I recently finished a rewatch of Community on Netflix, and figured I’d try something new. I’ll rank every episode, but in tiers. (Ranking each one 1-110 would take too long, and I’ve already done a top 10 list.)
Some rules: Really, nothing after Season 3 can truly be considered “Classic,” except for one Season 5 episode (which was recently the subject of a stellar virtual table read). Even though I like some of these later episodes (and put them in my top 10), those are personal favorites, and they really can’t compare with those first three seasons. Overall, most of the show is strong. The only bad episodes belong to Season 4, and even the weakest episodes from other seasons have some good or interesting things in them.
So here are my rankings. Disagree away!
CLASSIC TIER
Season 1
“Comparative Religion”
“Contemporary American Poultry”
“Modern Warfare”
Season 2
“Accounting for Lawyers”
“Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples”
“Epidemiology”
“Cooperative Calligraphy”
“Conspiracy Theories and Interior Design”
“Mixology Certification”
“Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas”
“Advanced Dungeons & Dragons”
“Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking”
“Paradigms of Human Memory”
“A Fistful of Paintballs”
“For a Few Paintballs More”
Season 3
“Remedial Chaos Theory”
“Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps”
“Documentary Filmmaking: Redux”
“Regional Holiday Music”
“Digital Exploration of Interior Design”
“Pillows and Blankets”
“Basic Lupine Urology”
Season 4
N/A
Season 5
“Cooperative Polygraphy”
Season 6
N/A
EXCELLENT TIER
Season 1
“Introduction to Statistics”
“Investigative Journalism”
“Physical Education”
“The Art of Discourse”
“English as a Second Language”
Season 2
“Anthropology 101”
“The Psychology of Letting Go”
“Aerodynamics of Gender”
“Early 21st Century Romanticism”
“Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy”
“Critical Film Studies”
Season 3
“Origins of Vampire Mythology”
“Curriculum Unavailable”
“The First Chang Dynasty”
“Introduction to Finality”
Season 4
“Paranormal Parentage”
“Advanced Documentary Filmmaking”
“Herstory of Dance”
“Basic Human Anatomy”
“Heroic Origins”
Season 5
“Basic Intergluteal Numismatics”
“VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing”
“Bondage and Beta Male Sexuality”
“Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons”
“Basic Story”
Season 6
“Basic Crisis Room Decorum”
“Queer Studies and Advanced Waxing”
“Basic Email Security”
“Grifting 101”
“Modern Espionage”
“Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television”
GOOD TIER
Season 1
“Spanish 101”
“Introduction to Film”
“Social Psychology”
“Football, Feminism and You”
“Home Economics”
“The Politics of Human Sexuality”
“Romantic Expressionism”
“Communication Studies”
“The Science of Illusion”
“Pascal’s Triangle Revisited”
Season 2
“Intro to Political Science”
“Applied Anthropology and Culinary Arts”
Season 3
“Biology 101”
“Competitive Ecology”
“Advanced Gay”
“Studies in Modern Movement”
“Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts”
“Digital Estate Planning”
Season 4
“History 101”
“Alternative History of the German Invasion”
Season 5
“Introduction to Teaching”
“Geothermal Escapism”
“G.I. Jeff”
“Basic Sandwich”
Season 6
“Ladders”
“Lawnmower Maintenance and Postnatal Care”
“Wedding Videography”
DECENT TIER
Season 1
Pilot episode
“Environmental Science”
“Interpretive Dance”
“Basic Genealogy”
“Beginner Pottery”
“Advanced Criminal Law”
Season 2
“Asian Population Studies”
“Celebrity Pharmacology”
Season 3
“Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism”
“Virtual Systems Analysis”
“Course Listing Unavailable”
Season 4
“Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations”
“Economics of Marine Biology”
“Intro to Knots”
Season 5
N/A
Season 6
“Laws of Robotics and Party Rights”
“Advanced Safety Features”
“Basic RV Repair and Palmistry”
WEAK TIER
Season 1
N/A
Season 2
“Basic Rocket Science”
“Competitive Wine Tasting”
Season 3
“Geography of Global Conflict”
“Contemporary Impressionists”
Season 4
“Intro to Felt Surrogacy”
Season 5
“Repilot”
“App Development and Condiments”
Season 6
“Intro to Recycled Cinema”
BAD TIER
Season 4
“Conventions of Space and Time”
DISASTER TIER
Season 4
“Advanced Introduction to Finality”