Before "A Fistful of Paintballs" aired, most people would agree it wouldn't top "Modern Warfare." Maybe it could be better with regard to the internal aspects--plot, character development, direction--but nothing would reach the sheer audacity and ingenuity of the first paintball episode. A second paintball episode just wouldn't have the initial shock and bewilderment of how amazing and unusual it is.
The writers know this and don't try to copy "Modern Warfare," instead changing it into a Western. They capture the spirit of the genre very well, making Annie the tortured hero and Josh Holloway plays the mysterious Black Rider. Best of all, the Community we've come to know and love is still there, with Pierce's attitude returning to center stage once we learn the group voted to kick him out and that Annie voted to keep him.
After the Black Rider is shot, he tells the group that the ice cream company sent him in to retrieve the prize and we see minions exiting the truck. Cue ominous music, references to 24/Lost/The Event and the episode heads right into the season finale next week.
Score: 9.5/10
