The Office

⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

This year I've really been going back to a lot of my favorites, and so why not continue that with my favorite TV show? I know it sounds corny, but during these last few months where everything was in flux, this show came in huge for us. As everything was changing, it was nice to settle down in the evening with my familiar friends Dwight, Jim and Pam.

I really do think this show gets better every time you watch it. For whatever reason, this show is just one where every joke is funnier when you see it coming. It's still hard to watch Michael do Michael things, but a little easier when you see Michael Clump coming.

I was thinking when watching that it might not get a perfect score because there are definitely some imperfect seasons. The first is still definitely a little rough with a totally unlikeable Michael, but seasons 2-3 are both 11s, and more than make up for the other seasons. They are my two favorite seasons of any show ever. They created a couple so compelling that a whole country just ignored the fact that they are terrible, terrible partners to (mostly) innocent people.

I will say, this theme of love at all costs is pretty lame as it comes up over and over throughout the series, and it stands out a little more when you binge the show. There are still also some other flaws like Robert being on half a season too long (though on rewatch, he has his moments), Nellie starting off way too annoying, and Andy being turned from one of my favorites to one I couldn't stand. Indeed, the post-Michael seasons will always be a sore spot, though again I enjoyed these more than I thought I would. But whatever. This show is still the best comedy ever to air, and I will always, until my dying day, remind people that I was on board with the show before it blew up.

So yeah, what a terrific rewatch. It honestly was the first time I've watched something and wanted to start over immediately after, and that honestly might happen. A couple remaining highlights:

-David Wallace tuned out to be a warm presence. A nice, rational CEO? Who knew?!

-pretty good late season stuff by Plop and Fart

-Robert was better than I thought. "It's not a party unless you've done something that scares you"

-Ryan perfectly gets that character. Everyone knows a Ryan. Right now he's dealing in Crypto and sharing Elon Musk tweets

-after Michael leaves you think there is no use for Toby, but Toby really catches his stride by the end

-#teamErin and if you disagree you are wrong

-i kinda fell in love with Oscar. When he takes in Angela I almost shed a tear

-i think Jan is perhaps the best acted character in the show

-Dwight does some of his best work post-Michael. Bedbug. "Fresh sack." Dictator Manager. Great stuff

-the finale, while painfully lame, definitely ties a bow on a ton of things. The quote from Andy is definitely an all-timer. It's hard to end a show this big and popular, and I guess they did it the way where nobody really can complain.

I'll continue to speak in office quotes exclusively for another few months. The GOAT