Thursday, September 27, 2012

Mini-Episode Review: "The Office" Season Premier Episode- "New Guys"


It's hard to say goodbye to a television show. When the final season of a long-running show begins, it's quite bittersweet; considering that while you are watching the first in a run of all new episodes, in your mind you are aware that the end is clearly around the corner. When a beloved series comes to end you know that the only times you'll see the faces of your favorite characters will either be on repeats or on DVDs. When a favorite show comes to end, you'll always be remembering the times you sat comfortably on your couch and laughing; either by your self or with your friends and families. Simply put, knowing that one of your favorite shows is coming to its inevitable conclusion is slightly disheartening.

But what if the quality of the show in question has suffered on account of poor writing? This past summer, it was announced NBC's hit series “The Office” will be officially ending after its ninth season. The series, which started in Spring 2005, focuses on the lives of the employees working at Dunder Mifflin Paper Scranton. While I've enjoyed the performances I was quite saddened by the significant amount of overstated storylines and shoddy writing that struck the series this past season. While I've approved of Ed Helms' dependable performance of Andy Bernard, the former paper salesman that assumed the title of Regional Manager- previously held by Steve Carell's Michael Scott, who left towards the end of the seventh season- I was rattled by the writers resorting to overdone physical comedy and consuming episodes with unremarkable storylines.

And now, this past Thursday, NBC aired the premier episode of the series' final season. The episode, entitled “New Guys,” was both written and directed by Greg Daniels, focused on the addition of two new employees named Clark and Pete; portrayed by Clark Duke and Jake Lacy respectfully. And when watching the episode, I recall slightly grinning at times; mostly due to the fact that there was a couple of genuinely amusing sequence. Unfortunately, however, I was troubled by the episode's reliance on strained material.

One problem I had with the episode was that it appeared that a majority of the episode's comedy appeared forced. Throughout the episode, the was a great amount of physical comedy that seemed over-the top, For instance, in the episode's opening, Dunder Mifflin Accountant Kevin Malone, played Brian Baumgartner, recounts how he tried to save a turtle that he ran over. However, the state of affairs concluded with the animal dying before the character can successfully repair its shell. Not even the actor's comical performance could improve the sequence; as it appeared to be a desperate attempt to get laughs from viewers. Another sequence that irked me was when, in an attempt to prove his worthiness, Raiin Wilson's Dwight Scrhute attempted to ride a bicycle across a tight-rope that ran from the rooftop of Dunder Mifflin to a telephone pole. The whole scene was completely overstated; as it did not posses the subtle humor that was present throughout the earlier seasons of “The Office.” It's sequences like these that make me sigh heavily rather than laugh loudly.

Another problem I had with the season premier was the setup of a story-arc for workplace lovebirds Jim Halpert and Pam Halpert-Beesly, played by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer respectfully, that will most likely consume the remaining episodes of the season. Ever since the beginning of the series, we have been rooting for characters to get together. And several conflicts emerged along the way that made us doubt that they would ever become a couple. Then, in the series' sixth season, the pair were married and they've been happy together ever since. Unfortunately, their marriage seemed like the perfect storybook ending for them; as they eventually became the parents of two children and they've been happy ever since.  And unfortunately-but-ture, this caused them to become slightly uninteresting.

So what does Episode Writer Greg Daniels do spice things up? Try to create conflict for the couple. With the arrival of Jake Lacy's Pete, John Krasinski's Jim Halpert realizes that he's been working at Dunder Mifflin for a long time. So, rather impulsively, Halpert eventually takes up his college friend's offer to join a sports enterprise. Unfortunately, Krasinki's character does so without informing his wife; obviously setting up future problems. While I applaud Krasinski's performance during this particular scene, the entire plotline seems like a forced way to cause friction between the actor's character and Jenna Fischer's Pam Halpert-Beesly. We know now that the two characters are going to have to deal with the repercussions; as well as the fact that Krasinki's on-screen persona took the job offer in secret. Hopefully, this story-arc will play out in a well-written and well-performed manner throughout the series' final season.



These are just a couple problems I have with the episode. There were a couple moments in the episode that caused me to chuckle; such as John Krasinski's Jim Halpert and Jenna Fischer's Pam Halpert-Beesly address the camera crew that's bee following around the Dunder Mifflin employees throughout
the series. I also admit that the interactions between Raiin Wilson's Dwight Shrute and new employee Clark, played by Clark Duke, were quite humorous and featuring good comedic timing between the two actors. In addition, I laughed when hearing the humorous summation of the day's events by eccentric Dunder Mifflin employee Creed Bratton; the on-screen alter-ego of the musician-tuned-actor. These sequences prove that there still is humor present in the long-running NBC series; even though much of the writing has become stale and overdrawn.



So who knows? Maybe the rest of final season of “The Office” will be good. This was just the premier and hopefully the writers can finish the show on a high note. Otherwise, this will be one viewer that wouldn't be truly upset to see Dunder Mifflin Paper close its doors forever.
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