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4X13 Troy and Britta

  
Troy Season Five
  Troy and Britta  
Britta Season Five.jpg

  Troy Barnes : Donald Glover  EXES   Friends     Britta Perry: Gillian Jacobs  
  Status:Used to date, currently friends  -  First appearance: "Interpretive Dance"

Pairing biography

“
Culturally it's unacceptable, but it's theatrical dynamite!
”
Pierce, "Interpretive Dance".

Troy and Britta hand holding1
Troy Barnes and Britta Perry
portrayed by Donald Glover and Gillian Jacobs.
Troy and Britta bonded in their first year at Greendale after they discovered they were both taking dance classes and kept it a secret from the rest of the study group. It was hinted for a while that Troy had a crush on Britta but she remained oblivious to it much like Troy was to Annie's crush on him during the study group's freshmen year. During their second year together, they share a few moments together including a kiss. In their third year at school, Britta starts to reciprocate Troy's feelings after realizing how deep his affection for her was. By their senior year the two were dating but ultimately they decided to break up. Troy is portrayed by Donald Glover and Britta is portrayed by Gillian Jacobs. Both characters first appeared on the show in the Pilot episode.

Pairing history

Season One


You did get weirdly specific when you were describing Annie's body.


More specific then the stuff you told me about Britta?

–Troy and Jeff, "Romantic Expressionism".

School year synopsis

Troy and Britta were both invited to attend a study group for a Spanish 101 class they were taking. Although it was revealed to be a sham, the group that gathered for the meeting decided to form a real study group. Throughout the semester, Troy and Britta had very little interaction despite being in the same group. This was due to Troy's budding bromance with Abed and Britta's flirtatious relationship with Jeff took up much of their time. Not long after Winter break, Troy and Britta found out they were both secretly taking dance classes. She was learning how to tap dance while Troy was taking a modern dance class to improve his coordination for football. Britta and Troy agreed that they should tell the others but he backed out at the last minute unwilling to face their ridicule. Britta expressed her disappointment at his actions but Troy ultimately did come through for her. When she froze during her dance recital, Troy jumped on stage and helped her through it. Together they improvised a sensual dance which won over the crowd. When Annie started dating Britta's ex-boyfriend Vaughn Miller, Jeff and Britta tried to split them up. They manipulated Troy into trying to hook up with Annie but he was unsuccessful. The fallout from their machinations led to a conflict later during a study group meeting. Troy accused Jeff of being attracted to Annie and Jeff insinuated Troy had a thing for Britta. Jeff pointed out that relationships in the group could become complicated since they all could view each other as romantic prospects. Troy and Britta regarded each other briefly considering Jeff's words. Later at the Greendale Family Day event, Britta tried to encourage Troy to be nicer to when his cantankerous grandmother Nana Barnes came for a visit. Britta ignored Troy's claims that she was a monster and ended up offending Nana Barnes while trying to introduce herself. To make up for it Britta agreed to be reprimanded with a switch and after receiving her punishment she admitted to Troy that he was right.


2009 - 2010 semester

"Study Break"(Webisode): Troy admits he would sleep with Britta if she got a haircut.

"Interpretive Dance": Troy and Britta discover they are both secretly taking dancing classes at school.

"Romantic Expressionism": Jeff deflects Troy's criticism over Jeff's ogling of Annie by mentioning Troy's attraction to Britta.

"Basic Genealogy": Britta gets spanked by Troy's grandmother after accidentally insulting her.

"Beginner Pottery": Troy and Britta take a sailing class in the Greendale parking lot with Pierce, Shirley and Star-Burns.

Season Two


Maybe someday you’ll fall for someone who’s healthy. Someone who, aside from his irrational fear of automatic toilets, is normal. Someone like me.

–Troy Barnes, "Competitive Wine Tasting".

School year synopsis

The sophomore year at Greendale sees Troy's crush on Britta becoming more apparent. Troy is upset when it's revealed Jeff slept with Britta and kissed Annie last year at school. Later, Troy and Britta along with the rest of study group gets caught up in a City College plot to sabotage Greendale's new space program. Troy and Britta have a moment when she accidentally ends up on his lap during the caper. In the Spring semester, Britta becomes interested in Troy's friend Lukka but he tries to discourage it. He didn't want Britta "ruining" Lukka by revealing intimate details about him while they dated. Troy and Britta take an acting class together. When asked by Professor Garitty to recall a traumatic memory, Troy cannot and created a fake past where he was molested by his uncle. Britta sympathized with his made up trauma which Troy took advantage of despite Abed's warning. Eventually he was forced to come clean and although Britta was angry at first she forgave him. Near the end of the school year, the group make their final diorama for Anthropology. Abed reveals that Britta had been having casual hook-ups with Jeff throughout the year. Troy is obviously upset, particularly because he thought everyone agreed not to have intimacy with themselves or each other.


2010 - 2011 semester

"Anthropology 101": Troy becomes jealous of Jeff having kissed Annie and slept with Britta.

"Basic Rocket Science": Troy takes command of The Eleven Herbs & Space Experience and he and Britta share a moment as it's being driven back to school.

"Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples": Troy and Britta help Shirley film a religious viral video for her church.

"Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy": Troy and Abed warn Britta not to ruin their friendship with Lukka by dating him.

"Competitive Wine Tasting": Britta and Troy take an acting class together taught by Professor Sean Garrity. She ends up kissing him but later claims it was a mistake.

"Paradigms of Human Memory": Britta's year long tryst with Jeff is revealed by Abed to the rest of the study group much to Troy and Annie's displeasure.

Season Three


This is a lock of my hair.
Oh...creepy.

–Britta and Troy say goodbye, "First Chang Dynasty".

School year synopsis

Troy and Britta become even closer during their third year at Greendale. Despite being busy with new school challenges and other relationship problems, Britta realizes Troy's depth of feelings for her. She reciprocates his affection after he helped her avoid hooking up with an ex-boyfriend. At Annie's suggestion, Troy asked Britta out for a lunch date. Although Abed predicted it wouldn't go well they ended up having a good time. Their relationship is stymied when the study group is expelled from Greendale due to a cafeteria riot they helped instigate. Eventually the group is reinstated but Troy is forced to leave Britta and his friends behind and join the Greendale Air Conditioning Repair School. Over the summer, Troy regains his freedom from the AC school and rejoins Britta and the study group. Britta later helped him move back into his apartment.


2011 - 2012 semester

"Biology 101": After Britta introduces Abed to the show "Cougarton Abbey" which only had 6 episodes, Abed has a melt down. Troy insults Britta calling her "human tennis elbow", a "pizza burn on the roof of the world's mouth" and "the opposite of Batman".

"Remedial Chaos Theory": In one timeline, Britta comforts Troy when Jeff teases him about his immaturity.

"Competitive Ecology": Troy and Britta want to ditch their current lab partners and team up on their Biology project together.

"Documentary Filmmaking: Redux": Troy and Britta are cast in the new school commercial as students promoting diversity and are forced by the director, Dean Pelton, to hug each other repeatedly.

"Contemporary Impressionists": Troy scolds Britta multiple times at the Bar Mitzvah for Howie Schwartz for moving out of her assigned area and not acting like the "White Michael Jackson" character she is dressed as.

"Origins of Vampire Mythology": Troy sends Britta a complimentary text in order to dispel the attraction she has to Blade.

"Virtual Systems Analysis": At Annie's insistence, Troy and Britta go on a lunch date together. Despite Abed's predictions to the contrary, they end up having a good time.

"First Chang Dynasty": Britta tearfully says goodbye to Troy who is forced to leave the study group and enroll in the Greendale Air Conditioning Repair School.

"Introduction to Finality": Britta happily welcomes back Troy who was able to return to Greendale. She later helps him move back into his apartment in the room which used to contain the Dreamatorium.

Season Four


Good luck Troy.

Shirley is worried about Troy's dating Britta, "History 101".

School year synopsis

Troy and Britta are in a relationship in the study group's senior year at Greendale which is immediately noticed by Jeff and the others. Later that day, Troy and Britta got into a fight while trying to observe a wish making ritual he and Abed did at the school's fountain. Although they tried their best to keep it a secret from Abed, he eventually told them that he knew they had been hooking up in the apartment. Troy and Britta attended the Inspector Spacetime convention together along with Abed, Annie and Jeff. While there, Britta warned Troy about Toby Weeks correctly guessing he was trying to steal his best friend. Towards the end of the school year, Troy and Britta are reminded by Shirley and Annie that it's their one year anniversary. On their suggestion, they decide to go to Señor Kevin's. A "body switch" between Troy and Abed occurs that puts a damper on those plans with Britta playing along and allowing Abed to take Troy's place on the date. A speech from Jeff convinced him to be honest with Britta and he goes to Señor Kevin's to break up with her. Troy admits he hasn't matured enough yet to be in an adult relationship. He adds that while he was never comfortable being her boyfriend he knows with certainty that he can handle being just her friend a lot better. Britta tearfully agreed and afterwards in the study room, Britta pulled Troy aside once the group left and the two shared an extended hug. In a vision of "The Darkest Timeline", Evil Troy and Evil Abed interview Troy and Britta from "Timeline Five". They are with their son "Chewbacca" which Troy told Britta means "He who hunts bounties".


2012 - 2013 semester

"History 101": Troy and Britta are now a couple and have their first fight.

"Paranormal Parentage": During Halloween, Troy and Britta along with the rest of the study group get sidelined from attending Vicki's party to go help Pierce at his Pierce's mansion. While there, Shirley warns Troy not to let the more sexually experienced Britta force him into doing anything he isn't ready for. Later, Britta asks Troy if they could skip going to Vicki's party and watch an episode of "Inspector Spacetime" together .

"Conventions of Space and Time": Despite the elaborate lengths Britta went through to keep her sleeping with Troy a secret, Abed ends up revealing he knew about it all along. She later warns Troy about Toby Weeks suggesting he is trying to steal Abed away from him.

"Economics of Marine Biology": In the episode end tag, Troy and Britta are in bed together watching a Let's Potato Chips commercial on his laptop. Troy becomes upset when he sees she is eating "Springels" and asks her to leave.

