THE OFFICE "Finale"

Article first published as THE OFFICE "Finale" on TheTVKing.

How do you say goodbye to a beloved series after nine (!) seasons on the air? Well, it helps to give every single person in the sprawling cast a nice moment, with even bigger payoffs for the show's leads. Toss in the most-missed character in the series' run, a slew of recurring returning players, a handful of well-known guest actors used in smart, not distracting, ways, and supersize it to 150% longer than the normal installment so it doesn't feel rushed.

That's what NBC's The Office did last night, to great effect. There are two major stories intersecting in one weekend: Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Angela (Angela Kinsey) are getting married, and all of the former Dunder-Mifflin staff are gathered together for a reunion panel, post the airing of their documentary. Thanks to some wrangling by Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fisher), both are scheduled on the same day so that everyone special gets to participate in both.

This level of caring extends to how Jim approaches Dwight's bachelor party, intent on making it perfect for his best friend. Dwight and Jim have fought like brothers over the years, but "Finale" is the ultimate payoff, not only proving Jim's affections, but showing how much Dwight cares for Jim, too, when he gives Jim and Pam a generous severance (which we'll get to later), and how he's upset at Jim backing out being "bestest mench" at the wedding. Fear not, it's just Jim's greatest "prank" to date, as he arranges for Michael Scott (Steve Carell) to fill the role, a great present for Dwight.

Despite NBC and Carell's reps repeatedly and vigorously denying Michael's appearance in this last episode, it's more than a one-scene cameo. Michael is at both the ceremony and the reception, happily celebrating the union of two people that he deeply cares about. He may only get two lines (at least to the best of my memory), but they are such classic Michael Scott dialogue that it's all that is needed. His presence makes the event perfect.

Well, that, and the fact that everyone gifts Angela cats.

Angela's cat fetish isn't the only major plot part featured for a supporting player, with each of the vital members of the Dundler-Mifflin staff whose names have not graced the opening credits, save once, before now, have a tribute in this episode. Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) gets a couple dumb moments and a cake. Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) and Stanley (Leslie David Baker) get to tell each other how much they miss one another, now that Stanley has retired and, happily divorced, moved to Florida. Phyllis also saves Angela's walk down the aisle, after causing Angela's walking hardships, and tries to fatten up her new desk mate (Better Off Ted's Malcolm Barett) into a new Stanley. Meredith (Kate Flannery) is proud of her son, hired to be Angela's bachelorette party stripper, and gives him tips at work. Kelly (Mindy Kaling) ditches her husband (Sendhil Ramamurthy) to run away with Ryan (B.J. Novak). Nellie (Catherine Tate) finally gets a child, when Ryan's fleeing results in an abandoned baby. Erin (Ellie Kemper) gets to meet her biological parents (Joan Cusack, Shameless and Ed Begley Jr., Family Tree). Andy (Ed Helms) has found his niche in the world. Toby (Paul Lieberstein) feels valued when his colleagues insist that he hang out with them. Oscar (Oscar Nunez) is running for office, and even has an assistant (Ben and Kate's Dakota Johnson). Darryl (Craig Robinson) is very successful, and riding in limos. Creed (Creed Bratton) sings a song, and is arrested at the end.

It's important that The Office serves all of these personalities, and there are a lot to get to, as the long paragraph above attests, so the increased running time is invaluable. The show is about so much more than five or six main characters; it's about the huge family that has come together under these conditions, bonded through the experiences they have undergone together. All of these bits, and the large hang out of the staff at the end, Dwight and Angela even postponing their honeymoon to be there, mean so, so much. It's very gratifying for the fans to see the characters care about each other as much as we care about them.

Even better, in the group photo in the warehouse, the behind-the-scenes crew get to join their colleagues and be included in one of the last moments for The Office.

