Basic Rocket Science
| "Basic Rocket Science" | |
|---|---|
| Community episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 4 |
| Directed by | Anthony Russo |
| Written by | Andy Bobrow |
| Production code | 204 |
| Original air date | October 14, 2010 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"Basic Rocket Science" is the fourth episode of the second season of Community. It was originally broadcast on October 14, 2010, on NBC.
In the episode, the study group, except Abed, are trapped in a space flight simulator being towed from Greendale Community College. When they discover it was a plot hatched by rival City College, they work together to complete the simulation mission and bring the simulator back on Greendale in time for the college's simulator launch.
The episode was written by Andy Bobrow and directed by Anthony Russo and is a spoof of the space adventure movie Apollo 13. It received mixed critical reviews.
Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) acquires an old 1980's Greendale County Museum Space Flight simulator to beat City College to become the first community college to simulate a space launch. The Dean gets the study group to clean the simulator as punishment for submitting the winning design for the Greendale school flag, which is actually an anus. The group enter the simulator without Abed (Danny Pudi), who returns to his dorm to get a proper spacesuit. Pierce (Chevy Chase) accidentally closes the door, triggering the machine to begin its simulation sequence. The group are trapped inside as the simulator truck is towed away.
The Dean and Abed set up a command center in the library to communicate with the group. Abed is familiar with the machine and guides them on how to free themselves. Pierce, who is claustrophobic, exhibits destructive behavior and threatens to derail the group's efforts. During the chaos, Annie (Alison Brie) reveals she ordered the simulator to be towed, which she did in order to obtain a transfer to City College. When the group finds out City College was behind it, they cooperate to make the launch a success for Greendale. They successfully complete a simulator mission to open the windows. However, they are way out of range to have anyone from Greendale rescue them.
Pierce rips off the simulator screen which opens a path to the simulator's driver seat. Annie squeezes through to drive the machine back to Greendale just in time for the launch. The group emerge from the simulator to applause from the Greendale community. Annie abandons her transfer plans.
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