The Office – Winners and losers

After a long battle — followed by a summer hiatus during which you probably never thought about it — the verdict is in: Andy Bernard is the new regional manager of Sabre Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Surprised?

I am and I’m not. On the one hand, the position should have gone to an insider all along, and Andy was one of two reasonable choices (changing Jim’s role would ruin his character even more than his marriage to Pam did, and Dwight didn’t stand a real chance given his history). On the other hand, Darryl was the other legitimate option, and he’d make a far better choice. Can you really imagine Andy leading the way in that office?

That said, it was awesome to see Andy sitting in Michael’s old chair … almost as awesome as it was to see The Office back in old school form. That’s right … it’s back, baby!

While the “planking” in the cold open felt a bit too much like Parkour from the season six premiere, I actually enjoyed it more the longer it went on. It was also utilized really well in establishing the new pecking order in the office; Andy sending in his enforcer, Dwight, to stop the new office craze was great. Dropping a book on the warehouse guy’s head, dumping Toby off of a table … the best one was blowing Meredith off the top of the bathroom stall with a fire extinguisher. And Stanley’s new “and shove it up your butt” thing? Oh, Stanley!

I was curious to learn how the much ballyhooed casting of James Spader as Robert California would be substantiated, as far as his position at Sabre. I’m thrilled that we appear done with Jo, but I thought Robert’s method of replacing Jo as CEO — by convincing her — was weak. And the new printer company’s CEO spends half his time working out of the conference room in one of the local branches of the tiny paper company that Sabre bought? Sure.

But Spader himself did not disappoint. The list was great — too bad only Creed, referred to as “Old Man,” got a nickname — and I loved how he dominated the writing on the show with his great comedic timing. How great was he when he was lying to Andy about the list? Some people doodle houses and penises … “Funny how the houses are always colonials, and the penises are always circumcised.” It was hilarious that he shifted Andy’s name over as they talked, but Kevin and Toby on the “winners” list? Kevin had a valid observation during lunch — “The thing that I like about Elmo … is the tickling” — but a winner? At least Toby realized the mistake on his own!

And while I enjoyed all of the craziness that ensued — Dwight chucking Jim’s phone at the wall; Kevin’s warning signal; Phyllis taking one for the team in an effort to distract Robert; lining the groups up and Dwight screaming “Attack!”; Kevin actually attacking; Dwight’s many varied lists — it’s kind of ridiculous that so much time would be expended trying to get a guy sixteen levels above any of them to think they were or weren’t winners. Andy’s concern for himself I understand — “What does he think of me? Don’t know, super care.” — but does it really matter as long as they’re producing? That said, if it was all to give Andy the opportunity to stand up for his employees and establish himself as an effective leader — something I’m sure he’ll be doing all season long — then … I accept.

If I’m not mistaken, I believe that Jim and Pam’s second pregnancy was a way to work with Jenna Fischer’s real life pregnancy, but I wonder about Angela’s. I also wonder how long it will take for Angela to realize that she’s a beard in her marriage to State Senator Rob Lipton (Jack Coleman) … if it wouldn’t throw the accounting department up in arms, my guess is it’ll last until she discovers that her husband and Oscar are having an affair.

I was very pleased with season eight’s initial effort. Michael Scott who? Okay, so we’re not there quite yet, but that was some fine work!

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Sep 23, 2011 @ 13:00 EST5EDT