TMC
12-31-2024, 04:39 AM
https://jacksonupperco.com/2024/12/31/the-ten-best-the-office-episodes-of-season-nine/
Original showrunner Greg Daniels returned to The Office for its ninth season and soon confirmed that it would be the series’ last, giving himself plenty of time to build to an ending. The result is a year that restores the high-concept mockumentary aspect of the premise by making a PBS documentary a formal part of the storytelling, acknowledging the production and setting up an eventual TV debut. But Nine, like its predecessor, still can’t avoid struggling to satisfyingly deliver funny stories that work well for the characters and/or capably use the low-concept workplace. So, it’s a mixed bag, for there is stuff to like; highlighting the “documentary” explicitly means this core part of the situation that was once so elementally reiterated by the show’s sense of humor is back in the fore. And I’m thrilled — it’s the perfect way to provide closure, sanctioning series-reverent nostalgia within the very bounds of its premise. Unfortunately, Nine can only deploy this conceit for drama, as it’s been unable to consistently reignite the cringe comedy that officially went out the door with Michael… but really had become difficult to maintain even before he left, as the staff grew too much like family to still be made uncomfortable by any inappropriate or unprofessional antics.
Original showrunner Greg Daniels returned to The Office for its ninth season and soon confirmed that it would be the series’ last, giving himself plenty of time to build to an ending. The result is a year that restores the high-concept mockumentary aspect of the premise by making a PBS documentary a formal part of the storytelling, acknowledging the production and setting up an eventual TV debut. But Nine, like its predecessor, still can’t avoid struggling to satisfyingly deliver funny stories that work well for the characters and/or capably use the low-concept workplace. So, it’s a mixed bag, for there is stuff to like; highlighting the “documentary” explicitly means this core part of the situation that was once so elementally reiterated by the show’s sense of humor is back in the fore. And I’m thrilled — it’s the perfect way to provide closure, sanctioning series-reverent nostalgia within the very bounds of its premise. Unfortunately, Nine can only deploy this conceit for drama, as it’s been unable to consistently reignite the cringe comedy that officially went out the door with Michael… but really had become difficult to maintain even before he left, as the staff grew too much like family to still be made uncomfortable by any inappropriate or unprofessional antics.