Community Review: Ep 17, Custody Law And Eastern European Diplomacy
by Faith-Ashleigh Wong
This week we see Chang back in the study group fold and of course where Chang is involved a big helping of crazy is expected. There are no genre-bending parodies or pop culture references this time round; instead the episode revisits and advances already previously established plotlines and character stories.
We are reminded of Shirley's dilemma with not knowing who her baby's father is and it is this that sets in motion a sequence of events that eventually results in an accidental kidnapping which consequently leads to a forced incarceration. Is there anything Community won't do?!
Annie organizes a "race neutral" baby shower which backfires badly when the opposite effect happens and all she can do is point it out. The group treat Pierce's tendency to spout of inappropriate and often racist remarks like an addiction and as an alternative to quitting cold turkey have put him on a bargaining system where he is only allowed to say certain offensive things.
Strangely enough Chang seems uncharacteristically eager to be involved in the baby's life on some level, even if it's just as the "creepy uncle". It seems Shirley has different plans though – she wants Chang to waiver his hypothetical parental status so she can raise the baby with her ex-husband. Jeff gets roped into the baby drama at this point seeing as him and Chang are (still) flatmates. While initially resistant, the sight of Chang amusedly spinning in circles in a corner convinces him that Chang is no father figure.
One of my favourite scenes in this episode is the scene between Jeff and Chang when Jeff brings home the legal papers for him to sign. I loved how at first sight of the documents Chang assumes that he is going to be adopted by Jeff – it speaks a lot of how the two view their current living arrangement. It's not a flatmate or friend relationship but oddly an almost father-son type relationship or I would even go as far as to say a man-and-his-dog type bond!
Wanting to spare his furniture from Chang's strange saw-wielding tendencies, the lawyer in Jeff soon works out that he can capitalize on the situation for his own personal gain. He convinces Chang that if he wants to be a part of Shirley's baby's life, he needs to get his life together. Chang takes it a step too far and becomes the ultimate father stereotype – complete with smoking pipe and "dad" sweater.
Chang really is honestly such a fun character and a great addition to the Community cast. He brings so much added (and sometimes needed) comic relief and it's great that now we are delving a little more into his character and what makes him tick. In this episode, we find out what makes him accidentally kidnap the wrong kids – not that kidnapping the right kids would have been acceptable, of course!
Meanwhile Abed and Troy find a new gaming partner but this budding friendship comes under threat when Britta sets her eyes on him and likes what she sees. According to past conquests this means it will not end well. This B-plot provides some great comedic moments between our favourite dynamic duo and a surprising chemistry between the two of them and Britta. Especially when it turns out Lukka's love for war games is more than just confined within the virtual world.