'Community' Finale: Three Very Different Episodes Spotlight The Creativity Of The Show (VIDEO)

It might, at first glance, have looked like NBC was burning off episodes by airing three installments of "Community" (Thu., 8, 9 & 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC), but fans were given an early reprieve from their stress. "Community" has already been renewed for a fourth season, heading to NBC's Friday nights next year.

So rather than fret about why NBC was doing it, fans could just sit back and enjoy three unique and different trips to Greendale. The night opened with one of those ambitious "Community" episodes like the claymation Christmas. This time the Greendale Seven stepped into an 8-bit video game to help Pierce try to earn his father's inheritance.

The second episode focused on the ongoing saga of Chang's takeover of the college and expulsion of the Dean. Troy sacrificed himself to the air conditioning shool to help the gang save the real Dean and re-establish order. Then, in the season finale, Troy managed to "fix" the repairmen at the A/C school, and make his way back to his friends, while Abed reverted to his dark timeline self.

Jeff represented Shirley versus Pierce over the ownership rights of her sandwich shop -- which was approved by the Dean to take the spot Subway once held. In doing so, Jeff learned the importance of putting the happiness of others in front of one's own selfish desires.

"Community" returns to its new night and time in Fall 2012 on NBC, settling in at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fridays.

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