10 Best Community Episodes
2. Remedial Chaos Theory
One of the most ambitious episodes in the history of the show - and the sitcom format in general - is also one of its best. Community wasn’t afraid to go high concept at times, and “Remedial Chaos Theory” pushed the boundaries of the show’s structure to great effect.
Set around the titular mathematical theory, the episode takes a simple act of fate - a role of a dice to determine who goes to fetch pizza for the group - and uses it to examine the dynamics of the main characters, as well as delivering the usual laughs of the show at its peak.
The episode risks being repetitive - we essentially play the same story out seven times - but the wild divergences in fortune are hilarious, as well as completely true to the characters we’ve now spent over two years with.
Community at its best was more than willing to dish out a dose of melancholy along with the laughs, and they do so with gusto here. The final image in the story proper is Jeff, ostracised from the group, realising they may be better off without him.