Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (Community)
"Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" is the fourteenth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series Community, and the 39th episode of the series overall. It aired in the United States on NBC on February 3, 2011.[1] The plot of the episode concerns a game of Dungeons & Dragons involving the study group and a fellow Greendale Community College student nicknamed "Fat Neil" (Charley Koontz).
| "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" | |
|---|---|
| Community episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 14 |
| Directed by | Joe Russo |
| Written by | Andrew Guest |
| Production code | 214 |
| Original air date | February 3, 2011 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
Plot
Neil (Charley Koontz) is depressed after perpetually being mocked and called "Fat Neil". Jeff (Joel McHale) takes notice and organizes a game of Dungeons & Dragons, which Neil enjoys. The rest of the study group is invited except for Pierce (Chevy Chase), as the others do not want him to offend Neil. Abed (Danny Pudi), serving as dungeon master, explains that the goal is to defeat the dragon Draconis. He provides pre-made characters for the study group while Neil plays as his own character, Duquesne. The group, being inexperienced, struggles initially, but Duquesne easily defeats several goblins with his sword, impressing the others.
Pierce arrives and is furious he was not invited. He demands to join, so Abed introduces a character named "Pierce Hawthorne". While the rest of the group seeks to ignore "Pierce", Neil, as Duquesne provides Pierce's character a cloak. Pierce responds by stealing Duquesne's sword and running away. Jeff takes Pierce outside to explain the situation, but he refuses to listen. Since they are now working against each other, Abed takes Pierce to a supply closet to play separated from the group. From there, Pierce obtains a copy of the module the group is playing and learns the hiding place of an amulet that can control Draconis.
The group, now intent on chasing "Pierce" despite Neil's reluctance, has their adventurers travel to a nearby town to acquire a flock of pegasi. Abed returns with Pierce. When the adventurers fly over a forest clearing, they spot a dead body clutching Duquesne's sword, but they realize the body is not that of "Pierce" and Jeff gives back Duquesne's sword to Neil. "Pierce" arrives atop Draconis and uses Draconis's powers to freeze time. Pierce has his character transform Duquesne into an overweight person, just like Neil. When Jeff protests, Pierce reveals that Jeff coined the name "Fat Neil" in the first place. The group admonishes Jeff while Pierce savors his triumph.
Despite being frozen, Neil uses his turn to show pity for Pierce. The rest of the group follows suit. Pierce, furious at the inactivity, unfreezes time. This gives Neil an action, which he uses to destroy "Pierce's" amulet with Duquesne's sword. Without the controlling amulet, Draconis eats "Pierce" and thanks the adventurers for freeing him by giving them his hoard of treasure. As the rest of the group celebrates and departs, a happier Neil tells Pierce that he enjoyed the game and hopes they can play again.
Production
The theme music was arranged for orchestra, and the usual intro sequence, with the credits showing up as flaps on a cootie catcher, was changed to depict the main cast as fantasy creatures.
Reception
Around 4.37 million Americans watched "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons".[2]
Emily VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club rated the episode A, stating that despite some cheap jokes and reduction of certain characters to stock types that the episode was "endlessly inventive" and used the show's ensemble well.[3] James Poniewozik of Time also enjoyed the episode, saying that "Community has become a strong enough and well-enough defined show that the best and funniest things its characters can do is simply talk to one another", and approving of the fact that the episode involved very little "visual pyrotechnics". Like VanDerWerff, though, he criticized the flat depiction of Pierce as a pure villain.[4]
Removal
On June 26, 2020, Netflix and Hulu removed the episode from their platforms due to scenes with Chang playing a dark elf by wearing makeup resembling blackface. A statement from Sony Pictures Television said that the studio supported the decision to remove the episode.[5][6] The episode's removal came in the wake of two other shows, Scrubs and 30 Rock, pulling episodes featuring characters in blackface.[5][7] Series creator Dan Harmon did not comment on the episode's removal.[7]
References
- "Community Episode Guide - Advanced Dungeons & Dragons". NBC. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- Gorman, Bill (February 4, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Mentalist' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice,' 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Down". TV by the Number. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- VanDerWerff, Emily (February 3, 2011). "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- Poniewozik, James (February 4, 2011). "Community Watch: Character Alignment". Time. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- Maas, Jennifer (June 26, 2020). "Netflix Pulls 'Community' Episode 'Advanced Dungeons & Dragons' Due to Blackface Scenes (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Thorne, Will (June 26, 2020). "'The Office' Blackface Scene Edited Out, Netflix Pulls 'Community' Blackface Episode". Variety. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Ivie, Devon (June 27, 2020). "Community Episode Removed From Streaming Over Chang's Dungeons & Dragons Blackface". Vulture. Retrieved June 27, 2020.