my s and p keys are kind of broken, so if my words don't make sense, that may or may not be why

[elapses]

Then vs. now, Office finales have always been about the crescendo -- the emotional buildup in "Casino Night" and "the Job"(/"Beach Games") were both incredibly palpable -- not even just in the episodes themselves, but in the episodes leading up to them, and even, really, the entire seasons themselves. Tonight's episode was all about SHOCKING! TWISTS! which definitely made it riveting -- but not in the organic way I've come to expect from the Office. Season 4 was overall lacking in the kind of cohesion two and three had -- and I know the strike had a lot to do with that. The first half of the season was laced with the buildup to a Jim Halpert character arc -- which actually, in the last two weeks, had a weeeee bit of resolution (I know I cannot be the only one COMPLETELY DELIGHTED with Jim Halpert: that guy who actually cares about his job), and in the second half, they decided to take us on this Jim-and-Pam-getting-engaged ride. They've built it up, they've alluded to it weekly, and a good quarter of the first 44 minutes of this finale was more buildup -- and then.

I'm not... angry. I was frustrated, and now I'm just... disappointed. They didn't need to make this week about Jim and Pam, but they did make it about Jim and Pam. To give away the moment they'd built up to just... feels so false to me. Especially right before that three month separation -- this was their night, and I cannot belieeeeeve Andy and his engagement ring sitting the bottom of his wallet is what took that away from them.

BUT PAM AND ART SCHOOL!!!!! Oh Beesly, I'm super proud of you. And this was actually one of the funniest episodes of season 4, the Kevin plotline was pure brilliance. (Best line of the night goes to Oscar, though, on Ryan's beard. AHAHAHAHA, mannnnn. AND KELLY ON RYAN!!! Oh my god, is there anything not wonderful about Kelly Kapoor?)


But so that was season 4. And let's be honest: it was incredibly sub-par. There are plenty of excuses as to why -- the hourlongs were too much (which begs the question: why why why are we doing more to start off season 5?), the strike cut the Office off even faster than it cut off all of our other shows, they shouldn't've come back with only this many episodes left -- because really, this was what, six?? What can you do, creatively, with that?

But there's something lacking, artistically, as well. I've been watching my season 2 DVDs, and this Office 2008 is a different, different show from the Office 2006. Season 2 felt like a documentary about a bunch of people working in this crazy, crazy office, season 4 has felt a lot more like a television show about a bunch of characters who happen to work together. Remember the little touches, the conversations the cameras caught from outside the breakroom, the two-line scenes that were thrown in there that weren't working towards whatever the plot of the week was? It was so REAL.

I keep going back to Money. At the time it aired I really did enjoy it, but in retrospect, it stands out like a grand metaphor for everything that's been wrong with this season. Yes, ha ha ha, Jim and Pam spend a night away at Dwight's farm! Hilarious concept, sure, but it's so wrong for this show. I can't think of a reason for the filmmakers to need to tag along on a night like that, and I can't think of reason Jim and Pam would want them to.

Once upon a time, these characters all had such organic relationships with the cameras. You can see why Michael, Dwight, Jim, Pam, and Ryan are the five that stood out to them at first (uh this sentence is the one in which I put aside how they were the main five cast, of course they were the first five to stand out and pretend that the characters who work in this office are real people) in the beginning -- they were the ones most inclined to use the camera as a confessional. Michael and Dwight loved having someone so willing to listen to all those things they had to say, Ryan needed outside confirmation that he was not the only one who thought Dunder-Mifflin Scranton was the most crazy surreal place on the planet, but Jim and Pam each had this complicated, organic thing with the camera crew -- with the Jim faces and the grinny explanations of the prank-of-the-day and those shy, emotional talking head moments -- but there were other times when the cameras were intruding on their private moments. (One of the best things about last week's episode was how that kiss was so reminiscent of those old times! Pam's faaaaace when she looked at the camera after remembering it was there for the hug??? FAVORITE.)

