Garden Party Review

Ah, my poor show.  It’s definitely gone over to silly sitcom land.  But it’s season eight, so I suppose that was inevitable.  At least it’s still entertaining.  Still, I sorta miss the somewhat groundedness that it used to have.    The episode reminded me of Viewing Party in away.  Maybe there was more of a plot in this one than Viewing Party, but that odd, semblance of people for no real reason and wavering plotline makes it comparable. 

I did like the episode,  but I have two major complaints.

Andy and his parents and the whole family drama.  Okay, first of all, total recon of his parents from season 4 when they were dorky weird people just like him.  I feel like they made his parents douchebags just to be douchebags.    And how overly cliché is the whole my rich, snobby parents don’t like me and favor my brother?  Gah!  Plus, the five minute musical interlude was kinda boring.  They could have at least picked a more interesting strong.  At least Josh Grobin and the dude from 7^th Heaven didn’t stick out that much like guest stars tend to do on this show.  Ah well, at least hopefully, now that we realize why this means so much to Andy, we can back off the Andy heavy plots and move on to other people.

Second complaint: Robert California.  God, I hate that name.  Spader himself doesn’t bug me that much, he never really has screen time and he doesn’t really do anything.  But the sucking up has GOT to stop.  I’m really getting sick of everyone’s reaction to the guy is to bow down before his feet.  They didn’t do that to Jo or David Wallace.  (Man, I miss Wallace).  So, why this guy?  It’s like some unnecessary ego trip.  I didn’t even mind the toasting portion, which had a few good one-liners.  But STOP with the blatant sucking up and give the character an actual plotline if you’re going to use him.  I feel like the only reason Spader is there is for posterity’s sake. 

Everything else, I liked! 

First of all, Schrute farms is always a riot.  And great use of Dwight the episode.  He was very much entertaining.  And Mose!  It wasn’t much, but I loved it.  Mostly because it felt old school.  Also, loved Jim’s prank on Dwight—also felt old school.  Sometimes I feel like this show is torn in half, between the old dynamics of the original characters and the shoehorning, sitcommy ways of the new characters and direction.  Maybe I’m wrong about my assessment of the show being able to last longer than this year.  This show, while entertaining, is definitely not made for the original audience. 

The b-cast shined as well.  I mean, there were some fantastic one-liners (with the exception of Gabe.  They should have dropped this character all together.)  Only Creed was missing with his normal hilarious line, though I’m sure there’s something in the deleted scenes. 

There was some cute stuff with Jim and Pam.  Glad we got to see Cece again, because part of me wondered if, now that she’s older, they’d stop showing her.  And Andy interacting with her was adorable.  I liked that.  The Angela/Pam nameoff was, well, okay, I guess this pregnancy stand off is an arc, but I’ll go with it.  It’s obvious that Jenna is limited on her time, though, and it makes me miss Pam as more of the action.  I hope that they get to do another year, with all the characters just so everyone has a full season to say goodbye with.  Anyway, also, how many more names are the Halpert family going to steal form my own.  Holy dear, I laughed out loud at that coincidence.  Anyway, JAM was cute and it’s nice to see them showing a little affection, which the writers don’t give us all that often.  So, score there. 

Grade: C+ I mean, it’s not a bad episode by any means.  And I get the impression that season 8 is going to end up like a lot of these episodes.  While I like the little bits here and there, it didn’t round out completely to a great whole.  And while I’m still okay with Andy as manager, I’m getting tired of the extreme focus.  And Spader…just stop writers.  Find him something to do or just stop. 

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.

The Incentive Review

Hmmm....

Historically, the second episode of the season isn't really as great as the premiere.  Most of them are mediocre.  Unfortunately, this one falls into that catagory.  I mean, I understand that the first few episodes this season will focus on why Andy is manager.  Fine, I can deal with that.  Especially, if they follow through and spread the love.  But, an episode about Andy is still an episode about Andy.  What I liked about the premiere is that it did such a great job of spreading the love.  Everyone got a bit in it and it held together well as an ensemble piece.  This was was more so about Andy, which does put me on guard a little bit.  Because, ultimately, when the show was about Michael Scott, it was about Michael Scott, and that's what brought it down.  And it's been refreshing, yeah, I know, I said it, with out Michael Scott around.  So, I hope that the writers stick to their original intentions so that Andy does not become the sole focus of the show. 

I feel like this episode was written as if to explain why Andy was made manager.  Did that really need to be answered?  I would have taken it on faith that someone wanted to see if Andy had what it took.  I didn't really need an episode about it.  But in a way, I understand why they went that way. 

