Season five saw a lot more turnover, both behind the scenes and on camera for the show. Behind the scenes, series creator Dan Harmon returned after being fired, and the resulting mess of a fourth season. The show also saw the departure of Chevy Chase (who appeared as a hologram in the first episode and then was written out from there) and Donald Glover, who appeared on just a handful of episodes. The show was a blend of what it was in the first couple of seasons and what it had become. The zany, offbeat, episodes still occurred, including one where the cast were turned into animated characters and brought into a 1980s G.I. Joe episode (that included many of the original voice actors from the cartoon), a hot lava episode that was another school-wide competition, and another Dungeons and Dragons themed episode. But, it also did return somewhat to a focus on the school aspect and had people actually taking classes, and Jeff, who had graduated the year before, taking up teaching. It also brought back John Oliver as Professor Duncan for a few episodes (who was great in seasons one and two when he appeared) and brought in Jonathan Banks (from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul) as a criminology professor.
For those who get the DVD set, the extras include commentary tracks on every episode, a forty-minute feature on the writing process, a seventeen-minute feature on the G.I. Joe episode, and a short gag reel. So, a lot of good content for those who like the bonus material.
Overall, the show returns to its quality form over the dud that was season four. While I would have liked it to go even more in the direction of being in actual classes and then the study group, the show does balance the wackiness that has become a hallmark with things that do not require a ton of suspension of disbelief. Losing Glover, and even to some extent Chase, was a blow, but there are a lot of good guest stars this season that helped make up for that including LeVar Burton, Padget Brewster, David Cross, Ben Folds, Gina Gershon, Vince Gilligan, Walton Goggins, B.J. Novak, and Robert Patrick, among others. So, if you have hung with the show, even if you did not like the fourth season as much, this is a good rebound season, even if it is a bit short.
For those who get the DVD set, the extras include commentary tracks on every episode, a forty-minute feature on the writing process, a seventeen-minute feature on the G.I. Joe episode, and a short gag reel. So, a lot of good content for those who like the bonus material.
Overall, the show returns to its quality form over the dud that was season four. While I would have liked it to go even more in the direction of being in actual classes and then the study group, the show does balance the wackiness that has become a hallmark with things that do not require a ton of suspension of disbelief. Losing Glover, and even to some extent Chase, was a blow, but there are a lot of good guest stars this season that helped make up for that including LeVar Burton, Padget Brewster, David Cross, Ben Folds, Gina Gershon, Vince Gilligan, Walton Goggins, B.J. Novak, and Robert Patrick, among others. So, if you have hung with the show, even if you did not like the fourth season as much, this is a good rebound season, even if it is a bit short.
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