ANYWAY, my point is this: why would that Jim and Pam want to take a bunch of cameramen along on their first night alone?? Shouldn't it be a relief for anyone who works in a Office where they're constantly being filmed to get away from that at 5:00?? Don't the cameramen want to go home and have lives outside of the insane people who work here??? So why was this season all about nights away/launch parties/driving up to Utica/camping trips/dinner parties/clubbing???

I am not totally crazy, I know this is a television show that is first and foremost about entertaining the people who watch it, but for all the gimmicky plotlines, this season was not actually that funny. And that old realism is what used to make this show so damn GREAT back in the day -- remember how during Jim's confession in Casino night, one of the cameras was shaking??? Presumably because whoever was holding it was OVERCOME?? I love those cameras so much more than I love the stalkery cameras of season 4 who like to take artistic shots of MICHAEL AND JAN'S FEET.

I just, damn it, I want so badly to love this show. I do love this show. It's been phenomenal in the past. I hope this season was an abberation a la West Wing season 5, and not the beginning of the end.

Did anyone click that SCARY SPOILER CUT in 206_bones today? IS SOMEONE DYING??? DO YOU KNOW WHO??? Don't tell me! Ohmygoddddd I cannot believe I resisted clicking it.

Comments

[stepliana.livejournal.com]

I've been watching my season 2 DVDs, and this Office 2008 is a different, different show from the Office 2006.

It truly is. I think they stopped trying to push the 'It's a documentary!' on us, because we got used to it, and they felt like they didn't have to try, anymore - which is always something that contributes to downfalls of shows. Maybe if they felt like the show is struggling again, it could get back to the days of yore (I know it'll never happen.) But you're right, it has changed (evolved?) and who knows if it's for the better or worse, but let's hope there is no actor's strike to mess with Season 5, because when this show is given free reign to go for broke, it can be amazing.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

If there is an actor's strike next year I will ACTUALLY CRY. I cannot deal with another hundred years of strike time.

I do think the creative staff of this show is phenomenal, and I know they had a lot more to deal with this season than they did before because of strike and everything -- but they really are capable of so much more. Here's to hoping season 5 is an improvement!

[silverstars.livejournal.com]

Oh man, Alex, you just put into words everything I am feeling -- including things I didn't even realize I was feeling.

I just told my friend that this season felt so pointless. It was not the show I've watched for the past three years. I'm not even going to touch on the first half of the season, but they tried to shove waaaaaay too much into the final six and it did not work AT ALL.

The engagement thing should have never been brought up. There was literally no point to it except to disappoint the fans and say 'ha ha, we got you!' in the finale. I mean, they built it up SO MUCH and looking back I can't help but wonder why they did it. This is not me being a whiny fangirl, but that was CRUEL. We saw the ring, their little proposal conversation, the fake proposals, and THE FIRST 45 MINUTES OF THIS EPISODE. Why was that necessary? I really want to know. Because now Pam is disappointed for no reason and the Andy/Angela thing is never going to work and it's so CONTRIVED.

I don't know what they were trying to accomplish with that finale. I truly believed that we were going to get payoffs in this episode to make up for the whole season. Instead, I'm left not really even wanting to watch.

Just a total disappointment all around.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

The engagement thing should have never been brought up.
I keep thinking about this! Remember how in the first post-strike interviews Jenna (I think? John too, maybe?) was talking about how they didn't expect to do anything else with Jim and Pam because there were only six episodes, but once they got their scripts there was a curveball. The thing is, they didn't need to do anything with Jim and Pam. They could've focused on Dwight/Angela/Andy if this is how they wanted to finish it off. We didn't ask for engagement buildup, we didn't need it. They could've sprinkled a couple of random Jim/Pam moments in there and it would've been FINE, but they did it and the way they chose to do it is just... such a damn cop out. I mean, he had the ring in his hand, Carrie! He paid for that damn carnival, and that moment meant relatively SO LITTLE to Andy. AND ANGELA IS HITTING DWIGHT ON THE SIDE, I just, damn it.