On the positive side, at least the show still feels fresh.  Really, there were some nice moments and I did laugh out loud.  The other great thing is that they're not over using James Spader--which was also a fear of mine.  No, he comes in, does his five minutes, and leaves, which I'm glad.  And I think that once the season gets on its own feet, which is hopefully doesn't take all season, I think that Spader in smaller doses than what we have now will be just fine.   I almost feel like Spader is being used as training wheels on a bran new bike.  So, huh, maybe this baby has a few more years in it after all.

Also, I want to point out how this show is just not going to work if Jim (John) ever leaves.  I mean, he's the one that really got things going and made things happen.  It very much reminded me of the Jim/Michael dynamic that used to be, though I'd say Michael could function on his own, where Andy definitely needs help.  I did like the scene at the end between Jim and Andy though--and I hope there's more of that.  I can handle Jim not wanting to be manager if he's used well and truly the gears that keeps the office going.  Anyway, my point is that Jim is being used so well and so I hope that it continues like that--though I'm slightly in fear of what they'll do to him, cause I know these writers and have been burned before.  We'll see....

Kinda an in-between thought, what is going on with Dwight.  I understand him being pissed about the job, etc, but he's just acting weird.  I feel like there's little effort into writing Dwight.  I'm wondering if the writers aren't sure what to do with him.  I don't know, part of me wonders if Rainn really will bow out after this year.  :/ 

Okay, a few issues I had with the episode.  First of all, the editing, cause this show has major problems with it.  I'm guessing that this episode was longer and the cut stuff out.  I mean, I feel like the first ten minutes set everything up but then, didn't really go anywhere.  I mean, I guess it went to the butt tattoo, but I was hoping it'd be something a little more than that.  Ah well...

But more so, there was supposedly two subplots in this episode, though you wouldn't really notice.  First of all, what was up with Darryl and his ex?  What was the purpose of even having her there.  I'm guessing she's more relevant later on?  I think?  I have no idea cause it didn't go anywhere.  Then there was the Pam/Angela walking thing.  Set up only for a joke in the tag?  That was disappointing.  Especially when I heard rumor there was going to be a Pam/Dwight storyline.  I mean, there might still be one down the road.  But, I was disappointed overall. 

Grade: C.  I mean, there were definitely some funny moments but it was still all about Andy. 

The List Review

I was very apprehensive about this season.  Very.  Based on all the speculation before hand.  I'm still a little iffy about the season as a whole but at least this episode gave it promise. 

First of all, this episode kinda felt like was a midseason episode and not the premiere.  Though, I could see this as the second episode to last year's finale.  The weird part is that season seven started with an air of finality to it.  This year felt like every other mid-series beginning.  Makes me wonder about the future of the show. 

Anyway, right off the bat, James Spader.  Groan.  I hope he isn't in it too much.  I find him rather annoying.   I don't like that he's got a preconcieved notion of everyone.  He comes off as a snob and he seems as though he's trying to be intellectual but it comes off as pretentious.  Maybe that's the point?  I don't know, I don't want to see a lot of him. 

So, they made Andy manager.  Really?  I mean...really?  It's interesting though--that one, they've totally, totally made him the new Michael Scott.  And two, he was endearing enough and not *manager* enough to really bother me.  In fact, Spader felt more like the *manager* to me.  Andy was kinda the buffer.  And, there is a vast difference between Michael Scott being the center of the show and Andy still being another character.  Granted, Andy did get a little more screen time, which I did feel bogged it down some, but his sweetness kinda balanced it out.  It'll be interesting.  And as long as they keep away from the Andy/Erin romance, I think it'll be just fine.

I really loved Jim and Pam in this episode.  Jim still seemed like Jim to me and though he didn't have much to do, he was featured often and I'll always take that.  Pam, just, aw, Pam.  I love her so much.  I love pregnant Pam.  I love how emotional she got.  I hope they have some good pregnancy story lines that they didn't give to her in season six.  Also, the tag, beautiful.  A sweet underscored JAM moment, something that was greatly missing in season seven and to an extent season six.  I kinda hope that they can keep that up and that Jenna's absence doesn't mar it too much. 

I didn't miss Michael.  I didn't miss Steve Carell.  I think his leaving did give everyone else a little more spotlight time and I enjoyed that.  The b cast all got some good moments and hopefully the trend will continue.  Oh, and Angela's pregnancy was definitely underscored.  Maybe she's faking.  Ha! I hope.  I'm not sure I'm excited about that one. 

Grade: B.  Solid B.  Not much of an epic premiere and Spader's gonna be a pain but the elements of the show are still there and it can still be funny, sweet, and endearing.