Christma-Tele-Kwanz-Ukah-Vision Day 11: Community 2x11

Happy Christma-tele-kwanz-ukah-vision everybody!  This is my celebration of the holiday season through television- one holiday-themed episode a day all the way until Christmas (and for the most part the episodes will be Christmas based.  I've yet to see a kwanza television episode, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open).  Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through the medium of television- make yourself a cup of hot coco, snuggle up in a blanket and immerse yourself in the season.

(11)

The study group- animated!

Community “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” 2x11

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas-themed television episodes.  The whole thing is stop-motion animation (an ode to the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials, one of which is mentioned in the episode), as the whole study group is transformed into Winter Wonderland characters like Baller-Annie, Britta-Bot and Troy Soldier.  Abed starts to see the world through this whole new medium, after a sad Christmas event leaves him stunned, and determined to find the meaning of Christmas.  The study group takes a journey through Winter Wonderland on a group therapy session, as Duncan tries to figure out the cause of Abed’s troubles and write a book on it.  Although the rest of the group sees the world in a totally different way, they are willing to stand by their friend and help him defeat the evil Christmas Warlock.  Thank goodness for remote controlled, self-destructible pterodactyls!  The revamped theme song is fantastic, as is Troy and Abed’s moment in the tag where they explore the fun elements of the stop-motion medium.  And after the (still stop-motion) gang watches Rudolph together, there's a wonderful moment reflected on the TV screen.  Overall, a fantastic Christmas episode that nicely juxtaposes the joys and troubles that can both be found in the season.


*Showing on NBC Thurs, Dec 15, 8pm - check local listings.