Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples

"Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Community, and the 30th episode of the series overall. It aired in the United States on NBC on October 21, 2010.[1] The episode's plot surrounds a religious film created by Greendale Community College student Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi).

"Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples"
Community episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 5
Directed byTristram Shapeero
Written byAndrew Guest
Production code205
Original air dateOctober 21, 2010 (2010-10-21)
Guest appearance(s)

Plot

The episode begins with Ian Duncan incompetently pretending to teach anthropology by showing viral videos from YouTube. The students suggest other videos to watch, until Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) brings the class down by asking what videos can be found by searching for "God". When this leads to a video called "God of Farts" being shown, she asks Abed to make a viral video promoting a Christian message, but he's not interested. Meanwhile, Pierce (Chevy Chase) grows tired of being mocked by his younger friends, and starts hanging out with a bunch of elderly scofflaws called the "Hipsters", named for the fact that they've all had hip replacements.

Abed finds Shirley in the library, and tells her he's read the entire New Testament at her earlier suggestion. Abed finds himself drawn to the story, but he wants to approach it in a new way and envisions a "Jesus movie for the post-post-modern world". Unfortunately for Shirley, Abed's idea is an impenetrable story about a filmmaker exploring Jesus, a story that involves the filmmaker realizing that he is in some way Jesus. Shirley is not impressed, and she disassociates herself from the project.

The Hipsters are betting on poker while drinking liquor; Leonard advises Pierce to pretend that they're playing bingo if they're caught. Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) walks in and Pierce convinces him to leave them in peace by pretending to be befuddled due to age with another group member explaining that "poker helps [Pierce] remember". Pierce's ruse earns him the respect of his peers, presenting a contrast to how the study group views him. Shirley continues in her mission, convincing Troy and reluctant atheist Britta to help with her Jesus rap video. They are interrupted by Abed, who has convinced the student body that they are part of something important. Out on the lawn the students are all gathered around Abed as he continues filming his epic.

Shirley overhears other Greendale students discussing the film and follows them when they head to the cafeteria where Abed is answering questions about the film. When Shirley protests, the other students accuse her of being a Pharisee, and she runs off.

Troy alerts the rest of the study group to Pierce's late-night shenanigans with the Hipsters. Pierce and Leonard are drinking out of paper bags when Dean Pelton emerges from his Prius with Shirley -- leaving his keys behind. Pierce is talked into a drunken joyride in the dean's car with the other Hipsters. The Hipsters crash at extremely low speed into a light pole due to one of their members' sudden genuine confusion. Pierce stays with his fellow, as the other Hipsters run off. In the cafeteria, the dean explains that Shirley has filed an official complaint on the grounds of separation of church and state but is convinced by Abed that his film is not about Jesus as it's called ABED.

Abed realizes in post-production that his film is a "self-indulgent, adolescent mess" which will ensure that he never has a real career. He prays to God to save him from himself which Shirley overhears. She destroys the equipment with a baseball bat, ensuring that Abed's film will never be seen.

Jeff, after being called by the administration, reluctantly comes to collect Pierce when he learns that Leonard only acts this way because his kids abandoned him. In anthropology class again, Abed convinces the professor to show the film Shirley had imagined, which he had unbeknownst to her completed - a video of Troy rapping about Jesus.

Cultural references

Director and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is mentioned more than once in the episode.[2][3] The dialogue between Abed and Shirley about film within a film resembles Kaufman's film Synecdoche, New York.

Reception

Around 4.46 million Americans watched "Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples".[4]

Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club rated the episode A, citing the fact that the show's structure creates believable opportunities for people with different beliefs to interact and engage with one another. She also focuses approvingly on the fact that Shirley and Pierce, unlikely comedic heroes, are given the reins in this particular episode.[5]

gollark: I said "without", and I don't have that mod.
gollark: As someone without automated ender pearls, very crazily.
gollark: Because enderium's crazily expensive.
gollark: Terrible idea #1267: a reactor which uses only active enderium cooling.
gollark: What you can do, at least, is add quartz coolers and enderium coolers and stuff in the gaps.

References
  1. "Community Episode Guide - Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples". NBC. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  2. "Charlie Kaufman and Dan Harmon Take Logical Step of Working on Kickstarter-Funded Project Together". Technology Tell. July 12, 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  3. "Dan Harmon and Charlie Kaufman Making the Best (and Most Self-Referential) Movie Ever". Hollywood.com. July 12, 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  4. "Thursday Finals: Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang, CSI, Vampire Diaries Adjusted Up; Private Practice Down; Plus NLCS Game 5 Ratings". October 22, 2010.
  5. VanDerWerff, Emily (October 21, 2010). "Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples".
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