Grid Effect

Whenever people comment about an Office episode they weren’t particularly fond of, they always follow it up with something along the lines of, “But its still better than any other sitcom on television.” Well, of course it is. That’s why I watch it, thats why you watch it. So we hold it to a higher standard. I don’t want to speak for everyone, but I don’t watch The Office solely because it is better than According To Jim or King Of Queens, that doesn’t mean much. I watch this series because it is genuinely clever and in terms of content it breaks from the mainstream. No one needs to apologize for criticizing an episode they thought fell short of what we are accustom to.

A few technical notes, this episode was written by Mindy Kaling, who also plays Kelly. Hence the Diwali theme. Initially, Kaling applied to be a writer and through some form of television osmosis, cast her as Kelly. In addition, Kelly’s parents were played by Kaling’s parents, though apparently, they are not as traditional.

Anyways, was last nights episode funny? Of course. Does it measure up to the general level of hilarity I have come to expect from Office episodes past? In my humble opinion, No. It didn’t. The setting of a Diwali (Acient Indian holiday, like “Halloween for Hindu’s” as Michael described it, which couldn’t be further from the truth, yet leads everyone to show up in costume to a somewhat formal event) festival for these characters should have delivered more than it did.

There were obviously some humorous instances, such as the continuing cringe-worthy behavior of Michael Scott. Between his ill-adivsed public marriage proposal to Carol after nine dates, followed by her storming off and for all intensive purposes breaking up with him, then Michael trying to make out with Pam (bringing an entirely new level of awkwardness to the show, and I kind of hope they ignore it in future episodes), you cannot help but simultaneously laugh at and pity him.

Speaking of pity, does everyone still hate Roy? In two minutes of screentime he actually managed to evoke sympathy from me. For those primarily interested in the romance aspect of this series, are your loyalties torn a bit in terms of the Jim-Pam-Roy triangle? You might be soulless if they’re not. Personally, I would rather see Jim end up with Pam, then when that comedic angle has run its course, they break up due to mitigating circumstances and the writers find some other way to hord their female viewership. So yeah, color me soulless.

I loved Ryan’s handling of Kelly’s parents. The attempt to compare with the Indian doctor Kelly’s parents preferred yet dismissal when they asked about his future was well written by Kaling. Since he clearly isn’t interested in marrying her (As told by the anguished look on his face when she was “dressing him”) he wanted to defend himself without seeming like a future husband for their daughter.

Jim getting drunk during the late night at the office scene did not add much to anything. I did however, enjoy Andy holding up a half-empty bottle of Jaegermeister though. Just seemed like he meant to bring a full bottle but couldn’t help himself.

Some good lines:

Pam: What are you doing?
Michael: What are you doing?
Pam: I am rejecting your kiss.

Dwight’s explanation of Diwali was as cryptic and intentionally morbid as one would imagine. I can’t remember it verbatim so we’ll just leave it at that.

Kelly’s Dad: So you are saving up money then? For a house and a family.
Ryan: Uhhh, to travel. And an XBox.

“How many God’s do you have? 5 … They eat monkey brains.” -Angela’s asking Kelly about Hinduism, and offering her own uneducated opinion.

Other notes:
Creed’s weird, Meredith’s desperate, Pam’s lonely and text-messages Jim, Ryan’s miserable, Oscar’s still in Europe and Andy keeps a sleeping bag at work.

All in all, the episode delivered, just not the way I am used to it delivering. For a first time writing effort from Kaling, it was a valiant one. She definitely knows the characters intimately. Nobody’s behavior diverged from what its been in the past and I like to see her get the opportunity.