'Community' Season 3, Episode 14 Recap - 'Pillows and Blankets'
by Andy NeuenschwanderIt was only a matter of time before "Community" gave us our first big genre homage of the season, and this epic pillow fight was the perfect venue. So what was the angle? "Braveheart" send-up? Maybe "Gangs of New York?"
Nope, this is "Community," and it can't be that obvious. Instead, Dan Harmon et al went the Ken Burns route, turning the conflict into a war documentary. And you know what? It worked.
As per usual, the camera crew must be explained when documentary style is invoked on this show. Since Abed is in the conflict, the documentary is shot instead by people from the Guinness Book of World Records, who are there to document the building of the record-breaking fort.
What they get instead is a stand-off between Troy and Abed that leads to full-on pillow battles throughout the school in areas like the North cafeteria, which is actually named for Admiral William North, and not its location on the campus. Giggles.
As the battle rages between Blanketsburg and New Fluffytown (later changed to Pillowtown for conceptual symmetry), tensions rise between Troy and Abed until they are straight up hurting each other's feelings. There's even time in this documentary for some Jeff and Annie stuff, as Jeff goads both sides on in order to skip class, but eventually goes and finds Troy and Abed's magical friendship hats in a pretty serious "awwww" moment.
Other great moments include the constant mocking of Britta's war photography (does this show know how to use her character or what?) and the reveal of Pierce's ultimate weapon, which is a suit made out of pillows that looks a bit like the Bridgestone tire mascot.
But the best thing about the whole episode was that actor Keith David, who has narrated a number of Ken Burns documentaries in the past, did the narration for this video. That's cool enough as it is, but add in the fact that Mr. David was indeed in "The Cape," and you have yourself some layers to that joke.
Notes & Quotes:
- "Do people go to classes?" Clearly not.
- Leonard: "Veteran, Korean War (North Korean Army)
- "Piece of sushi, birthday cake, stop sign, snowman, umbrella."
- "Leonard likes this post."
- Dan Harmon's face as English Memorial, another pretty hilarious building name gag
- Easter egg, just in time for Easter! The song that Neil plays over the PA is "Daybreak," which Troy hummed to himself in the episode where Annie breaks the Dark Knight DVD. Callback!