"Basic Human Anatomy": Troy is having trouble being honest with Britta and he and Abed role play as each other in order for him to express what he feels.

"Advanced Introduction to Finality": Evil Troy and Evil Abed from "The Darkest Timeline" interview an alternate reality Troy and Britta from "Timeline 5".

Season Five


I'm better at sex than Jeff right?


I've yet to have anyone worse.

–Troy asks Britta a question, "Geothermal Escapism".

School year synopsis

After the study group graduates they are reunited some time later when Jeff accepts a teaching position at school. Troy and Britta decided to re-enrol and later joined a Save Greendale Committee with their friends in order to improve campus life. They are informed of Pierce Hawthorne's passing and later attend his funeral along with the rest of the study group. Afterwards they are approached by a man called Mr. Stone who was hired to carry out instructions from Pierce's will. He asked that the group participate in an inquest into his employers death. After the investigation was completed, Britta was bequeathed a used iPod nano while Troy was given an amazing opportunity. He accepted a chance to inherit Pierce's fortune if he completed a sailing trip around the world. Britta was concerned that Abed and Troy weren't dealing well with his imminent departure. During a campus wide game of "Hot Lava", Britta attempted several times to get them to open up to each other. Abed resists and gets Troy to abandon Britta during the competition. In response, Britta went too far in her crusade by partnering with Buzz Hickey and his chair walker army. Her badgering led to Abed having a breakthrough and confessing to Troy how much his leaving would affect him. After the game is over Britta says goodbye to Troy along with the rest of the study group. The two shared a hug and Troy asked her if he was better at sex than Jeff. Britta reassured him by saying she had yet to meet anyone worse. After saying his farewells to the rest of the group, Troy boarded a rig with his sailing vessel the Childish Tycoon and departed alongside his co-captain LeVar Burton.


2013 - 2014 semester

"Repilot": Troy and Britta re-enroll at Greendale; he hoped to discover who he really was while she wanted to earn a Psychology degree.

"Introduction to Teaching": Troy and Britta take a course about Nicholas Cage and later witness Abed having a mental breakdown after studying the actor's films.

"Cooperative Polygraphy": Troy accepts a possibly lucrative offer Pierce bequeathed him in his will.

"Geothermal Escapism": When Abed throws a going away party for Troy in the form of a campus wide game of "Hot Lava" competition, Britta tries to get the two best friends to open up about their feelings.

Development

Initially Jeff and Britta were pushed as the primary romantic pairing for the show with Troy and Annie meant to be the secondary one. Development of both pairings were stalled, however, due to a number of reasons. For one thing, Troy's friendship with Abed started to become more central to his character than the possible romance with Annie. On top of that, Annie herself was discovered to have good chemistry with Jeff. In the Community: The Complete First Season DVD commentaries, the creator of the show, Dan Harmon, also wanted to further develop Britta's character past her simply being Jeff's conscience. Eventually the Troy and Abed and Jeff and Annie pairings became more popular then the official ones which were originally envisioned. In various interviews ([1], [2]), Harmon related his decision to make it so that all romantic entanglements could be a possibility on the show and eventually started putting in fanservice for shippers of certain pairings. Troy and Britta were given such a moment in the Season One episode "Interpretive Dance". The possible attraction was hinted at more in Season Two in episodes like "Basic Rocket Science" and "Mixology Certification" and further developed in Season Three. In the Community: The Complete Season Three DVD commentaries, Harmon credits writer Megan Ganz with convincing him to explore the Troy and Britta pairing further.

Relationship analysis

Troy and Britta share a few similarities to the Jeff and Annie pairing: both have significant age differences, both are opposite in personalities, and both were pairings that were not originally planned. The main difference is that, for the most part, Britta has been more unguarded in her feelings towards Troy particularly in comparison to Jeff's mostly ambiguous admissions to Annie regarding his feelings for her. When Troy became aware of her attraction to "broken" men he lied about a past childhood trauma to be more appealing to her. He came clean about the ruse but let her know he hoped she could fall for a guy like him eventually. Britta did start to come around after she saw him mature during their third year at school. Troy’s experience with the Greendale Air Conditioning Repair School along with him helping her deal with an ex-boyfriend made her see him in a new light. What drew them to each other, aside from the physical attraction, could be that both saw something in each other that they lacked. Britta probably was drawn to his light-hearted and fun loving nature, a quality others criticized her for lacking. Although he knew better, Troy still saw her as more mature due to her having more experience than him and always longed to be seen that way by others. They officially started dating in their fourth year at school but it didn’t last as they proved too incompatible. Troy admitted he was not ready for a relationship as he preferred goofing off with Abed than spending time with his girlfriend. Together they came to the same conclusion and amicably broke up. They still maintained a good friendship and Britta even helped Troy and Abed say goodbye to each other before her ex-boyfriend left Greendale for a trip around the world.

Quotes

Season One

"Interpretive Dance"

My secret is that I knew Britta's secret. I saw her in her dance outfit and she looked ridiculous. So I helped her protect her shame. You know, I'm just glad she's out now. Bravo, Britta.Troy
Thanks.Britta
Characters
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