Community: 10 Best Concept Episodes

8. Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas

Community Pierce Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
Sony Pictures Television

Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas is perhaps the most ‘concepty’ of concept episodes, at least from an aesthetic point of view. The episode is all in claymation, due to Abed seeing the world this way thanks to some unknown trauma.

The plot revolves around the study group, led by Professor Duncan, trying to figure out why.

Though the episode is ostensibly based on classic Christmas claymation holiday specials, the idea actually came from inspiration much closer to home for Community. Dino Stamatopoulos, who played Starburns (Alex, to be exact), previously developed Moral Orel, a cynical parody of Davey & Goliath.

Dan Harmon wanted Stamatopoulos to use his skills on Community, and the writing team felt a Christmas seasonal episode would be the best place for it.

Through the vaguely Christmassy costumes Abed envisions for them, we get to see the characters in different roles. Aside from Abed, who’s locked in his fantasy, we get to see the clash between the ‘real world’ characters and the claymation version as they struggle to help Ab

Like all Christmas classics, there’s a heartfelt ending too as we learn of Abed’s sadness that his mother isn’t coming to visit for Christmas this year.

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