The Lotto Review

Now that was a pretty darn good episode of The Office.  I had to check, Charlie Grandy wrote a bunch of rather good episodes.  And Double Date...but i'll let that one go since everyone was off their game in season six.  And John directed.  Can't really go wrong with that.  It's relieving, in a way, that season eight seems to be going well so far.  I have a lot of hope.  Though, next week's episode sounds kinda boring and the week after that was written by Ellie Kemper's sister, so I may speak too soon.  Hope not...

Anyway, warehouse one the lotto.  Hilarious.  Though, there's a little part of me that's sad that they're gone now.  I mean, I suppose they didn't have much presence for a while, but still, things change.  And I suppose it gives more material to play with.

The A half of this episode was Andy and Darryl.  Now, it's nice that Darryl got a legitimate plotline.  I mean, yeah, he would feel bad after he's spent all his years doing nothing and it's gotten him nowhere.  And it's nice to see Andy be inspirational.  But, overall, can't say I was entertained the most by this one.  On the one hand, Andy is still retaining his own character and is actually, I'm finding to my surprise, much more endearing than Michael Scott.  On the other hand, the way it was shot was the typical manager a plot and everyone else b plot.  Please, writers, please...don't fall down this hole again.  That said, this plotline wasn't all bad.  I loved Andy interviewing his own hires.  (The hires that came in portion was a little lame and slow--this show should stay away from spending too much time with people we don't know.)  But it also ended well, in a very funny climax, including referencing things that happened in the past.  Always a plus in my opinion.

The B part was Jim and Dwight in the warehouse.  Plus Kevin and Erin.  This was the highlight of the episode.  You just can't go wrong putting Jim and Dwight together and this episode proves it.  Now, granted, they did dock Jim some IQ points, but I chalk it up to pure laziness on the character's part, and for once, I'll let it go for comedy's sake.

And then there was the rest of the ensemble.  I mean, the little bits of ensemble that we got were fantastic.  They should really, really do more of those scenes and I'm hoping, once we get past the 'we need to set up Andy as manager' phase, we'll get back to the ensemble again.

And I loved Pam in this episode.  Loved the lotto banter between Jim and Pam.  Loved her behind reception again.  Loved the small moments between her and Angela and Ryan.  I realize she probably won't get a major story until after Jenna comes back from maternity leave.  But still--ah, Pam.

Oh, and no James Spader.  The Office works well on its own.  This episode proves that.  Unfortunately, we do have Spader for the long haul so I'll deal with it.  But I still say he's not needed.

Two minor things--

**I forgot to mention last week how horrible the cold open was.  I mean dreadfully unfunny.  This week's was a little better but not by much.  C'mon guys.  Step it up.  Or just make the CO part of the story.  This is getting bad...

**The credits.  Geez....it's such a hack job.  The whole thing needs an overhaul.  Plus, I noticed Spader in the cast.  I assume he was there to remind the audience that the guy is sticking around.  But if he's on the season eight box cover, i shall be annoyed.

Grade: B+ Andy/Darryl stuff not only dragged but was too reminiscent of the Michael Scott era of doing an episode.  But that's a minor gripe.  A truly entertaining and funny episode.