S03E21 · EP 70
season 3 · 2012-05-17

The First Chang Dynasty

written by Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson · directed by Jay Chandrasekhar · 2.61M viewers · image Community Wiki (CC BY-SA)

Episode DNA

21 scenes · 3 threads
scheme 18%absurd 14%tense 9%chaotic 8%impersonation 6%cheerful 5%triumphant 5%tender 4%deal 4%comeuppance 3%

Story threads over runtime

click a block to open the scene
0:005:0010:0015:0020:00
A · Rescue the Dean
B · Stop Chang's Plan
C · Troy's AC School Deal
01

Every scene

21 scenes · our breakdown
1 · Greendale Community College · cold_openChang's propaganda video

A propaganda video praises Chang for saving Greendale after expelling the study group.

00:00–01:46scheme · impersonation
2 · Unknown location · act1Study group plans proof

The study group discusses Chang's kidnapping of the Dean and plans to get proof.

01:46–01:59scheme · secret_exposed
3 · Chang's office · act1Chang's birthday preparations

Chang plans his birthday party while his guard mentions budget issues.

01:59–02:49obsession · petty_grievance
4 · AC repair school · act1AC school offers help

The study group learns the Dean is held in the cafeteria basement and the AC school offers help.

02:49–04:47scheme · deal
5 · Unknown location · act1Elaborate heist plan

The study group decides to plan an elaborate heist to rescue the Dean.

04:47–06:22scheme · misunderstanding
6 · Chang's office · act1School board visits Chang

The school board gives Chang a gift for his birthday party.

06:22–07:22impersonation · comeuppance
7 · Cafeteria loading dock and kitchen · act1Heist begins with Shirley

Shirley enters as a chef while Troy and Abed pose as plumbers to access Chang's office.

07:22–09:07scheme · impersonation
8 · Unknown location · act1Britta and Pierce handle distractions

Britta cancels the magician while Pierce is assigned to the getaway van.

09:07–09:36scheme · petty_grievance
9 · Chang's birthday party · act1Pierce infiltrates as swami

Pierce infiltrates Chang's party as a swami and is strapped to a chair.

09:36–09:47impersonation · humiliation
11 · Chang's birthday party · act1Pierce's swami act fails

Pierce's swami disguise is exposed, alerting Chang to the heist.

10:12–11:04impersonation · humiliation
13 · Cafeteria basement · act1Britta retrieves real Dean

Britta uses the key to retrieve the real Dean while guards are distracted.

11:40–12:14scheme · coincidence
14 · Hallway · act1Study group caught by Chang

The study group reunites with the Dean but is intercepted by Chang and his forces.

12:14–13:16scheme · pursuit
15 · Cafeteria basement · act2Chang reveals firework plan

Chang reveals his plan to burn the records room with fireworks during his keytar solo.

13:16–14:33scheme · threat
16 · Cafeteria basement · act2Group escapes basement

The group escapes the basement after a giant fan stops rotating, thanks to Troy's AC school contact.

14:33–15:20coincidence · scheme
17 · Hallway · act2Black light distraction

The group uses black lights to distract guards while Troy and Abed disarm the fireworks.

15:20–16:08scheme · pursuit
18 · Records room · act2Chang confronts group

Chang confronts the study group in the records room after they disarm the fireworks.

16:08–16:26violence · rivalry
19 · Records room · act3School board intervenes

Richie and Carl arrive, stopping the fight and exposing Chang's crimes.

16:26–17:17comeuppance · secret_exposed
20 · Records room · act3Dean covers up scandal

The Dean decides to cover up the scandal to protect Greendale's reputation.

17:17–18:26deal · secret_exposed
21 · Hallway · act3Troy says goodbye

Troy says goodbye to the study group to fulfill his deal with the AC school.

18:26–20:07deal · confession
22 · Hallway · act3Abed's emotional moment

Abed shares a quiet emotional moment with Troy before he leaves.

20:07–20:26confession
24 · School rave · tagDean celebrates at rave

The Dean celebrates at a rave, enjoying his restored position.

20:35–21:08
03

Same DNA

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Episode facts

Wikipedia · Wikidata
Aired
2012-05-17
Overall
#70
Writers
Matt Fusfeld and Alex Cuthbertson
Director
Jay Chandrasekhar
Viewers
2.61M (US)
Pace
125 words/min · 62 questions

Where to watch

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In this episode

JW
Jeff Winger16 episodes · drives 702 scenes
BP
Britta Perry16 episodes · drives 194 scenes
AE
Annie Edison14 episodes · drives 204 scenes
AN
Abed Nadir12 episodes · drives 277 scenes
TB
Troy Barnes10 episodes · drives 155 scenes
SB
Shirley Bennett12 episodes · drives 70 scenes
PH
Pierce Hawthorne23 episodes · drives 173 scenes
RC
Richie Countee6 episodes · drives 2 scenes