SCORE: 8/10
Almost 15 years later, and all I can still think is "Damn, Chang pulled her? He must've been spectacular on the dance floor or bed."
Another 10/10 gem.
It’s pretty much a great episode all the way through, with three strong/funny storylines, but it becomes really special/magical in the final minutes when all the plots peak together with a musical underscore. Way, way better than it has any right to be.
My 160th TV episode of 2024. Averaging 1h32m of TV per day.
10/10
Shirley made me laugh so much with her "HERE'S BROWNIE!!"
So we're just going to pretend that Chang didn't kinda play wingman for Winger (heh) a few episodes ago? The script sure sounded like the writers forgot that happened.
"Don't you know anybody who reads from cards?"
Actually, Shirley does. So do you, Pierce. Dean Pelton did so in the very first episode.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2019-05-21T21:51:58Z
[7.4/10] The A-story here is a little Chang-heavy for my tastes. I know he’s supposed to be annoying/terrible, especially early on, but his jerkassery and racism makes me really just want him off my screen. But I like it as a Jeff story. Jeff hangs out with Chang to soothe his Spanish teacher after a marital separation and reap the benefits of exemptions from Chang’s draconian assignments, only to realize that he’d rather reunite Chang and his wife and get everyone in class off the hook, than have to continue being Chang’s friend just to reap those rewards. It’s a nice instance of Jeff “kind of” doing the right thing for the group.
The B-story, with Troy and Abed trying to recover their lab rat despite Troy’s rodent-phobia’s is a lot of fun. I like the emotional throughline of Troy having to learn to make sacrifices for his friends rather than the other way around, and the American Tail references worked for me hook line and sinker. Plus, Donald Glover’s line read for his remark about Abed dropping the subject was hilarious. It’s a good physical comedy/noise-making episode for Glover in general.
The C-story was good too! It’s rare that we get a Pierce/Shirley story at all, let alone one that doesn't just devolve into sexual harassment. Pierce’s public speaking tips are fun, and the pair have a good comic energy. Shirley embracing Pierce’s tips at the end, right down to a hilarious “Heeeeeeere’s Brownie!” reference, and succeeding, was a good beat.
The more marginal stuff in the episode is all good too. I like the running gag about Pierce thinking Jeff’s ability to get laughs comes from his chair. People pointing out Jeff’s fake outrage and argument tactics is superb. The Dean’s “go green” efforts are a hoot, right down to the “This better not awaken anything in me” line. And the montage that connects Chang’s salsa dancing, Shirley’s presentation, and the meaningful “Somewhere Out There” duet is very well done.
Overall, too much time with Chang, but otherwise a very nice episode.