Finishing Up The Season: The Office

I’ve heard rumblings that people are displeased with “The Office” and that perhaps it has overextended itself. In its infancy, it was placed side-by-side on a continual basis with the British original in much the same way that “Parks & Recreation” is currently being put up against this very show. “The Office” proved in its second season that it was headed somewhere different from the British version, the question now remains, where exactly is that? This season provided only one conclusive answer, and that’s the Michael Scott Paper Company.

When “New Boss” ended and Michael told David Wallace that he wasn’t going to take being sidelined anymore, I didn’t put much weight in Michael’s words. He doesn’t exactly follow through on most of his promises, usually trying to change the original terms he was dealing with and convincing whoever he’s talking to that he’s delivering just what they ordered. In this case, however, he really left, and this was somewhere the show hadn’t really gone before. Bringing Ryan back into the fold and giving Pam some newfound confidence coupled with dramatic material created a great enduring legacy for the Michael Scott Paper Company. The episodes themselves were somewhat unproductive, just like the MSPC itself, but it was a fun arc. By far the best part of it was Michael’s surprisingly effective bartering at the conclusion of the plotline, and it provided a nice defense for why someone would actually keep this crazy guy around.

After Michael, Pam, and even Ryan the permanent temp were effectively phased back into Dunder-Mifflin, things became a little more unclear. The lack of punch in the season finale is tremendously telling. Season one isn’t applicable because it was when the show was so young and riding on the British series for story ideas, but all the other seasons culminated in major events. Season two saw Michael having not one but two women forcefully interested in him and Jim telling Pam how he felt, season three found everyone applying for new jobs and Jim deciding he really knew where he belonged, and season four sought to see off Toby (temporarily, at least) and introduce a wonderful new love interest for one Michael Scott. The season five kicker, set at a company picnic of all places, doesn’t really have a center. Michael’s reunion with Holly is awkward, and while his later interactions and end monologue are charming, it’s a reference that doesn’t relate to the whole series. Holly should have stuck around, but because her arc only lasted a few episodes, it feels like she’s really not the one for Michael, and thus shouldn’t be given this star treatment (though Amy Ryan really is tremendously talented and should be the focal point of every episode of any TV show). Pam’s pregnancy is a great supporting point, and the volleyball games are quite fun, but the episode, and the season as a whole, lacks a clear center. I have no idea where season six is headed, and besides the potential reconciliation between Angela and Dwight, there’s not much more I can look forward to. Spotlighting the minor characters would be a good place to start, but otherwise, this office has gotten considerably less interesting this year.

Season finale: B+
Season grade: B/B+
Season MVP: Amy Ryan