Episode Commentary: Comparative Religion

While it could have easily been another clichéd attempt at religious tolerance, promoting political correctness, “Community’s” take on a holiday-themed season finale still held that whimsical, wit-infested oomph specially reserved for the dangerously roguish charm of Joel McHale.

For the first time since the pilot episode, we didn’t have three diverging storylines. Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) is planning her first Christmas party since her divorce and wants the gang to be her surrogate family. There’s only one problem: she’s the only Christian – and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) goes so far to offend her sensibilities as admitting atheism, to which apparent cult-member Pierce (Chevy Chase) enthusiastically scoffs, “suck it, Nietzsche” (though much, much later).

Meanwhile, a group of spandex-clad bullies from an ‘80s work-out video attack Abed (Danny Pudi) for taking all the “winter doodle” cookies, causing a surprisingly noble Jeff (McHale) to step in. After viciously correcting his Spanish during the final – which was the best ever according to Senor Chang (Ken Jeong) – they agreed to meet outside to settle it like men.

About which Britta has her own theories – most of them involve show tunes and groping.

Now Pierce, as the oldest – and possibly the creepiest – of the group, takes it upon himself to teach Jeff to fight, delegating the switchblade responsibilities to Troy (Donald Glover); and Abed to “get back to the family tent and find a chicken for Jeff to chase.” Never at a loss for racism.

Being so devout, Shirley expressly forbids Jeff from attending her party if he fights. He does so, anyway, but the members of the group all ultimately learn their respective lessons.

As mentioned previously, this episode is full of surprises. First, it manages to avert the extraordinarily campy stigma of multi-cultural holiday season finales. Secondly, Jeff is finally not the hero. In fact, one of “Comparative Religion’s” best scenes involves Troy and Pierce teaching him to fight, with Britta heckling them about the latent homosexuality of brawling.

In fact, the episode is so entertaining that it’s almost sad to see it go. Thankfully, “Community” was approved for another season. Now isn’t that reason for some holiday cheer?

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