Ep 20. Digital Estate Planning

As the title suggests, this episode of Community revolves around estate planning, but with a catch: the study group must complete a video game created by Pierce's late father Cornelius in order to inherit his fortune.

The group is understandably skeptical at first, but they quickly find themselves sucked into the game's immersive world. Each member chooses a character, including a cowboy, a princess, and a dragon-man, and they set off on a quest to collect various colored gems scattered throughout the game's levels. Along the way, they encounter a range of obstacles, including angry elves, lava pits, and, of course, boss battles.

The show's writers take full advantage of the video game format, incorporating classic platforming mechanics and even a Street Fighter-style fighting game sequence. At the same time, they never lose track of the characters' personalities and their dynamics with one another. Jeff, as usual, tries to take control of the situation, while Abed remains fixated on the game's meta aspects. Shirley is forced to confront her competitive streak, and Troy worries about being perceived as childish for enjoying the game too much.

The episode is also notable for its animation style. Rather than simply using clips from a pre-existing video game, the show's animators created a brand new retro-style game world specifically for this episode. The result is a charming homage to classic 8-bit and 16-bit games like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog.

However, the game isn't just a fun distraction for the group. As they progress, they begin to uncover more about Cornelius and his relationship with Pierce. It turns out that Cornelius was a difficult and abusive father, and Pierce carries a lot of trauma from his childhood as a result. The game's final boss battle, in particular, serves as a cathartic moment for Pierce, giving him a chance to confront his father's memory and come to terms with his past.

Overall, "Digital Estate Planning" is a standout episode of Community that highlights the show's blend of clever pop culture references, emotional character moments, and surreal humor. It's a tribute to both classic video games and the show's unique brand of storytelling, and a must-watch for fans of either.