Not that the more central players are given the short shift this week. Pam feels bad, especially after the documentary panel, that Jim always gives up everything for her. The viewers remark that Jim adores Pam, and she doesn't seem like she deserves it, something Pam also realizes when she tries to watch the show herself, and finds it too painful. So she makes the ultimate sacrifice, calling Michael's realtor ex-girlfriend, Carol (Carell's real wife, Nancy Walls), to sell their house, and giving up her life to move to Austin for Jim's dream career. This is the perfect cap to their relationship, the one that proves their love is not one-sided.

I have very few complaints about this final hour. I think it's a little cheesy that Mose's (Michael Schur) kidnapping of Angela is faked out as sinister. I don't like that Pam paints the office staff on the warehouse wall, leaving the warehouse workers, who will have to look at it every day, out of the process, although the way that the cast sneaks away from everyone else during the party reinforces that they don't value the others so much, and they aren't exactly part of the same family.

It's also a little sad how many of the staff are gone from Dunder Mifflin. Dwight (deservedly) fires Kevin and Toby, Stanley retires, Creed goes on the lamb, Nellie moves to Poland, Andy moves to New England, Jim and Pam quit, following Darryl, and Michael has been gone for a very long time. Yet, they all feel exactly where they should be.

The best scenes in the "Finale" are the emotional ones: Michael talking about how proud he is his "kids," both literal and figurative; Dwight speaking of his relationship with his subordinates; Dwight and Kevin making up; everyone reliving the memories they share. It's hard to write this review without tears in my eyes. This is how we want to remember them, and because The Office gives us this nearly-perfect send-off, we will get that wish.

Thank you to everyone involved in The Office for a wonderful series to be thought of fondly and relived over and over again.

Last day at The Office

NBC's The Office returned this week with "New Guys," the final season premiere of the long-running sitcom. It felt like the end, too. Sure, there were a couple of new staff members at Dunder Mifflin, but others have moved on, and a couple of the leads are contemplating their next step for their future. I don't know if this final season can make up for the mess of last year, but "New Guys" gets them off to a promising start.

Kelly (Mindy Kaling) is gone, whisked away to the glamor of Miami (Ohio) by her fiance, Ryan (B.J. Novak) trailing her and trying to pretend that he's not. I really wish there had been an entire episode where this played out, rather than a couple of scenes shown with voice over, but at the same time, Ryan and Kelly were never the focus of The Office. It's an appropriate ending for them, as far as the series is concerned, though I will miss them. (Kaling and Novak are both currently working on The Mindy Project, which premieres this Tuesday on FOX).

Jim (John Krasinski) considers moving on, too. A buddy of his is starting a business based on Jim's idea, and wants Jim to be a part of it. At first, Jim hesitates because it would mean moving his family and taking a big risk with their financial future. But when he sees what he has become through a new employee his co-workers dub "Young Jim" (Jake Lacy, Better With You), he decides that he must give it a shot.

Does Jim have the luxury of following his dreams now? Before having children, sure, as long as wife Pam (Jenna Fischer) is on board. As a creative person herself, she probably would be. Now that he has a couple of little mouths to feed, though, is it selfish of him to leave the security of the paper company to work on a venture that could fail? I guess it would depend on what kind of savings he has tucked away. But it's TV, and we're near the end, so anything can happen.

Dwight (Rainn Wilson) feels much the same as Jim when viewing his own "Young Dwight" (Clark Duke, Greek, Hot Tub Time Machine), but doesn't have the same prospects that Jim has. Learning Angela's (Angela Kinsey) baby isn't his adds to his misery. So, with no outlet for these feelings, Dwight acts out by trying to ride a bicycle on a wire off the roof of the building. It does not go well.

Most people who follow television know that Dwight is about to get his own spin-off called The Farm that will open a completely new chapter of his life. And he's ready for it. Dwight is no longer the same goober he once was, having grown as a person. He can't be held down by a menial job. He needs something more. It's time.

