If flaws had emotions and physical capabilities, would they be called human beings? The NBC t.v show, Community, certainly thinks so and I do too. This comedy explores this dynamic of faults with the characters and how it affects their lives and close friendships. Community demonstrates how being flawed is a universal experience for everyone and can be a good thing for them. This also demonstrates real life for people can relate to on a day-to-day basis by giving them episodes that could potentially put them into the characters’ shoes and have a good experience with the show.
As we go through life, we find out, whether quickly or slowly, that acceptance is a part of being flawed in the potential that we can change. In the episode, “Comparative Religion,” Shirley invites the gang to a Christmas party before they go on break. Upon learning that everyone has a different religion than her–Annie is Jewish, Abed is Muslim, Troy is a Jehovah’s Witness, Britta is an atheist, Jeff is agnostic, and Pierce is a born-again Buddhist–she quickly judges them for it, and intentionally disrespects their religion by ignoring their traditions. Toward the end of the episode, after they have a full-blown battle, they all spend their make-shift party listening to Shirley sing Silent Night with the accompaniment of Pierce’s piano skills on the keyboard together. Shirley comes to accept the other's religions and subconsciously changes for the better. This episode reveals that we as people can come to accept others and also accept ourselves and our flaws.
Though we may accept our flaws, it still may be nerve-wracking to show them in front of others we consider friends. During the episode, “Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps,” the gang gets ready to celebrate Halloween. Britta, a psychology major, anonymously gives them personality tests for her assignment. After grading the results, she misinterprets on the tests that someone in the group is a psychopath. After speaking to Jeff about it, they both decide to have the group take turns in telling a ghost story, with Jeff being calm about it and Britta taking it seriously. When the group realizes that Britta is testing them, they start to fight until Annie realizes that Britta did not grade the tests correctly. Once they retake the tests, the group can’t figure out who it is, and they all unanimously decide that they are psychopaths. The correct results show that Abed is the sane one. By deciding that they are all crazy, they decide that being different is not going to come between them, and more than likely, they are all comfortable with knowing they might be flawed together. This helps the viewers to have the courage and better understanding in that there are others who are just as flawed as they are.
Going through stages of life where you may be in situations where you are in the wrong can give you an idea of why and how you were wrong. For instance, in the episode, “Geography of Global Conflict,” Annie enters her group to be in a world peace competition, only to be tied with another team she is very hellbent on beating. When an unknown person passes gas, the group reacts harshly, making Annie feel like she is losing control. Since the group couldn’t stop making comments about it, Annie has a full-blown meltdown. While freaking out on the table in front of a bunch of people watching, Jeff makes the comment, “Annie, you are acting like a little schoolgirl and not the hot kind.” Annie stops abruptly, shocked at the words that came out of Jeff’s mouth, and storms off in embarrassment. Jeff realizes, a second later, what he just said and gets embarrassed. Once Jeff finds Annie, he apologizes for what he said, while Annie apologizes for how she acted. They both come to understand how they were wrong, and eventually come up with a solution to win the competition, mainly using an intergalactic peace solution. This episode shows that people can come to an understanding of their wrongs and in return, correct their mistakes, and change.
When enduring many situations like the main characters in Community, goes to show how you can come to terms with your flaws, through situations, how you can share your flaws with others who get you or are on the same page as you. Those flaws eventually come to your side by making you realize how you may be wrong and why you can be wrong, with feeling no shame about being wrong and correcting them. This has also helped me to discover that flaws are not an issue to handle alone. When I first watched the show, I wasn’t expecting myself to rewatch it many times after enjoyment. Throughout rewatching the episodes, I find myself thinking about the memorable moments with the characters and realizing that they had some good lessons to learn from. I knew I may not yet necessarily be able to put my experiences to some of the topics that I’ve talked about in this essay, but I do see people relating to the characters, including myself.
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