Welcome back to this random edition of Looking Streets Behind! Long time no see, friends. I’ll try not to stay radio silent for so long. But since I’m here, let’s discuss Community‘s delightful Halloween episodes. After all, it’s Spooky Season, and that’s what we do during this time of year.
Below, I’ve ranked each Community Halloween episode from worst to best (well, it’s really from good to stellar). I 100 percent didn’t Britta this up, and by that, I mean “make a tiny and understandable mistake.”
RELATED: Stay streets ahead by browsing our Looking Streets Behind archives!
4. “Paranormal Parentage” (S04E02)
I have a confession to make: I don’t hate “The Gas Leak Year.” Is it perfect? Not by a long shot. Does it perpetually feel “off”? You bet. However, I find the more I watch Season 4, the more I enjoy it for what it is. Anyway, “Paranormal Parentage” experiments with haunted house tropes and peels back the layers of haunted house humans (Jeff, Pierce, Gilbert). Britta gets to psychoanalyze an in-denial Jeff while Troy learns nothing about sex swings.
In the end, Pierce lures the gang over to Hawthorne Manor to mess with them, and, honestly? I don’t respect much about Pierce, but I can respect that.
Consensus: While it’s not the best Community Halloween outing, “Paranormal Parentage” is still an amusing 20ish minutes that propels a crucial Jeff storyline forward. In addition, it’s bursting with therapist Britta in her element.
Favorite Quote: Troy — “Why does he have so many collars? Secret dogs!”
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3. “Introduction to Statistics” (S01E07)
This episode feels like a turning point for Jeff as the study group’s “court-appointed guardian.” In the episodes preceding this one, he resists the idea of calling his classmates his friends. However, when the chips are down, he refrains from sleeping with a hot professor to save Pierce from a bad trip and attends Annie’s Día de los Muertos party. Our group really is a community (Thanks, pilot episode Jeff).
We also get some heartbreaking Shirley moments, Britta being an adorable squirrel and Abed as Batman. That last bit might be the most important takeaway from “Introduction to Statistics.” Always let Abed be Batman.
Consensus: “Introduction to Statistics” bears all the markings of a solid Community episode — it’s fun, witty and brimming with heart.
Favorite Quote: Abed’s Batman monologue, duh-doy! Here it is (but I suspect you already have it memorized):
“If I stay, there can be no party. I must be out there in the night, staying vigilant. Where ever a party needs to be saved, I’m there. Where ever there are masks, wherever there’s tomfoolery and joy, I’m there. But sometimes I’m not ’cause I’m out in the night staying vigilant, watching, lurking, running, jumping, hurdling, sleeping. No, I can’t sleep. You sleep; I’m awake. I don’t sleep. I don’t blink. Am I a bird? No, I’m a bat. I am Batman. Or am I? Yes, I am Batman. Happy Halloween.”
RELATED: Top 5 Halloween TV Episodes, Part Deux
2. “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps” (S03E05)
🎵 “Troy and Abed sewn together!” 🎵 Who doesn’t love a good scary story? “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps” plays with various horror tropes via the gang telling spooky tales. We get werewolf Annie teaching vampire Jeff how to read (followed by a macabre, detailed account of her consuming him), Troy and Abed sharing a body and mind, Britta learning about “Britta’d,” Shirley’s hilarious Christian sermon and Jeff’s surprisingly adorable wintry cabin story.
The dean holding a chainsaw and shouting “Gay Marriage!” while dressed as a devil lives in my head permanently. I love it when the study group turns on each other. The cast gels well together in heightened scenarios like this.
Consensus: “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps” is a killer episode that allows every character a chance to shine comedically. It stabs you in the heart with boundless love for this crew and their shenanigans. It’s also endlessly quotable.
Favorite Quote: There are a lot of favorites, but I’ll throw in this Britta gem: “Ugh, it’s like New York out there.”
RELATED: Top 15 Community Episodes
1. “Epidemiology” (S02E06)
If you didn’t think this outstanding episode would take the number one spot, I have a bridge to sell you. Not only is “Epidemiology” one of Community’s best outings, but I’d also venture to say it’s one of the best sitcom episodes, period. I never considered ABBA a Halloween-esque band until I watched this. Who knew that fighting off a zombie horde and ABBA’s greatest hits would complement each other well?
Plus, we get the dean looking fierce in a Lady Gaga costume, the return of Rich the pottery man, the beginnings of a Shirley/Chang plotline, and, most importantly, my man Troy saving the day as a sexy, nerdy Dracula.
Consensus: “Epidemiology” is now a staple in my annual Halloween celebrations. It’s hilarious and off-the-wall bonkers in the best way, showcasing where Community can go creatively.
Favorite Quote: There are way too many solid gold quotes in this episode, but Abed and Troy recreating that iconic Star Wars moment is perpetually imprinted on my brain.
How would you rank the Community Halloween episodes? Sound off in the comments below!
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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