Four months until "The Office" season premiere
It's been one insane season for "The Office" – from the four subpar hour-long episodes that began the season, to that interminable hiatus in the winter, to the ups (Dwight) and downs (Ryan's coke habit) at the season's end.
Like the season itself, the season finale, "Goodbye Toby," left me with mixed feelings. About 15 minutes in, I turned to my friends and asked, "Why aren't we laughing?" Luckily, the episode picked up, producing some hilarious moments. Kevin as the "special" Dunder Mifflinite was classic; Creed, as always, provided some great stuff; and Phyllis got some really good moments – like when Michael asked her if she could plan Toby's party, and she hungrily said, "Yes."
Of course, being a finale, it became clear as time went on that the episode was less about the comedy and more about what I quaintly refer to as the "Oh s***!" moments – those moments being in great abundance, and including:
Jim's plan to propose to Pam Jim requiring fireworks for a marriage proposal
Pam's acceptance to design school in New York
Ryan's arrest
Jan's pregnancy
Andy's proposal to Angela
Jim not proposing to Pam
Jim's bald patch on the back of his head (when did this happen?!)
and, of course, the image that will haunt me until I finally crawl happily into my grave – Dwight's naked back as he gets down with Angela in the office.
No matter what happened this season, it is still my favorite comedy on television, and I cannot wait for the fifth season to begin in September. By then I hope the writers will recognize the strengths of the show (banal office humor) and the weaknesses (over-the-top Michael Scott antics) and will act accordingly.
It's going to be a long summer. See you next season after Pam has dumped your ass, Jim Halpert!
Related: Watch "Goodbye Toby" here.
Comments:
Yeah Dwight's back was something I didn't need to see. That thump we heard was Phyllis fainting from fright.
You know I thought of you when Jim didn't propose to Pam. I thought "Oh this is going to make Hmac happy." Yeah I know I need help.
I think Oscar had the best line of the night (for me anyways) when he said Ryan's real crime was that beard. I had been thinking that all season.
Posted by: Michael at May 16, 2008 9:03 AM
Michael, I was torn between being glad Jim didn't propose and feeling kind of bad for Pam. I was totally wrong about Pam - I figured she didn't want to get engaged again, but clearly she does. Let's see if three months alone in New York changes that.
I can't wait to watch Phyllis use what she knows to put Angela in her party-planning place.
Posted by: Heather at May 16, 2008 9:47 AM
I loved the season finale last night! They actually stayed in the office this time. (Okay the parking lot, but that counts, too.)
Kevin being the "special" employee has to go down in Office history as one of the funniest ideas the writers have thought of...because he didn't act any different than usual, yet did seem "special."
I, too, can't wait for next season.
Posted by: Tiffany at May 16, 2008 11:59 AM
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