a bumpy return to the office

If you’ve been reading this blog from the beginning, you may have noticed that The Office has yet to be covered. That might have you thinking that here at We Watch More TV Than You, we are not fans of The Office. Quite the contrary...to a certain extent. Personally, when the American version of The Office premiered way back in 2005, I sat in my dorm room and watched the pilot from beginning to end and while the entire episode was basically taken from the original series’ pilot, I was immediately drawn in. By the end of the second episode, “Diversity Day,” now a personal favorite, I was smitten. All through Season 1, my best friend from college and I thought of The Office as our secret. The little show no one really knew too much about, or even gave a chance. We looked forward to it every week. And by the time Season 2 premiered, we sat in eager anticipation of the opening episode. The Office eventually went on to win their first, and only Emmy for Best Comedy, for their second season, and it was more than deserved. Even now, I look back at every episode of Season 2, and find not one flaw. It is very common among new shows to really come into their own when given a stab at a second season, and The Office was no exception. Even today, I stand by the idea that Season 2 is the best, now and always. I’ve been watching the show ever since.

So yes, I was definitely a fan of The Office; a big one. I walked around quoting the latest episodes. I relished every moment on screen Creed Bratton was given. I found myself amused at almost anything Steve Carell would say or do. I cheered and teared when Jim finally confessed his love for Pam, and repeated the act when they finally became an item. I snuck in “that’s what she said” jokes whenever I found the opportunity. I sat much too close to the television screen during The Emmys, The Golden Globes, and The SAG’s, cheering the show on. I’ll even admit that I skipped social events with friends, simply because it was Thursday night, and The Office was my priority. But at one point in Season 4, the episodes started to become forgettable. Strangely enough, this was the same year of the famous Writers’ Strike when most of our favorite shows were on hiatus, but perhaps when The Office returned, it just wasn’t the same show I had fallen in love with. Sure, there have been some really great moments and additions to the show: Amy Ryan as Holly, the greatness that is Michael Scott Paper Company, Pam and Jim’s wedding. But at one point, I just stopped caring about the characters. Steve Carell will never fail to get a positive reaction out of me, but if I’m going to be honest with you, I have to say that it is no longer my favorite show. Despite all of this, I have to remind myself that I was a fan from the beginning and I intend to stay loyal to it. And concerning the current season, I feel like the first two episodes have just been blah. I’ve grown sick of Pam and Jim--they’re a bit cocky to the point of slightly annoying, no? I don’t even know why Ryan shows up (that whole “not explaining your random hipster style” gag has gotten quite old). And all these last two episodes seem to have done is remind me that we are two steps closer to Steve Carell’s exit; an event that just might end my dedication to the show. But as I said, I’m loyal, so I vow to recap the rest of the season. As far as next season goes, let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.