What I’m Watching: The Office

The Office: Season 6, Episode 10 “Murder” (C+)

My frustration with this episode is similar to that of the office employees: why waste time role playing when the future of the company is at stake? This is just the latest in a string of episodes that haven’t really accomplished anything, and the idea that Dunder-Mifflin may be going under is pretty major in terms of the future of the show. Bringing it up and so purposely pushing its resolution off feels like a tease, and Wallace’s quick, frank phone call with Jim confirms that there is indeed something to be worried about, but just like Jim, we’re not going to know for a while exactly how worried to be. Demonstrating the fact that Michael is, in his own particular ways, a good boss is hardly necessary at this point because it only serves to weaken Jim’s own credibility. Jim does very little this episode besides fidget, shout, and look desperately at the camera, and it’s not becoming for him. He’s a terrific character because he’s subdued in the way that he checks Michael, and having him become so easily flappable takes away from that. This episode was overstuffed with outrageous moments that raised eyebrows but also produced laughs, like Michael’s hamster tube plan and Oscar’s high-pitched, barely audible attempt at a Southern accent. This certainly gets the office together, but it’s under false pretenses, and the interactions are all fabricated through the playing of Michael’s game. On a closing note, it appears that Erin and Andy have become the new Jim and Pam, woefully unaware of their mutual feelings and destined to do nothing for years about it until it’s way too late (or maybe not).