[rating=6.00] “Queer Studies and Advanced Waxing”
After an incredibly disappointing third installment, Community was back on track this week with “Queer Studies and Advanced Waxing”. With an almost intrusive look into the Dean’s sexuality, and a few sub stories centered on acceptance and hard work, Community has again slid into the groove that’s at once familiar and very strange.
Annie and Chang are rehearsing lines for Chang’s upcoming audition for a theatrical production of The Karate Kid. Chang is having a hard time remembering his lines, and Annie is doing her best to help him out. As the rest of the gang filters in they begin reaming Frankie because of the lack of Wifi. She explains that the “Wifi lady” she has on staff won’t respond to her requests, instead returning emails in Aramaic. As the Dean enters the blame is then laid on him. “Wifi!” is chanted over and over until he declares that he’s dying. This of course turns out to be a joke, and the Dean hires Elroy to be the new IT person (with Abed as an unpaid friend for support). All pretty standard for the beginning of a Community episode. So far we’ve set up two story lines: the IT problem, and Chang’s audition.
Chang’s shenanigans are often portrayed off screen, but the fact that Annie is a part of it demonstrates the likelihood that we’ll get a solid story line from him. The Dean goes back to his office to do “dean things” where he’s cornered by the most disliked men from the School Board. They have a proposition for him: He can live out his dream of being a part of the board as long as he comes out as an openly gay dean. In one of my favorite Dean moments he protests, explaining that simply coming out as “gay” doesn’t even begin to describe him. Dean’s reluctance to pigeonhole himself into one category is truer to life than most media cares to portray. Yes, Dean has an everlasting love for Jeff, but that doesn’t mean he can’t identify with separate sub groups. In his haste to acquire one of his personal goals the Dean agrees, though very reluctantly, as the board members sing “Gay Dean” to the tune of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”.
Meanwhile, Annie and Chang have made it to the theater for Chang’s audition. Jason Mantzoukas (El Cuñado, Eagle Wing, Denis Feinstein) guest stars as the director of the play, and as Chang begins his audition for “Daniel Son” in an attempt to break cultural norms the director stops him. He calls Annie onstage and asks them to switch roles, Chang now reading for Mr. Miyagi and Annie as The Karate Kid. They later return back to Greendale, cemented roles in hand. Chang believes it’s racism, but Annie shushes him, insisting he was chosen based on his talent. Just as she believes she was.
In the second running story line, Abed and Elroy have found the problem with the Wifi. A bird has nested there, and the two of them decide to wait it out citing the classic “it will take a little time to fix” IT person excuse for long running repairs as to why it’s still not working. Jeff and Frankie question the Dean’s motives in coming out as “The Gay Dean”. The pride parade was cancelled in favor of a board member parade, and the Dean’s appointment to the board with the title of Gay Dean is fishy. Frankie explains to her employer that sexuality is private, that’s why she doesn’t flaunt hers, and why he shouldn’t have to flaunt his. During her impassioned speech the Dean and Jeff have a silent aside now questioning Frankie’s sexuality. The Dean stands his ground, and a speech is made to the press about the new member of the board. The Dean makes a statement with his hired partner Domingo who he seems to hate. Reporters press him about being hired for being gay, and ask what he thinks about the cancellation of the pride parade. He’s cut off by the other board members, and grows weary of the title.
Just as Domingo is getting on his last nerve, the Dean is approached by a student who thanks him for coming out in his position. A montage soon follows posting the Dean’s face all over different publications. Things like “Gay Dean Comes Out!” and “Called it!” are splashed across local news headlines as the song “Gay Dean” plays again detailing his coming out as a changing of the times.
Chang and Annie are working hard on the play, but Annie doesn’t appreciate the way the director is treating Chang. During rehearsal she stands up for him and threatens to walk out, only to be told that she is not the star of the play as she had thought. Rather, she simply fits the costume that the Director used for Daniel last year. A devastated Annie is then fired for being a diva, and the Director proclaims Chang to be some of his best work.
Abed and Elroy are working to keep the bird nest safe, and at first are praised for their efforts. As the Dean’s role becomes more substantial he is pressured to get the Wifi turned back on, and in turn pressures Elroy and Abed to move the nest. They do so begrudgingly, as they know the birds don’t have much of a chance without their mother. Two of the babies die, and Abed holds onto the hope of the last one living citing its survival as an allegory for his innocence.
Part of what makes these sub lines perfect for this kind of episode is how all inclusive they are. While they focus on individual characters, they could easily be interchanged from role to role. The fact that realistically anyone could be put into these positions creates a bridge from viewer to the series creating an emotional bond that many shows are lacking. It’s idealized, sure, but not totally impractical.
The Dean eventually comes clean. He doesn’t identify as gay, but rather, as a politician. He was afraid the world wasn’t ready for such an admission. He’s fired from the school board, and left with little more than his previous job as Dean. Back in the conference room the gang questions their own “politicalness” citing that it’s ok to be political, in fact everyone has political thoughts now and then. The Dean apologizes to Abed for hurting the baby birds, and there’s a slight resolution.
That evening, Chang has his moment on stage. He shines brightly as the perfect actor, portraying Mr. Miyagi in a way that makes the audience bawl. Chang is happy, Annie still feels slighted, but overall it worked out the way it was meant to. Back at the college Abed pulls everyone together to release the remaining baby bird. It’s a silly ceremony involving finger wings and cat masks, but it’s touching nonetheless. As the episode ends we see the bird fly off, pausing to nest in yet another internet router.
The episode overall is important in it’s message and delivery. Pulling the “I identify as a politician” move on the Dean is hilarious. There is no right way to be a human being, and the fact that Community writers used being a politician (in a time when politicians are growing increasingly hateful) as an emblem for “being different” speaks volumes of their ability to lace satire into the series. It’s refreshing to be able to laugh at the world’s problems as something completely ridiculous rather than being reminded every day that everything is shit. Television is meant to be an escape from reality, and Community is walking the line between fabrication and real world truths like a skilled circus performer.
