COMMUNITY: Basic Lupine Urology

In this episode of Community, titled Basic Lupine Urology, when Annie (Alison Brie) discovers the study group’s yam experiment smashed to smithereens on the science lab floor, the group mobilizes to expose the criminal and save their grade. Once Abed (Danny Pudi) and Troy (Donald Glover) think they have located the perpetrator, the group conducts a “trial,” with a reluctant Professor Kane (guest star Michael K. Williams) serving as judge. Jeff (Joel McHale) soon realizes, however, that the plot is thicker than anyone suspects.

Before we even begin this recap, why has it taken three seasons for Community to do a Law and Order spoof?

Poor Annie and Jeff’s yam! But of course, Annie thinks that getting a C is equivalent to being pregnant at a bus stop. The things that come from Annie’s mouth about her life sometimes shock me, but then I remember that she was addicted to Adderall for a while and everything is suddenly better.

Shirley is not our Lieutenant, with Abed and Troy as sort of Brisco and Logan (yes, I went old school, I think I’ve watched nearly every old episode of Law and Order thanks to TNT or just my father’s obsession). I mean, bad jokes and all! That’s just one thing to love about an homage to any show that lasted twenty years in its original form.

The credits!!! (I had to leave the room, pause the episode and find out if my parents had watched this while I was off having a computer related freak-out.)

Pierce makes the best perp ever. A poker game with the old folks, but that one lead to find out that Todd really doesn’t like the group.

Britta’s a hipster who can convert photos into “Old West” style. Just don’t let her do anything really useful, guys.

Shirley has that one moment of clarity from two years ago and that gets us into the moment where I feel like every early L&O went–a library or office building with files everything. At least Abed and Troy got the answer they were looking for. Though, there’s the part of me that thinks Magnitude is going to be a horrible witness and give them nothing. Oh, that’s right, Magnitude has his bag stolen and Abed and Troy are off to find out who takes them.

Really Starburns? You really want to steal bags. It’s not about the bags, it’s about the yams.

My favorite L&O coroner! I’ve missed seeing you on new episodes! But damn, the team was going to get an A for their yam. That’s a tough break, no matter what.

Jeff and Annie as the DAs (ish) is just making me laugh. But getting into Starburn’s locker is hilarious. Why does Starburns want to build a Meth lab?

I adore that Shirley has her own version of Miranda warnings. It’s just precious.

Is Dean Pelton really like the judge here? I sort of love that right now. I want to hug that Professor so much right now. He’s uploading the pinky swear (so much like a plea bargin), and I’m just going to sit here and marvel at how much it feels like a real episode.

Abed and Troy makes the best cops ever. I want to see more of Abed flying off the handle.

Todd’s retelling war stories. How are those relevant to the yam case? Annie’s making a case that the yam not growing as a sign of how much he wants to be perfect. Todd’s breakdown on the stand just makes me far too happy.

Jeff what are you doing with this plea? There’s a code at work, and then after the code’s in place, Jeff has to say something else. Neil, what the hell did you think you’d get by helping Vicki that way? I’m so confused, but that’s not the point now.

Now I’m just sad because Starburns died from his Meth lab in the trunk exploding when he was rear-ended. Rest in Peace, Starburns!

Bunk-bed conversations, a concerned Shirley and Dean Pelton bringing milk into the study room. That’s a big non-sequitor to end the episode on, but I’ve never found the tags always match the episode.

Watch next week’s Community, Course Listing Unavailable, Thursday, May 3 at 8/7c, on NBC.