The Office: Season Three
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Movie Reviews of The Office: Season Three
Movie Review: The Office is Simply Hilarious
Summary: 5 Stars
The Office has one of the best ensemble casts on television. It is a great show with excellent & smart writing. To me, this is one of the best sitcoms to come along since Seinfeld left (not counting syndication of course). This excellent season features the following episodes:
Episode 1: Witch Hunt
Original Air Date: 21 September 2006
Michael apologizes to Oscar, after he finds out he's not into the ladies, for calling him a slur--but his apology outs Oscar to the entire office. And Jim decides to take a promotion at the Stamford office.
Episode 2: The Convention
Original Air Date: 28 September 2006
Michael and Dwight go to a convention in Philadelphia and run into Jim, and Michael becomes jealous of Jim's relationship with his new boss. Meanwhile, Pam gets ready for her first date since her engagement.
Episode 3: The Coup
Original Air Date: 5 October 2006
Michael is in trouble once again as Jan busts him for declaring it's "Movie Monday" where everyone watches a movie and neglects work. Angela pushes Dwight to make a move on Michael's job while Pam and Jim find creative ways to waste time.
Episode 4: Grief Counseling
Original Air Date: 12 October 2006
Michael takes on the role of office grief counselor when he learns that his old boss has died.
Episode 5: Initiation
Original Air Date: 19 October 2006
Dwight takes former temp Ryan to his beet farm to initiate Ryan to his new job at Dunder Mifflin.
Episode 6: Diwali
Original Air Date: 2 November 2006
Michael encourages the entire Scranton branch to support Kelly and attend a local celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Meanwhile, Andy convinces Jim to turn a late night of work into a drinking game.
Episode 7: Branch Closing
Original Air Date: 9 November 2006
When Jan tells Michael that the Scranton Branch will be shutting down, Michael strives to keep his staff's spirits up. Meanwhile, everyone privately begins to envision how their lives will change in the aftermath.
Episode 8: The Merger
Original Air Date: 16 November 2006
Jan informs Michael that the Scanton branch of Dunder Mifflin will be merging with the Stamford Branch. Jim and Pam are reunited while the other employees of both branches must adjust to their new co-workers.
Episode 9: The Convict
Original Air Date: 30 November 2006
Michael learns that one of the new employees at Dunder Mifflin Scranton has a criminal record. Meanwhile, Jim helps Andy make a move on Pam.
Episode 10: A Benihana Christmas
Original Air Date: 14 December 2006
Trouble among the members of the party planning committee results with the office having two competing Christmas parties, but Michael isn't interested in celebrating because he has just broken up with his girlfriend.
Episode 11: Back from Vacation
Original Air Date: 4 January 2007
Michael isn't supposed to let anyone know that he and Jan went on vacation together in Jamaica, but he accidentally circulates a compromising photo of them to the office via e-mail.
Episode 12: Traveling Salesmen
Original Air Date: 11 January 2007
Dwight does a favor for Angela to keep her from getting in trouble. Andy finds out and uses it against him to get in tighter with Michael. Now Dwight must fess up, which will reveal his relationship with Angela, or risk getting fired.
Episode 13: The Return
Original Air Date: 18 January 2007
Andy does the impossible--he makes everyone in the office miss Dwight, who is forced to take a job at Staples. Meanwhile, Oscar comes back to the office and Michael predictably throws a stereotypical Mexican party to celebrate.
Episode 14: Ben Franklin
Original Air Date: 1 February 2007
Michael asks Jim to get a male dancer for Phyllis's office bachelorette party, but he gets a Ben Franklin impersonator instead. Meanwhile, the men's bachelor party goes as planned until Michael becomes uncomfortable with the dancer.
Episode 16: Phyllis' Wedding
Original Air Date: 8 February 2007
Michael exaggerates the importance of his small role in Phyllis's wedding and makes an idiot out of himself, and Pam notices that Phyllis stole all of her wedding ideas from her original wedding plans.
