Debate 109 (S1, EP9 – Nov. 12, 2009)
If "Advanced Criminal Law" was the first great episode, Debate 109 is the show’s first perfect episode. When chronic overachiever Annie Edison (Alison Brie) needs a new partner for debate team, she ropes Jeff in to work his fine B.S. skills. When Jeff realizes he can’t wing his way (the show doesn’t even try to pretend his name isn’t symbolic) through debate, he actually applies himself for a jaw-dropping debate showdown. The show also found it could mix and match its pairings, with Britta and Pierce involved in the hypnotism plot and Abed, Troy and Shirley becoming convinced that Abed’s student films could predict the future. When all the plots come together at the end, it’s like Seinfeld at its best.
The episode is also be a stand out for Annie, while painting her into a corner. The show had cast her as a virginal overachieving teenager, but in real life the 27-year-old was rapidly becoming a pin-up favorite of the nerd crowd. Her electric chemistry with McHale made her a tempting love interest, but the 20-year age difference between their characters (if not the actors) made this matchup problematic. Annie, despite Brie’s considerable comedic gifts, would never really grow beyond “sexy, nerdy schoolgirl.” Of the cast, Brie is the only one that might have benefited from early cancellation.
