The Office (Season 9)

⭐ 7/10

The end has come, and that's okay. This season had its bright spots, including the last couple episodes.  They are overly sentimental, and everyone gets their perfect sign-off, but that's fine. I especially like Ryan and Kelly coming back to run away with each other one more time. I also like the introduction of Clark and Plop.  Bringing in two young guys who remind you of Jim and Dwight is a funny circle-of-life way of spicing up the last season.

Andy is completely insufferable in this season, and his whole boat thing is so unreasonable. Feels like they have run out of ideas, so we end up in another cycle of the boss leaving and people trying to fill that hole. The Farm episode that is a pilot for a spinoff is not terrible, but the fact that that was an idea they had was concerning.  Just let the show have a peaceful death and bask in its success, stop trying to squeeze out every last drop.

The thing people often talk about in this season is the camera crew kind of becoming characters, and you know what, I'm fine with it.  I really disliked Pam and Brian first time around, but honestly, Jim sucks! He doesn't talk to Pam about anything and then is surprised when she pushes back at all.  I am totally team Pam this season.  I also think their moments of tension are some of the best acting from the two of them all series long. I think the back and forth is realistic, Pam eventually saying its not working, and then when Jim comes back she feels guilty. There was just that one episode where Jim gets an apartment with Darryl and is like, I could be in Scranton changing diapers but now I'm living the bachelor life. He isn't that stupid, why would they make him be so dumb!? When they show us flashbacks to the Jim/Pam romance I feel like it doesn't hit as hard because it feels like so so long ago, and they have been uninteresting since their wedding.

Anyways the rewatch has come to a close, and this is clearly an all time show that networks are still trying to chase the success of.  A couple other takeaways:

• Meredith and Creed are never funny, and they never have been.  Not one moment of laughter over 9 seasons from the two of them.
• If the office spinoff has Clark and Plop still working there, I would watch it.  Love those guys.
• The way they punish Angela this season is so severe.  Why is she homeless after a divorce, she's a working woman! But then it all turns around in the final two episodes, so rushed.
• Over 9 seasons Dwight is clearly the MVP. His character changes but stays consistent to who he has always been.  Michael is the standout performance, but I think Dwight is the best character (the best ability is availability).