Episode Commentary: Physical Education

Jeff (Joel McHale) has always been one of “Community’s” centers of eye-candy, but never before more so than in “Physical Education,” where he sheds his clingy tee-shirt, shorts and eventually that which cannot be shown on regular television – though Annie (Alison Brie) managed to sneak in a good peek.

After proudly registering for a billiards course, he’s immediately informed by its professor (Blake Clark) that wearing synthetic gym shorts of the un-cool variety is a requirement, but $300-jeans-clad Jeff refuses to wear anything other than perfectly flattering at all times, and walks out of the classroom in a huff.

Continued announcements by Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) over the loudspeaker (he’s apparently forgotten his panties in the pool room) and Abed’s (Danny Pudi) serve to change his mind, however.

Speaking of Abed, the group discovers a Spanish textbook in which a picture of Abed is drawn surrounded by hearts. Someone has a crush, and Pierce (Chevy Chase) is relatively sure that the girl can’t be all that great, while Troy (Donald Glover) is convinced that an opportunity like this can only come once in a lifetime.
So, ignoring Jeff’s after-school-special-honed advice, they try to change Abed into someone more likable. He ultimately chooses to embody Jeff.

While revealing anything else would border on spoiling, the episode had some wonderful lines, with quite a few provided by Pierce. Chase is certainly growing into his role as the aging, clueless bigot. Although he had a relatively slow start at the beginning of the season, he’s quickly becoming one of the show’s best characters.

Pudi, however, is absolutely priceless. Almost the gem of every episode, it never feels as though he’s on screen for too long – and often inspires a sense in which he is missed.

As “Community” returns next week with “Basic Genealogy,” guest-starring Katharine McPhee, we can only hope that it continues the steak it so steadily began with its holiday episode.

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