Mixology Certification
- Episode aired Dec 2, 2010
- TV-PG
- 21m
The study group takes Troy out to a bar to celebrate his 21st birthday. While there, Annie assumes a new identity, Abed is propositioned by a man, one of Shirley's secrets is discovered, and... Read allThe study group takes Troy out to a bar to celebrate his 21st birthday. While there, Annie assumes a new identity, Abed is propositioned by a man, one of Shirley's secrets is discovered, and Britta and Jeff fight over the "cool" bars.The study group takes Troy out to a bar to celebrate his 21st birthday. While there, Annie assumes a new identity, Abed is propositioned by a man, one of Shirley's secrets is discovered, and Britta and Jeff fight over the "cool" bars.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the opening scene Pierce says, "We only sang the last two words. What happened to the "happy birthday" part?". At the time this episode was made Warner/Chappell Music claimed copyright to the happy birthday song and collected royalties every time the song was used in a movie or TV show, taking in about $2,000,000 a year. Writers and directors got creative in implying "Happy Birthday To You" without actually using it. In 2016 the song was declared public domain.
- GoofsWhen driving home from the bar, right after Jeff says "You're a man now", there's a shot focused on Troy, where Britta and Abed can be seen sleeping in the back. In the next shot, Jeff, Britta and Abed are all awake and looking at Troy.
- Quotes
Pierce Hawthorne, Shirley Bennett, Abed Nadir, Britta Perry, Jeff Winger, Annie Edison: [cold opening] ... to you!
Pierce Hawthorne: That was weird. How come we only sang the last two words? What happened to the "happy birthday" part?
Shirley Bennett: Well, you know Troy's a Jehovah's Witness. He doesn't celebrate birthdays.
Abed Nadir: Annie and I did our best to keep the language on the cake compliant.
Troy Barnes: [reading the cake] "Hello during a random dessert, the month and day of which coincide numerically from your expulsion from a uterus."
[inhales, weepy voice cracks]
Troy Barnes: You guys. I never cry, but...
Britta Perry: All right. Happy expulsion, Troy. But after cake, we cram for realsies. Guys, finals are coming up.
Jeff Winger: Yeah. This group is starting to use special occasions to avoid studying.
- ConnectionsFeatures Asteroids (1979)
- SoundtracksGreendale is Where I Belong
Performed by Ludwig Göransson
In comparison to most previous season two episodes, "Mixology Certification" is unexpectedly quiet and deliberate in its structure and story; as it ponders on heady and lofty ideas such as maturation and addiction. It's a refreshing change-up, providing some much-needed contrast that hearkens back to some of the wonderful character-centric episodes from the more restrained but still stellar first season. All the while, creator Dan Harmon and his merry cast and crew still push the characters and overall narrative forward in new and unexpected ways. And while it might not be one of the season's best, it's still a very charming and well-accomplished installment in the "Community" saga.
It's Troy's (Donald Glover) birthday, and the study-group is shocked to learn that despite an initial misunderstanding, he's actually turning 21. As in the legal drinking age in the US. As Jeff (Joel McHale) and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) bicker over which bar to take Troy to for his first legal drink, Troy faces his future as a grown man, Annie (Alison Brie) has something of a "quarter-life crisis" after realizing that her habitual planning and over-achieving is leading her nowhere... and Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) worries, as she is well-known in the local bar circuit due to a few troubled years where she struggled with a drinking problem.
"Mixology Certification" is one of Troy's finest episodes to date in the series, and it really goes to show how invaluable an asset to the series Donald Glover really was. He takes center stage with ease, and gives a thoughtful and well-executed performance that shows us a new side of the character. Bravo, Mr. Glover! Bravo! I also really admired what the episode did for the characters of Annie and Shirley, who get some great moments to shine, in addition to a fair share of good jokes. While the series does on the whole lean on Jeff and Britta quite a bit more than the other characters, it's nice seeing them pushed to the side for an episode. Oh, and Danny Pudi fans fear not. He might not be heavily featured, but Abed does have a quirky little subplot involving delightful guest-star Paul F. Tompkins that provides plenty of giggles and chuckles throughout.
"Community" is one of the best sitcoms in recent memory thanks in no small part to how well it juggles abstract, conceptual comedy and earnest, honest handling of character. And "Mixology Certification" is definitely a prime example of this done very well. While I am going to knock off a single point simply for the fact that the episode does start to feel a little formulaic in its second half, I'd still whole-heartedly recommend it to all fans, new and old alike. And it easily earns a fantastic 9 out of 10 from me.
- TedStixonAKAMaximumMadness
- Apr 2, 2018
Details
- Runtime21 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD