Cellar Door

I liked 'em both very much. Especially the first time they're all back together in the study room--so many little jokes in there I need to watch it again to catch them all.

JasonF

Jonathan Banks was awesome. The only thing missing was a scene where he advises Jeff against half measures. Maybe that's coming in a future episode.

And then I spent way too long trying to remember where I had seen the Nicholas Cage teacher before. Did I mention I've been watching Fringe on Netflix and I just watched a bunch of episodes with Sam Weiss over the last 48 hours?

spainlinx0

I was unsure of the first episode, but the second episode won me over. Abed channeling Cage was brilliant.

Cellar Door

He's been on Community before, also, playing the same character as he did in this episode. I think he first showed up in the episode on conspiracy theories.

fumanstan

I didn't care much for the first episode at all, but the second was pretty good.

Draven

Yep, first episode sucked and was way too on the nose. We get it, Dan Harmon is back, enough with the winks at the audience. I didn't laugh once and that's worse than most of Season 4 that always had a chuckle or two.

EDIT: I forgot the Zach Braff voiceover. That was clever.

The second was MUCH better so I have hope. Lots of laughs there. But man, that first one was rough.

CrashNBurn69

Cracked me up. Now knowing that he's doing the same thing makes it even better lol

Michael Corvin

First episode was rough around the edges. The second episode was great.

RichC2

I thought both were fine, especially considering how dull I found the actual pilot

Lord Zarak

Troy's Scrubs outrage and Abed's Cage nervous breakdown were the highlights for me. The hologram cameo was really surprising to me, and welcome in that he was the voice of clarity for Jeff. John Oliver is returning as well? I'd be glad to see him back.

I was a little confused by the time frame that ellapsed since season four. Supposedly everyone graduated and failed in their own carreers, and that's why they returned for find new majors. But what about the other students? Wouldn't Leonard and Magnitude have graduated... yet they're still there?

dex14

I read it was supposed to be 3 years have passed since the last finale.

majorjoe23

Maybe Leonard and Magnitude weren't enrolled as full time students in previous seasons. They do have a life outside this school, you know.

stingermck

Truth. I work at a community college and you see a lot of students just taking 1-2 classes a semester.

I thought both episodes were great.

Goat3001

I enjoyed both episodes but I agree the second was better. I didn't find the Nic Cage stuff to be all that great but the highlight of the episode was Abed's impression of him.

If we're going to talk about the plot hole for Magnitude and Leonard still being there then we should probably also bring up how there is a time lapse of 3 years but it seems that the group, who are supposed to be best friends, have barely spoken to each other in a long time.

rocket1312

I thought both episodes were ok, but nothing special. I laughed a few times, but the best jokes were already spoiled in the trailers. That said, I recognize that the major purpose of these two were to establish the context for this season and were basically all set up. Even though I didn't think they were great, the important thing is that they "felt" like the real Community. In my opinion season 4 had a facade that kind of looked like the show of old, but underneath was kind of hollow. These felt like the genuine article even if there have been much better episodes of the show. I'll miss Pierce (when used right he was a great character), and I'm scared to think about what the show will look like sans Troy, but I'm feeling pretty good about this season so far.

On a side note, I was probably one of the last guys who enjoyed Chang around here, but the last season and a half were brutal for the character. I think the reboot of his character is one of the best things about the new season. I thought he was used perfectly in these two episodes and I hope that continues. Personally, I loved the scenes in the teacher's lounge and hope we get to see more of the faculty side of Greendale this year.

dex14

DRG

Not the best numbers, but still better than what Sean Saves the World and Michael J Fox got last night, which I imagine are more expensive. Also better than Parks & Rec's premiere, I believe.

dex14

Because page 2 is lacking:

spoiler for size

dex14

rocket1312

I was really happy with Chevy's cameo. It took me completely by surprise and it really harkened back to Pierce circa season 1 before he became the villain. I thought it also provided some semblance of a proper send-off for his character. Honestly, reading what Harmon has said about him in the last couple of weeks makes me a little sad that things didn't work out better between him, Harmon, Sony, and whoever.

Supermallet

The Pierce cameo was the only good thing about the first episode. Abed and Troy overhearing Mike's phone calls were the only good thing about the second episode. Whoever said, "Hey, wouldn't it be funny to see Abed do a shitty, obvious impression of Nic Cage?" should be fired.

Deftones

Michael Corvin

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of the impression either, however it still made me laugh in a 'this is too stupid for words' kind of way.

Deftones

damn, i shouldn't have read the thread before i saw the episodes. spoiled the cameo.

CrashNBurn69

That third picture looks odd. Like her vagina is missing.