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{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}

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{{Infobox television episode

| series = [[Community (TV series)|Community]]

| Title = Advanced Introduction to Finality

| season = 4

| Series = [[Community (TV series)|Community]]

| Seasonepisode = 413

| airdate = {{Start date|2013|5|9}}

| Episode = 13

| production = 411

| Airdate = {{Start date|2013|5|9}}

| writer = [[Megan Ganz]]

| Production = 411

| Writerdirector = [[MeganTristram GanzShapeero]]

| guests = * [[Joe Lo Truglio]] as Mark

| Director = [[Tristram Shapeero]]

* [[J. P. Manoux]] as Dopple-deaner

| Episode list = [[List of Community episodes]]

* [[Erik Charles Nielsen]] as Garrett

| Prev = [[Heroic Origins]]

* [[Richard Erdman]] as Leonard

* [[Charley Koontz]] as Fat Neil

* Danielle Kaplowitz as Vicki

* David Neher as Todd

* [[Luke Youngblood]] as Magnitude

* Marcy McCusker as Quendra

| prev = [[Heroic Origins]]

| next = [[Repilot]]

| season_article = Community season 4

| episode_list = List of Community episodes

}}

"'''"Advanced Introduction to Finality"'''" is the thirteenth episode13th and thefinal season finaleepisode of the [[Community (season 4)|fourth season]] and 84th overall episode of the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[Community (TV series)|Community]]''. It originally aired on May 9, 2013.

In this episode, Jeff Winger ([[Joel McHale]]) is set to graduate and expects things to go quietly. But when the darkest timeline breaks through, the evil counterparts try and make things messy.

The episode received mixed reviews and was watched by 3.08 million viewers, attaining an 18-49 rating of 1.3<ref name=4x13ratings/> and rising in ratings from the [[Heroic Origins|previous episode]].<ref name=4x12ratings/>

== Synopsis ==

==Plot==

Jeff's old partner, Mark, offers Jeff a partnership, claiming Jeff is still a great lawyer. Jeff says he’ll consider it.

Jeff's ([[Joel McHale]]) old partner Mark ([[Joe Lo Truglio]]) offers him a position at his law firm, arguing Jeff is still a great lawyer. Jeff agrees to consider it.

At Greendale, Jeff applies for graduation in Dean Pelton's ([[Jim Rash]]) office with little fanfare, but he eventually agrees to have a proper ceremony. Later, he confesses to Britta ([[Gillian Jacobs]]) he is worried about how leaving Greendale will affect the group, particularly Abed ([[Danny Pudi]]). He decides to roll a die and watch Abed's reaction, given Abed's fear of other timelines.{{efn|As seen in "[[Remedial Chaos Theory]]."}} However, the die lands on its edge and no number comes up.

In the study room the group reveals to Jeff the party they planned. Jeff applies for graduation, which causes him to agree to a small party. Later, Jeff meets with Britta and reveals he is conflicted about leaving Greendale including what it may do to Abed.

Evil Jeff appears at Greendale, seeking to alienate Jeff from the study group and push him toward Mark's offer. Evil Jeff insults Annie ([[Alison Brie]]); Annie later encounters Jeff and runs away upset, to Jeff's confusion. Abed meets Evil Jeff and recognizes him as a doppelgänger. Abed is shot with a specialized [[Paintball marker|paintball gun]] and is sent to the "Darkest Timeline". There, Abed finds Evil Abed, who has become good again and provides his counterpart with supplies to defeat the doppelgängers.

Back at Greendale, Jeff rolls a die to pick who brings soda to the party to bring out Abed’s delusions of timelines. The die doesn’t land on a number which Abed insists means nothing. After the die roll, Evil Jeff appears at Greendale. In order to push Jeff toward taking the new job, Evil Jeff sets out to alienate Jeff from the study group. He insults Annie. Annie later encounters Jeff and runs away upset.

Jeff goes to apologize to Annie but unknowingly meets Evil Annie, who takes the opportunity to steal his phone. Evil Jeff insults the rest of the group. Jeff arrives at his ceremony to find no one there. Evil Annie arrives with Jeff's phone and urges him to call Mark. When Jeff tries to leave, Evil Jeff arrives to stop him, but Chang ([[Ken Jeong]]) protects Jeff.

Abed walks into Evil Jeff and recognizes him as a doppelganger. Abed is shot with a paintball gun and sent to the dean’s office in the darkest timeline. Abed then goes to “his” apartment and meets his counterpart who is no longer evil. Evil Abed gives his counterpart supplies to defeat the doppelgangers.

