Grid Effect

In the online world, everyone seems pretty enamored with last nights episode of The Office. I will always enjoy the show because it is such a well constructed comedy, but last night it was really underwhelming for me. Nothing was terrible (though some might cringe at the thought of Michael and Jan dating), just felt… bland in a way.

The totality of “Back From Vacation” was relationship oriented, and like I have stated many times before, I feel like the writers for this series are good enough that they can go this route and still maintain the series’ edge. However, that doesn’t refute the fact that I would prefer if they didn’t. I mean, there are enough Friends-esque romances on television nowadays, and it would be refreshing to see one series avoid taking the conventional route by advancing the plot through having all the main characters dating each other.

See how they’re not lost in each other’s gaze? Isn’t that more satisfying?

I understand much of its core audience tunes in for just this reason. And I will admit that scenes derived from relationship quandaries, such as the scene with Dwight consoling Pam in the hallway, are at times the shows paramount moments. But I am tuning in for Dwight’s abnormalities, more so than Pam’s man troubles.

Obviously, I will always watch The Office regardless of its content, mainly because I simply appreciate good/great storytelling and it is still damn funny. But last night seemed too represent a turning point, where we stop focusing on mundane office shenanigans and more so on the lovelorn characters longing for each others embrace. I am probably wrong, because like I have implied before, the writing staff is second too none.

Notable quotes:

“Who did this too you? … So, your PMS-ing pretty bad, right?” -Dwight, just displaying his ineptitude around women with trying to comfort Pam.

“It’s kind of an impoverished country.” -Pam, after Michael explains how carefree and laid back Jamaicans are.

“Jan decided too go with me but we didn’t see each other, except at night and in the morning, and that’s all I’m going too say … sex … I had sex with her … I had sex with Jan”. -Michael, doing all he could too conceal his secret from the film crew.

“I’M CUTTING OF PHYLLIS’ HEAD WITH A CHAINSAW!” -Andy getting a little overzealous with the audio recorder.

“Michael, I got that picture sent too me nine different times. My ex-wife sent it too me, and we don’t even talk.” -Toby, after Michael accused him of going on his computer too look at a vacation picture of him and Jan.

“You look pretty tan … How was it?” -Kevin, inquiring Jan about her vacation. Like everything with Kevin, it’s all about delivery.

Come too think of it, the episode was fairly entertaining. Maybe between the exemplorary “Benihana Christmas” episode, and the strength of FNL’s return on Wednesday, my expectations were a little inflated.