Ep 8. Documentary Filmmaking: Redux

In Community season 3 episode 8, entitled "Documentary Filmmaking: Redux," the Greendale study group becomes the subject of a documentary directed by Abed. When the school's head dean, Dean Pelton, believes that the school's reputation is in danger due to recent events, he asks Abed to make a documentary to show the positive aspects of Greendale.

Abed takes on the task, but the students quickly realize that things are not going as planned. The crew that Abed hires is overly professional and very demanding, turning the whole process into a big production. The students find themselves in a situation that they do not know how to handle, and the pressure starts to mount. The documentary becomes too much for the group, and the cracks start to show. Meanwhile, Chang tries to impress the dean by becoming the star of the documentary.

Throughout the episode, the cameras follow the students around, capturing every movement and conversation. We get to see their personalities up close, including their flaws and frustrations. The documentary also gives us a glimpse into each character's background and shows how they ended up at Greendale.

One of the standout moments of the episode is when the crew films a scene that involves the group sitting together on a couch. When one of the students gets up and leaves, the documentary asks another student to take their place. This person happens to be played by a famous comedian, making for a hilarious and unexpected cameo moment.

As the documentary goes on, the students realize that they are not in control of the narrative, as the director and camera crew have their own vision. This causes tension within the group, as they feel that their voices are not being heard. But when they confront the crew, they are reminded that they are simply there to capture the truth, not to manipulate it.

In the end, the documentary turns out to be a success, and the school's reputation is saved. The students come away with a newfound understanding of each other and a greater appreciation for the art of documentary filmmaking.

Overall, "Documentary Filmmaking: Redux" is a funny and insightful episode that showcases the strengths of the Community series. The use of the documentary format allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships, and the episode does a great job of balancing humor with heart.