Christmas, and other major holidays. This is a reference to the lack of holiday themed episodes in Season Five which was possibly done in order to avoid another [[Season Four]] situation. That year NBC rescheduled the debut of the show to February from it's announced November date. All of the holiday episodes were aired aired long after that particular festivity had been celebrated. |
| − | **Abed tells Annie that the group will definately be back next year, and if not it will be due to a |
+ | **Abed tells Annie that the group will definately be back next year, and if not it will be due to a giant asteroid. He then says its "canon" and stares straight at the camera. This is a reference to the uncertainty of the show being renewed. |
| − | **During the end tag, several fake NBC pilots are said to be on in the "...fall, winter, or spring". Depends on what fails!" This is |
+ | **During the end tag, several fake NBC pilots are said to be on in the "...fall, winter, or spring". Depends on what fails!" This is another reference to Community's start date often depending on the success of other NBC pilots. |
==Production== |
==Production== |
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Revision as of 18:37, 19 April 2014
Plot
Dean Pelton holds an emergency meeting of the Save Greendale Committee in his office. Using old film footage, he brings Jeff and Britta up to speed on the history of Russell Borchert. He explains that the wealthy inventor founded the Greendale years ago as a technological institute. Borchert devoted his time trying to develop a computer which could process human emotion using gold circuitry. However, a scandal broke out involving his unnatural love for the machine he was working on. Borchert disappeared along with his fortune although there was speculation he had a secret vault in his office. Annie then produced the scroll Abed found which was written by the school's first Dean. In order to protect the schools reputation, the computer department was sealed off and the stairwell leading to it removed.
Shirley and Buzz then arrive with blueprints of the campus. After they examine the plans they find the missing stairwell that leads to a sub level three which is directly under the Teacher's lounge. They go to the lounge and on a hunch from Annie, Buzz smashes through a mural on one of the walls with a axe pick. Shirley locks the door at Jeff's suggestion unaware Chang was outside eavesdropping. Behind the wall are electrical wires which Duncan grabs believing them to be fake. A powerful electric surge incapacitates him and sets the wall on fire. After Jeff extinguishes the flames he pleads to for this nonsense to stop. To prove he himself has accepted Greendale is finished, Jeff announces his engagement to Britta. Although shocked, Annie and the Dean dismiss this as inconsequential to the matter set hand.
Meanwhile, Abed discovers a hidden trap door under a corner of the carpet. It's then that Richie, Carl and Chang arrive outside the lounge and demand to be let inside the room. Richie decides to barrel through the locked door and once inside they find Shirley, Buzz and Duncan sitting down for a cup of tea. Below the room, Jeff, Britta, Pelton, Abed and Annie have already lowered themselves through the trap door and are in the sub basement. After they split up to cover more ground, Abed notices Annie is upset. With Pierces death, Troy leaving and others planning to marry and move on she wonders if Greendale is still worth saving. Abed explains Jeff and Britta's engagement is a crutch they are using to cope with an uncertain future. He assures her it will end as soon as they find Borchert's treasure.
Recurring themes
Continuity
- And we're back!: This episode is the second part of the Season Five finale and picks up where the previous one left off.
- Familiar faces:
- Chris Elliot makes his official debut as Russell Borchert; he was seen in the previous episode in a portrait.
- The Subway rep returns in this episode.
- Actress Amber Tamblyn appears alongside Chang, Richie and Carl as part of a show on NBC's new schedule called "Thought Jacker". In real life she is married to David Cross who guest starred on the Season Five episode "Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons".
- Actor/comedian/television writer B.J. Novak also appears in the episode end tag as the star of another show called "Mr. Egypt".
- Musician Questlove of The Roots appears as the host of another show called "Celebrity Beatoff".
- The second Subway corprohumanoid is briefly seen in this episode.
- History lesson: Russell Borchert and Greendale history are elaborated on. He was a genius computer programmer who became wealthy from a 9 track player he invented back in the 1970's. He used that money to create the school which was originally known as the Greendale Computery School. Russell disappeared after a scandal broke out about his unnatural love for computers.
- Returning faculty: Richie Countee and Carl Bladt return.
- Returning students: Star-Burns returns in this episode.
- School song: "Ants Marching" by the Dave Mathews Band is played once more by Star-Burns.
- Googly eyes:
- Jeff and Britta announce their engagement to everyone. Throughout the episode they try and pretend to be more mature about the Greendale situation than everyone else. In those instances they act overly romantic towards one another. However, when there is hope the school might be saved they fall back into their usual dynamic of bickering.
- Annie is hurt by Jeff's engagement but pointedly lets him know that whatever decisions he makes she will accept and support.
- Abed believes Annie was going to lean in to kiss him and reminds her he has a girlfriend.
- When a burst of passion is needed to power the computer enough to open the door, Jeff manages to make this happen by focusing on Annie.
- Climax: The Save Greendale Committee accomplishes their goal and prevents the school from being sold.
Running gags
Pop culture references
- TV Guide:
- The 1970's science fiction show "Bionic Woman" is mentioned by Dean Pelton. He also notes it won an Emmy.
- The NBC sitcom "The Office" is mentioned. When it aired was known for having a number of "super-sized" one hour episodes which Dean Pelton comments on.
- Shout out:
- Actors Elliot Gould and Donald Sutherland are mentioned. The question of which actor was hotter was a topic of a Greendale debate back in the 1970's. Both Jeff and Pelton agree that it was Sutherland.
- When Abed sees Russell Borchert he informs him that Dennis Hopper is dead and Woody Allen voiced a cartoon ant. The latter news sends Borchert into a frenzy.
Meta references
- Up against the wall
- Abed apologizes to Annie for missing her birthday, Halloween, Christmas, and other major holidays. This is a reference to the lack of holiday themed episodes in Season Five which was possibly done in order to avoid another Season Four situation. That year NBC rescheduled the debut of the show to February from it's announced November date. All of the holiday episodes were aired aired long after that particular festivity had been celebrated.
- Abed tells Annie that the group will definately be back next year, and if not it will be due to a giant asteroid. He then says its "canon" and stares straight at the camera. This is a reference to the uncertainty of the show being renewed.
- During the end tag, several fake NBC pilots are said to be on in the "...fall, winter, or spring". Depends on what fails!" This is another reference to Community's start date often depending on the success of other NBC pilots.
Production
Behind the scenes
Production photos
Gallery
Clips
Episode preview
Promotional photos
| Season Five Episodes | ||
|---|---|---|
|
1. "Repilot" |
8. "App Development and Condiments" |
|
| Season One • Season Two • Season Three • Season Four • Season Five • Season Six | ||
