Community/Recap/S2/E12 Asian Population Studies
It's a new semester of Anthropology, and I'm here to get what I'm promised.—El Tigre
The study group is back from winter break but there are several faces both old and new vying for their attention. Senor Chang wants into the study group, while Annie has a new infatuation whom she spent time with over the break. And Shirley's ex-husband is back in the picture.
To solve the dilemma the study group holds a mixer to meet potential additions.
The Community episode "Asian Population Studies" provides examples of:
- Aborted Arc: The "Jeff asking Rich for help" subplot isn't revisited for the rest of the season. Only time will tell if it will come back later on.
- AcCENT Upon the Wrong SylLABle:
Jeff: When he talks, he over- and underemphasizes words, seemingly at random.
- The Ace: Rich reprises this role from Pottery Class.
- Actor Allusion: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who plays Shirley's husband, was also Theo Huxtable and is wearing a very distinct sweater.
Jeff: Nice sweater.
Andre Bennett: My dad gave it to me.
- The Atoner: Andre at the end, reveals that this time, no matter what, he just wants to do it right.
- Bait and Switch:
Professor Duncan: Yes, you heard me right, I have stopped drinking. Mainly due to the fact that I could no longer get an erection. Now that I'm on the wagon, you can expect both this class and my penis to be... more focused and rewarding.
- Better the Devil You Know: This serves as the entire crux of Jeff's argument for letting Chang into the study group.
- Blatant Lies: When Shirley's ex-husband, Andre, shows up. Crosses into Suspiciously Specific Denial.
Troy: We haven't heard a lot about you or what you've done or with who.
- Call Back: This isn't the first time some of the people mentioned in the cold open have been mentioned. Special attention goes to Fat Neil.
- Did I Just Say That Out Loud?:
Troy: Why do I have to say everything I’m thinking?
- Did Not Do the Research: The flag from Ghana that Annie uses is actually the Zimbabwean flag. Not clear if this is an error by the crew or the character.
- The Ditz: Troy and Pierce have dueling ditzes over the subject of Shirley and Chang sleeping together.
- Easily Forgiven: Discussed in the episode. While Shirley forgives her ex-husband based off his apology, the rest of the group are not so inclined to do so, especially Britta. But after he commits to Shirley after finding out that her baby might be Chang's, the rest of the group and the audience can see why Shirley would've forgiven him.
- Enemy Mine: Jeff is willing to allow the unbearable Chang into the study group just to stop Rich from getting in.
- Going Cold Turkey: Prof. Duncan
- Gray Rain of Depression
- Incredibly Lame Pun:
Jeff: It's not even clever. You keep using it as the world change!
Abed: We should really start learning the names of people.
- I Take Offense to That Last One: Quendra leaves sputtering, "$50?! What a pig!", implying that she left because Pierce mistook her for a cheap whore and not just a whore.
- May-December Romance: Annie and Rich
Jeff: How old is he?
Annie: I don't know, thirty something? He has a land line and uses the word "album".
- Mistaken for Servant: Andre puts Pierce in his place for doing this.
- Nobody Poops: Averted
- Obfuscating Disability: Abed dials his weirdness Up to Eleven to get rid of Chang by pretending to be broken.
Abed: Works every time.
- Operation: Jealousy: Annie asking out Rich is strongly implied to be this.
- Power of Love: Discussed.
- Psmith Psyndrome:
Quendra: My name is Kendra, and I spell it with a Q-U.
Quendra: I spell kettle corn with a Q-U.
Jeff: Well, don't.
- Race For Your Love: Subverted. When Abed tells Jeff that Annie asked Rich out, but was turned down since Rich thought she was too young, Jeff runs out in the rain with music clearly invoking such a moment, then delivers a heartfelt apology to Rich and begs to be taught how to pretend to be a good person.
- Real Men Cook: Rich. His kettle corn is delicious and he bakes.
- Slow Clap: Horribly misused by Chang.
Jeff: You can't talk and then do a slow clap.
Chang: You don't know that!
- Through His Stomach: Rich inadvertently does this to Pierce with kettle corn.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Several people call Jeff out for getting Chang in the group. Pierce is just doing it for kettle corn. Annie may actually like Rich or may be trying to make Jeff jealous. Britta just wants Shirley to be happy.
- Who's Your Daddy?: Shirley is might be carrying Chang's baby, but it is uncertain exactly who the father is.