Episode 17: Business School
Original Air Date: 15 February 2007
Michael is a guest speaker for Ryan's business class, but they have a falling-out after Michael finds out that Ryan spoke negatively about Dunder-Mifflin. And back at the office, Dwight tries to kill a bat that he found in the ceiling.
Episode 18: Cocktails
Original Air Date: 22 February 2007
While Michael and Jan go to their first Dunder-Mifflin outing as an official couple, the office workers left behind go out for happy hour. During happy hour, Roy finds out that Jim and Pam kissed at Casino Night.
Episode 19: The Negotiation
Original Air Date: 5 April 2007
Dwight saves Jim from an attack by Roy, but Dwight won't allow Jim to thank him for it. Meanwhile, Darryl asks Michael for a pay raise, and Michael discovers that he is woefully underpaid--so Michael goes to headquarters to ask for one himself.
Episode 20: Safety Training
Original Air Date: 12 April 2007
Andy returns to the office after weeks of anger management training, determined to make a fresh start with all the Dunder-Mifflin employees. Meanwhile, it's safety training day in the office, and Michael and Dwight are on a mission to illuminate the dangers of the workplace.
Episode 21: Product Recall
Original Air Date: 26 April 2007
Michael tries to be proactive during a watermark crisis, but only makes the situation worse. Meanwhile, Angela has trouble being apologetic with customers, and Andy discovers a secret about his new girlfriend.
Episode 22: Women's Appreciation
Original Air Date: 3 May 2007
Phyllis gets flashed in the parking lot, and Dwight goes all out to secure the premises. Michael ostensibly takes the women in the office to the mall to comfort them, but he's really doing it to get advice about breaking up with Jan.
Episode 23: Beach Games
Original Air Date: 5 May 2007
Michael uses "beach day" at Dunder-Mifflin to find out which employee would be his most capable replacement, just in case he receives the promotion to the New York office that he's applied for.
Episode 24: The Job
Original Air Date: 17 May 2007
Michael appoints Dwight as regional manager, anticipating that he will receive the job at corporate. Jim and Karen also interview for the same position. And Michael gets back together with Jan after she has a surgical augmentation procedure.
Season three is well-worth the 5 star rating and is worth watching again and again.
Movie Review: Dunder Mifflin meets the real world
Summary: 5 Stars
22 episodes
SPECIAL FEATURES
1. Deleted Scenes
2. Kevin cooks stuff in the office
3. Excerpt from the 2006 NBC prime time preview hosted by the office
4. Toby wraparounds
5. Dwight Schrute music video
6. Joss Whedon interview
7. Videos from the office "make your own promo" contest
8. Blooper reel
9. Lazy Scranton video
10. Excerpt from the 58th annual prime time Emmy awards
11. 8 episode commentaries
Total Viewing Time: 987 minutes
There are moments during season three that I thought it might be able to bypass the incredible season two. And then there were moments that just didn't feel quite right and made me think, "the magic of season two was a one time thing" and then I sighed. But then I would end up laughing hysterically at something and I was okay with the fact that season three is different from season two - in a lot of ways.
The one thing that stands out to me most about season three of The Office is how "real" it gets. Dunder Mifflin has always been susceptible to downsizing. Hell, they even hint at it in the "Pilot" episode, but in season three, does it become a reality? I won't ruin any of the surprises of season three, but I will say that the show has a lot of "real life" office politics in it. There are real problems that companies go through. It doesn't ruin the show at all, it actually makes it better I believe. For as much as Dwight (and Creed) push the boundaries of insanity, knowing that these people work at a paper company brings us back to Earth.
Season three also introduces us to new characters, mainly Andy and Karen. Still to this day, I don't really know what to think of Karen's character. I understand why she was on the show and the role she played, but as far as what she added to the episodes or show, I'm not real sure. She wasn't really a jokester, or especially serious, and I feel like the writers never really took her character anywhere. In a lot of ways this is fine since I'm sure a lot of fans didn't like her because of her connection to Jim. Meanwhile, Andy's character instantly stole several scenes and - if he stays on - could become a great character that could rival with Dwight, as Jim does.
