Continuity
First occurred in "Pilot"
Type of recurring theme...	Continuity - the consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, and places seen over some period of time.

Continuity is any type of consistency within the show. This covers a wide range of topics and can refer to not only character motivations and overall storylines but also a person, place, or object which has some significance to those recurring plot points. In the "Recurring Themes" section of the episode pages on this wiki, continuity that appeared in that particular episode are listed and separated into specific categories. Below are descriptions of each type of continuity category:

• And we're back: Return from a hiatus of some kind that then continues an ongoing storyline. Can be specific to a two part story such as "A Fistful of Paintballs" and "For A Few Paintballs More" or a general link such as a season premiere like "Anthropology 101" which picks up after the events of last year's season finale.
• All by myself: Someone is left out of an activity with the group. Not to be confused with the running gag "Screw you guys!" where someone is kicked out of the group.
• A sweet ride: Any vehicle that has a recurring role. Ex. Jeff's Lexus
• A nice gesture: Any gesture that is continually used. Ex. Troy and Abed's handshake
• Cliffhanger: Any season finale plot twist which is to be resolved the following season. Ex. "For A Few Paintballs More" had Pierce quitting the study group.
• Climax: A payoff to an ongoing storyline. Ex. "Modern Warfare" sees Jeff and Britta's sexual tension resolved.
• Double take: Any scene which is an echo of a previous one. Ex. Remedial Chaos Theory
• Discontinuity: An unexplained break in continuity when a contradiction from something previously established occurs. Can also refer to anything illogical that happens in the episode. Ex. Abed pulls off a simple prank on Troy in Season Two when he was unable to pull off an elaborate one in Season One.
• Familiar faces: Any returning actors or characters on the show. Ex.Dean Spreck (Note: Since the presence of Annie's Boobs is a Running Gag it isn't included in this category.)
• First appearance: Any time a character debuts who then appears again in other episodes. Ex. Jerry
• History lesson: Any background story details of a specific character. Ex. In the Season Two episode "Accounting for Lawyers", we are given a lot of backstory on Jeff's previous life before Greendale.
• Googly eyes: Any major or minor romantic developments on the show. Ex. Jeff and Annie share a kiss outside the Tranny Dance in the Season One finale.
• Identity crisis: Any sort of storyline where a character questions who he/she really is. Not to be confused with the running gag "I'm Batman!" which is significant only to Abed and is played for laughs.
• Mad skillz: Any special ability a character has which has been mentioned previously and is showcased. Ex. Troy's plumbing skills
• Middle Eastern Magic 8 Ball: To foreshadow something that becomes a major plot point later on. Ex. "Living in the moment" was a phrase used by Professor Whitman that later became the inspiration for Annie's actions in the Season One finale.
• Previously: Any reference to a past storyline, usually from another season. Ex. Abed mentions in "Curriculum Unavailable" that they shouldn't do paintball again because it's too forced.
• Returning faculty: Any Greendale instructors that make a return appearance.Ex. Professor Whitman
• Returning students: Any Greendale students that make a return appearance. Ex. Neil
• School song: Any song which has been heard more than once on the show. Ex. Greendale's school song "The Way It Is".
• School supplies: Any item, mostly related to school, which is showcased. Ex. Annie's purple pens
• School uniform: Any outfit, clothing, or costume which has appeared more than once or has some significance to the story. Ex. Jeff's cowboy outfit
• That just happened: Any event which is referenced that occurred fairly recently. Ex. In "Regional Holiday Music", Jeff mentions several events that happened recently like attacking the group with an ax and "killing a dude".
• This must be the place: A specific place or area that is featured prominently in that particular episode. Ex. The Dreamatorium.
• Winger speech: Jeff delivers a speech which usually sums up the lesson to be learned in that episode. Ex. Jeff delivers the first of many such speeches in the Pilot episode referring to the Study group as a Community. (See main article: "Winger speeches")

Ultimateatomicbuster 20:47, February 23, 2012 (UTC)