Remember that road to redemption that Jeff (Joel McHale) so steadily traipsed mere episodes ago?

Well, it’s been covered in candy corn because the lofty (former) lawyer is back to his old tricks, and this time the target is sexy Professor Slater, PhD (Lauren Stamile) in this week’s episode, “Introduction to Statistics.”

Every year, Senor Chang (Ken Jeong) and the rest of the faculty give the students an opportunity to attain extra credit by utilizing what was conventionally deemed “free time” and no one – in any department – has capitalized on this shot until now.

Of course, it’s doubtful that Greendale has ever seen the likes of overachiever Annie (Alison Brie) in its slacker-laden past, as well.

In an effort to finally claim a sense of popularity (her high school crossing guard used to lure her into traffic), Annie throws a “Dia de los Muertes” party in the library for “Mexican Halloween,” which Chang claims is incredibly offensive to those who are familiar with the sexual position.

Jeff and Troy (Donald Glover) agree.

Expectedly, events go all kinds of wrong at the student soiree, as wicked-cool Winger (Annie needs someone of his status to attend her party lest everyone leave early to catch the news) struggles between a promise to show up at the event conflict with his attempt to woo the pretty, though pretentious professor.

This is the best episode “Community” has seen since the pilot and serves as Chevy Chase’s much-needed redeemer.

Before the opening theme begins, he is already responsible for a moment worthy of gut-busting guffaws. Pierce is not technologically proficient, you see, and accidentally dials his mother in an attempt to call Annie, during which a predictable, though still effective level of funny ensues, topped off with a gem a la, “I saw your father’s ghost again.”

Now, on to the party:

Jeff – too “cool” to don a daring disguise – dresses as a “gay douchebag” according to Pierce (who is dressed as the woefully outdated Beastmaster), Annie is a skeleton, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) as an acorn-toting squirrel (she hates that most girls tend to use Halloween as an excuse to dress promiscuously), Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) is the adorably-accented Harry Potter (though most thought she was Urkel), Troy is Eddie Murphy and Abed (Danny Pudi) is a consistently in-character Nolan-esque Batman.

Without revealing anything too plot-centric, Jeff turns out to be a liar, but a redeemably sympathetic one.

“Introduction to Statistics” contains moments of laughter – or at the very least smile-inducing charm – and even cleverly throws in a relatively serious scene between Britta and Shirley – one that effectively utilizes character development of episodes past.

Highlights include Shirley’s episode-long displaced anger, Pierce’s over-the-top pill trip and Abed’s, in general – especially his disturbingly accurate Batman tribute in the last scene, successfully jabbing the morose demeanor of “The Dark Knight’s” final scene in its dramatic, spandex-clad hinny.

Don’t miss it – under any circumstances.

Related posts:

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: Ice Cream and Bill Buckner Episode Commentary: Mister Softee With multiple storylines that entertain and a pair of solid guest appearances, this is easily the second best episode of this season’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Between...
2. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: And When a Hero Comes Along, With the Bread to Carry on…the Train Episode Commentary: The Hero It looks like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is finally back on track, after a silly episode that was driven by a conflict between Ricky Gervais and Larry...
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: Dead Dogs and Ice Cream Episode Commentary: “Vow of Silence” This isn’t a bad episode of Curb, it just once again fails to pack the same punch as the magical episode two weeks ago. With...
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: What a Debacle Episode Commentary: The Smiley Face Last week’s episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” was easily one of the best in the show’s history. This past episode was easily one of the...
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Eight Commentary: Sex and Chicken Episode Commentary: Palestinian Chicken Make no mistake; this is easily one of the best episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” …ever. For anyone that isn’t a fan of the show, or...