My overall impression of season three however was that it has some lackluster moments and some "good, but not great" episodes. But this season is still better than most shows could ever pull off - even in their prime.
The packaging is pretty much the same as season two, and contains some good pictures through the season. The packaging has a slip case cover again (as S2 did), and fold open like a book. The discs are still placed in an annoying manner, but otherwise I like the box set.
The standouts of special features are the 8 commentaries (however not as much fun as season two's collection), and the deleted scenes (hours worth of footage, again). The rest of the special features are generally pretty short - except for the excerpts - and while some are fun (the Dwight Schrute music video and "Lazy Scranton" video), there's not nearly as much to sink your teeth into, but still more than most companies put into their box sets.
All in all, I was not surprised that season three wasn't as good as season two (but how could it?) but I was glad it didn't fall off as far as I originally thought it would. Season three is great, season two is classic - and that's when comparing the two. As a stand alone it's probably even better. The Office continues to succeed and has created a great series and a great box set for its third season.
9.0 THE SHOW ITSELF
8.7 VISUALS
9.0 SOUND
8.3 PACKAGING
7.7 EXTRAS
9.3/10 FINAL VERDICT
Movie Review: The Office Season 3
Summary: 5 Stars
This season of the office is probably the funniest and most creative season which I have seen. I do enjoy all of the seasons, but this season in particular seems to be the one that all of the characters most enjoy playing their roles. There is something to be said for the ability to come up with ridiculous, yet funny scenarios right on the spot. I say this because while watching the extras, it seemed that the characters had quite a bit of freedom to take the conversation where they wanted it to go. Some other details about the show which greatly add to its interest and creativity are the camera angles, facial expressions, interpersonal conflicts within the office, and Michael's complete inability, despite valiant efforts, to treat a "politically incorrect" topic with respect. I usually find myself saying..."He can not really be saying/doing that, can he?" And that is why I find it funny.
Who ever came up with the idea to interview each one of the office members individually really had a good idea. It appeals to people's desire to know what's "really going on" and helps you to better understand why certain characters act the way they do in their day to day activities. I think I would be much more confused as to what was going on and the sense of humor would not be as funny if they didn't explain some things before hand in the "one on one interviews."
Every single one of the characters in the office makes very unique facial expressions. I don't know that the show would be even half as funny as it is without the facial expressions. Some scenes seem to consist of nothing but facial expressions and they really do say it all.
I love the relationships within the office which seem to make no sense whatsoever. Who would have thought that Toby would be the most disdained employee in the office? What are Angela and Dwight all about? And why in the world do Dwight and Andy fight like small children to earn Michael's affection? Why do Jim and Pam deny the fact that they obviously love spending time together, and should probably just get together? None of it makes much sense, but it is quite entertaining to watch.
Michael is probably the best example of political incorrectness that there is. It is funny how he not only butchers the topics that they discuss, but he also displays a bit of how tricky it becomes when we have to tip toe around so many topics in the work place these days. He says some things that many of us quietly wonder to ourselves at times, but that we know are just not ok to ask out loud, especially in a meeting at work. Even though Michael is completely outlandish and uncensored, there is still a soft heart behind his actions, which allows him to still be a likeable character.
Even though The Office is a clean show over all, it still does incorporate many suggestive comments and scenarios. Although this is not uncommon today in our culture's media, I do believe it is still regrettable, and the show could be just as humorous without adding innuendos.
I don't know that many people fifty years ago would understand this show at all, or appreciate it for that matter. Overall, The Office is a comical depiction of contemporary American culture, uncensored. The relationships within the office exemplify true to life scenarios including competition, deception, romance, and many others. I would recommend this season to anyone who is looking to kill a few brain cells and for a good laugh.
Movie Review: Utterly fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by far one of the most clever and creative shows on television. It delights in taking a politically incorrect stance about just about everything and, in so doing, shows how susceptible we all are to stereotypes and prejudice. To say that this show is a sendup of corporate culture is really only discussing one aspect of the show. It is a complex and colorful story whose characters continue to grow and to shock and amaze the viewer. It also happens to be one of the funniest shows I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.
