'Community's' three biggest surprises

Happy Valloween!

Since Thursday night's new episode was originally supposed to air on October 26, we got a Halloween-themed episode ... on Valentine's Day. NBC marketing tried to make lemonade out of a lemon by coining the term "Valloween."

After hearing that Pierce was locked in his panic room, the study group took an impromptu tour of his mansion. The spooky surprises came one after another, but here are three of the biggest:

1. Pierce is kinda freaky

It was one thing when Abed found the secret Hawthorne security control room behind a bookcase (complete with access to the "Cougar Town" Hallo-wine episode), but the oh-so-naive Troy showed Shirley Pierce's "special gym," complete with lots of equipment, including a swing and collars. "Secret dogs!"

Jeff and Britta's look inside Pierce's bedroom was just plain creepy. And there was that awesome portrait of a young Chevy Chase.

2. The "ghost" in Pierce's apartment is...

Gilbert Hawthorne! Nice reveal of Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad," "Revolution") reprising his role as Pierce's half brother.

It was touching to see Pierce officially welcome Gilbert into the family and let him be his new roommate – especially considering that the study group had to battle Gilbert in a video game last season for the Hawthorne inheritance. As Abed said, "I remember when this show was about a community college."

3. Jeff's boxing gloves

While Jeff and amateur-therapist Britta explored Pierce's bedroom, she shrewdly got Jeff to open up about his daddy issues.

But one thing we definitely weren't expecting was the revelation that the boxing gloves Jeff carried around throughout the episode as part of his costume belonged to his father.

Jeff noticed the "W. Winger" inscription on the gloves, then picked up the phone as the episode ended.

A really solid episode this week, thanks to "Community" veteran writer Megan Ganz – look forward to the SpacetimeCon next week! Cool. Cool cool cool.

Were you thrown off by the Halloween shenanigans on Valentine's? What are your theories about Jeff's dad? Share your thoughts on video or post a comment.