Seeing Dwight and Jim reach this point almost simultaneously is thrilling. These are two beloved characters who we have seen shaped over nine years. To be present at the time of major change is great, and it's nice that the writers are going to take their time with these plots, rather than just toss them in the last few episodes of the season. In this way, the conclusion should feel natural, and make watching The Office this entire time totally worth it.

In other plot, Andy (Ed Helms) comes back from leadership training more confident and in charge. This isn't good news for Nellie (Catherine Tate), whom Andy justifiably resents after she tried to steal his job. The thing is, as much as I've disliked Nellie, seeing Andy being such a bully to her makes me feel bad for her. This poor woman is just looking for an anchor to hold on to, and she has nowhere else to go. Hopefully, Andy will see that soon, and take pity on her. Having the bravado stripped away has humanized Nellie in a single episode. Terrific job.

Awesome throwback that Andy finally hates Toby (Paul Lieberstein) as much as Michael did! It seems like balance that I hadn't even noticed was off has been restored to the universe.

Lastly, it turns out that Oscar (Oscar Nunez) is having an affair with Angela's husband (Jack Coleman). I can't say that I didn't see this coming, but it's a regrettable turn of events. Unless Angela leaves with Dwight for the spin-off (she hasn't shown up in the current cast list), this leaves her with no happy ending. She is a miserable person, but no one deserves to be cheated on. It's not a bad story, but I'm still hoping the writers find a way to satisfactorily resolve this, and I have no idea what that could be.

Oh, and Creed (Creed Bratton) has gone completely insane, which doesn't bode well for the safety of anyone who works there. Might there be a death looming? Might he even be the infamous Scranton Strangler (assuming you don't believe the Jim Carrey theory).

The Office's final season continues Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Don't bring your children to The Office

This week's outing of NBC's The Office is called "Jury Duty" because that's what Jim (John Krasinski) says he is doing when he misses a week of work. But Dwight (Rainn Wilson) grows suspicious, and goes on a quest to get his nemesis fired. Knowing he's in trouble, Jim confesses the truth to Andy (Ed Helms), that he was at home with his kids, who only makes things worse by trying to continue the cover up. Luckily, before Dwight can get corporate involved, he stops by the hospital and sees Angela's (Angela Kinsey) baby, who looks an awful lot like a Schrute. Suddenly, Dwight has the much more important thing of fatherhood to worry about than a feud with Jim.

It's long been known to viewers that Angela's husband, The Senator (Jack Coleman), is gay. But until the baby is born a "month early," at over nine pounds, it's unclear whether somehow he impregnated her or not. Why the Senator remains oblivious to the truth of the matter is unknown, but perhaps he is so caught up in his lie that he doesn't question it. Presumably he does have sex with Angela at least once, so it could be his, right?

Angela and Dwight's relationship has been a very slow burn over the years. Never getting too much focus in The Office, there has always been something special between them. Even as Angela tries to push Dwight away, it's hard not to hope that they will be together. They are strange in very different ways, and yet, their pairing works somehow. Both have taken turns being in pursuit of the other. This baby born in "Jury Duty" changes everything, and could possibly set up a happy ending for the two. Which would be ideal. Though, given how The Office has handled things so far, it could be years before Angela even acknowledges publicly that the baby is Dwight's. That would be a shame, because it's likely that The Office will be off the air by then.

Unless Dwight is wrong. However unlikely that possibility seems, it is a possibility. While the timing lines up much better for the child to belong to Dwight, there is always the chance that, in the end, he could be wrong. Dwight surely sees what he wants to see in the child's features, and often thinks he knows things that he doesn't. Mightn't the more unexpected and exciting option be that the baby is not Dwight's?

Nah.

Being a daddy finally gives Dwight a way to connect to Jim. Dwight always has a fondness for Pam (Jenna Fischer), but it's not until he learns he is a father that he shows any respect towards Pam's husband. Now, this stuff in "Jury Duty" will not herald a new dawn between the two; they will always hate each other. Dwight is only kind in a moment of weakness because of his own excitement. But a new understanding could crop up, and that could change their interaction in a way that no one quite knows yet. It would be an interesting cap to a long-standing rivalry.

Lots of laughs this week, too. Some "Jury Duty" comedy highlights: Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) begins calling Angela's baby "Little Kevin." Oscar (Oscar Nunez) once more is shown to be ridiculous in how he "prepares" his co-workers to see the "premature" baby. The staff's anger at Jim for lying turns to distaste for his kids, whom they can't wait to send away. Ryan (B.J. Novack) agrees that Angela having a black baby would be slightly more exciting than a Chinese one. Creed (Creed Bratton) thinks Pam has brought in Angela's baby, or possible that Pam is Angela. Wonderful episode!

     The Office airs Thursdays nights at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy The Office DVDs, streaming episodes, and other merchandise, please click here.

The Office faces the battle of "Gettysburg"

     This week, on NBC's The Office, Andy (Ed Helms) takes part of the staff to "Gettysburg," trying to inspire them to approach their job as a battle. Unfortunately for him, while his employees to go, and even wear his stupid hats, they show no enthusiasm for the idea. Jim (John Krasinski) finally tells Andy to give it up and stop trying so hard. Back at the office, Robert (James Spader) presses the staff for bold new ideas to improve sales. He believes Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) may be onto something with metaphors about cookies, until Ryan (B.J. Novak) proves that Kevin is only talking about food.

     This is not the first interaction Robert has with Kevin, who fascinates him. This is funny, because Kevin is the most idiotic simpleton on staff. If someone needs to be fired for downsizing, Kevin's name will be at the top of the list. But Robert is such an outside-of-the-box thinker, he assumes others are the same, and sees a kindred spirit in Kevin. That is, until a jealous Ryan proves the truth of what Kevin is really talking about. A pity, really, as watching Robert be in awe of Kevin is really quite funny.

     The opening of the episode veers too far from the beliveable path. Apparently, Pam (Jenna Fischer) keeps faking going into labor to get out of things she doesn't want to do. In "Gettysburg," she even adds a bottle of water hidden between her legs to make the whole thing seem more authentic when Gabe (Zach Woods) holds a long, boring meaning. This takes away all credibility Pam has with her co-workers, as now they will find it hard to trust anything she says, let alone something important. God forbig she actually go into labor and need help from one of them! Though it is strange the others don't embrace the fake labor in this instance, even if they know it to be a ruse, if not just to get out of Gabe's boring lecture.

     Andy is a different boss than Michael Scott (Steve Carell). He does verge on Michael-like antics while pulling them around an historical site he isn't really respecting, but Michael would have been far more offensive in his actions. Yet, Jim is telling the truth when he tells Andy the staff likes him. Andy lets them do their jobs, for the msot part, instead of pulling them into personal obsessions. Even the Gettysburg trip, while taking them away from their work, has business purpose, in Andy's head anyway, and is not just a flight of fancy. Surely, productivity must be up under his reign.

     The adjustment of Andy not being buddy-buddy with his employees isn't too bad, either. Perhaps this is because Andy is kind of a loser, and never does develop many close friendships within the office. Everyone tolerates him, but no one wants to have him over to their house. Well, except for Erin (Ellie Kemper), of course, but Andy is involved with someone else now, and unavailable. A boss should have authority and respect, and Andy has at least the latter of those things. He makes a serviceable manager.

     There is a funny little side plot where Gabe is mistaken for an Abraham Lincoln impersonator, and must perform a show at Gettysburg. Gabe is kind of a dumb characters, and so it's great that he gets to be humorous, and make people laugh. Meaning the tourists, more than The Office fans, but still...

     Even better is the argument of "facts" between Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Oscar (Oscar Nunez) over the Battle of Schrute Farms. Awesome watching the two go at it. There could not be a test of will between two more know-it-all characters, with fans rooting for neither to be right. In the end, Dwight's humiliation at what really happened is worse than Oscar's for being ignorant of the whole situation, and that's OK.

     The Office airs Thursdays nights at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy The Office DVDs, streaming episodes, and other merchandise, please click here.

The Office holds a "Garage Sale"

WARNING! SEVERE SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ UNTIL AFTER WATCHING THE OFFICE EPISODE "GARAGE SALE"!

     I admit it. I cried like a baby while watching this week's episode of NBC's The Office. It started when Michael (Steve Carell) begins taking Holly (Amy Ryan) on a tour of all the places that played an important role in their relationship in the Dundler-Mifflin building. That place is Michael's life, and it only makes sense that his true love would share his fondest memories there. It got worse as Michael opens the door and reveals the staff, all of whom have shown up to support him. Truly, his family, there to shower the two with love and share in their special moment. Of course she says yes! She has to! Though I knew the announcement would eventually come, but didn't expect it to come right then, Michael tells his co-workers he is leaving the company, leaving them, and they all stare back, speechless and stunned.

     It is necessary to walk through those moments again, certainly among the most powerful The Office has yet produced, to get just how great this is. For all the squabbles and antics the staff of Dundler-Mifflin goes through, they are a tight-knit group. When it was announced long ago that this would be Steve Carell's final season with the show, it was a sad day indeed. But it didn't really sink in to me until Michael broke the news to the other characters. Their looks tell it all. I'm tearing up just remembering it. Their boss, leader of the gang of misfits, is going away. They are just beginning to cope, and now it's time for us, the fans, to do the same.

     The fact that the writers chose to bundle that news with Michael's proposal to Holly make the emotional impact a double punch. One second, it is tears of joy pouring forth, the next, tears of sorrow. A better time could not have been chosen to make the biggest possible impact. When Michael is fondest in our hearts, they rip him away. I am not complaining; it's the gripping intensity that made the scene so good. Michael still has a few episodes left (Holly will be leaving sooner), but now there's an end in sight. A ticking clock, if you will. Evey moment that Michael Scott is on screen from now until the end will be infused with sadness at his imminent departure. Keep the tissues handy.

     Now who will be the new boss? Rumors abound, as everyone has an opinion. Will Ferrell (Saturday Night Live) will begin a several episode arc next week. Recent reports that Will Arnett (Arrested Development) will be in this May's season finale have also sparked speculation. After all, series creator Ricky Gervais, who starred in the British version, has said Arnett would be 'amazing', and nominated him for the job to NBC. Gervais himself will appear in the finale, too, I assume to reprise his British character for a second time (he had a cameo in an opening this past January), but I find it highly unlikely he could be drawn to the show on a permanent basis. He has too many other things going on, and as much as I enjoy David Brent, he doesn't match the American tone well enough for an extended stay.

     Myself, knowing three new staff members will soon be added, am in favor of internal promotion. There is no need to take away any more screen time than necessary from the central cast, and plenty of staffers could take the baton. My top suggestions are Darryl (Craig Robinson), Stanley (Leslie David Baker), and Toby (Paul Lieberstein), each of whom would bring something very different to the table. Pam (Jenna Fischer) could also work. I am not in favor of either of the obvious choices, Jim (John Krasinski) or Dwight (Rainn Wilson) because both have temporarily taken control before, and neither went very well.

"Michael, you've had two ideas today. And one of them was great. And the other one was terrible." ~ Pam
"I am not in the mood for riddles, Pam." ~ Michael

     Those lines are spoken as Pam catches Michael in the middle of executing his first proposal idea, spelling out his question in gasoline in the parking lot, dangerously near everyone's cars. Of course, the road to asking Holly is quite bumpy. Michael only pulls off his great success (even the sprinklers going off didn't detract) with the help of Pam, Jim, Oscar (Oscar Nunez) and Ryan (B.J. Novak). It is those people who care about Michael most that help him with the biggest task of his life.

     I think the writers knew it would be folly to make this episode anything but touching. While there are some funny bits, the B stories focus on relationships, too. Andy (Ed Helms), Darryl and Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) engage in a round of Dallas: The Board Game, making up their own rules as they go. Andy and Darryl have been hanging out more and more, and their buddy-buddiness is a highlight. Two wonderful actors, brought into the series as their careers were taking off. Both do movies (The Hangover, Hot Tub Time Machine), but both still have time to have fun on a brilliant sitcom.

     The second subplot involves Jim tricking Dwight. A good prank between the pair has been a staple of The Office from its earliest days. Getting back to that chemistry is always a good time, and this is no exception. Jim convinces Dwight he has magic beans, so to speak, and Dwight, while continually insisting he won't fall for it, can't bring himself to pass up the possibility. He trades Jim a telescope with a $150 price tag for the legumes. The final teaser shows Jim replacing the soil-filled pots Dwight has planted with large stalks. Talk about commitment to the joke!

     Relationships don't have to be all nice and romanticized to work. I think Jim and Dwight are a great pairing. We have seen that they are willing to come through for each other when the chips are really down, but most of the time, mild animosity rules. It is perfectly realistic to believe you can be friends, of a sort, without liking each other. They may not hang out much in their off-work hours, but there is a certain level of respect and trust between them, and I do not see either one ever getting malicious. It's more of a sibling vibe. I definitely think Jim would not put up with someone else being seriously mean spirited towards Dwight, and vice versa.

     I will likely be covering The Office again soon, as the rest of this season has some big changes ahead! Make sure you do not miss out. The Office airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: The Office - "Garage Sale" on Blogcritics.

For an alphabetical list of all of Jerome Wetzel's Current Season Reviews, please click here.

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Glourious Basterds

     Quentin Tarantino's latest film, Inglourious Basterds (the spelling is correct), was released on DVD earlier this week, and it represents a departure or maturing of his distinctive style.  It still has some witty dialogue, long conversation scenes, jarring music, and a bit of blood and gore, but it was much more understated.  The language wasn't as vulgar.  There weren't so many disturbing images.  Yet, it was very intelligent story telling that actually went somewhere.  And it made me think.

     If you had caught the trailer, you'd think the movie was mainly about a gang of Jews led by Brad Pitt that went around killing Nazis.  You would be wrong.  Practically every scene that the Basterds appeared in was present in the trailers.  Instead, there is a deeper story about a woman who watches her family get butchered, the Nazi who hunted Jews better than anyone, and the afore mentioned woman's quest for revenge.  But, no, it's not Kill Bill.  The Jewish heroine is not on a mission, but can't resist a chance when it falls into her lap.  It seems unfortunate that there is so little of Pitt and the others, especially Donny (Eli Roth) and Utivich (B.J. Novak, The Office), as that would have made quite a comedy.  Of course, it would have been close to Tarantino's old schtick, and as mentioned before, this film represents a new direction for him.

     The real stars of the film are Melanie Laurent as the wronged Jewish woman, Shosanna, and Christopher Waltz as the Nazi hunting her people down, Col. Hans Landa.  Both of these characters are fictional, but appear authentic.  Each has deep motivations, and each performer delivered an outstanding feat.  Waltz was appropriately creepy and confident, barely verging on the overly so, and Laurent seethed with hatred, but managed to stay unnoticed by the occupying army in France of the early 1940's.  The opening scene was classic Tarantino, but after that, the paths that these two led, which coincidentally came together, were believable and brilliant.  I even cheered at the twist, history-altering, ending.

     Fans of Tarantino should still enjoy this, as there is enough of his old self left in it to be appreciated, and his new style may be even better.  Fans of the trailer may not like the movie, as they certainly won't get what the expected.  Fans of cinema in general should find this an intriguing plot with wonderful pacing, beautiful scenery, and a fine example of a great film.