Let me be clear right here though. Every episode is freaking gold, go buy the DVD now. Below though are the five that stuck out the most to me.
Episode 14: Interpretive Dance
I really love this episode. Actually from here on out just assume I love all them. What makes this one of the great episodes of the season because it has a ton of heart to it and deals with the Jeff/Britta relationship. Jeff's plot revolves around him trying to keep his relationship with Slater a secret, of course that can't last and the study group finds out pretty quickly. Britta's plot is about her taking tap dancing and Troy taking modern dance. Both of them are emberassed and afraid to let the group know. They decide to come out together but Troy bails. What really makes this episode is we really see how much Britta does care about Jeff when she freezes during her recital the group came to because she sees Jeff holding hands with Slater. She goes into this tap loop and Troy has to save the day, with dance! Bonus points to this one because Abed gets to show off his tap skills as well at the very end.
Episode 9: Debate 109
This is a great episode because it deals with the Jeff/Annie relationship. There are a lot of love triangles in this show. They actually really work though. Jeff joins up with Annie to compete at the championship debate with City College, those bastards. Jeff is too cool to prepare and Annie prepares too much. I love how this one shows how big an ego Jeff has, he doesn't care about debate but hates losing more. Also, he decides to buckle down because their opponent insults Annie and we see what a fierce friend is. The other plots in this one are great, Abed's tv show about the study group where he tells the future is hilarious and Pierce trying to get Britta to stop smoking through hypnotism is equally funny. A real great one that hints at things to come.
Episode 7: Introduction to Statistics
Halloween at Greendale and everyone kind of loses it. Britta's squirrel costume is the cutest damn thing ever, mary me. Shirley letting loose on Slater is pretty damn funny. Troy as Eddie Murphy from 'Raw' was a nice touch. Pierce tripping balls while dressed as the Beastmaster was the best way to really show what that character was all about. Jeff not caring about dressing up but owning a cowboy costume that he uses to hit on Slater with was great. Extra points for Chang as a matador. The best thing about the episode though was Abed as Batman. Once that series is rebooted again, I vote for Danny Pudi has Batman. His ending monologue is one of the funniest damn things ever.
Episode 25: Pascal's Triangle Revisted
This was the finale of season 1 and man did it go out great. It brought the Jeff/Britta and Jeff/Slater relationship to a head in a great way and left itself open for a lot of possiblities in season 2. Every character had great moments in this one, I loved Troy eating a cookie bigger than his head. Just watch it, comedic gold. The heart was Britta realizing how much she cared about Jeff and how Jeff responded. It was nice to see how all the characters had grown over the year, especially Jeff who at the begining didn't really care for anyone but this episode showed how much he cared about everyone in the study group. Also, the Dean is awesome in this one with his dalmation fetish, you read that right, in full swing. Chang and Duncan feuding was awesome as well. This was a perfect way to end the season.
Episode 23: Modern Warfare
The best episode of the season and one of the best episodes of TV ever. I don't want to give too much away, so I will just say this episode is one giant game of paintball and the entire style of the show changed to be a kick-ass action movie. This is the perfect reason for you to get into the show.
There you go, the best episodes of season 1. Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below and keep an eye out for the best episodes of season 2 coming soon.