Jeff escapes and explains what has happened to the group. Abed proves Jeff's story by returning with the special paintball guns. The rest of the Evil Study Group arrives in the prime timeline to take on their counterparts but are slowly eliminated. With only Evil Jeff remaining, Abed reveals these events are occurring in Jeff's mind due to his anxieties about graduation. Abed reassures Jeff he has become a better person at Greendale. Jeff shoots Evil Jeff and reverts to the moment before he threw the die. He decides against tossing it.

Jeff goes to apologize to Annie, but unknowingly meets Evil Annie, who accepts and steals his phone. Evil Jeff goes on to insult the rest of the group. Jeff arrives at his ceremony and is surprised to find no one there. Evil Annie arrives with Jeff's phone and says that he has a message from Mark and that he should return the call. When he decides to go after his friends instead, Evil Jeff shows up to shoot him, but Chang takes the paintball.

Jeff's graduation ceremony takes place, and he gives a heartfelt speech to the group. Pierce ([[Chevy Chase]]) interrupts the ceremony so he can graduate first. Afterwards, Jeff announces he will decline Mark's offer and search for work at a small firm, allowing him to "help the little guy" and stay close to the group.

Jeff arrives at Troy and Abed's to explain what happened. Nobody believes him until Abed shows up and shoots a “warp paintball gun.” The Evil Study Group arrives in the prime timeline and discus their plans until the prime study group shows up. The prime group each eliminates their doppelgangers.

==Production==

With only Evil Jeff left, Abed explains to Jeff these events are in his mind because he was anxious about his future. Abed tells Jeff he is not the same guy as four years ago, but a better one who has the group as his family. Jeff then defeats Evil Jeff sending him back to the darkest timeline. The episode then reverts to the moment that Jeff decided to throw the die. He decides against tossing it.

The season finale aired as the thirteenth episode, but was the eleventh episode produced.<ref name="meganganztweet_nov16">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/meganganz/status/268092136153546752|title=Day one of shooting the finale.|work=[[Twitter]]|last=Ganz|first=Megan|date=November 12, 2012|access-date=May 8, 2013}}</ref> In a [[Reddit]] [[Reddit#IAmA and AMA|AMA]], [[Megan Ganz]] explained that, because it was written in “a pinch”, she wishes that she could have gone back and redone the season finale. She wrote, "I wrote it too long (like... 6 minutes too long) and we had to cut a ton out of it in the edit bay. […] Finales are generally terrible, and I am expecting that people will say this one is trying to [sic] hard, because it is."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ganz|first1=Megan|title=This is probably a bad thing to say...|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/community/comments/181irk/we_are_the_writing_staff_of_nbcs_community_ama/c8arzxp|publisher=[[Reddit]]|access-date=June 13, 2016|date=2013}}</ref>

This is the second "Introduction to Finality" episode of the series, following [[Community season 3|season three]]'s finale, "[[Introduction to Finality]]."

Jeff’s graduation ceremony then takes place with the group (sans Pierce). Jeff gives a heartfelt speech about his time at Greendale. Pierce breaks into the ceremony so he can graduate first. At a dinner in the study room, Jeff announces he will search for work at a small firm and not take Mark’s offer so he can stay close to the group.

During Jeff's graduation ceremony, "SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE" is seen written on the chalkboard as the first words of several sentences. The show's production code of #411 is seen in the upper-right corner.

In the tag, "Evil Troy and Abed In The Morning" check on Timeline 5 where Britta and Troy have a baby named [[Chewbacca]] (an "African" name meaning "He who hunts bounties").

In "[[Remedial Chaos Theory]]," Evil Abed made a pact with Evil Troy to go to the real timeline and destroy it.

== Cultural references ==

==Continuity==

The clothing worn by the Evil Study Group resembles costumes from the [[The Matrix (franchise)|''Matrix'' series]], and the final shootout in which Jeff stops the bullet shot by evil Jeff references a similar scene in ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref name="avclub">{{cite web |last=VanDerWerff |first=Emily |date=May 9, 2013 |title="Advanced Introduction to Finality" S4 / E13 |url=https://www.avclub.com/community-advanced-introduction-to-finality-1798176768 |access-date=May 9, 2013 |work=The A.V. Club}}</ref>

The scene in which Evil Jeff first appears in the Dean's office references the scene in the film ''[[The Terminator]]'' when the titular character is introduced.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

* Jeff talks to his former work colleague about not trying cases other than "yams and sandwiches." This is a reference to both "Basic Lupine Urology" ([[Community_(season_3)#Episodes|Season 3, Episode 17]]) where Jeff is in a mock trial over who destroyed the study group's yam experiment, and [[Introduction to Finality]] where Jeff spoke for Shirley against Pierce in an another mock trial ran by Dean Pelton over who own's Shirley's sandwich shop.

