Please be aware that there are SPOILERS in the following review.
This episode mainly deals with the fallout of Ron getting together with another one of his ex-wives: Tammy I. It also features an appearance by Ron's mother... who is named Tammy as well. In other parts of Pawnee, Anne and Chris film a PSA for diabetes and Ben tries to help Tom and Jean-Ralfio's business stay afloat.
I liked this episode. It wasn't as great as the other Ron and Tammy episodes, but there were some laughs to be had. Any time Leslie gets drunk means we are in for some big laughs. I will say this, however: the formula for these episodes is starting to get stale. It's like they are filling out a mad lib: "Ron's ex-wife Tammy ______ comes back into his life and starts dating him again. He starts to act _________ to the his own detriment, and Leslie steps in to try and save him from himself. In the end, he realizes that he hates Tammy _____ and _____________." Don't get me wrong, it hasn't gotten old yet. I just fear that it is going to get old soon. It was hilarious to see how this particular Tammy effected Ron. Tammy II turns Ron into a sex-crazed maniac, but Tammy I turns him into a 'cool-beans' kinda dude - complete with a shaved mustache. I personally prefer Tammy II and how Ron reacts to her, but that is just me. I think they set the bar too high with the second Tammy, so the first one didn't really deliver - even though she is supposedly worse. I just didn't get that. It was great to see Ron's mom, especially her response to Leslie's reaction to how many guns she had: "This is America, right?"
The other plot lines took a back seat to the main one this week. It was nice to see Chris and Anne working together on something, but I just didn't really see the point. Are they getting back together or aren't they?!? Just make up your minds, people. It's like they spent the entire episode showing Anne why it was good that she wasn't with Chris, only to then show her what a great guy he really is. I will say this, however - they have done a fantastic job not making Chris obnoxious. He is one of those characters who could easily become annoying, but he consistently makes me laugh. I really like Ben and Tom together, but I wonder where they are going with the whole Entertainment 720 plot. I'd love to see it become a success, but Tom needs to be back at the Parks department! I am interested to see how this plays out.
Overall, this was a good episode. It is just starting to feel a little redundant. I want to see more of Leslie's Mayoral race! Bring it on!
Total score: 7.5 out of 10
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
"The Office" Episode Review: The Incentive
Please be aware that there are several SPOILERS in the following review.
Last weeks premier episode of season 8 of "The Office" smartly put the focus on the entire ensemble. It reminded us that the thing that makes this show so great is not any one person, but the whole cast. This weeks episode takes the focus off of the rest of the cast and really takes a look at how Andy is handling the role of Regional Manager. Robert California drops the gauntlet on the Scranton branch at the beginning of the episode - last month they had 4% growth, this month he wants 8% growth. Andy struggles with how to make the office motivated to reach this goal to prove his worth to Robert, and he comes up with an incentive program. Doing good work earns you points, and points can buy you things, like a teddy bear or a vibrator. Jim, funny as always, gets Andy to allow them to pool together their points so that if they reach 5,000 Andy will get a tattoo on his rear end.
This main plot line was pretty funny, but it's main purpose was to show that Andy was the right choice for the job. Why did Robert California give him the job? Because his desire to not be mediocre will make him inspire greatness in the rest. It was hilarious to see the entire office in a frenzy to reach their goal - which they did in just one day. Andy has set the bar pretty high. There was a touching moment right before Andy was supposed to get his tattoo where Jim tells him that no one expects him to go through with it, but he was excited to see what other great ideas Andy will come up with. Because, let's face it, Andy inspired them. He got them to reach a month long goal in the span of one day. He IS an effective boss.
The other plot lines weren't so great. I was excited at the prospect of Angela and Pam being pregnant walking buddies, but it looks like that was dead before it even started. The cold open with Kevin was pretty funny, if a little unbelievable. And they desperately need to find something to do with Dwight. Sure, he is dedicated to the company, but he has been shunned so many times that it stretches believability. Maybe he should go to corporate. Or have him go back to Staples or something. But just do something with him. I'm tired of seeing him love his job and then be apathetic and then love it all over again.
Overall, this episode was NOT bad. It felt a little tired, but they sparked new life into it when Andy actually followed through with one of his ridiculous ideas. Now let's see what he does next.
Final score: 8.0 out of 10.
Last weeks premier episode of season 8 of "The Office" smartly put the focus on the entire ensemble. It reminded us that the thing that makes this show so great is not any one person, but the whole cast. This weeks episode takes the focus off of the rest of the cast and really takes a look at how Andy is handling the role of Regional Manager. Robert California drops the gauntlet on the Scranton branch at the beginning of the episode - last month they had 4% growth, this month he wants 8% growth. Andy struggles with how to make the office motivated to reach this goal to prove his worth to Robert, and he comes up with an incentive program. Doing good work earns you points, and points can buy you things, like a teddy bear or a vibrator. Jim, funny as always, gets Andy to allow them to pool together their points so that if they reach 5,000 Andy will get a tattoo on his rear end.
This main plot line was pretty funny, but it's main purpose was to show that Andy was the right choice for the job. Why did Robert California give him the job? Because his desire to not be mediocre will make him inspire greatness in the rest. It was hilarious to see the entire office in a frenzy to reach their goal - which they did in just one day. Andy has set the bar pretty high. There was a touching moment right before Andy was supposed to get his tattoo where Jim tells him that no one expects him to go through with it, but he was excited to see what other great ideas Andy will come up with. Because, let's face it, Andy inspired them. He got them to reach a month long goal in the span of one day. He IS an effective boss.
The other plot lines weren't so great. I was excited at the prospect of Angela and Pam being pregnant walking buddies, but it looks like that was dead before it even started. The cold open with Kevin was pretty funny, if a little unbelievable. And they desperately need to find something to do with Dwight. Sure, he is dedicated to the company, but he has been shunned so many times that it stretches believability. Maybe he should go to corporate. Or have him go back to Staples or something. But just do something with him. I'm tired of seeing him love his job and then be apathetic and then love it all over again.
Overall, this episode was NOT bad. It felt a little tired, but they sparked new life into it when Andy actually followed through with one of his ridiculous ideas. Now let's see what he does next.
Final score: 8.0 out of 10.
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