By Dustin Rowles | TV | November 4, 2011 |
By Dustin Rowles | TV | November 4, 2011 |
Briefly: I thought last night’s “The Office” was mediocre. The “Closing Time” cold open was excellent, and the smile on Stanley’s face when he walked in the door singing it was one of this season’s best moments (unfortunately, I can’t at this time find a video). I also loved that he brought the “shove it up your butt” line back from earlier this season. Robert California’s brief appearance in the beginning of the episode was also excellent, mostly because I think James Spader is the best thing going for “The Office” at the moment.
As for the Doomsday Accountability Booster, I actually thought it was a very smart conceit, but I didn’t think it was very well executed. They set it up for what I’d hoped to be a very satisfying ending, but it more or less trailed off. We were looking at the possibility that everyone would lose their job, and Pam saved the day basically by mispronouncing a couple of words. Kind of lame. I had hoped that the email would have been sent and that Robert California actually found the entire idea inspiring, the insulting emails notwithstanding and that Andy would get credit. Andy desperately needs a moment of redemption to atone for the episode where his parents visited.
Also, why is Gabe still on this show? Where is Andy’s girlfriend? And why can’t Daryl catch a break?
The Office. Grade B