[rating=5.00] “Wedding Videography”
We get a little change-up in season six’s penultimate episode. Abed is doing freelance work in Jeff’s classroom with a handheld camera, which is the conceit with which the episode itself is presented. Of course, Jeff is none too pleased with this—his idea of teaching law is drinking the secret scotch stash from his desk drawer after writing the word “Law” on the chalkboard. Abed’s presence is a bit of a mystery, until fan favorite Garrett starts a presentation on Marriage Law. Uh-oh. The presentation turns out to be a marriage proposal, his lady of choice (Stacy) apparently has class with them. Everything goes well, but Jeff starts pouting as he is wont to do when someone else is happy. As it becomes apparent that the episode is going to be another one where Jeff makes it about himself, Garrett shouts out “I’m finally going to get laid!” You’re right buddy, we were all thinking it.
The resulting episode is a mix of “meh” and a whole lot of shrugs. It was an interesting premise. Anytime we can get behind Abed’s crazy filmmaking moments usually results in a fun episode with solid pop culture jokes and references. In this case, it didn’t even really feel like Abed was there. Perhaps Danny Pudi was busy and they needed a way to write him out for the week?
Throughout the episode the gang engages in the usual shenanigans, having no regard for anyone but themselves. Right before the actual wedding they actually act out a game called “Garrett marries celebrities,” making fun of the groom to be. Okay, Garrett is kind of lame. But it’s his wedding day! You’d think they could give him a break for a bit. During their “getting ready” sequence, the reclusive Frankie reveals more about herself than intended. For one she talks about having a “sleepover” (conveniently leaving out who it was with) and it ending poorly. More specifically, with a biblical stoning. Literally. Later without much prompting she reveals that one of her sisters is mentally handicapped (the other one is dead), something she never has to expand on as Jeff and company break the awkward tension
As usual, they blow it and wind up getting to the party really late. Garrett and Stacy (Erin McGathy aka Mrs. Dan Harmon) are halfway through their vows, and happy as can be. After being terribly disruptive and rude, the gang makes it to the reception only to continue their crappy behavior. In the middle of another “Garrett is the worst” rant, a smiling stranger approaches them and asks for a little perspective. She turns out to be Garrett’s mother, and wants nothing but happiness for her son on his big day, adding a little jab at the end with “I just don’t want my son to kill himself.” Way to get real morbid, real quick Community.
Garrett’s mother taking them down a notch is just what the doctor ordered. Britta observes that they’re a proud group, and she was able to break that pride with just a few sentences. As a group they’re abrasive and inconsiderate, can they possibly figure out how to be nice to others by splitting apart for a while? “It’s almost like groups and people in groups can’t be complete at the same time,” Britta explains.
The group then does their best to repent, acting as the best wedding guests they possibly can. Of course, this eventually backfires horribly. As Garrett’s brother is carted away back to rehab, Jeff decides that his good deed will come in the form of stepping in as Best Man to make the Best Man speech for Garrett. The group reconvenes to get the speech ready, using all the intel they’ve gathered as party guests as fuel for the ultimate speech.
As Jeff makes the rounds lifting folks up, and dragging others through the mud, he insists on bringing out Garrett’s grandmother and Stacy’s aunt. Turns out (gasp) it’s the same person! Garrett and Stacy are cousins. After many tears, and a lot of “is incest ok?” internalizing, Garrett and Stacy decide to stay married. Merriment ensues, and to round things out the gang gets back together to destroy the lives of many to come. Lesson learned? I guess?
The best part of the episode comes at the very end when writer Briggs Hatton appears on screen and happily takes credit for the incest episode. He explains that he’s done research, and even gives an example of wanting to take his cousin on a date where it would be accepted. He was given the green light to write the episode, but only if he introduced himself at the end. It’s pretty good, an entire piece running around a solid joke. But, it couldn’t save it overall. This coupled with last week’s paintball disappointment, is cause to declare that it’s probably time to call it with the season.
It’s a tough thing to do, switching networks. Community had it easy being the first major series to dominate Yahoo! Screen. Unfortunately it couldn’t even do that. The SNL clips they stream make for better television than what Community has been able to offer this season. While there’s still that lasting hope that something big may happen to close out the season (c’mon Troy and/or evil Frankie), maybe we should look at Community as the last stitch for a distraction when bored, instead of something to look forward to.
