COMMUNITY: Conventions of Space and Time

I find the arrival of this episode very fortitous after the show’s delay because it comes just after Gallifrey One, a well-respected and well-attended Doctor Who convention in Los Angeles. As “Inspector Spacetime” is a very awesome homage to that show.

But now I feel really awkward watching this opening as Troy and Britta are watching an old episode before Abed wants to talk about the convention. There is an entirely awkward conversation between Troy and Britta about how to not break the news to Abed, but that’s all for nothing as after Britta runs back to the front door, Abed says he’s known for weeks.

Jeff has no plans to go to the convention, as he and Annie are going skiing, but Pierce is affronted that they aren’t including him. There’s very little to get him over that, until Jeff and Abed say that Shirley isn’t invited.

There’s no way for Jeff and Annie to go skiing, and as that is revealed, everyone at the convention is snickering at Jeff for his resemblance to the Inspector’s greatest nemisis.

Did Abed really just say that he gave money to a guy in Nigeria? Only this time there is money back for Abed. That’s the first time I’ve seen that scam actually work.

Pierce and Shirley show up, and that’s going to end poorly. Especially when they are carried away by some people in suits to test a new American version of “Inspector Spacetime”. (I’m sure it’ll be awful, even if neither of them know a thing about people who travel through space and time.)

I also worry about Annie allow in Jeff’s hotel room with the power of being Jeff’s wife.

Jeff, meanwhile, meets Tricia Helfer in the lobby. I don’t even want to know what is going to come from that.

This convention feels more like Comic Con than Gallifrey, and that’s perfectly fine with me right now.

Toby and Abed are getting along so well and Troy’s freaking out about the possibility of losing his best friend. Britta, as always, has horrible suggestions on how to proceed.

In this test study, Pierce is so confused. I’m not shocked.

Helfer, as an amazingly attractive fangirl, loves the shows philosophy, and that really confuses Jeff.

Annie’s roleplaying has me in hysterics, though. Mostly because she has no idea what to do with the power of being Jeff’s wife and also because she’s been so nice to the waitstaff that he takes her to see Jeff’s flirting with Helfer. Her righteous indignation (and drink throwing) is everything I’ve wanted to see Annie do to Jeff but never thought possible.

Pierce’s ideas are horrible about the new show. Not even words are worthy of it. Even Shirley’s idea to keep the show true to what the heart is falling on deaf ears as Pierce wants to change everything about the show (no more Inspector and a leggy blonde. REALLY?)

Toby’s trying to sway Abed from Troy and to the Inspector Convention in London. Even with all of this knowledge they share of the show, Abed’s not convinced that he and Toby should be friends forever. Abed has a touching moment about needing Constables to balance out the Inspectors, which is really what Troy is to Abed. Toby locks Abed into a box, and won’t let him out until Abed agrees to be Toby’s friend.

Troy’s on a great search for Abed and even with Toby lying to Troy, Troy’s not going to leave the box. Abed has faith in Troy and that is what got Abed through those moments of doubt.

Jeff, I think you do need to worry about Annie’s playacting a marriage, even if she had good intentions. Jeff redeems himself by saying that if they were married (!!!!) he would never cheat on her, and then goes to order her an appletini.

The gang is all there just as Jeff gives into the hype and pretends to be the Thoraxix, with catch phrase and his shirt ripped. I think I’d have been with everyone in that convention floor and started to bow, but I’m also fairly shallow.

Luke Perry as the Inspector, and Jenny Garth as his companion is both the best and worst thing in the universe. I don’t care if Pierce looks pleased with himself. Abed’s look is my face too! That’s just so very wrong.

Watch Community Thursday nights at 8/7c, on NBC.