Grid Effect

Another well spent two hours of television last night. Survivor, I can’t ever recall a season like this, where people idiotically make the wrong play, then accidentally make the right decision trying to backtrack. Their are now four members of the original Zhan Hu, and if they have any sense at all, they’ll attempt to recruit Jean-Robert or Courtney to at least even the numbers, because James is obviously jumping ship. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia was as jaded and depraved and hilarious as always, I could probably do without a reappearance from Mac’s dad, there isn’t really any comedy extracted from anything he’s involved in.

To the topic at hand, however,on The Office we’re back to the half hour format and it is well suited. I use to advocate for extending it to an hour, but it did seem a little overextended, and while I didn’t hate any of the episodes, plenty of them seemed uneven and forced. I’d rather walk away from the television wanting more after a half hour, than being relieved when its over after an hour. And, this is somewhat self-indulgent, but it’s far easier to recap twenty-two minutes than it is forty. When they feel the need to have Michael deliberately and intentionally drive his car into a lake, then you know its time to draw back a little.

First off, is it just me or is Jim turning into a some codependent pathetic boyfriend? Really, I kind of enjoyed it when he was single and feigning off advances from Amy Adams. This entire “I can’t get into a car with Meredith” rap could get really old, really quickly. She doesn’t owe you anything yet is offering you a ride home, some gratitude might be in order. It seems out of sorts what they’re doing to his character. Not that he’s a total prick or anything, but I never saw him as someone that morphs into a smug douchebag after “getting the girl”. Maybe it’s my misread of character, but it was unexpected. Clearly that scene profoundly rubbed me the wrong way.

Anyhow, the creation of the “local ad”, actually turned into something commendable. It was far better than the ad corporate had planned and actually elicited a sweet reaction from the ensemble cast. For whatever reason, it’s gratifying to see Michael actually pull something off, probably because Ryan being such a dick over the phone and allowed himself to be talked into a corner by his former boss. Which, if you can’t go toe to toe with Michael Scott and hold your own, then you probably aren’t sufficiently qualified for, anything, really. It’s good that they keep these moments few and far between.

Who amongst us wouldn’t love to see ourselves fly in a video game?

Ed Helms is really a silver lining in this series that rarely seems to get any credit. His unbeknownst rivalry with Dwight is a good pairing. Rainn Wilson and Ed Helms play off each other brilliantly, especially in the escalating “oh D” exchange. Speaking of which, is that video game he was playing real? Normally I would assume it isn’t, but this series is one for its pop-culture references, so I’m kind of assuming it is. If so, Jim’s line, “No, there are definitely losers involved” was pretty apropos. I mean, not to disparage those who play it, I’m as bitter and jaded as the next blogger, but never has it dawned on me to create a idealistic virtual likeness of myself. At least they were self-deprecating with Jim, as he created his “Second Life” character to be a Philly sports writer with a guitar strapped to his back.

Other highlights:
-The group singing

-Kevin being labeled “Kool-aid man” in high school.

-Stanley’s reaction to everything in every scene he was in.

Probably the best episode of the season. And if they can keep up at this pace, then I can finally begin looking forward to this series as something enjoyable, as opposed to something necessary for this website.

IASIP and FNL recaps coming later. We only work in acronyms around here now.