This Beloved Community Character Was Atrociously Underused (No, It’s Not Britta)
Was Chang's character arc the biggest missed opportunity?
We've all been there: we get attached to a character in a show, eagerly waiting for their story to unfold, only to be left unsatisfied. Fans of the cult classic TV series Community know this feeling all too well, especially when it comes to Benjamin Chang, played by the talented Ken Jeong.
A popular sentiment has been growing among viewers about how Chang was severely underused. When we first met him, he was the quirky, passionate, and somewhat unhinged Spanish teacher.
He became a real icon with his mad antics, one-of-a-kind teaching style, and total unpredictability. Chang as a teacher was extremely relatable and super funny, and brought a whole new vibe to the group.
But as the series went on, Chang took quite a turn. He went from being a student to becoming a security guard and even something of a school dictator. His storylines got pretty twisted and sometimes just plain weird.
Fans felt that this shift not only detracted from Chang's original charm but also made his character inconsistent. In the earlier seasons, Chang’s interactions with the main study group were some of the funniest and most memorable moments of the show.
It's like the writers kind of lost the plot with him. Remember those golden days when Chang trying to hang with Jeff, Annie, and the crew was TV gold? Turning him into a character with the ever-shifting loyalties and storylines made it harder for fans to relate to or even understand him.
While Community is known for its wacky plots and meta-humor, the essence of its charm was always its relatable characters. By moving away from the Chang that fans originally fell in love with, a certain emotional connection was lost.
Given Ken Jeong's incredible range as an actor, there was so much more that could have been done with Chang as a character. Had the writers maintained Chang's role as a teacher or even delved deeper into his personal life and struggles, fans believe there would have been ample opportunities for both comedic and emotional storylines.
Source: Reddit