NBC’s ‘Community’ season 5 spoilers: More on Nathan Fillion, first episode without Donald Glover

In just two episodes of “Community” season 5, we better prepare ourselves for something truly horrifying: The first episode to not feature an appearance from Donald Glover. The January 23 episode is the last one with Troy in it, and then moving into the installment on the 30th, we have to see how the show manages to move on without him.

Luckily, this is where “Community” decides to swing for the fences with “Analysis of Cork-Based Networking,” a fun hour of TV that is going to bring forth perhaps the best guest cast that has ever been assembled. Not only do you have a “Firefly” fan favorite, but there are at least two or three other names (including Brie Larson, who is not directly mentioned below) that are going to be familiar to you:

“It’s time for the midterm dance and Annie (Alison Brie) sets about getting the Greendale cafeteria ready for the festivities. She and Professor Hickey (guest star Jonathan Banks, “Breaking Bad”) team to navigate Greendale’s custodial corridors of power and must negotiate with Bob Waite (guest star Nathan Fillion, “Castle”), the politically savvy Greendale head custodian, and his right-hand man Lapari (Kumail Nanjiani, “Franklin & Bash”). They must also contend with Debra Chambers (guest star Paget Brewster, “Criminal Minds”), Greendale’s head of I.T. and Waldron (guest star Robert Patrick, “Identity Thief”), Greendale’s head of parking, in what becomes an increasingly complex hierarchy of staff.”

The obvious worry is that there are almost too many guest stars in here, and that could in turn create a situation where characters get lost. But, it could end up being a slice of paradise like an episode of “Saturday Night Live,” where you cheer with joy at the sight of so many great cameos.

What do you think about this guest cast, and the idea of the episode? Does all of this make up for the lack of Donald? Share your thoughts below.