The Office (Season 8)

⭐ 7.5/10

It really is sad to see an all time great show flounder like this.  There is a lot to like, and a lot of big laughs too (I think some really good cold opens), but its a shell of what it once was.  I found it really weird that they don't even mention Michael's name! Obviously it would be annoying to keep remembering the good old times, but he was such a huge part of their lives you would think he would be name dropped a bunch.  For example, Andy, stop doing exactly what Michael used to do!

Andy is kind of brutal, going through all the same things Michael kind of did, trying to be loved and whatnot.  The new characters in Nellie and Robert, Nellie especially.  What a kooky Brit!  Her saying dumb stuff in an accent is just not funny.

I think the season actually starts pretty strong, but its clear they are running out of ideas.  I thought it was funny how Pam is replaced by Cathy, who has zero lines until you hear her on the phone telling a friend she is going to sleep what Jim. What!? You can't just have some rando become a villain in two seconds like that.  I think this could have been a compelling storyline, especially since it starts with Jim not admitting to Pam that he finds her pretty (a very funny episode ending in Dwight groping Jim). She has no role at all until they are in Florida, and even there she has basically no lines and won't leave Jim's hotel room.  Just really poorly put together for a show with a good track record of multi-episode arcs.

I love Gabe and wish we had more of him, since he kind of just floats in the background.  Dwight is always good, and the stuff with Angela is underused. It's time to put down this sad old dog.  You had lots of happy years.