An important characteristic of an episodic sitcom is its use of mini-resolutions to conflicts that arise in each episode. There are generally several mini conflicts that exist either between characters, within a character, or between a character and a social force. These conflicts are important because they set up the plot line for that episode as they are eventually resolved by the episode's conclusion. They serve as a lesson for both the characters as well as the audience.
A show that has this characteristic is Community, which is a show that revolves around the lives of seven students in a spanish study group at a community college. Each episode begins with a few issues to start off the story. Take the latest episode as an example. Shirley asks Abed to make a christian film to promote her church. Out of pride, Abed makes a movie in which he parodies Jesus, insulting Christianity. Shirley is outraged, and they are at odds until the end of the episode, when Shirley decides to be Abed's scapegoat and Abed finally makes the movie Shirley had requested. All the while, Pierce, a man in his 50's, starts hanging out with a group of irresponsible, elderly students in spite of the study group's protests. Finally, when Pierce and his new gang end up in a "car accident," Pierce realizes that those people aren't his true friends, and the study group welcomes him back. These minor conflicts and resolutions are crucial in driving the plot for each episode.
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