When Community tosses out realistic timelines, at least it commits fully. Pierce (Chevy Chase) forms a fort complete with saloon during the initial war. While there is no conceivable way the physical or power structure of such a place could have been created in the scant hours available, the set is a masterpiece of creativity, and every detail shows a level of care the design team puts in, from the piano, to the bar, to the poor dancing people. The same can be said for Annie's hide out at the beginning, with her Bunsen burner bean cooker and her tin can warning system.
The second part also illustrates the hard work the creative team puts into Community during the library and hallway battle scenes. More than once, a character encounters a row of soldiers who look just enough not like Stormtroopers to avoid a lawsuit from George Lucas, and it evokes a scene from that famous sci-fi trilogy. More than the cast, though they are excellent, too, deserve credit for this series.
Abed (Danny Pudi) further commits, wooing Annie as Han Solo, only to drop the character completely when they are "killed" in the game. While it is usual to see Abed jump feet first into any scenario where he can relive a movie or TV show, it is thrilling to see the other characters willing to do so as well this time, donning gear and personalties to match.
Besides the amazing look of the two parter, there is a lot going on story-wise, too. Pierce's exclusion from the group has been a slow burn all season long. While the old man is unpleasant in season one, in season two he becomes even more rude and obnoxious, and it drives his friends away one by one until only Annie sticks by him, and only because she's supremely loyal to the group. Having Pierce admit he has been pushing and testing them is a nice payoff, acknowledging what everyone suspects is going on.
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