* The study group's evil doppelgangers cross over and return from the Darkest Timeline. The timeline plot point was introduced in [[Remedial Chaos Theory]] after the roll of a die to decide who would collect the delivered pizza.

* In the "darkest timeline" Chang still runs the school with the "Doppledeaner" still posing as Dean Pelton as seen in [[The First Chang Dynasty]].

* When revealing to Jeff that the events of this episode after his die roll have taken place in his imagination, Abed asks him not to use logic because "we finally found a way to make paintball cool again." Paintball was previously featured in the episodes [[Modern Warfare (Community)|Modern Warfare]], [[A Fistful of Paintballs]] and [[For a Few Paintballs More]].

* Greendale is listed in the closing scene right after Jeff's graduation as being "Est. 1974" which conflicts with episode 11 of the season, "[[Basic Human Anatomy]]", where it is revealed that Leonard had been at Greendale since 1968.

==Cultural references==

* Jeff and Mark refer to each other as Tango and Cash, respectively.

* Evil Jeff teleports across timelines in a style similar to that used in ''[[The Terminator]]''<ref name="twitchfilm">{{cite web|url=http://twitchfilm.com/2013/05/review-community-s4e13-advanced-introduction-to-finality-or-to-greendale-or-not-to-greendale.html|title=Review: COMMUNITY S4E13, ADVANCED INTRODUCTION TO FINALITY (Or, Is It?)|work=[[Twitch Film]]|last=Umstead|first=Ben|date=May 9, 2012|accessdate=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

* Jeff stops a paintball bullet in mid-air like Neo does in ''[[The Matrix]]''<ref name="hitfix" />

* Evil Abed tells Abed that ''[[The Cape (2011 TV series)|The Cape]]'' has been running for at least three seasons. In reality, it was cancelled after its first.

* When Troy shoots evil Troy, the latter has enough time to say "almost.. ballin'" before he disappears. This is then followed by Troy saying "baller". In his music, [[Donald Glover|Childish Gambino]] (Donald Glover, Troy's actor) constantly refers to being "baller".

==Production==

The season finale aired as the thirteenth episode, but was the eleventh episode produced.<ref name="meganganztweet_nov16">{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/meganganz/status/268092136153546752|title=Day one of shooting the finale.|work=[[Twitter]]|last=Ganz|first=Megan|date=November 12, 2012|accessdate=May 8, 2013}}</ref>

This is the second "Introduction to Finality" episode of the series, following [[Community (season 3)|season three]]'s finale, "[[Introduction to Finality]]".

During Jeff's graduation ceremony, "SIX SEASONS AND A MOVIE" is seen written on the chalkboard as the first words of several sentences. The show's production code of #411 is seen in the upper right corner.

==Reception==

===Ratings===

In its original broadcast, the episode was viewed by 3.08 million American viewers, and received an 18-49 rating/share of 1.3/5.<ref name=4x13ratings>{{cite web|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'American Idol', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Wipeout', & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/10/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-american-idol-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-wipeout-glee-adjusted-down/181920/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607023334/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/10/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-american-idol-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-wipeout-glee-adjusted-down/181920/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2013|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=May 10, 2013|date=May 10, 2013}}</ref> It displays a significant rise in viewers and ratings from the previous episode "[[Heroic Origins]]."<ref name=4x12ratings>{{cite web|last=Bibel|first=Sara|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol', 'The Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Glee','Parks and Recreation' & 'Hannibal' Adjusted Up|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/03/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-the-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-greys-anatomy-gleeparks-and-recreation-hannibal-adjusted-up/180875/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506031620/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/03/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-the-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-greys-anatomy-gleeparks-and-recreation-hannibal-adjusted-up/180875/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2013|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=May 4, 2013|date=May 3, 2013}}</ref> The finale also tied in 18-49 ratings with the [[Community season 3|third season]] finale "[[Introduction to Finality]]," but beat it in viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/18/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-greys-anatomy-30-rock-adjusted-up-touch-scandal-adjusted-down/134984/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522001613/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/18/thursday-final-ratings-american-idol-greys-anatomy-30-rock-adjusted-up-touch-scandal-adjusted-down/134984/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 22, 2012|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol', 'Grey's Anatomy', '30 Rock' Adjusted Up; 'Touch', 'Scandal' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=May 18, 2012|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=May 18, 2012}}</ref> The show placed third in its timeslot and ninth for the night.<ref name=4x13ratings/>

