Debate 109

Plot

Annie (Alison Brie) and Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) ask Jeff (Joel McHale) to be a replacement debate team member for an upcoming challenge against City College, as Annie's partner has dropped out. Jeff is initially dismissive until Dean offers Jeff a lucrative parking space in exchange for his cooperation. Annie attempts to get Jeff to prepare together but Jeff refuses.

Troy (Donald Glover) has found that Abed (Danny Pudi) has been posting films that chronicle the lives of the study group, via nearly identical actors, on the Greendale A/V website, including some that appear to be vivid depictions of the future. When they talk to Abed about it, he claims that he is a good study of character and personality, and has been able to create films about situations the group has yet to encounter. Abed demonstrates by showing another film in which his actors for Jeff and Annie kiss. Meanwhile, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) has become irritable as she tries to quit smoking, and Pierce (Chevy Chase) offers to provide hypnotherapy, a study he claims to have practiced in years ago. In a session, Britta realizes Pierce has no hypnotherapy skills, but plays along anyway. When he convinces her to have another session, Pierce hits on her while she is "under", showing that he knew she was faking the hypnosis and using his advance to prove it.

The day of the debate arrives; Greendale is to support the statement "Is Man Evil?" while City College is to debate "Is Man Good?". Annie and Jeff find that City College's lead debater, Jeremy Simmons (Aaron Himelstein), is an eloquent, wheelchair-bound speaker and easily sways the panel. Jeff attempts to counter with a rousing speech, but finds himself given zero points, his style better for American Idol than debate. The remainder of the debate is postponed until the next day due to the basketball team needing to use the gym. Annie and Jeff encounter Simmons in the hall, and he mocks their ability. This infuriates Jeff enough to work all night with Annie to prepare for the next round. As they start to realize feelings for each other, Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) reminds them of Abed's film, and the two agree they need to work alone.

On the second day, Annie and Jeff's preparations puts them tied with City College after the final round. To win over the judges, Simmons races his wheelchair at full speed across the stage, stopping instantaneously and throwing himself at Jeff, who catches him; he uses this to prove his point that man is inherently good, stunning the judges and the audience. Annie, with a moment's hesitation, takes Jeff into a passionate kiss; Jeff drops Simmons at this. Annie proves that because Jeff took her kiss over Simmons' safety, man is evil, and wins the debate for Greendale. After celebrating, Jeff and Annie attempt to hug each other, but find it awkward because of their awakening feelings and decide to walk away instead.

Continuity

Reception

Around 5.09 million Americans watched "Debate 109".