“The Office” Faces the Beginning of the End

-Dave (Comedy Contributor)

It’s safe to assume that anyone current on “The Office” has seen a dramatic shift between the greater part of last season and the first few episodes of season nine. The Office is no longer a shadow of its former self, desperately seeking an identity in the wake of losing one of TV’s deepest and most multifaceted characters. The show has found its identity sans Michael Scott (Steve Carell) while still, like any show in its ninth season, suffering some minor growing pains.

The greatest flaw with “The Office” is the burden on once-minor characters to now fill ten minutes that would have belonged to Michael. These characters lack the charisma and likability of such a memorable personality. We saw back-to-back episodes in which Meredith references oral sex and I see that as a problem. Last season Stanley was uncharacteristically animated and somewhat vulgar, a shtick the writers made minimal attempts to explain and no attempt at all when he “returned to normal.” Kevin’s IQ seems to dip episode-to-episode (reminiscent of Eric on Boy Meets World) and it’s like they don’t know what do with Daryl at the moment. However, the show’s appeal far outweighs its weaknesses, which is what keeps us coming back year after year. They have been able to create so many characters that we genuinely care about (or at least think we care about).

With the show having taken a decidedly mean turn, (the Oscar/Senator storyline, Clark attempting to take advantage of the optimistic, yet not so bright, Erin, and the unlikable Nellie Bertram) we can’t expect the final season to be perfect. One thing is for sure though; we will experience a ton of nostalgia for one of television’s greatest shows while finally learning what it has all been for. I can’t imagine the writers not delving deeper into the meaning of nearly ten years’ worth of “documentary” footage, which should prove quite interesting. It seems to me that “The Office” is a show that must end with a “happily ever after.” So I think we viewers have little to worry about.