Modern Warfare

One of the greatest episodes of any sitcom in American television history.

When I first started watching Community, I wasn't sure wheter or not I wanted to continue. I liked the humor, the characters and settings were interesting and I could see that it wasn't your typical sit com but I still thought that the show hadn't found its voice yet. I know that this is the case for lot of brilliant series, especially comedies where you have to get used to the humor (it was the same with the first season of The Office and I ended up loving it), so I kept watching. The second half of the season started to get better until this episode. THIS is where Community becomes Community (and by it I mean amazing) and finds its true identity, this is the game changer. If you are not 100% sure on wheter or not to keep watching then this episode will make up your mind.

Modern Warfare contains the classical meta-humor and it's a wonderfully realized parody of post apocalyctic and action movies. It starts with a normal cold open where it's announced that Greendale will have a paintball fight with some huge prize that is still unknow. As Jeff wakes up from a nap, he founds the school empty and wrecked a la 28 Days Later and then there are some interesting (and fun) twists and turns. I'm not giving this episode a 10 just because I know there will be some more good stuff coming up.

This is the first episode of Community that will later define and characterize typical Community-episodes.

The first few minutes start as usual. But then after Jeff wakes up, he wakes up in a post-war scenery....

This episode is depicted as a kind of parody, but also kind of an homage to action movies. It is not that much exaggerated as parodies are most times. Parody episodes are just about making fun of the clichés....but in this episode of Community it fits all in. The whole story of the Season arc is developing, you get the know the cast better, more important: you get to know the atmosphere and state- of-mind at the Community college better, and all these nice developing scenes are surrounded with brilliant action scenes. The plot is very well and it looks like they made right choices everywhere (Chang as the psycho Headhunter, the slow-mo scenes).

And then sometimes, you briefly leave the action scenery for a quick moment of reality "in a TV series" and find yourself sucked in from the happenings only to realize "oh it's only blood..no paint!" :D

One of the best early episodes, outstanding from the other episodes so far...in a different way. Community has more of these nice half-parody, half-homage episodes and all of them are good.

10/10

Modern Warfare is the start of what might be Community's finest tradition - the paintball parody. Taking elements from The Walking Dead, Battle Royale (the movie), The Matrix and every 80s action movie ever Justin Lin gives us a hilarious, creative and ridiculously over-the-top episode that also manages to work in some character growth. Absolutely love it.

As I'm making my way through what is a insanely flawless TV series I stumble across a gem---a half parody with homage all rolled into 30 minutes. This episode is the grand slam of the season where you say finally, "Dan Harmon and the creative minds behind this series are truly gifted!!" Now I know what the list of the most creative things about this series and why paintball is so special! Since I'm just watching community for the first time ever, it took me around 5-6 episodes to get it and I wondered why the most unique-special-stand out episode was right towards the end, and after processing it I came to the conclusion that this season was paced perfectly. It grew and grew as you went along. Something began to happen where you started noticing all these high concept episodes and pop culture vibe about this show making it one of the best comedies I've ever seen!! I thought I had seen the last of all the great comedies since The office and arrested development. Sure, Brooklyn 99 is consistently great and you can count on having a good time watching the good place. Theres been funny series since I've binged the office a couple of years ago but nothing that filled the void and parks and rec couldnt do it BUT community does! It's a stand out comedy as one of the best and this episode is one of the best episodes I've ever seen executed in a series!!!

If you're having doubts about this show having just begun watching it, hang in there it turns into a complete monster and will you have you laughing like crazy and in awe at the creative juices! Joel McHale is essential to this and it's awesome to see Donald Glover before he created his own series. You will mark this episode "Modern Warfare" as the one episode to go with the mount Rushmores of best high concept episode of all time!