In true spirit of the season, this week’s episode of “Community” holds the fabled scales of the Libra. With distinct helpings of the good and the bad, “Social Psychology” fails to fall into either category entirely, deftly walking the tightrope of comedic mythos.

First, the good: Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) is back.

With a noticeable absence in the last, pop-culture filled episode, it was refreshing to see the bubbly mom return to acceptable amounts of screen time. Brown’s infectious chirpiness acts as a refreshing foil to the series’ otherwise dry, sardonic personas. Her blooming friendship with Jeff (Joel McHale) against the backdrop of Britta’s (Gillian Jacobs) new relationship was especially amusing.

Señor Chang (Ken Jeong), mercifully, makes another appearance, as well. Although woefully brief, his undeniably magnetic presence instantly steals both scenes in which he’s featured.

He appreciated all the positive feedback on the anonymous teacher evaluations, but one student had apparently left a hurtful – and racist – comment, so he went through previous exams to find that meticulous marauder with those adorable circles above her I’s. Equally entertaining was his overreaction to an experiment beginning five minutes late, since “nueve” means “nueve.”

Jeff’s finally growing up – which can honestly fall into either category, depending on how this transition is handled in the future. Character redemption tends to either make or break fiction, and should be handled delicately. So far, it’s infused with just the right level of seasoning, though time will tell of the powers that be at “Community” will spill the salt.

Doctor Duncan (John Oliver) plays a larger role than ever before as a leading psychology professor, responsible for the Duncan Principle, an experiment that focuses entirely on the reactions of the subjects as they wait to be experimented upon. Eager to regain academic prestige after an unfortunate bout with pills in high school, Annie (Alison Brie) weasels her way into his lab, only to wreck his entire life’s work by bringing Abed (Danny Puti) as one of her two test subjects – the other being high school heartthrob, Troy (Donald Glover).

This brings us to the bad.

Abed, the sitcom’s innocently deadpan Asperger’s patient, is the highest card in its comedic hand. Using him sparsely throughout the episode is the equivalent of folding pocket aces on the flop. It’s silly and could become disastrous when done excessively or at a pivotal moment.

Thankfully, the show is only in its fourth episode and with a spectacular history this far, there will be plenty of opportunities to improve its game plan.

Also worrisome is the portrayal of Shirley. Although engaging, this gossiping, social shark is simply a shadow of the potential seen in the pilot. She, like Annie, Troy and Pierce (Chevy Chase), is quickly headed toward the realm of single dimension and will need a quick personality infusion if her character depth is to be saved.

Then again, it is a half-hour sitcom, so profundity can feasibly take a backseat to humor.

Luckily, the funny falls fresh and with festive fervor.

Besides, with Jeong taking center stage in next week’s “Advanced Criminal Law,” as Señor Chang tries to find the perverse perpetrator that cheated on his Spanish exam, the scales are nearly guaranteed to tip favorably.

Veremos.

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