One of the Best Zombie ‘Movies’ Is Actually a 22-Minute Community Episode
Community season 2 episode “Epidemiology” plays like a compact zombie film inside a sitcom. It is set during a Halloween party at Greendale Community College, and the plot centers on tainted tacos that trigger an outbreak, forcing the study group to barricade themselves in the study room until help arrives.
1. What the episode is
2. How it mixes parody and horror
3. Standout moments and details
4. Where to watch
What the episode is
“Epidemiology” is the sixth episode of Community’s second season. It was written by Andy Bobrow and directed by Tristram Shapeero. The episode frames its story around a Halloween night party at Greendale, where Dean Pelton (played by Jim Rash) serves experimental taco meat that causes partygoers to behave like zombies.
How it mixes parody and horror
The episode uses typical zombie beats — infection, quarantine, and tension about who is safe — and then layers sitcom timing and jokes on top. For example, the show pairs an in-universe soundtrack (including snippets of ABBA and the dean’s private voice memos) with outbreak scenes, which creates contrast and darkly comic moments.
Moreover, the episode leans into genre references visually and narratively. Characters try to deduce who is infected, which builds suspense, while the production still follows a 22-minute sitcom rhythm. Therefore, it functions both as a parody and as a concise zombie story.
Standout moments and details
There are several concrete, repeatable elements that fans and viewers often point to:
- Quote: ‘Ya bit? Huh? Ya bit?’ is used verbatim in the episode during an early outbreak exchange.
- Soundtrack choice: The episode contrasts outbreak visuals with ABBA songs and awkward voice memos coming from the dean’s phone, including a scene set to “Dancing Queen.”
- Costume gags: Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed (Danny Pudi) have matching costumes earlier in the night, and Troy later switches into an Aliens-inspired mech suit for a notable confrontation.
- Setting: Most of the episode’s escalation happens inside the study room, which serves as the quarantine location and the episode’s primary set.
In addition, the episode’s approach echoes how some zombie comedies double as solid genre entries. For instance, this Guardian piece discusses how films like Zombieland mix laughs with effective zombie storytelling.
Where to watch
The episode is available to stream on several services. Currently, you can watch Community on Hulu, Disney Plus, Peacock, and Tubi. Availability can vary by region and over time, so check your local listings for the most up-to-date access.