===Critical reception===

In its original broadcast the episode was viewed by 3.08 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'American Idol', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Wipeout', & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/05/10/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-american-idol-vampire-diaries-two-and-a-half-men-wipeout-glee-adjusted-down/181920/|work=TV by the Numbers|accessdate=May 10, 2013|date=May 10, 2013}}</ref>

The episode received mixed reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of [[IGN]] rated the episode "good" at 7.6, saying, "as far as being a fun, nostalgia-packed episode, that may be the very last one, it mostly worked."<ref name="ign">{{cite web|last=Goldman|first=Eric|title=Community Review: Not Without My Study Group|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/10/community-advanced-introduction-to-finality-review?abthid=518c49f0778c162029000037| work=IGN|date=May 9, 2013|access-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref> Emily VanDerWerff of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' was far more negative, rating the episode a D, described the episode as "repetitive and that ''Community'' was, "no longer a show that's capable of much beyond repeating elements it thinks the audience will like over and over again." She named the episode the worst of the season.<ref name="avclub" />

EricGabrielle GoldmanMoss of IGNTV ratedFanatic thewas episode a "good" at 7.6positive, saying, "asthis farepisode aswas beingan aexcellent fun,tribute nostalgia-packed episode, that may beto the veryslow-burn lastcharacter one,development itof mostlyJeff workedWinger."<ref name="igntvfanatic">{{cite web|last=GoldmanMoss|first=EricGabrielle|title=Community Review: Not Without My Study Group|url=http://www.igntvfanatic.com/articles/2013/05/10/community-advancedreview-introductionnot-towithout-finalitymy-review?abthid=518c49f0778c162029000037study-group/| work=IGNTV Fanatic|date=May 9, 2013|accessdateaccess-date=May 109, 2013}}</ref> GabrielleAlan MossSepinwall of TV Fanatic[[HitFix]] was positive,less sayingfavorable, "thishe episodecalled wasthe anplot excellentof tributethe toepisode thea slow-burnmess, characterbut developmentnoted ofthat Jeffthe Wingerending was sweet."<ref name="tvfanatichitfix">{{cite web|last=MossSepinwall|first=GabrielleAlan|title=Season finale review: 'Community' - Review'Advanced Introduction to Finality': NotThe Withoutfolly Myof Study Groupevil|url=http://www.tvfanatichitfix.com/2013whats-alan-watching/05/communityseason-finale-review-notcommunity-withoutadvanced-myintroduction-studyto-group/finality-the-folly-of-evil| work=TV FanaticHitFix|date=May 9, 2013|accessdateaccess-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

Alan Sepinwall of [[HitFix]] was less favourable, stating, "The actual non-dream graduation ceremony was sweet, but nearly everything leading up to it was a mess."<ref name="hitfix">{{cite web|last=Sepinwall|first=Alan|title=Season finale review: 'Community' - 'Advanced Introduction to Finality': The folly of evil|url=http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/season-finale-review-community-advanced-introduction-to-finality-the-folly-of-evil| work=HitFix|date=May 9, 2013|accessdate=May 9, 2013}}</ref> Todd VanDerWerff of [[The A.V. Club]] was negative and rated the episode a D, saying it was, "no longer a show that's capable of much beyond repeating elements it thinks the audience will like over and over again."<ref name="avclub">{{cite web|last=VanDerWerff|first=Todd|title="Advanced Introduction to Finality" S4 / E13|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/advanced-introduction-to-finality,97134/| work=The A.V. Club|date=May 9, 2013|accessdate=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

== Notes ==

<references group="lower-alpha" />

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{reflist}}

==External links==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130602101131/http://www.nbc.com/community/episode-guide/season-4/705397/advanced-introduction-to-finality/episode-413/744382/ "Advanced Introduction to Finality"] at [[NBC]].com

* {{IMDb episode|2855096}}

* [http://www.nbc.com/community/episode-guide/season-4/705397/advanced-introduction-to-finality/episode-413/744382/ "Advanced Introduction to Finality"] at [[NBC]].com

* {{imdb episode|2855096}}

* {{tv.com episode|community/advanced-introduction-to-finality-2819830}}

* [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/CommunityS4E13AdvancedIntroductionToFinality "Advanced Introduction to Finality"] at [[TV Tropes]]

{{Community (TV series)}}

[[Category:Community2013 (TVAmerican series)television episodes]]

[[Category:2013Community televisionseason 4 episodes]]

[[Category:Television episodes written by Megan Ganz]]

[[Category:Television episodes about paintball]]