"Environmental Science" is the tenth episode of the first season of the American comedy television series ''
Community''. It aired in the United States on
NBC on November 19, 2009.
Plot
Dean Pelton (
Jim Rash) announces that Greendale will have its annual
environmentalism initiative "Green Week", culminating with a performance by
Green Day
Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, together with bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt. For most of the band's career, they have been a powe ...
.
After a small infraction by Annie (
Alison Brie), Spanish teacher Ben Chang (
Ken Jeong) requires that the students write twenty-page essays due the following Monday. The study group finds the assignment untimely: Shirley (
Yvette Nicole Brown) has a marketing presentation due, and Abed (
Danny Pudi) and Troy (
Donald Glover
Donald McKinley Glover Jr. (; born September 25, 1983), also known by his stage name Childish Gambino (), is an American entertainer, writer, director, and producer. After working in Derrick Comedy while studying at New York University, Glove ...
) are conducting a biology lab experiment. The group asks Jeff (
Joel McHale
Joel Edward McHale (born November 20, 1971) is an American actor, comedian, and television host. He is best known for hosting ''The Soup'' (2004–2015) and his role as Jeff Winger on the NBC sitcom ''Community'' (2009–2015). He has performed i ...
) to intervene with Chang to cancel the assignment.
Pierce (
Chevy Chase) offers to help Shirley overcome her public speaking anxiety. She feels that his advice is strange and useless, such as using hand gestures and sexual innuendo to catch attention.
Abed and Troy are trying to train a rat named Fievel to respond to their duet of "
Somewhere Out There", but during a test, the rat escapes. Troy, who is afraid of rats, is unable to help catch the rat, which enters the air ventilation system.
Jeff learns that Chang is bitter over his wife (Andrea de Oliveira) throwing him out. Jeff takes pity on Chang and tries to help him move on, spending the night drinking with him in exchange for not having to do the essay. The next day, the rest of the study group is infuriated to learn that Jeff appears to have already completed the assignment while Chang increases the importance of the essay on their course grade. The group catches Jeff talking to Chang about getting a good grade in exchange for spending more time with him, and insist he fix the problem. Instead, he spends the next night with Chang, ridiculing the homework of other students. Chang breaks down into tears, concerned for his ex-wife; Jeff realizes he still loves her.
The promised concert arrives, but Dean Pelton finds that the band is actually "Greene Daeye", an Irish
folk music ensemble. As the band plays, Chang spots his wife in the crowd. Troy joins Abed as they sing "Somewhere Out There" to recover Fievel, causing Troy to overcome his fear of rats; Chang and his wife steal the spotlight dancing at the concert, and Shirley realizes the value of Pierce's advice and gives a successful presentation. After dancing, Chang announces that the essay assignment is cancelled.
Reception
Around 4.86 million Americans watched "Environmental Science" when it premiered.
Emily VanDerWerff of ''
The A.V. Club'' rated the episode A−, praising the show's continued development but worrying that some viewers might find Chang's character too broad and irritating.
References
External links
"Environmental Science"at
NBC
*
{{Community (TV series)
Community (season 1) episodes
2009 American television episodes