The First Chang Dynasty

"The First Chang Dynasty" is the 21st episode of the third season of the American comedy television series Community. It aired in the United States on NBC on May 17, 2012.

Plot

The study group gathers in the apartment of Troy (Donald Glover), Abed (Danny Pudi), and Annie (Alison Brie) and meet with Officer Cackowski (Craig Cackowski), who is charged with writing a police report regarding their attempt to subvert the Greendale administration in the previous episode. The group reports that Chang (Ken Jeong) has kidnapped the real Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) and replaced him with a "doppel-dean-er," or impostor (J. P. Manoux). Jeff (Joel McHale) knows it sounds implausible, but Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) explains that the real dean would never have expelled the study group because he loved them. Unfortunately, Officer Cackowski warns the former students they will be arrested if they're caught on Greendale's campus.

Chang is planning a huge birthday party for himself, to be hosted in his newly controlled territory of Greendale. Realizing they need someone on the inside if they are going to find the dean, Troy turns to Murray (Dan Bakkedahl) from the air-conditioning repair annex. Murray admits he knows the dean is being held below the cafeteria and continues to explain the security measures Chang has put in place. To pull off this job, Troy is going to need the help of the Murray's team, who will only agree to do so if Troy agrees to enroll in air conditioning repair school. Troy explains to the group the complexity of rescuing Dean Pelton. Jeff reminds the team they will go to jail if they get caught. Troy mentions that if he enrolls in air conditioner school with Murray and gives up his Greendale friends, the air conditioning students can get the dean out. Britta (Gillian Jacobs) believes it's not worth losing Troy and Jeff agrees, who instead plans a much more elaborate operation.

Chang is celebrating in a Napoleon costume at his party. Even though Chang warns his guards to look out for the study group, they still find a way to infiltrate the school. Shirley is disguised as a chef and sneaks Annie in. They clog up the toilets to gain Troy and Abed access with their plumber disguises. Jeff and Britta come undercover as rock 'n' roll magicians. Everything's going great until Pierce (Chevy Chase) enters in his favorite swami outfit instead of waiting in the car as the getaway driver. Chang immediately recognizes Pierce, seemingly ending the operation altogether. In reality, the team planned on the plan looking like it was failing. They trick Chang into chasing the fake dean while the gang is walking out with the real version. Chang wises up and stops the group from leaving with Dean Pelton before they can reach the main door. Pierce laughs at Chang saying he was only supposed to think this plan failed. However, the rest of the gang realizes getting caught a second time was not the plan.

The prisoners are led back to the cafeteria basement. Chang is going to use a large firework show at the end of his keytar solo to burn up the records room and cover-up all of his misdeeds. While the crew looks for a way out of the basement, Troy understands there is only one way out. He nods in view of the AC maintenance camera and the fan that was blocking an exit immediately stops. The gang cheers, thinking it's a miracle, although Britta realizes what Troy had to sacrifice to set them free.

Using a distraction, the study group are able to take out Chang's army of kids and get to the records room just in time to cut the fireworks wire before Chang finishes his keytar solo. Revealing to the board members at the party what Chang was really up to with the two deans, the board wonders how they can keep this whole scandal quiet. Dean Pelton claims he can keep it under wraps.

Troy packs up his belongings to move to the AC school. Britta tells him not to go, but realizes Troy has no choice. The group shares their parting words to Troy. He leaves with Murray to the school, where he is greeted by Vice Dean Laybourne (John Goodman).

Reception

Around 2.61 million Americans watched "The First Chang Dynasty".^[1]

References

External links

• "The First Chang Dynasty" at NBC.com
• "The First Chang Dynasty" at the Internet Movie Database
• "The First Chang Dynasty" at TV.com