Was The Office funny last night or was it just that we wished it was funny? The show’s laughs seem to be on a steady decline since its mid-season return and it’s breaking my Office-loving heart.
At first, the episode seemed to be off to a good start. Jim was returning to work after Pam gave birth to their baby, only to find that Dwight had constructed the almighty “megadesk.” Semi-circled by three desks, Dwight had placed everything he needed at arm’s reach: his work, security surveillance and MMORPGs …er, video games. But then Jim broke apart Dwight’s wonderland and Dwight had no dorky quips! He just pleaded for more time with his beloved megadesk. Nothing to say about inferior beings? No Battlestar Galactica reference? Not even something about bears?
The jokes seemed to work better when no one said anything at all, like some of the St. Patty’s Day outfits. While Kevin looks like an overgrown leprechaun in his all-green suit, Andy was hilarious in his sister’s old field hockey skirt. But Erin liked it!
Though unluckily for our new-found favourite couple (sorry, Jim and Pam, your time is up), Erin was too sick for her first date with Andy and was sent home from work by Jo. Andy, determined to make it happen, faked ill to leave work early too. He headed over the Erin’s house for what could have been a sweet first date only to be interrupted by her foster-brother, whom she seems to share a strangely-close relationship with. Don’t worry, Andy, we thought it was awkward, too. Let’s hope that’s the last we see of him.
Back at the office, Jo was making everyone stay late and miss all the drunken St. Patrick’s Day fun. After a few hours, Michael couldn’t take it anymore. He calmly walked into the conference room and told Jo he was happy with the entire office’s performance for the day, both in quality and quantity. He was ready to dismiss his employees for the night. He also told her that he was looking forward to their professional relationship together then closed the door behind him.Wait a minute! Was that Michael Scott? The same, immature, dim-witted Michael Scott that we’ve known for six seasons? I think not! Even dismissing it later as a ploy is too advanced for the Michael we thought we knew.
It seems our favourite characters are slipping away. Dwight is coward, Michael is intelligible and Jim and Pam are too busy with their baby. It’s just not working. Bring back the characters we know and love!
The Office airs Thursdays, 9 p.m. ET, Global/NBC.
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