This season is a standout because of the continuing evolution of the characters. Like real people, they sometimes act in ways that seem out of character but are the perfect example of the contrast between the face we put on in public and what really makes us who we are on the inside.
One of the best examples of the evolution of the character of Michael Scott can be seen in "The Job". As always, Michael assumes too much and thinks too little. He makes a terrible decision about a romantic relationship on the basis of some very sexist interests in a woman's appearance. However, in the end, he proves that he is actually a stand-up guy who is loyal to those who are not always deserving of this loyalty. His character has the mentality of an overgrown child in that he can be unforgivably cruel and petty one moment and then truly lovable the next.
One of my personal favorites was "Beach Games" because it exemplifies the development of Pam's character. Pam has long been my favorite but she is almost pathological in allowing others to walk all over her and take advantage of her good nature. Her outburst in this episode was great to watch because it shows how determined she is to finally take charge of her life. Throughout the season, she remains the nice woman she has always been but she begins to grow a backbone and to learn that being nice doesn't mean pleasing everyone at all times at the expense of her own happiness.
"The Negotiation" is also an excellent episode because it shows the petty side of Jim and the heroic side of Dwight. Jim's pettiness becomes more and more evident throughout the season and his seeming determination to hold Pam responible for Roy's actions and his cutting comments to her in the aftermath underscore just how mean he can be at times. As for Dwight, the season has served to show what a surprisingly great guy he can be and this episode exemplifies this as he refuses to allow Jim to thank him for something he considers to have been his duty.
Aside from the powerhouse main characters, the tertiary characters of this show continue to astonish. There is the often silly Kelly with the cheer I simply can't get out of my head ("This day is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S"). There is the creepy Creed whose encounter with a fish in "Beach Games" made my husband and I roar with laughter. There's the rather pathetic Toby, who is constantly dumped on by Mike and who takes his lovelorn status to new levels in "Cocktails" where his act of kindness is brushed off by an oblivious Pam. I could go on and on for hours but, really, the best thing to do is to witness the series for yourself. You'll doubtless become every bit as hooked as my husband and I are.
Movie Review: Meaningless office drudgery was never so entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
Another great season of "The Office", though initially I experienced some trepidation when discovering, upon watching the first episode in this set, that the perfect little snowglobe/microcosm of comic perfection that was season two of "The Office" had apparently been scattered to the winds. You see, there was just something so, well... perfect about that small group of characters permanantly on display in that small office set, playing off one another. Here- horrors!- we start off with Jim up in Connecticut interacting with a bunch of strangers, with the comic dynamic back in Scranton not having the same familiar flavor due to that change. Ah, but it soon becomes clear that there is a method to the creators' and writers' madness. Amid the funny stories (happily, just as weird and entertaining as usual), we slowly get to know and enjoy Jim's new colleagues, watch with interest as Jim's office slowly merges with the Scranton office, and watch with even more interest as the Jim/Pam dynamic slowly picks up again. In other words, by stirring the pot a little and throwing some new seasonings into the mix, we still get the show we know and love but with a new freshness and a complete lack of repetitiveness.
Also enjoyable is that the character of Michael is allowed to further grow, with new complexities being added to the first glimmers of complexity seen in season two. Happily, Michael is still given his moments of cluelessness (usually when he's talking about women), but it's fun to see him get one up on Dwight and new office buffoon Andy on occasion. And it's also nice to see Pam and the other women in the office side with Michael when they feel he's being mistreated by Jan. Good stuff, and- again- a nice combination of familiar and fresh.
The special features on these discs remain quite agreeable, too, especially the deleted scenes attached to most of the episodes. Each deleted scenes segment runs from a few minutes to almost the length of an entire regular show, with each segment feeling like a polished, parallel, (as just as funny) version of the episode you just watched, letting you see the many hilarious scenes that happened in between the scenes of the "official" episode. Don't miss 'em!
And now for the long wait for season four of "The Office" on DVD. Sigh, I really should just start to watch these things on regular TV, commercials or not. But these DVD sets, including this one, are just wonderfully entertaining ways to watch these great episodes.