Necrotongue

I appreciate the absence of Jack Black in contrast to the previous episode, but overall, it didn't grab me as I hoped. The creators leaned heavy into relationship drama, while the humor was apparently supposed to be provided by Moby, but it kinda fell flat. Once again, the real fun came through with Troy and Abed's episode tag. / Lesson learned: You can't hide from Twitter

So, I had to knock the rating down a few notches. The thirteenth episode brought in Jack Black. And because I've had this weird, unwarranted dislike for him since day one, it ruined the whole vibe of the episode for me. But to be fair, it wasn't all on Jack Black; other than some cool MASH references, the episode didn't do much for me. / Lesson learned: A confused, hyperactive person can turn a good thing into a total mess.

This episode was close to getting a higher rating, but it needed some tweaking. It's a bummer the creators couldn't resist the unnecessary and nonsensical fight scene. If they stuck to exploring Christmas celebrations from seven different angles, it could've been genuinely interesting and entertaining. Unfortunately, they watered it down. / Lesson learned: If those pagan folks won't ditch their traditions, just incorporate them into your religion. Problem solved.

Honestly, some of the thought processes of the movie's creators just went over my head. What's interesting, though, is that I didn't zone out. I actually had a decent time with this oddity, but if someone asked me why, I couldn't tell you. It's a mystery even to me. I guess, besides the cast, the film's vibe resonated with me – it was consistently peculiar and, at times, downright bizarre. Either way, two questions surfaced, and nobody provided any answers. Here they are. Why would a single, 28-year-old, white heterosexual guy seek to adopt a Chinese girl? And what's the deal with that aggressive homeless guy? A guy like me could use some explanations. / Lesson learned: The woods are full of danger: foxes, wolves, bears, drunk gamekeepers, ticks, and sober gamekeepers.

Well, it's clear now; there's no pretending to be unbiased or attempting objectivity. The creators have reeled me in so perfectly that the only way they'd lose me is if they cast Idris Elba as a young James Caan and Rihanna as Diane Keaton. Lucky for me, that hasn't happened, so I've got nothing but praise for how seamlessly they've blended facts with fiction and crafted a tense and ominous atmosphere for one short scene. What more can I say? It's a great show. / Lesson learned: Don't let others see in your eyes what you wish for. They might make it happen, and you don't want that.

By the standard rating, this episode might be a solid three stars, but Abed's announcement on the intercom just nailed the whole thing so perfectly that I couldn't help but throw in that extra star. The eleventh episode wasn't exactly mind-blowing, but it kept me entertained pretty darn well. / Lesson learned: The higher your expectations or curiosity, the bigger the chance for disappointment.

The last episode was definitely better, but hey, the tenth one didn't crash and burn. For the first time, Seňor Chang didn't get on my nerves like crazy. I could've used a bigger dose of humor and a smaller dose of singing, but I was pleasantly surprised by how Pierce and his motivational coaching got to me this time. / Lesson: Always pick your chair wisely.

The last episode was a total flop – a snooze-fest with a plot that failed to grab my attention. Right after that disappointment, the ninth episode rolled in, and, aside from a few minor hiccups, I was all in. It's not rocket science – a comedy series should pack in the laughs. Anytime the creators deliver on that front, I'm on board, and in this case, the debate, hypnosis, and Abed's movies worked for me. / Lesson learned: Don't let others foretell your future, or you'll miss out on the thrill of the unexpected.

Another swift nosedive after I praised the last episode. The only real upside to this episode was that the plot wasn't downright terrible. But, that's pretty much it. Can't say I had a good time with it. The creators dabbled in a bunch of storylines, but none of them hit the humor level I was expecting, so it ended up being pretty dull. / Lesson learned: Assist the homeless only when you're mentally prepared for it.

I once decided to see this movie just because Tracey Ullman was in it, and honestly, it didn't click with me. The humor felt way too basic and in-your-face. Watching it again today, my opinion hasn't changed much. While I get that some folks dig vulgar humor, I'd prefer something a bit more sophisticated. But hey, I can't be the target audience for every film. Now, to not come off as overly uptight, I gotta admit, some lines did crack me up. Plus, the (surely unintentional) resemblance to various zombie movies got me, and the creators won some points by echoing my sentiments on what David Hasselhoff is good for in the cinema world. / Lesson learned: Steer clear of extremes.