The weird thing is, there was a lot to love about this episode. I really, honestly enjoyed the first 45 minutes of it. Had it been anything but the season finale it would have easily been one of the best of the season, but as is, it was all emotional cop outs when finales should be about... I don't know. More than this.

[modernthirst.livejournal.com]

Oh! How insightful. While most of my Office complaints are of the Jim Is A Huge Vagina variety, I really agree about the lack of small moments and different camera styles. I thought this season was dominated by unfunny plots and jokes and there was too much focus on the romances (THERE ARE SO MANY. WHY MUST THERE BE SO MANY???). But I'm a relatively casual fan of the show so I feel less sad and more whatevery about it.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

You know, it's funny, but they just... pulled everything off so much BETTER then. Like, Jim was a girl in season two, but he was a charming girl, and they had Michael/Jan and Dwight/Angela on top of Jim/Pam in season 2, but it all just worked better. Possibly because there weren't entire episodes about how Jan was crazy and did horrible things to Michael, seeing Andy and Angela together was pure torture for Dwight, and how Jim and Pam were cute together. DINNER PARTY, I AM LOOKING AT YOU.

[silverstars.livejournal.com]

oh, hi, this is me being nosy and just noticing your comment, but what did you think of Jim in the last few episodes (the last two in particular)? i know you haven't been his biggest fan and i personally have never been on the 'jim is lame' bandwagon, but i thought he really stepped it up in the last two eps. i'm always curious to hear differing opinions when they come from people who are mature and insightful about them.

[dudski.livejournal.com]

Though I disagree overall [I would like to take S4 behing the middle school and get it pregnant, TBH], I do agree that the lack of consideration that the show has given the documentary conceit this season is a huge fault. The proposal subplot tonight kind of highlighted that - come on, show, you used to be able to convey an series of emotions without needing an unrealistically honest talking head to pin down every stage.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

The proposal subplot tonight kind of highlighted that - come on, show, you used to be able to convey an series of emotions without needing an unrealistically honest talking head to pin down every stage.
SERIOUSLY.

Season 4 has some stuff that was really going for it (i.e. EVERYTHING INVOLVING RYAN AND KELLY) but I just felt like the overall execution was so... lackluster. BUT YOU KNOW. Next year.

[leucocrystal]

I couldn't agree more, with every word, basically. If anyone ever asks me why I'm barely invested in the show anymore, and why watching it hardly interests me anymore -- I will watch it, but I don't particularly care if I miss it, which makes me sad -- I'll just point them here. S2 was... wonderful. But the funny thing is, as soon as S3 started, I realized that in S2 they'd hit their stride. Somehow, I knew it was all downhill from there; it was just a matter of the speed of the decline.

Oh, and I would happily never see an hour-long episode again. NBC is abusing the format, which is only hurting the show further.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha, point them to my locked ramblings??

I loved S3. S2 was television as its VERY FINEST and I don't know that anyone could've recreated this, but they did a better job following that than basically any other show could've. I don't know. These writers are still technically brilliant, and there is a delusional part of me that will continue clinging to the hope that they'll pick up the pace again, even though that almost never happens in the TV world.

God, DO NOT get me started on the damn hour longs. It's such a money-grubbing NBC technique. Like, you know the execs who ordered more for s5 don't give a shit about what it does to the show.

[coast.livejournal.com]

I'm kinda sad that you just STOPPED texting back right when the good part came up! WTF MAN. That's okay though, cos I fell asleep like, five minutes after. ;)

Good to see your thoughts-- I've always attributed the not-so-strong episodes to a format error. The Office, as a concept, is not a 4 season series, especially when each season contains upwards of 20-some odd episodes. The original series did beautifully with shorter seasons and only a few of them. While The Office US is a different animal that has spun into a sitcom in its own right, I do think the premise remains. I'm a little scared for a S5 show, because while there are some fairly interesting threads (wanting to know what happens with Jim and Pam, for instance), on a whole I don't know that they're capable of keeping the show going without resorting to the things they did post strike, like recycling the same, tired jokes.

