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Line 1: {{Use mdy dates\|date=January 2025}} ~~<!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the issue is settled -->~~ ~~{{Article for deletion/dated\|page=Advanced Introduction to Finality\|timestamp=20130508180746\|year=2013\|month=May\|day=8\|substed=yes\|help=off}}~~ {{Use American English\|date=December 2023}} ~~<!-- For administrator use only: {{Old AfD multi\|page=Advanced Introduction to Finality\|date=8 May 2013\|result='''keep'''}} -->~~ ~~<!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point -->~~ {{Infobox television episode \| ~~Series~~series = [[Community (TV series)\|Community]]▼ ~~\| Title = Advanced Introduction to Finality~~ \| season = 4 ▲\| Series = [[Community (TV series)\|Community]] \| ~~Season~~episode = 413 \| ~~Airdate~~airdate = {{Start date\|2013\|5\|9}}▼ ~~\| Episode = 13~~ \| production = 411 ▲\| Airdate = {{Start date\|2013\|5\|9}} \| writer = [[Megan Ganz]] ~~\| Production = 411~~ \| ~~Writer~~director = [[~~Megan~~Tristram ~~Ganz~~Shapeero]] \| 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~~prev = [[Heroic Origins]] \| next = [[Repilot]] \| season_article = Community season 4 ▲ \| ~~Episode~~episode_list ~~list~~ = [[List of Community episodes]] }} "'''"Advanced Introduction to Finality"'''" is the ~~thirteenth episode~~13th and ~~the~~final ~~season finale~~episode 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== The study group reveals they made a feast in Jeff's honor because he has graduated. When he suggests to play roll-the-die, he accidentally recreates the darkest timeline, and Evil Jeff appears in the Dean's office. He escapes and tries to ruin the fiesta, attempting to sabotage Jeff's relations with the rest of the study group. Jeff mistakes Evil Annie for the real one and is surprised to find nobody at his graduation ceremony until the Dean (disguised in damsel drag) shows up in order to tell him he is a bad guy. Meanwhile, Abed himself gets sent to the darkest timeline, where he meets Abed (who is no longer Evil) who gives him some paintball guns in order to shoot the doubles (the paintballs these guns fire have the ability to transport an individual between timelines). When Jeff arrives at Troy's and Abed's apartment, he tries to explain his behavior, but nobody believes him until Abed shows up and convinces the others that Jeff is actually telling the truth. Meanwhile, the Evil Study Group (minus Evil Abed) arrive in the prime timeline and meet Evil Pierce who apparently ''faked'' his death, though he now has a metal leg and crutches. They discuss their plans for the study group until Evil Britta accidentally shoots herself and gets sent back to the darkest timeline. The real study group then shows up and proceeds to eliminate their evil doppelgangers one by one. With only Evil Jeff left, Abed explains to Jeff that he was stressed about graduation because he thought that Greendale didn't change him; However, thanks to Abed, Jeff realizes that he now has friends and that made his life better. He manages to defeat Evil Jeff and sends him back to his own reality. The scene then reverts to the moment that Jeff decided to throw the die (revealing that the events of the episode took place in his own mind), and he instead decides against tossing it. His graduation ceremony then takes place in the study room with the study group (sans Pierce), Magnitude, Quendra, Leonard, Garrett, Fat Neil, and Vicky. Jeff gives a most heartfelt speech about his time at Greendale and the love he has for his friends. During the ceremony, Pierce breaks in, announcing his intention to graduate as well, and a meal follows the reception. 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. The end tag shows Evil Troy and Evil Abed, who introduce us to a parallel universe (timeline 5, where Pierce was chosen to get the pizza) and shows us Britta and Troy having a non-human baby. Evil Jeff appears, saying that the show Evil Troy and Evil Abed host is not watched by anybody and does not exist anymore (an obvious meta-reference to the actual show Community's own likely end), to which Evil Troy and Evil Abed shrug in agreement. 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. ~~==Continuity==~~ 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. * 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" (episode 17 of [[Community (season 3)\|season 3]]) where Jeff is in a mock trial over who destroyed the group's yam experiment, and "Introduction to Finality" where Jeff spoke for Shirley against Pierce in an another mock trial ran by the dean over who own's Shirley's sandwich shop. 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. * The study group's evil doppelgangers cross over and return from the Darkest Timeline. The timeline plot point was introduced in "[[Remedial Chaos Theory]]", episode 4 of the third season after the roll of a die to decide who would collect the delivered pizza. Both this episode and "Remedial Chaos Theory" was written by Megan Ganz. 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. * A continuity error is present in this episode. Greendale is listed in the closing scene right after Jeff's graduation as being "Est. 1974" yet episode 11 of season 4 "[[Basic Human Anatomy]]" had a student named Leonard who had been at Greendale since 1968. ==Production== 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]]"."▼ 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> 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.▼ ▲This is the second "Introduction to Finality" episode of the series, following [[Community (season 3)\|season three]]'s finale, "[[Introduction to Finality]]". In "[[Remedial Chaos Theory]]," Evil Abed made a pact with Evil Troy to go to the real timeline and destroy it. ▲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. == Cultural references == ==Reception==▼ 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}} ~~The episode was met with mixed reviews.~~ ▲==Reception== Gabrielle Moss of TV Fanatic was positive, saying, "this episode was an excellent tribute to the slow-burn character development of Jeff Winger."<ref name="tvfanatic">{{cite web\|last=Moss\|first=Gabrielle\|title=Community Review: Not Without My Study Group\|url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/community-review-not-without-my-study-group/\| work=TV Fanatic\|date=May 9, 2013\|accessdate=May 9, 2013}}</ref> ===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=== 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> 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" /> ~~Todd~~Gabrielle ~~VanDerWerff~~Moss of ~~[[The~~TV ~~A.V.~~Fanatic ~~Club]]~~was ~~rated~~positive, ~~the~~saying, "this episode awas D,an ~~saying~~excellent ittribute ~~was,~~to the slow-burn character development of Jeff Winger."no<ref ~~longer~~name="tvfanatic">{{cite aweb\|last=Moss\|first=Gabrielle\|title=Community ~~show~~Review: ~~that's~~Not ~~capable~~Without My Study Group\|url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/05/community-review-not-without-my-study-group/\| work=TV Fanatic\|date=May 9, 2013\|access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> Alan Sepinwall of ~~much~~[[HitFix]] ~~beyond~~was ~~repeating~~less ~~elements~~favorable, ithe ~~thinks~~called the ~~audience~~plot ~~will~~of ~~like~~the ~~over~~episode ~~and~~a ~~over~~mess, ~~again~~but noted that the ending was sweet."<ref name="~~avclub~~hitfix">{{cite web\|last=~~VanDerWerff~~Sepinwall\|first=~~Todd~~Alan\|title="Season finale review: 'Community' - 'Advanced Introduction to Finality"': S4The /folly of ~~E13~~evil\|url=http://www.~~avclub~~hitfix.com/~~articles~~whats-alan-watching/season-finale-review-community-advanced-introduction-to-finality~~,97134/~~-the-folly-of-evil\| work=~~The A.V. Club~~HitFix\|date=May 9, 2013\|~~accessdate~~access-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> ▲== ~~Synopsis~~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~~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:~~Community~~2013 ~~(TV~~American ~~series)~~television episodes]] [[Category:~~2013~~Community ~~television~~season 4 episodes]] [[Category:Television episodes written by Megan Ganz]] [[Category:Television episodes about paintball]]