6. Basic Rocket Science (Season 2, Episode 4)
Have you ever wanted to see a clever parody of Apollo 13 set inside a Winnebago converted into a space simulator owned by KFC? Of course you have! Here's the episode for you! When Greendale learns their rival, a nearby City College, has purchased a space simulator, the superintendents fear it may persuade more potential college students to apply there instead. So in a rush, Greendale buys its own. It's old, and hasn't been cleaned since the 80's. Naturally, the Dean sends the study group to clean it, but several of them can't resist going inside instead. While in there, the door closes and seals, with them all inside but one. Adding to that, City College secretly hired a tow truck to drag the simulator away, while the study group is still trapped in there. Fortunately, it's Abed outside, and he had already memorized the design schematics online, and is able to radio them and tell them how to get out.
Best line: "Greendale may be a toilet, but it's
our toilet! No one craps in it but us!"
5. Modern Warfare (Season 1, Episode 23)
Without a doubt the best and most popular episode from Season 1, this episode presents some of Community's finest moments. With summer looming, the school faculty are planning a 'Spring Fling' to send off the students, and announce they'll have a paintball tournament off in the campus. Attached was supposed to be a prize, but it was stolen, so now it's TBD ("I want TBD! Is that new?!" asks Troy). Jeff Winger goes off to take a nap in his car, and when he awakens, he sees the campus devastated with paint everywhere. When he goes inside he finds Garrett Lambert on the floor and asks
what happened. The prize turns out to be priority registration, the ability to pick and schedule your own classes. The study group agrees to team up until the end, at which point they can turn on each other. The episode as a whole is a parody of the action film genre, with the most notable influences being The Matrix and Die Hard.
Best line: "Tell the Drama Club their tears will be real today!"