do you know the one thing (of manyyyy) i hate about post-Geothermal Escapism? we never get to see the group really coping with troy leaving. they were a family, and one of their members just left to sail around the world, and they don’t know if they’ll get to see him again or not, and the writers just dismissed it like it was nothing. (yes, i know troy left because donald had to go and be successful, but troy is not donald.)
he left shirley, his built-in school mom, someone he trusted and looked to for guidance and somebody he made the effort to include in group activities because everyone else only saw her as the christian mom who couldn’t have fun. remember his 21st birthday? “we’re on your team, relax, sit down.” he immediately felt bad about finding her pictures, and he just wanted her to be there. and we don’t see her missing her boy?
he left jeff, his mentor and someone he genuinely looked up to and tried to model after. every paintball episode, every time that it was just the boys, every time troy was confused and lost, and jeff was there to subtly guide him while appearing to be aloof. “i hope i make you proud.” and we don’t get to see jeff grapple with the loss of troy like he grappled with the loss of abed and annie, when he was just as important to him as anyone else?
he left britta, who he thought was the best, somebody he had a genuine love for and had a deep connection with. their breakup brought them closer together, because their love for one another was there, but it wasn’t romantic. “you’re not the worst, you’re the best. and i love you.” and we don’t see britta almost mourning the loss of one of her greatest loves, someone who brought out the best in her and gave her reassurance and confidence to be herself, something he struggled with for so long?
he left annie, someone who he ended up growing extremely close to when he dropped the jock-prom king-persona and became his true self. someone he ended up living with and caring for and learning every little thing about her. “you’re a fierce competitor and a sore loser, and you expect everybody to be better than who they are and you expect yourself to be better than everyone. which is cool.” and we don’t see annie feeling lost without troy being there to talk to and go to for comfort?
and he left abed. do i even need to say anything about this? his best friend, his soulmate (either platonic or romantic), and his confidant. the only person who ever saw him for who he really was and helped him get there. the only person who made troy hesitate to go. “i’m not leaving, okay? just…i promise. just, the floor’s not lava anymore. just give me your hand.” and we don’t see abed grieve over the loss of the only person who has ever taken the time to know him and not leave him? and then he did?
i will forever be upset that we didn’t see the group mourn over troy’s leaving. because it makes it seem like the group didn’t give a shit whether troy left or not. he just disappears into smoke after Geothermal Escapism and we never address how the group handles his leaving.