TMC
12-24-2024, 02:12 AM
https://jacksonupperco.com/2024/12/24/the-ten-best-the-office-episodes-of-season-eight/
The post-Michael era is tough. The show has lost its most important character — the one typically tasked with earning the cringe comedy that reinforced its mockumentary setup, and around whom this whole low-concept ensemble workplace premise was built. Without him, the situation is completely diluted, and The Office’s mere continuance guarantees disappointment. Indeed, Season Eight is dire at times, exacerbated by some poor decisions — like promoting Andy to Michael’s manager spot and giving the entire office a larger antagonist in the form of Robert California (James Spader). None of this works well. Robert, though odd and sometimes amusing because of his intensity, is more menacing than cringey, and Andy, though a goofball who does silly, mockable things, is not always cringe-inducing either — especially at this point in the run, where everyone is basically a goofball, and far too familiar, or close, to be made truly uncomfortable by each other.
The post-Michael era is tough. The show has lost its most important character — the one typically tasked with earning the cringe comedy that reinforced its mockumentary setup, and around whom this whole low-concept ensemble workplace premise was built. Without him, the situation is completely diluted, and The Office’s mere continuance guarantees disappointment. Indeed, Season Eight is dire at times, exacerbated by some poor decisions — like promoting Andy to Michael’s manager spot and giving the entire office a larger antagonist in the form of Robert California (James Spader). None of this works well. Robert, though odd and sometimes amusing because of his intensity, is more menacing than cringey, and Andy, though a goofball who does silly, mockable things, is not always cringe-inducing either — especially at this point in the run, where everyone is basically a goofball, and far too familiar, or close, to be made truly uncomfortable by each other.