Cooperative Polygraphy.

Friendship is an interesting beast. We’ve all been at a party, when the conversation degrades from nice to Jenny’s a real bitch and nobody can stand Brett or don’t tell Jon but no one likes his Community recaps. You know really shitty, hurtful stuff. It’s a very real and very disappointing truth: you often say and do the worst things to and about the people you love the most.

Last nights Community is similar if not entirely the same. In a perfect goodbye to Pierce, he uses a study group polygraph (from beyond the grave) to pit his friends against each other once again. The result is the best episode of Community we’ve seen in this season. Everyone shines at being their worst: Abed is insane and devoid of emotion, Troy is a do-nothing goofball, Britta an over-zealous activist for nothing in particular, Jeff the epitome of that gross dude at every party, Shirley the bible beating right-winger and Annie the type A personality with a pension for pharmaceuticals.

The group’s lies and indiscretions snowball at ludicrous speed and before we know it we’re at the big reveal: If they finish the polygraph Pierce will bequeath his fortune to them. The group continues and in an even bigger twist the final questions are Pierce’s love letters to each and every one of them (well, except Abed).

I was at a party once and there was too much shit talking mixed with too much drinking but near the end a friend of mine decided to change directions. We played a game where we told each person in the circle what we loved about them. With the sweet nectar to ply us we poured our hearts out to each other, we said what we truly loved about each person (even the girl we just met). It was freeing, cathartic and of course I cried like a little girl, just like I did during Pierce’s final questions. Community, despite being over the top and ridiculous at times, has managed to capture friendship in a way no other show can. It’s a show that knows its audience and loves them. I for one love it right back.

Jeff

AAs always with Jeff and Pierce there’s a lopsided power struggle. Jeff thinks he’s in control but somehow Pierce continues to derail him …even though he’s dead. It’s still fun to watch Jeff rebuke Pierce’s thoughts on his sexuality (gaymurderersaywhat?) and even better to watch Jeff actually learn a lesson from Pierce. They’re all flawed and no better than one another. The group is a sum of all their parts and maybe that’s what makes the friendship so strong. Well, that and the chance at millions of dollars.

When they finally decide to go for the dough, even though it’s in the name of greed, it’s still great to see the group working together and even better to see Jeff leading the charge. What Pierce was is debatable. What he did for the group isn’t: he made them all better, in this case like so many times before he pushes Jeff to lead and lead he does.

Annie

AAnnie’s is Pierce’s favorite (DUH) and when was handed her a tiara I was reminded of the only relationship Pierce had that could be described as sweet. Though most of Pierce’s questions for Annie were compliments he does reveal some of her dirtier deeds. As always every indiscretion Annie committed was easily explained away, she was just trying to HELP. She doesn’t just want to be perfect she wants EVERYONE to be perfect. From helping Troy and Abed save by padding their rent to doping the group for a good grade, Annie’s never been more devious or adorable. In my personal opinion it’s a winning combination. (I’ll hold hands with you at Disneyland any day).

Abed

Abed devoid of emotion but somehow still in mooooouuuurrrrnnnniiing. He’s brutally honest about all the things he’s done which includes but is not limited to embedding tracking chips in every member of the group. Yeah, he’s weird but he still feels. I shared his shock when we learned his secret handshake was A HOAX and I very, very, truly felt his pain when he realized his best friend was leaving. WHY DO BEST FRIENDS HAVE TO LEAVE (TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS IN LA)? I know it’s not coolcoolcool Abed and doesn’t get any better two years later (#EXPERIENCE) but you’ll soldier on, you have to because … Six seasons and a movie.

Britta

AAWWWWW. I love that after all the hating Pierce did on Britta it’s revealed how impressed he was by her. They are sort of funhouse style mirrors of each other. Always trying and failing with little to no support from their friends. When Pierce came to Britta’s rescue in ‘Herstory of Dance’ I know he saw himself in her. I know we are still supposed to think she’s the worst (but how can you after she admitted getting high in church?) but I kind of love Britta now. Here’s hoping she’ll focus her passion and we’ll see her do great things.

Shirley

AShe makes Britta eat meat, is even more passive aggressive than me (that’s saying something) and has penchant for calling the polygraph technician a bitch. Shirley’s always been about duality, the righteous Christian warrior who’s also an alcoholic that hooked up with Chang. She’s still figuring herself out and hopefully she takes Pierce’s words to heart: she’s a credit to not only her race and gender but the species as a whole. It’s true, the world and the study group are a better place because of Shirley Bennett. But not Meatfu …that is not right.

Troy
A

The heart of a hero? It’s true Troy has saved the day a number of times and laid it all on the line for his friends. Does that make the idea of losing Troy any easier? Absolutely not. When a group of this Magnitude (POPPOP) is assembled every piece is important. Troy is the heart. I don’t know what this means for the group or Abed. How does one function without their heart? Community will be the Tin-Man of sitcoms …unless Dan Harmon is really the Wizard they’ve been looking for.

Pierce
A

The perfect goodbye for the not so perfect character, I don’t think this show will ever be as good as it was when Pierce was at his worst. Rest in piece you racist son of a bitch.

Chang

FStill so unnecessary.