'Community' Massages its Message

Some perfection is debatable. Thursday night's ‘Community' episode was not. Sure, Jeff's heart might not be made of gold, but the Greendale faculty needs the silver-tongued smartaleck if they ever are going to beat rival City College at the upcoming debate competition. However, Jeff would still rather wear his apathy for Greendale Community College upon his sleeve than don a letterman jacket.

So instead, Dean Pelton promises the ex-lawyer a juicy parking space if he agrees to participate. Once sold, a disinterested Jeff joins Annie as the two combine forces to argue that man has a natural disposition toward evil. In the opposing corner, City College's Jeremy Simmons (Aaron Himelstein) eats chumps like Jeff and "Adderall Annie" for breakfast with his argument that mankind's natural disposition more closely aligns with good.

Meanwhile, Abed gives the gang a stir after Troy reveals to everyone they are the inspiration behind Abed's latest projects. Obviously absent the day God handed out tact, Abed does not bother to alter his character's identities. Instead, he settles for the group's doppelgangers and thrusts them into "fictional" situations.

Yet, whatever anger about getting exploited quickly fades after the group reads the release dates for each Cool Abed Production film. It seems each project Abed created serves as a window into the future. Days before Jeff confessed to living from his car, Abed had an actor do it. Other strange coincidences included Pierce injuring his leg, Britta prompting Troy to burst into tears, and sexual tension sprouting between Jeff and Annie.

Frightened by Abed's vision about her and a werewolf, Shirley corners the "Middle Eastern Magic 8-Ball" and demands he tell her what secrets tomorrow holds. However, Abed denies playing Nostradamus, and says he is simply a student of human behavior. His films are not meant to be read like tea leaves, though he does appreciate all the attention.

Elsewhere, Jeff does the unthinkable and cracks an actual textbook after getting ravaged by Simmons in the debate's first round. Not about to be outdone, Jeff steps up his "A-Game" and gives Simmons his best tongue-lashing at their next, heated exchange. With all his counterpoints exhausted, Simmons decides to go for the "Hail Mary" and launches himself from his motorized wheelchair into Jeff's arms.

Since he is not a total jerk, Jeff catches Simmons, and nearly cedes the argument that about man's wickedness until a smooch from Annie causes him to drop the paraplegic.

Greendale wins, and so did this episode.