The Office: Dunder-Mifflin Infinity
By fred | October 6, 2007
(S04E02) So while I liked the whole one-hour long episode last week, despite hearing some people complaining about the format, I also mentioned that I thought this could be nothing but fun for us viewers, as long as they writers were able not to focus so much on that new, hour long format. I think in the first episode, as well as in this one, it’s pretty clear that there’s in fact two episodes put together.
And that’s not a bad thing. As I had said, it would even have been a great thing if they hadn’t been afraid to write two “completely separated” and independent stories, one for each episode – or “half-episode”. I honestly don’t think viewers would have minded, because it would have been twice an half-hour of hilarity as The Office knows to deliver, and that’s exactly what we love.
But they apparently like to do “special” episodes, where there’s only one story stretching out over the two (half-)episode and the full hour. You might think it’d be good, and if they were to do so because that’s how their writing went, if might have been for sure. But this is not how things are done here, they are trying hard to fill in the hour, and I think it shows.
It does, and it hurts the show as we get to see scenes that aren’t that funny. And that’s a shame. So yeah, either fix this or downsize to the usual half-hour format, but something needs to be done, without a doubt.
On the episode itself, and to start with the brand new men of the hour : Ryan Atwood. Back when he used to be a temp, I could feel for him. I mean, sure, maybe he wasn’t trying his best to be integrated in the office, but he never intended to stay here anyways. This was a transitory situation for him, and to have Michael all in love with him sure as Hell didn’t make things easier.
But now that he’s gone to be the new big boss, what we had a glimpse of last week got undeniably confirmed this time : the guy’s a jerk! I don’t see how anyone would not hate him at this point. His attitude is despicable, should it be when trying to have some respect – though understandable to a certain point – or parading on how he can meets famous people now, or always absorbed in his, well, was that some kind of iPhone or something ?
By the way, whereas in 30 Rock they are always outrageously funny, writers of The Office aren’t that good when it comes down to product placement.
Ryan is trying to bring the company into the present future, and of course Michael isn’t going to let it slide. This was typical of Scott, and I expected nothing less. But I was disappointed by :
- the fact that Michael didn’t always seem so great at talking to his (ex-)clients, while we’ve seen in the past that he was a pretty good salesman. Maybe he needed more time to get there ?
- the whole ending of that plot. Driving onto the lake ? I want to yell “come on!” Maybe he actually intended to do so, purposely, in order to demonstrate how technology isn’t always helping… Still, not funny. And the next scene with him and Dwight going back to get their gift basket back… no, I expect more from this show.
Posted in Reviews
Shows: The Office
