# Community 10/13/11 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 14, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592 "2011-10-14T01:28:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/101 "2011-10-17T02:32:43Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > They made it clear that the one where Abed catches the coin and Jeff went to get the pizza is the real timeline. Or rather the one we’ll be following. How was that made clear? Besides the dark timeline, we only saw Abed and Tray watching TV with no Annie appearing in their apartment. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/102 "2011-10-17T02:38:31Z")
The implication in the episode is that by catching the dice, Abed stopped the other timelines from forming. Instead of 6 different timelines based on a dice roll, there is only one, the timeline where Abed catches the die. Even if you decide the other 6 timelines still exist, they’re too nonsensical, even for a sitcom and being the lone timeline where the dice is not rolled makes it sufficiently different from the others as to be the logical choice for following, otherwise we’re left trying to explain why timeline 3 is worthwhile following but timeline 5 is not. Furthermore, most of the events in the timelines are such that I imagine further episodes could plausibly be set in any given timeline with the exception of the evil one. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/103 "2011-10-17T02:38:31Z")
> [@Sir\_Prize](#): > > How was that made clear? Besides the dark timeline, we only saw Abed and Tray watching TV with no Annie appearing in their apartment. It was made clear by the animation they showed the dice falling down in the middle. When they showed Abed and Troy watching TV, they showed the same graphic going in the middle again. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/104 "2011-10-17T02:48:22Z")
This episode was inspired by Run Lola, Run. Dan Harmon tweeted out a SMS conversation he had with another writer: [Twitpic](http://twitpic.com/70szy5/full) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/105 "2011-10-17T03:29:39Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Even if you decide the other 6 timelines still exist, they’re too nonsensical, even for a sitcom and being the lone timeline where the dice is not rolled makes it sufficiently different from the others as to be the logical choice for following, otherwise we’re left trying to explain why timeline 3 is worthwhile following but timeline 5 is not. Annie’s timeline is distinguished by being the first one presented and we see it before hearing Abed wonder what happened in the other timelines. Also, nothing nonsensical happens in that timeline and everything remains status quo. > [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > It was made clear by the animation they showed the dice falling down in the middle. When they showed Abed and Troy watching TV, they showed the same graphic going in the middle again. I didn’t notice this. I think you are right. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/106 "2011-10-17T03:30:51Z")
The “Will Annie move in with Troy and Abed?” storyline certainly isn’t over. The writers wouldn’t just throw that question in with no answer and not have it go anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/107 "2011-10-17T03:35:38Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > The “Will Annie move in with Troy and Abed?” storyline certainly isn’t over. The writers wouldn’t just throw that question in with no answer and not have it go anywhere. As I said upthread, I agree with you. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/108 "2011-10-17T04:30:12Z")
This season’s finale must involve the evil timeline. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/109 "2011-10-17T04:55:11Z")
Another thing that I don’t think has been mentioned is Abed’s smile when he welcomed guests at the beginning. Now that Jim Parsons has won two Emmy’s I hope Danny Pudi is recognized, though it would probably be for supporting. Donald Glover is almost as deserving, but Pudi first. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/110 "2011-10-17T04:57:01Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Another thing that I don’t think has been mentioned is Abed’s smile when he welcomed guests at the beginning. > > Now that Jim Parsons has won two Emmy’s I hope Danny Pudi is recognized, though it would probably be for supporting. Donald Glover is almost as deserving, but Pudi first. I think they deserve a dual Emmy. They’re a perfect comedy duo. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/111 "2011-10-17T05:26:40Z")
Donald Glover should be first, his comedic timing is absolutely perfect. I can’t remember a time in a series where he didn’t deliver a line in an optimal way. He seriously may be the funniest guy ever in a scripted show. He’s absolutely amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/112 "2011-10-17T05:30:29Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > The implication in the episode is that by catching the dice, Abed stopped the other timelines from forming. Instead of 6 different timelines based on a dice roll, there is only one, the timeline where Abed catches the die. Even if you decide the other 6 timelines still exist, they’re too nonsensical, even for a sitcom and being the lone timeline where the dice is not rolled makes it sufficiently different from the others as to be the logical choice for following, otherwise we’re left trying to explain why timeline 3 is worthwhile following but timeline 5 is not. Furthermore, most of the events in the timelines are such that I imagine further episodes could plausibly be set in any given timeline with the exception of the evil one. If catching the die stopped the other timelines, then why did the show end with Troy and Abed deciding to be evil? Edit: Oh, and something I’m curious about. Since I’ve constantly heard about Chevy Chase’s reputation as an a-hole I wonder how he gets along with the other cast members. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/113 "2011-10-17T06:05:04Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > If catching the die stopped the other timelines, then why did the show end with Troy and Abed deciding to be evil? It didn’t. It ended with Abed and Troy eating popcorn watching _Inspector Spacetime_. [QUOTE=Nobody] Edit: Oh, and something I’m curious about. Since I’ve constantly heard about Chevy Chase’s reputation as an a-hole I wonder how he gets along with the other cast members. [/QUOTE] He’s apparently mellowed with age and sobriety. At least to my knowledge there are no horror stories to escape from the set. The fact he took a role where he’s a supporting character is even some evidence of this (i.e. that he took Pierce instead of the lead in a much lamer sitcom where he’d have the lead role), and a supporting character who’s unlikeable and the butt of many jokes at that. The fact his character could easily be written off at any time probably isn’t lost on him. I usually think reunion shows are a gimmick but I wouldn’t mind seeing Beverly D’Angelo drop in to play with Pierce. They always worked well together. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/114 "2011-10-17T06:10:38Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > It didn’t. It ended with Abed and Troy eating popcorn watching _Inspector Spacetime_. After the evil Troy and Abed bit. Our Abed seems troubled. [Clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAFxAlTWsXM) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/115 "2011-10-17T14:21:21Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > After the evil Troy and Abed bit. Our Abed seems troubled. > [Clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAFxAlTWsXM) He’s momentarily (and vaguely) aware that something has changed, i.e. the timeline, but within a few seconds the feeling passes. And, yes, the evil study group (or at least Evil Troy and Evil Abed) should and must reappear. As a bonus, Chang and Evil Chang will turn out to be exactly the same. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/116 "2011-10-17T14:33:44Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > This season’s finale must involve the evil timeline. Playing paintball, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/117 "2011-10-17T14:54:21Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I think they deserve a dual Emmy. They’re a perfect comedy duo. I’ve wondered if the writers always intended Troy and Abed to pair bond or if it followed because the chemistry between the actors was just so magical. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/118 "2011-10-17T15:31:15Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > And, yes, the evil study group (or at least Evil Troy and Evil Abed) should and must reappear. As a bonus, Chang and Evil Chang will turn out to be exactly the same. I think only members of the study group get to be evil. Although now that I think about it, it looked like Abed made more than 7 goatees. I wonder how losing an arm has effected evil Jeff’s relationship with evil Dean. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/119 "2011-10-17T15:43:32Z")
If they do bring the Evil Timeline back (and I am not convinced they will), my guess is the episode will appear to be normal and only be revealed later on it is really the Evil Timeline. Tough to do given the changes but possible I think. Hell they could even use it as an excuse to parody the Twilight Zone episode where everyone is ugly but you don’t see it until the end. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592/120 "2011-10-17T15:45:34Z")
I expect them to be back, but not as a primary storyline. I think they will be in of the background throw-away jokes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/community-10-13-11/599592.md?page=7)