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I've definitely seen The Office before, but never all of it, which is what I'm seeking to remedy at the moment.
I totally get why some people don't like this show. So many episodes are based on this Michael-does-something-hella-awkward shtick with the rest of the cast staring at him with sad disapproval. Many of the episodes are predictable. Much like a regular office. And yet... I feel kinda compelled to keep watching it. And the above is not at all to say that this show is completely lacking in redeeming qualities, but at least on the surface, I really shouldn't be wanting to watch it further. But yet, here I am, five seasons deep. It's gotta be doing SOMETHING very right here.
For starters, this show entirely rises and falls based on the power of its raw dialogue and acting. This is probably one of the most comedy-drama of all comedy-drama shows out there. Distilled down into its almost purest form. Its seemingly boring modern-day normality also enhances that focus even further. Inject a bit of 2000s nostalgia into this show along with all that and you got The Office.
It's entirely unknown as to how many sexy days and nights were and, even to this day, are spent with a random episode of this show playing in the background. And it's hardly a surprise too because, beyond the show itself, it's cozy to watch and almost all episodes are pretty self-contained. One of the best shows you can just turn on and half-heartedly watch before some real business starts.
Coming back to the first five seasons show itself, I have some complaints here and there. For one, I loved Jan's role in the early seasons as the professional sexy boss-lady and I even liked her slow corruption into more deviant behaviors, but the character, then, gets a major downgrade and goes from professional boss-lady with a hidden sexy chaotic side to slightly crazy housewife. Boooo... That cool dynamic was totally ruined and I don't know if the character ever really recovered after that.
One thing I did like though is when Michael has these very rare moments where he actually truly steps up and is the man he needs to be. It gives him much more depth as a character even if I think it is a bit hard to reconcile with the rest of his character. Furthermore, Dwight, and also, his ridiculous antics with Jim is just comedy gold. Creed and Meredith are always fun wildcards. The rest of the main characters though are sadly less exciting. Pam is cute, and Jim and her have good chemistry, but it's almost a little TOO perfect there. I miss Karen as she definitely added some fire to that dynamic. She did an excellent job being the foil to Pam's shy cuteness. But alas, she hasn't really come back since she was pulled out. Ah well. Maybe in the later seasons...
So... Three stars or four? Gotta go with four in the end. I'm definitely not a fan of all the episodes, but I'm clearly too invested in it to give it anything other than that. After finishing up season five and seeing the growth of all the characters, I think I understand the seemingly simple message this show is trying to get across. That even in a stupid and maybe even crushing place like the office you work at, there is still life to be found and true happiness to be gained as long as you stop and actually look around once in a while.
