Home Economics

"Home Economics" is the eighth episode of the first season of the American comedy television series Community. It aired in the United States on NBC on November 5, 2009. The episode revolves around Jeff's (Joel McHale) living situation now that he no longer has the money he earned as a big-shot lawyer and the emotional aftermath of Britta (Gillian Jacobs) and Vaughn's (Eric Christian Olsen) breakup. It garnered 5.45 million viewers on its premiere and received positive critical reception. Plot Ben Chang (Ken Jeong), the study group's Spanish instructor, notices Jeff (Joel McHale) sleeping in class and startles him awake. As the students file out, Troy (Donald Glover) asks Annie (Alison Brie) for advice on a good date activity for a girl he likes, not realizing that Annie has a crush on him. Annie, thinking that girl is her, instructs him on a very romantic evening for him and his new friend. Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) notices Annie's disappointment after she realizes Troy likes someone else, not her. Meanwhile, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) notices that Jeff looks less well-groomed than usual, and begins to interrogate him about it but he walks off when Vaughn (Eric Christian Olsen) walks up. He is cold to Britta after their recent breakup, telling her that she's toxic. Pierce (Chevy Chase) offers to talk to Vaughn, and decides to persist despite Britta's explicit insistence against it. Britta and Shirley notice Jeff bathing and brushing his teeth outside; Shirley realizes Jeff is living in his car. The group discusses Jeff's situation. Pierce tells Britta that he tried talking to Vaughn, but the only result is that Pierce is now the keyboardist in Vaughn's band. When Jeff walks in, Britta and Shirley confront Jeff about his living situation. Jeff claims that he has a minor issue with condo fees, and Abed (Danny Pudi) invites him to stay in his dorm room for the time being, Jeff declines. Jeff shows Britta pictures of his old condo, particularly focusing on his handcrafted Italian faucets. After his car is towed, he ends up asking to crash in Abed's dorm. He finds Abed's cheerful acceptance of his low station in life infuriating, though Abed and Jeff later bond over cereal, television, and sad childhoods. Shirley witnesses Annie lending Troy a blanket, a family heirloom, for his picnic date. She insists that Annie tell him how she feels before Randi and Troy get closer. Meanwhile, Pierce and Vaughn's band are playing in the cafeteria.