It's common knowledge that the Harmon-less season of Community, that of which is season 4, did significant harm (pardon the pun) to the reputation of a once meticulously written, intelligently amusing sitcom. That being said, there are some episodes that do provoke a sense of Harmon-esque nostalgia for hardcore fans of the show; this is mostly due to the documentary-style cinematography and production of this episode which Harmon has near-perfected in documentary-style episodes, prior to season 4. Despite the fact that this Harmon-less instalment of a documentary episode isn't a sharp and intelligent as previous ones, there is enough humour to get through it. The focus of Chang, more specifically 'Changnesia' as the central plot of the episode does indeed push the envelope. Even though Community has been able to make high-quality television episodes from silly plot lines, they had the evidently crucial ingredient of Dan Harmon to inject the right amount of plausibility and wittiness that core audiences can appreciate. 'Advanced Documentary Filmmaking' does make an attempt to do what the only the original show runner could and its result is less than flattering, but still humorous in some aspects.
5 Reviews
We need to talk about Kevin
safenoe19 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Directed by Indian-American Jay Chandrasekhar, this episode focuses on Ben Chang (aka Kevin). I have a lot of respect for season 4 despite accusations of "reverse engineering" on Harmon's vision and all that, although I think the Changnesia plotline wore out its welcome after awhile.
Best of season so far
pppppppppppppppsomanyppppppeees20 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The first decent episode of the season. It's not great, but it at least gets some laughs, which is more than any episodes prior. The trout dude scared the trout were out to get him was f-funny, as was Chang repeating Jeff and shirley's convo and then forgetting "side-effect". That's Chang's scene of the season. Even if you don't like "Kevin" (which is crazy) it still plays out like a classic episode, with everyone acting like themselves for a Chang.
Ugh. He's back, everybody.
kxprailer19 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I purposefully left out the whole "Chang-nesia" parts in my last few reviews for this season. Because I wanted to have a whole review dedicated to taking about the character. This may get a little long. But this needs to be said.
At first, Ken Jeong's character in this show was mildly entertaining. Sure I still found him annoying as hell, but I could deal with him in small doses. He definitely still had that slight evil about him. But it was before the writers made the choice to make him... like the primary villain.
Throughout S2&3 Chang was expanded more and more. Wanting to become part of the study group, becoming a security guard, living in the freaking air vents, and having an army of children? Ugh. It was like Ken Jeong just wanted to take over the entire show with his presence. I'm sure there's some people who loved the whole "Chang" arc, but I have NEVER liked it. I think, rather than S4, it's the expansion of Chang that killed this show.
Chang is essentially Leslie Chou from The Hangover trilogy. Also played by Ken Jeong. A generic antagonist at first but is then turned into the main focus of the story. I hated it in The Hangover and I hate it here. It's like Jeong has been typecasted to play characters with ulterior motives. I also hate how the story went in such a way that gave Chang everything he asked for.
And NOW. We've reached THIS. "Chang-nesia". At this point I'm like whatever, but unfortunately I know that this "is he Kevin or Chang?" debate takes up most of the rest of S4. Even though, it's revealed at the end of THIS episode that he's still Chang. Like, great. What a shocking twist we totally didn't see coming. It's just lazy. A lazy attempt at tension.
The only logical person in this episode is Jeff. Jeff acts the way most of the viewers are. Not believing this "Changnesia" crap and wanting the show to get over it already.
A whole episode dedicated to this annoying, obnoxious character is definitely not one you're going to enjoy.
At first, Ken Jeong's character in this show was mildly entertaining. Sure I still found him annoying as hell, but I could deal with him in small doses. He definitely still had that slight evil about him. But it was before the writers made the choice to make him... like the primary villain.
Throughout S2&3 Chang was expanded more and more. Wanting to become part of the study group, becoming a security guard, living in the freaking air vents, and having an army of children? Ugh. It was like Ken Jeong just wanted to take over the entire show with his presence. I'm sure there's some people who loved the whole "Chang" arc, but I have NEVER liked it. I think, rather than S4, it's the expansion of Chang that killed this show.
Chang is essentially Leslie Chou from The Hangover trilogy. Also played by Ken Jeong. A generic antagonist at first but is then turned into the main focus of the story. I hated it in The Hangover and I hate it here. It's like Jeong has been typecasted to play characters with ulterior motives. I also hate how the story went in such a way that gave Chang everything he asked for.
And NOW. We've reached THIS. "Chang-nesia". At this point I'm like whatever, but unfortunately I know that this "is he Kevin or Chang?" debate takes up most of the rest of S4. Even though, it's revealed at the end of THIS episode that he's still Chang. Like, great. What a shocking twist we totally didn't see coming. It's just lazy. A lazy attempt at tension.
The only logical person in this episode is Jeff. Jeff acts the way most of the viewers are. Not believing this "Changnesia" crap and wanting the show to get over it already.
A whole episode dedicated to this annoying, obnoxious character is definitely not one you're going to enjoy.
Community Advanced Documentary Filmmaking
dalydj-918-25517515 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Another documentary for the show this time being about Kevin's struggle with a new disease to the show called Changnesha. I have always hated the character of Chang and with an episode focused solely on him I find it hard to watch and many of the writing about this transition seems to strange to make sense of as all the character believe in everything said. The documentary shots are done well with the quick scene with Annie and Troy as investigators was nice because those two characters really never do anything with each other. Now that everyone on the show believes Kevin I'm starting to believe it is not a trick but if for some reason the show changes it's mind and it turns out to be a trick I really hate the show did not expose this bad storyline much earlier and that now even Jeff can be seen as gullible as he falls for this stunt being pulled maybe by Chang.
EPISODE GRADE: C (MVP: Joel McHale)
EPISODE GRADE: C (MVP: Joel McHale)
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