Grid Effect

Sorry this is coming up so late. We had to wait until we got off work to write it so you can imagine my annoyance. I have a strict policy about not writing anything for this website on my own free time. And, well, when I have to do so during the 6:30 PTI (albeit with Bob Ryan, but PTI none the less) that just grates even more.

Anyhow, I suppose it’s a good sign when they take five episodes into the second half of a season after a writers strike for me to be indifferent about one of their installments, but I can’t help but feeling like there was a lot of missed potential here. I mean, a job fair and a golf course used as settings in one episode seems almost excessive for just one episode. But they felt it necessary to show the parallels between Michael and Jim and the diverging paths of Jim and Pam.

That kiss in the final scene (before the credits) really felt kind of hackneyed and (again) excessive for this show. One thing I’ve always loved about The Office is their ability (forgive me David Simon) to do more with less. Of course, what makes this show watchable even when were not particularly fond of the direction its taking, is that Michael manages to lean in and offer some commentary. But with little to no involvement in the actual office short of Dwight lacking any real authority and giving Angela the cold shoulder all day, I expect more than a couple physical comedy gags and some awkward confrontations. Something along the lines of Dwight in an NYC club is much more suitable.

Speaking of NYC, some partners in crime at corporate were conspicuously absent this episode.

Usually we pity Michael, but his shabby treatment of the aspiring paper company employee and Pam made us actually kind of hope something violent happens to him. This is generally an issue with this brand of humor, if it doesn’t work or is unoriginal, it comes across as more callous than pitiful. Really the only thing we liked about the entire job fair plot was Michael booting the basketball across the gym and Pam’s reminiscing about skipping gym class.

The golf outing went from a promising concept to something they had Jim take too seriously and turned Andy and Kevin into walking caricatures. I mean, I guess we want to see Jim and Pam happy and all, but I’m still only so invested in it. The whole, “he wants to impress her” storyline is only good for a couple lines listed below. Our ambivalence towards episodes like this probably derives from 1) we prefer comedies to be comedic, and 2) Jim’s attitude (or initial attitude) towards his job was so similar to ours. Watching him take selling paper even remotely seriously kind of ruins part of the show we actually love. I’m almost hoping they move off to Philly or NYC together, the two of them get their spinoff, we can ignore that show and watch an Office that revolves around Dwight and Andy.

Dwight and Angela’s non-developments were amusing, but never provided much more than them pacing around awkwardly and Dwight ignoring Angela, except for the occasional coworker interaction. It was in character for both of them, but just didn’t bring much to the table. You can actually probably say the same thing for everyone this episode except for Michael, whom when crossed a certain threshold, just seems like something from someone’s nightmare, rather than an actual human being (see Phyllis’ wedding).

We really have little else to say about the episode so here are the precious few choice moments:

“We’re to find some interns at the high school, need to euthanize this place.” -Michael

“I’m about to do something bold at this job that I’ve never done before…Try.” -Jim

Being back here brings back memories: Pretending to have PMS so i didn’t have to play volleyball, pretending to have PMS so I didn’t have to play basketball, those were the days.” -Pam

“The American workaday ends at 5pm.” -Dwight, instructing the employees.

“Justin is the ugly girl in the movie who takes her glasses off and is hot. And you discover she wasn’t ugly, she just had glasses on.” -Michael, describing the only student who exhibited any interest in working for them.

“I would never say this to her face, but she is extremely nice and a gifted artist.” -Michael describing Pam

Not their best, not their worst. We can live with one underwhelming episode for every four brilliant episodes. Even on the heels of this, we’re on pins and needles waiting for the hour long finale.We’ve had our issues with the hour long episodes in the past, but when done selectively and not compulsively, they’re generally the comedic and dramatic highlights of the season (see “Casino Night” and “Benihana Christmas”).