What I’m Watching: The Office

The Office: Season 8, Episode 8 “Gettysburg” (B+)

This is a familiar episode in many ways, with Andy taking everyone on his first poorly-conceived excursion to somewhere completely irrelevant to work and unhelpful to their work ethic. Andy’s enthusiasm was far too high from the start, and leaving the snacks on the locked bus didn’t help the situation much. After much wandering and infighting, Jim’s big speech about how they clearly like Andy because they came with him and were wearing the hats was both much-needed and sweet. It’s good for Andy to get a pat on the back every once in a while. Dwight’s obsession with the Battle of Schrute Farms led to a hilarious revelation that had Dwight defeated and Oscar beaming, and I enjoyed Erin’s mixed reaction to the two of them telling her what to think. Back at the office, Robert’s casual drop-by turned into a rather pathetic pitch session, with Ryan being overenthusiastic, Stanley trying too hard, and Pam just plain giving up midway through her presentation. The fact that Kevin’s idea turned out to be the one he liked was great, and it was made funnier by the fact that a fed-up Ryan felt the need to make clear to Robert that Kevin really was just talking about cookies the whole time. During the cold open, Pam faking her water breaking was funny, and I loved her she went so far as to use a water bottle to really sell it, only to have the bottle itself drop and reveal her charade.