['Community' - 'Political Developments & Uncivil Disobedience']

The race is on!

What does a middling community college do when the Vice President of the United States is coming to visit? Well they hold elections for their own student government to impress him, even if the majority of the student body is less than impressive.

The setup alone lets you know this will be a fun episode, but the idea that they called Joe Biden by name is genius, especially since we all know full well that no TV bloggers had reported the "exclusive" on our VP stopping by a sitcom. Hehe ...

But to start it off -- marking the return of a more lucid Pierce to the study group -- with a rehab joke about Tom Sizemore's penis size ("Size-LESS") was the perfect reminder that, although last week's episode made some people feel sorry for Chevy's hated character (not me), Pierce is still an ass. And not that funny.

Yet there he sits -- alive and kicking (for now) and still part of the gang. Guess there's always one in every group.

A return I was much more excited to see: Dean Pelton, back in full effect and full Uncle Sam(antha) garb to rally the Greendale troops into embracing democracy. Because nothing says democratic freedom like a man in biker shorts and a star-spangled top hat headband.

But before the gang can seize their latest distraction from actually studying, their moments in the study room were kind of priceless. I love that Abed is keeping a tally of "Classic 'Wingers'" on his side of the table, and that Jeff's got his own "Ab Mentions" count. And then there's Troy's "Notches." So simple. So genius.

Then there's the Abed quirky side-story that I've been missing lately: Abed the conspiracy theorist ... or is he? When he claims that he's seen CIA all over campus lately, Jeff wonders aloud: "Oh, Abed. Will your reality ever come out on Blu-ray so we can enjoy it?" (As a matter of fact, Jeff, yes -- season 1 is available on Blu-ray now.)

But we soon find out that Abed isn't just highly observant -- everyone else at Greendale is a certified idiot. These agents are everywhere! And they're hot! Nice to see 'Scrubs' alum Eliza Coupe buttoned up and doing her best Female Abed here as agent Robin.

While Abed is meeting his mental match, the election opens the door for Annie and Jeff to get competitive yet again. And really, competition can only mean one thing. Drumroll please ... more sexual tension!

I love watching Annie get all high and mighty and over-achiever-y, and it's always awesome to get a glimpse of how Jeff used to throw "Wingers" in the courtroom.

And of course, in a room full of anybodys and nobodys nominated to run, Britta's gotta come on stage with some anti-political, power-to-the-people nonsense. "Well it's good to know there's a floor on this thing," Dean Pelton said as his arm applause-o-meter stayed motionless in response.

That left quite a crew running for Greendale President, including Starburns, Leonard and -- pop, pop! -- Magnitude.

Meanwhile, I loved Troy and Abed commentating for the school's closed-circuit GCTV. (Man, Abed was busy this ep!) It's not quite 'Troy and Abed in the Morning,' but I'd still watch.

Sizing up the candidates:
*Jeff and Annie seemed to be on an even playing field.
*Magnitude -- "short for magnetic attitude, he's a one-man party" -- just listed "You know it!" under Party. Pop, pop again people.
*Pierce is, of course, part of the Pierce Hawthrone (spelling error or on purpose?) Party, and under trivia, it says he followed BNL for a summer. We know how the gang feels about Barenaked Ladies. And landline phones, rotary or otherwise.
*Leonard is old, but he's seen every major war.
*And Starburns has ... well, starburns.
*Poor Vicky. "Yellow shirt. Hat. Girl." She's like the female Neil.
*Then there's Garrett, allergic to everything under the sun, including water.

But when it came to speeches, Jeff's lawyerlyness dominated Annie's mold obsession. "I'm just a fella. I think that beer should be cold and boots should be dusty. I think 9/11 was bad. And freedom? Well I think that's just a little bit better."

Although I too hope that GCC will be "the signature community college of the entire western 3/4s of the Greendale area." Annie has vision people! And awesomely awkward and adorable comebacks. Jeff: "Bring it on, Ponce de Leon." Annie: "I'm gonna, Greg Muldunna."

Annie's most scheming move is what gives us the most tender Annie-Jeff moment in a while. Their flirtation is really sweet here, but it's probably as far as they should ever take it. I know people like to pick sides -- Annie or Britta -- but that hug Jeff and Annie shared said it all. It was so paternal! Plus Jeff called her "kid" and "young" in the same sentence -- how could they ever work?

Yeah, I said it. Deal with it.

Plus, Annie was probably only like 8 years old when 'The Real World: Seattle' aired, and Jeff was old enough to own a leather jacket. She can't possibly still be attracted to him now, can she?

Either way Pierce ruined that friendship moment, naturally. After making Vicky cry and quit the race because she didn't let him borrow a pencil, that pencil later ended up lodge in his face. Can Pierce die of lead poisoning now? Please?

But I loved giving Abed something more to do than just observe, especially after dream girl librarian didn't pick him on Valentine's Day. For once, Abed finally became the observee.

After realizing he wasn't a big enough threat to national security -- though she tried her hardest to find something, anything on him -- Robin seemed thrilled when she had to return to Greendale. Abed's clever GCTV napalm recipe sign-off did the trick. Thanks napalm!

And their first date was adorable -- damn, 'Community' loves them some 'Kick Puncher'! I'm hoping Robin returns to observe him having dinner sometime because Abed deserves love, too.

All in all a good, if not fairly simple, episode. I liked it. Need convincing? Here's ....

More goodness:
*Annie says she'll eliminate "administrative redundancies." Dean Pelton, without missing a beat: "OK, I'm in the room."

*Troy to Abed: "Do you just constantly have your own little side adventures?" "Yep."

*"No matter what you're told, we have to clean the mold!"

*"I'm sorry you weren't a more obvious potential threat to the country." That's probably the nicest thing Robin's ever said to anyone.

*In the end, 'South Park' won the election by a landslide. Abed: "Not that shocking to me -- I voted for it." Troy: "For real? Me too!" Please don't ever stop being friends.

*Just a small gripe, since I usually love the show's clever set dressing Easter eggs, but I'm a little mad Robin wasn't drinking from a Hot & Brown coffee cup when they flashed to her in the car with Biden. Hot & Brown is the only way to go.

*Faux Joe Biden was a very 'Seinfeld' Steinbrenner cameo. And I liked it. Just wish we'd gotten more of a taste of his "Biden Time Talkin' About Teaching Tour." He does walk that line between folksy and progressive ...

Until next week, leave your thoughts in the comments. Oh, and try not to mix kitty litter with any other common household items.


Follow Maggie on Twitter @TheTVShowGirl

Watch the full episode here: