NBC’s ‘The Office’ season 9, episode 19 review: Jim and Pam’s next step
When you remember that there are only a few select episodes of “The Office” left after nine years, the whole idea of Thursday night’s new episode has to feel a little bit strange. After all, we basically saw a half-hour of television that was at least partially about something as ridiculous as Dwight shooting a fellow employee in Stanley with a tranquilizer gun, and also a story about Andy deciding to get a talent agent played by Roseanne Barr.
The story that we really wanted to see this week was when Jim and Pam underwent a little a little bit of counseling on their marriage, but from different people. Just the sole thought of Toby being someone’s counselor was pretty hilarious in itself, especially considering that there were some feelings there for Pam on his part at one time. However, we do believe that these two are going to figure out their relationship eventually … regardless of whoever they need to seek help from.
Also significant this week as the Senator finally coming forward and admitting that he was gay publicly, and trying to do just about as much damage control as he could in the process. This had to be particularly distressing to Angela (who had to sit there and listen to everything that the man was saying), and also strange for Oscar, who was also mentioned during the Senator’s speech.
Overall, this was decent episode that had some moments, but at least half of it felt like filler with the Dwight storyline. We do expect that the writers are going somewhere with Andy paying a ridiculous amount of money to move forward his career as a “star,” but we just don’t know where right now.
What did you think about all of this episode, and do you wish that the story was focused on something a little bit different than a passed-out Stanley considering how many weeks are left? If you want to see even more news from this episode, be sure to head on over to the link here.
Photo: NBC
thom
April 12, 2013 @ 9:04 am
Hej,
I might not be a native and all, but I consider myself to be entitled to a valued opinion. Anyhow, I think this was a decent episode as well, but for reversed reasons. In fact, the Dwight-story came off very natural, after an awkward start. It was a nice redemption, an extreme action never possible before thanks to his sidekick. It worked very well, made us laugh in a natural way without ever considering, as the bit walked the thin line of slapstick in the right way, the way of The Office; when it says something about characters and human behaviour primarily.
Instead, I felt the Pam & Jim part showed continued courage (who kills off the real romantic heart of a story?) but hasn’t come to life yet. There’s been too much side-stories to take care off lately, today it finished the Oscar-bit, yet again a new Andy-bit requires air time. While it seems that the series should have focused much more on its heart by now. Last times we saw build-ups, glimps of P&J’s realisations, Pam visiting that Brian dude, etc. All alright, all necessary. You can’t jump bluntly into the heart, but by now, it’s becoming rather urgent. The heart is being killed off; the love that kept us watching the first 6 seasons, the love that resided smoothely for another season, the love that became invisible last season, is under strain now. Whatever direction this plot goes, romantic or realistic, bleek or overcoming, that doesn’t matter. It’s the way it ought to unfold and the involvement and closeness to that main story we’re going to feel. And by now, they’re overstretching, knowing that it’s their main story, but building up while seemingly running around it, avoiding it. Let’s get into the heart, however it turns out. No fear. Don’t care if it fails to turn out enchanting or whatever, as long as the real courage is shown. As long as we get to jump into that heart of the story. As long as the writers and makers at least try to once again centre the series on it. It’s a necessary need and desire for all of us, even for the story of the series itself. Any more waiting will not give the jump enough depth, it might be tricky, but it needs to happen.