If next year goes like this year does, I have a feeling I may (begrudgingly) jump ship.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

HEY, I SENT YOU AN ":O" FOR THE LAST BIG REVELATION.

The funny thing about US television is that it's all about profitability -- as long as the show is making money, they'll keep it on air, with no thought to quality. (HELLO, ER?) I do think they could've stretched the concept, though. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

I don't think I caaaaaaaaaan :(

[lovecycle.livejournal.com]

Fuck shit damn.
I need to see that.
Screw choir. I'm gonna be an astronaut.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

Ugh, you do need to see it. I need a good whine.

[tenacious-err.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU.

I've been feeling about the same way lately, although I mostly just felt like the show was really sinking below the quality level it use to have instead of having all these good, concrete reasons for thinking that. I miss the show when it used to still be a little underdog show instead of this big well-known comedy that's everywhere. At this point I don't even really feel like watching it next season because I miss the old humor and the old plotlines so much, but I probably will just because I have a hard time leaving shows lol. I don't know. Hopefully next season will be better rather than worse.

...I read some spoilers, from my flist. I'd recommend not reading fox's press release for next season as it is very spoilery. I won't tell you, lol, but yes. I KNOW SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

I miss the show when it used to still be a little underdog show instead of this big well-known comedy that's everywhere.
I KNOW, RIGHT??? They were so damn good when they were fighting for themselves rather than just... I don't even know. I don't know! I'm really kind of sad that this season was so incredibly meh. There weren't even really any incredible highlights.

OH GOD, I want to like, ask you a million questions about who is dying (ohmygod) but I also really really don't want to knowwwww. So I won't. GOD, TELEVISION IS STRESSFUL.

[conifranoh.livejournal.com]

I just watched the finally and I agree with almost everything you said.

I think this season has lost a lot of what made it "real"...and they kept insisting on having episodes that didn't take place in the office, which didn't really work.

I also agree the hour long episodes. I think the writers are used to the half-hour format, so the extended turns out a little awkward. I do think that extended episodes work for finales, though.

Well,in the end, to me...at least, "bad" episodes of The Office are better than a lot of other stuff on TV. I do hope they go back a bit to the old formula next season.

[praedial.livejournal.com]

sighhhhhh

[praedial.livejournal.com]

p.s. TV MAKES ME SICK.



love you!

[superskittles76.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

[book-babe.livejournal.com]

when did your layout get so prettyyyyyy? i love it a lot.

also it pains me not to read this or like half my flist because i am so far behind on all tv ever. the end.

okay scratch that i just read this and i'm sort of in love with everything you've said and i so badly need to catch up on the office it almost hurts me.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

a week ago? something?

awwww. summer's almost here! how far behind on the office are you?

god, i'm super boring lately. I CANNOT EVEN LEAVE INTERESTING REPLIES TO COMMENTS.

[promiseoftin.livejournal.com]

I kind of agree with you on Season 4, though it hasn't really occurred to me to think of the show as the pseudo documentary since Season 2. I LOVED the finale, because one thing that The Office is known for is those deliberately awkward moments. Sure, we all want to kick Andy's ass (and maybe Angela's for cheating on him) but I think it needed to happen.

But that's just me. :)

[elapses.livejournal.com]

I think the fact that it hasn't occured to you to think of it that way was part of the problem?

The finale -- I don't know. It was enjoyable, but I guess I didn't feel like it was worth it overall.

[stop-theworld.livejournal.com]

I'm back flisting and I don't even have much to say in response, but this is such an intelligent, interesting, spot-on analysis of The Office, and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. And that it's going in my memories. Good fandom analysis > most other things.

[elapses.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks, I'm so glad! Fandom analysis is SO GREAT.