Even when it’s not so great, it’s still pretty great. If the above statement can be deemed true, then you know you’ve got something special. This is what last night’s episode of The Office made me think. It didn’t make me laugh out loud and, yet, I still loved it. If you’re made to care about the characters, the laughs don’t become a necessity. Of course, comedies are comedies are comedies. At the end of the day, funny is what they’re there for. Last night’s episode still had its share of laughs (which The Office always will; the cast and writers are too talented). But, what jokes worked and didn’t work became inconsequential because a couple significant story lines emerged that could have long-term effects on the show.
Dwight’s resignation is something that shouldn’t last too long. Mr. Schrute’s presence is an indispensable piece of The Office, and it’s not like Rainn Wilson’s film career has suddenly taken off. The Angela/Dwight story line reached new heights in the episode, and I’m willing to bet that they’ll be either broken up or outed publicly by the time Dwight returns to his desk. Andy’s sabotage of Dwight was annoying and not that funny. Ed Helms character is starting to get on my nerves and, while I know that’s the kind of character he is, it makes it clear that Andy has little long-term potential. The Karen-Jim-Pam triangle added a new wrinkle, with Karen learning of Jim’s former crush on Pam. This knowledge was inevitable and I really have no idea if or when the triangle will ever be resolved. All three are nice people. It’s going to be ugly, eventually, and I’m betting on the season finale for some finality. Overall, a crucial story episode with a nice cliffhanger. Even if wasn’t as funny as last week or even most episodes this season, The Office still entertains. -Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer