Performance Review
"Enjoy the show, I know I will!" - quote from last post
O sweet irony!
It's always tough to analyze something that didn't live up to your expectations, and I admit that I allowed myself to get hyped up for this episode, and it consequently let me down. If I had written this review the night I saw the episode, it would have probably been a bleakly cynical riposte on why the Office was completely letting me down. Another viewing, a couple conversations, and some reflective contemplation, have provided me with a much different look at Phyllis' Wedding. Here you will get to see me argue with myself, which happens more often than you would expect.
Point 1 - Michael was too over the top
Of course he was. So every time Michael opened his mouth you began to cringe. Isn't that what Michael has always done? My first viewing only allowed me to feel sick about how inappropriate Michael was being, but further inspection makes me feel even more sorry for the guy. His only other encounter with a wedding was a complete failure, and Michael Scott obviously vowed (small pun intended) to make this wedding a success. The problem? Michael had no idea how to do this.
Point 2 - It just wasn't that funny
Now this thought was not justified at all, it was just me being jaded about point 3. This episode really did provide some understated, funny moments. While I thought the Michael humor was pretty flat, Kelly, Toby, and Creed provided some indelible moments. Kelly hit two home runs with her explanation of why she wore white at a wedding, and getting the bouquet knocked away from her by a sharp Ryan. Then the bouquet goes to the girl Toby met at the gym, who lands a peck on the often melancholy man. Toby's subsequent self-congratulation has to be one of the funniest parts of this season. And Creed yet again manages to creep me out and make me chuckle with his small part in the wedding.
Point 3 - Pam left with Roy and broke my heart
How can fictional characters break my heart? I have no idea, but I threw the nearest thing I could find (a stuffed Pokemon character, coincidentally) at the TV screen when Roy walked out the door with Pam in hand. Even though it seemed inevitable that Roy would make a push for Pam's affection, I still stubbornly refused to think that Pam would fall into that trap again. Well, she did, and now we'll wait to see how long it takes to get herself out. My initial opinion was that this get-together was cliche and they were just trying to draw as much out of this love diamond (is that the right term?) as they could. After much contemplation I am still upset over this turn, but the writers could still surprise me, after all they certainly have in the past.
So, the long and short of it is: This episode did not meet lofty expectations, but was still well worth seeing. There you have it.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
I'm "wedding" for my life to get more interesting
MY LIFE
My life really hasn't been that officey lately, which is extremely disappointing. I did have one brief encounter earlier today, though. On the shuttle there was a girl who totally looked like Angela, right down to the facial expressions. If she had blond hair, I seriously would have asked her for an autograph, that's how similar they looked. Really, that's all I've got for you right now, but don't worry, I'll work on making my life more office-like in the future.
THE OFFICE
Tomorrow will host the Phyllis Wedding episode, and I am excited. Phyllis had always been one of the more underrated and underutilized characters in the Office, and upon further inspection, I think that what Phyllis loses in quantity, she makes up for in quality. I can't think of a single Phyllis moment that didn't make me laugh, and she definitely deserves and episode focusing on her. As I say that, however, I am not fooled into thinking that this episode will really be about Phyllis. It will be more about the characters becoming introspective about their relationships, especially Pam. I am expecting great things out of this episode, which is kind of dangerous, because I usually try and lower expectations to prevent let-down. But I just can't help it. Previews have shown some more of the exasperatingly painful Michael we all love, some pretty funny (and maybe even sweet???) Dwight and Angela stuff, and some ridiculous correlations between Pam's almost-wedding and Phyllis' union with Bob Vance (ex: Pam and Roy, Phyllis and Robert). Like I mentioned earlier, I think this episode will be about introspection - for the characters AND for the fans. Balance that with some horribly awkward and inappropriate Michael and I think we have the ingredients for a superb 30 minutes of NBC television. Enjoy the show, I know I will!
My life really hasn't been that officey lately, which is extremely disappointing. I did have one brief encounter earlier today, though. On the shuttle there was a girl who totally looked like Angela, right down to the facial expressions. If she had blond hair, I seriously would have asked her for an autograph, that's how similar they looked. Really, that's all I've got for you right now, but don't worry, I'll work on making my life more office-like in the future.
THE OFFICE
Tomorrow will host the Phyllis Wedding episode, and I am excited. Phyllis had always been one of the more underrated and underutilized characters in the Office, and upon further inspection, I think that what Phyllis loses in quantity, she makes up for in quality. I can't think of a single Phyllis moment that didn't make me laugh, and she definitely deserves and episode focusing on her. As I say that, however, I am not fooled into thinking that this episode will really be about Phyllis. It will be more about the characters becoming introspective about their relationships, especially Pam. I am expecting great things out of this episode, which is kind of dangerous, because I usually try and lower expectations to prevent let-down. But I just can't help it. Previews have shown some more of the exasperatingly painful Michael we all love, some pretty funny (and maybe even sweet???) Dwight and Angela stuff, and some ridiculous correlations between Pam's almost-wedding and Phyllis' union with Bob Vance (ex: Pam and Roy, Phyllis and Robert). Like I mentioned earlier, I think this episode will be about introspection - for the characters AND for the fans. Balance that with some horribly awkward and inappropriate Michael and I think we have the ingredients for a superb 30 minutes of NBC television. Enjoy the show, I know I will!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Ben Franklin - the sleazebag President
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
It's taken me a few days to sort out my thoughts about this episode. I didn't like it at all the first time, but subsequent viewings have softened my initial opinion. While the show was kind of dirty for my tastes, there were some deliciously funny moments, like Dwight trying to prove that Gordon wasn't really Ben Franklin - "I don't care what Jim says. That is not the real Ben Franklin. I am 99% sure." However, while the buffoonery involved with the two "adult entertainers" was good, the heart of the episode was the Jim, Pam, Karen love triangle. I didn't expect Karen and Jim to have spent more time together after Jim's admission that he still liked Pam. While I thought that this block of February episodes would continue the Office's recent trend of whirlwind change, it looks like Karen's demise will be long and painful, as well as inevitable. I feel that we are presented with two possible versions of Karen right now. Most likely, Karen is feeling clingy, and is refusing to let Jim go. Jim is obligingly trying to work things out, but it is obvious his heart is not with Karen. I also present a crazy conspiracy theory. What if Karen has already given up? Stay with me here. What if she gave up, and decided she liked Jim enough to just be friends, and is now working in cohorts with Jim to help him get Pam. I know that this scenario is highly unlikely, and I mainly present it just so that if it does happen, I will get mad props from my reader(s). However, there is a slight bit of evidence. First, the hug. I think the hug looked out of place to everybody. If you paid attention, though, you would notice that Karen immediately judged Pam's reaction. So, either Karen is being a bit of a witch and is trying to mark her territory (which would be my first version of Karen), or she was trying to gauge Pam's interest. There is also the way Karen phrased her important question during Pam and Karen's conversation in the break room. Karen asked, "Do you STILL have feelings for Jim?" An important, albeit subtle, distinction. It would be kind of weird to phrase it that way unless she was trying to trick Pam into saying she liked him. Nonetheless, I think that Jim and Karen are still going out, and the Office writers are going to have countless fans begging for Jim and Pam to get together before the season's over. Even though the Pam/Jim conversation was awkward, and there were no obvious signs that Jim and Pam were getting closer together, this episode was a small step forward for their relationship. Jim always jokes about Pam being a "fancy, new Beesley" and he is right. Pam needs to rethink her approach with Jim. Jim was burned twice by Pam, and it is now Pam's turn to take a chance and set things right. Pam's awkward attempt at flirting about sleep, and her declaration that she needed a boyfriend, seemed out of place. If she keeps it up, maybe Jim will realize this, and wonder why Pam could be acting strangely.
It's taken me a few days to sort out my thoughts about this episode. I didn't like it at all the first time, but subsequent viewings have softened my initial opinion. While the show was kind of dirty for my tastes, there were some deliciously funny moments, like Dwight trying to prove that Gordon wasn't really Ben Franklin - "I don't care what Jim says. That is not the real Ben Franklin. I am 99% sure." However, while the buffoonery involved with the two "adult entertainers" was good, the heart of the episode was the Jim, Pam, Karen love triangle. I didn't expect Karen and Jim to have spent more time together after Jim's admission that he still liked Pam. While I thought that this block of February episodes would continue the Office's recent trend of whirlwind change, it looks like Karen's demise will be long and painful, as well as inevitable. I feel that we are presented with two possible versions of Karen right now. Most likely, Karen is feeling clingy, and is refusing to let Jim go. Jim is obligingly trying to work things out, but it is obvious his heart is not with Karen. I also present a crazy conspiracy theory. What if Karen has already given up? Stay with me here. What if she gave up, and decided she liked Jim enough to just be friends, and is now working in cohorts with Jim to help him get Pam. I know that this scenario is highly unlikely, and I mainly present it just so that if it does happen, I will get mad props from my reader(s). However, there is a slight bit of evidence. First, the hug. I think the hug looked out of place to everybody. If you paid attention, though, you would notice that Karen immediately judged Pam's reaction. So, either Karen is being a bit of a witch and is trying to mark her territory (which would be my first version of Karen), or she was trying to gauge Pam's interest. There is also the way Karen phrased her important question during Pam and Karen's conversation in the break room. Karen asked, "Do you STILL have feelings for Jim?" An important, albeit subtle, distinction. It would be kind of weird to phrase it that way unless she was trying to trick Pam into saying she liked him. Nonetheless, I think that Jim and Karen are still going out, and the Office writers are going to have countless fans begging for Jim and Pam to get together before the season's over. Even though the Pam/Jim conversation was awkward, and there were no obvious signs that Jim and Pam were getting closer together, this episode was a small step forward for their relationship. Jim always jokes about Pam being a "fancy, new Beesley" and he is right. Pam needs to rethink her approach with Jim. Jim was burned twice by Pam, and it is now Pam's turn to take a chance and set things right. Pam's awkward attempt at flirting about sleep, and her declaration that she needed a boyfriend, seemed out of place. If she keeps it up, maybe Jim will realize this, and wonder why Pam could be acting strangely.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
I'd like a nice Christmas Pam, or at least some Pam chops
MY LIFE
My communications class has almost all the ingredients to be my own version of the Office. There's a crazy teacher (she started out as a naval officer, then became a clown, and finally settled on teaching) who often makes awkward comments - enter Michael Scott. There is also an incredibly boring class - enter mid level paper supply firm. And finally, a power-driven, uptight, socially-inept student...who sits beside me - enter Dwight (except, sadly, without the geekiness). We already know that I am like Jim, or at least aspire to be like Jim. Could it be I was destined to sign up for this class and live the part of Jim in reality? Unfortunately, not quite. I need a Pam. Whenever pseudo-Dwight says something ridiculous, I immediately give a perfectly executed Jim look - usually the half smile. But who should I give the look to? There is no camera, so that's not an option. I need Pam to share glances with, to make sure that someone else understood how amazingly stupid or funny pseudo-Dwight just was. I need Pam to help me prank pseudo-Dwight (let's call him Lou) . By the way, I do plan on pranking him sometime, with or without a Pam. Lou really might drive me crazy if I can't respond or react somehow. Hope is not lost however, though there is no one who can truly be a Pam replacement in that class, there are a couple girls who do understand some of the absurd moments. Hopefully, they will start to catch on to my need for my own personal Office reality.
THE OFFICE
There's an episode tonight, Ben Franklin. You should check it out. I'll be seeing it late because I am staying at the school for my break-dancing club (no, I can't break dance, I just like watching people who are good at it). NBC's episode description mentions Karen confronting Pam about her relationship with Jim. The rest of this season could very well hinge on this moment. Or the moment could at least influence the rest of the season. Or this moment could mean nothing, because the episode descriptions are very often misleading. If the conversation does go down, I present three theories on how it will go - wow, I am such a nerd sometimes.
1. What I wish would happen (win, win, win)
Karen asks Pam bluntly, "do you have feelings for Jim?" Pam pauses/stammers for a while, then gets an excuse to abandon the conversation, but Karen can tell the truth of it all. Notice the similitude between Karen's talk with Jim and this proposition? Ahhh, magnifique!
2. Worst-case scenario (lose, lose, lose)
Karen asks Pam, how she feels about Jim. Pam pauses for a while (letting Karen know the truth) then spouts out crap about them always being friends and nothing would ever happen between them - courageously sacrificing herself in order to save Jim's relationship. Then to pile on the hurt, Jim catches only the end of the conversation, and is heartbroken yet again.
3. A compromise (only a win, win)
Basically, a mix between number one and number two, without the wonderful similitude, and without the horrible heartbreak.
I believe that the next few episodes will have at least Jim and Pam suspecting that the other might like them. Yet, the show will need to keep the tension up so maybe Jim and Pam will have a fight, or something else will come between them, (Toby????????) so catch-22. I can't wait to see all my over-analyzed predictions fall apart later tonight! I'll post my thoughts on Ben Franklin - the episode, not the man - tomorrow.
My communications class has almost all the ingredients to be my own version of the Office. There's a crazy teacher (she started out as a naval officer, then became a clown, and finally settled on teaching) who often makes awkward comments - enter Michael Scott. There is also an incredibly boring class - enter mid level paper supply firm. And finally, a power-driven, uptight, socially-inept student...who sits beside me - enter Dwight (except, sadly, without the geekiness). We already know that I am like Jim, or at least aspire to be like Jim. Could it be I was destined to sign up for this class and live the part of Jim in reality? Unfortunately, not quite. I need a Pam. Whenever pseudo-Dwight says something ridiculous, I immediately give a perfectly executed Jim look - usually the half smile. But who should I give the look to? There is no camera, so that's not an option. I need Pam to share glances with, to make sure that someone else understood how amazingly stupid or funny pseudo-Dwight just was. I need Pam to help me prank pseudo-Dwight (let's call him Lou) . By the way, I do plan on pranking him sometime, with or without a Pam. Lou really might drive me crazy if I can't respond or react somehow. Hope is not lost however, though there is no one who can truly be a Pam replacement in that class, there are a couple girls who do understand some of the absurd moments. Hopefully, they will start to catch on to my need for my own personal Office reality.
THE OFFICE
There's an episode tonight, Ben Franklin. You should check it out. I'll be seeing it late because I am staying at the school for my break-dancing club (no, I can't break dance, I just like watching people who are good at it). NBC's episode description mentions Karen confronting Pam about her relationship with Jim. The rest of this season could very well hinge on this moment. Or the moment could at least influence the rest of the season. Or this moment could mean nothing, because the episode descriptions are very often misleading. If the conversation does go down, I present three theories on how it will go - wow, I am such a nerd sometimes.
1. What I wish would happen (win, win, win)
Karen asks Pam bluntly, "do you have feelings for Jim?" Pam pauses/stammers for a while, then gets an excuse to abandon the conversation, but Karen can tell the truth of it all. Notice the similitude between Karen's talk with Jim and this proposition? Ahhh, magnifique!
2. Worst-case scenario (lose, lose, lose)
Karen asks Pam, how she feels about Jim. Pam pauses for a while (letting Karen know the truth) then spouts out crap about them always being friends and nothing would ever happen between them - courageously sacrificing herself in order to save Jim's relationship. Then to pile on the hurt, Jim catches only the end of the conversation, and is heartbroken yet again.
3. A compromise (only a win, win)
Basically, a mix between number one and number two, without the wonderful similitude, and without the horrible heartbreak.
I believe that the next few episodes will have at least Jim and Pam suspecting that the other might like them. Yet, the show will need to keep the tension up so maybe Jim and Pam will have a fight, or something else will come between them, (Toby????????) so catch-22. I can't wait to see all my over-analyzed predictions fall apart later tonight! I'll post my thoughts on Ben Franklin - the episode, not the man - tomorrow.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Jim and Me - height is the only difference
MY LIFE
Predictably, my empathy and understanding of Jim has grown over the past week of my life. At first I kind of wondered why Jim put so much distance between himself and Pam. Not only did he transfer to another branch, but he didn't contact her after she rejected him on Casino Night. I am beginning to understand exactly why. I had a night similar to Jim's on Halloween night of 2006. I told my "friend" of 4 years how I really felt, and she told me she "valued our friendship" too much. Well, after that I tried to distance myself from her for a little while. Following three weeks of getting used to a new viewpoint, she left me a wonderful message on my answering machine. It was funny and friendly, and she asked me if I wanted to come watch the Office with her that Thursday (the office has really made my life into some bizzare irony-fest, it's kind of freaky). We hung out and it was fun, but there was one problem. I fell for her again. Never mind my heartbreak, never mind her unequivocal rejection of my feelings, never mind the fact that her plea to hang out was probably out of pity. I realized the danger of our meeting and left her alone for a while longer. Next, she asked me to come to her house for Thanksgiving - with her family. Ignoring the awkward moments, it was really fun, and I realized that I wasn't really over her at all. Well, things have continued similarly up until this last week, and then it all blew up. The long and short of an hours-long conversation was that she had "forgotten" to tell me that she had been going out with a couple different guys for the past several months. I felt like a fool for thinking that there was ever a chance. Now I'm back to "ignore" mode, except with a more damaged heart this time. Jim is right to hold back. As much as I want him to get back together with Pam, he can't allow himself to fall into her "trap" again. Pam will need to be more agressive to get Jim back, and I hope she does. My Pam, Jane, will need to do the same, but I know that won't happen. Sigh, oh well. I can still root for Jim.
THE OFFICE
As I become more like Jim, I hope desperately that he branches off the path my love life has taken. Jim's groundbreaking, astonishing, almost whispered "yes" in The Return fills all office fans with several questions. Will Karen give up on Jim, or fight harder for him? Will Pam make the first move, or will it again be up to Jim? Will Jim and Pam get together by the end of the season? One question my friends and I have pondered is somewhat disturbing. Can the Office survive without the dramatic tension between Jim and Pam? As much as I want to see those two pranksters get together, I want the Office as a whole more. While I do feel that the Jim/Pam tension drove the show through its first two seasons, I think the Office has grown. Dwight and Angela now actually tugs my heartstrings a little bit, and the over-the-top Michael has undergone changes as well. I think the writers have purposefully used this season to set up a more serious Office where Jim and Pam can get together, without abandoning all drama. I don't think that Jim and Pam will be "happily ever after" from now on, but I think they will be a true couple by the end of the season. On the other hand, I might just be overly optimistic...
Predictably, my empathy and understanding of Jim has grown over the past week of my life. At first I kind of wondered why Jim put so much distance between himself and Pam. Not only did he transfer to another branch, but he didn't contact her after she rejected him on Casino Night. I am beginning to understand exactly why. I had a night similar to Jim's on Halloween night of 2006. I told my "friend" of 4 years how I really felt, and she told me she "valued our friendship" too much. Well, after that I tried to distance myself from her for a little while. Following three weeks of getting used to a new viewpoint, she left me a wonderful message on my answering machine. It was funny and friendly, and she asked me if I wanted to come watch the Office with her that Thursday (the office has really made my life into some bizzare irony-fest, it's kind of freaky). We hung out and it was fun, but there was one problem. I fell for her again. Never mind my heartbreak, never mind her unequivocal rejection of my feelings, never mind the fact that her plea to hang out was probably out of pity. I realized the danger of our meeting and left her alone for a while longer. Next, she asked me to come to her house for Thanksgiving - with her family. Ignoring the awkward moments, it was really fun, and I realized that I wasn't really over her at all. Well, things have continued similarly up until this last week, and then it all blew up. The long and short of an hours-long conversation was that she had "forgotten" to tell me that she had been going out with a couple different guys for the past several months. I felt like a fool for thinking that there was ever a chance. Now I'm back to "ignore" mode, except with a more damaged heart this time. Jim is right to hold back. As much as I want him to get back together with Pam, he can't allow himself to fall into her "trap" again. Pam will need to be more agressive to get Jim back, and I hope she does. My Pam, Jane, will need to do the same, but I know that won't happen. Sigh, oh well. I can still root for Jim.
THE OFFICE
As I become more like Jim, I hope desperately that he branches off the path my love life has taken. Jim's groundbreaking, astonishing, almost whispered "yes" in The Return fills all office fans with several questions. Will Karen give up on Jim, or fight harder for him? Will Pam make the first move, or will it again be up to Jim? Will Jim and Pam get together by the end of the season? One question my friends and I have pondered is somewhat disturbing. Can the Office survive without the dramatic tension between Jim and Pam? As much as I want to see those two pranksters get together, I want the Office as a whole more. While I do feel that the Jim/Pam tension drove the show through its first two seasons, I think the Office has grown. Dwight and Angela now actually tugs my heartstrings a little bit, and the over-the-top Michael has undergone changes as well. I think the writers have purposefully used this season to set up a more serious Office where Jim and Pam can get together, without abandoning all drama. I don't think that Jim and Pam will be "happily ever after" from now on, but I think they will be a true couple by the end of the season. On the other hand, I might just be overly optimistic...
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