Cooperative Polygraphy (S5, E4 – Jan. 16, 2014)
The return of Dan Harmon to the fold was in many ways like the return of an old friend. Almost immediately, the show felt like itself again (if not up to its Season 2 and 3 standards). This joy was somewhat tempered by Chevy Chase quitting and by Donald Glover announcing his departure. By having Pierce pass away off camera, the show was able to relive his glorious plot from “Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking,” having him give legitimate death gifts. But these came with the condition that each member of the group must submit to a polygraph. As with any situation in which friends are forced to be honest with one another, things get very ugly, very fast.
