TV Review: Community 3.16, ‘Virtual Systems Analysis’
A whole episode set in the Dreamatorium? Hath mine ears bewitched me with whispers of Xanadu?
rating: 4
It usually takes a few hours for an episode of Community to marinate in my mind before deciding how much I enjoyed it, and this weeks was no exception. Ive been looking forward to this episode the most since Dan Harmon announced it at PaleyFest a few months back. A whole episode set in the Dreamatorium? Hath mine ears bewitched me with whispers of Xanadu? Weve been teased with the power of the Dreamatorium since the shows return from hiatus, but oh how little did we know.The concept episodes are undoubtedly the fan favourites, and Virtual Systems Analysis was a perfect blend of camp sci-fi fodder and hospital soaps, as well as the further dissection of the shows most unique character; Abed. The episode started out strong with the study group actually trying to study, it doesnt take long for the Dean to put an end to this by entering in another ridiculous outfit, the duali-Dean of man. This time half man, half Dean ala Harvey Dent, but if Harvey Dent was cast in Glen or Glenda. Jim rash steals the scene, again, and reveals their test is cancelled as Omar from The Wire is ill. Jeff, king of blowing off classes, is suitably thrilled, suggesting a three-hour lunch. Annie plays at matchmaker after seeing Britta and Troy flirting and suggests they go out for lunch, which means she has to babysit Abed, who has plans to spend his afternoon in the Dreamatorium playing Inspector Spacetime. Abed introduces us to the Dreamatorium via an introduction to the Inspector Spacetime episode he is currently imagining, having to reluctantly explain that Constable Reggie is out to lunch and hes left with Annie, or Geneva. Annie does her best to get into the spirit of things, but her cockney accent and lack of knowledge of what a Blog-on is causes Abed to cease the simulation. Its quickly revealed, although he doesnt show it, that Abed is bitter at Annie for setting up Troy and Britta, not because of their friendship but if its the beginning of the end for their study group. Abed reveals he can, and has, look at every conceivable scenario within the group before promptly jumping into a simulation of Troy and Brittas lunch. The subtle effects of Abed jumping between playing Britta and Troy were great, as well as Abeds passive-aggressive retaliation to the manager who didnt like Die Hard. Annie is still skeptical and believes there is no science behind the simulations, its just anything Abed imagines. Abed then introduces Annie to the engine of the Dreamatorium, which is in a closet and made of cardboard tubes and household items. Annies remains pessimistic until Troy calls her to check on Abed, just as he has predicted in the simulation. Annie then hastily re-arranges the components (empty tissues boxes) on the engine in an attempt to teach Abed empathy. Abed malfunctions like Kryten and is reduced to a heap on the floor. The episode really kicks off as Annie is wandering through the Dreamatorium in an attempt to find Abed, who plays as the other characters in the study group. Another fantastic excuse for Danny Pudi to do his spot-on impressions of many of the cast, his strongest being Jeff and Troy. The environment this time is that of a cheesy hospital soap-opera, Annies preferred genre. Nice touch with all the vending machines serving Abeds favourite snack; buttered noodles. Annie learns the best way to find Abed is to play along with the Dreamatorium. A highlight of the entire episode comes when Annie injects Troy (Abed) with truth serum, in which he (finally) admits he likes butt stuff and his resentment at Troy for not understanding Inception. We revisit the end of season one where Jeff and Annie first kissed to dissect whatever the hell is going on between them, with Jeff (Abed) insisting Annie set up Troy and Britta to feel less guilty about trying something with Jeff. Leonard hiding in the bushes was a treat. It all gets a bit Inceptiony as Abed takes Annies form and visa-versa as they begin to argue, resulting in Abed taking the form of Chang to lock up Abed (Annie) for being Abed. Still with me? Pierce injecting to explain he doesnt know what the hell is going on was perfectly timed. Abed (Annie) finds Abed (Abed) in the roomy locker that is a metaphor for a prison cell. Abed reveals how bleak he sees his own future after running the simulations in the Dreamatorium. Annie (now Annie) then puts things into perspective for Abed and explains that nothing in life is set in stone. Abed then goes back to normal, which isnt normal, to complete an Inspector Spacetime simulation with Annie. Some great campy effects too, particularly the half-arsed Blog-ons. Abed explains in a voiceover his newly learnt emotion; empathy, which he describes like a super-power. The episode wraps up with the gang returning to the study room to continue to study, and Pierce revealing he sat on his balls. Not to mention some mushy looks across the table. Blurgh. It feels like forever since the last Troy & Abed in the morning tag, and it ended fantastically, with Abed freaking out that Annie dismantled the bunk beds in the fort. Ooo, a taste of the Orient. Overall an improvement on last weeks episode, and certainly one of my favourites since the shows return from hiatus, along with the epic Pillows and Blankets. Pierce and Shirley had little to do this week, I hope we get another Pierce-centric episode before the third seasons out. Im starting to understand what he meant by those voicemails. Harmon continues to push and build on the relationships in the study group, its unclear yet whether this will work out for the benefit of the show, but at least its moving forwards. Community returns next Thursday on NBC with Basic Lupine Urology.