The Office: Season Two
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Movie Reviews of The Office: Season Two
Movie Review: Pure entertainment in both subtle and outrageous ways
Summary: 5 Stars
Dang, I can't believe I waited this long to finally check out season two of "The Office" on DVD. And, to make matters worse, because I'm extremely impatient with commercial interruptions, I hadn't seen these episodes during their original television airing, either. But, better late that never, right?
In case I'm not being clear, these episodes are great. They're all kinds of funny: silly funny (Dwight); subtle funny (Dwight's colleagues); and absolutely train-wreck funny (Michael). But, you know what? The show is also emotionally complicated and surprisingly moving at times. The Jim/Pam dynamic is probably the best example of an aspect of the show where these more sophisticated dynamics come into play, but some of the personal issues Michael goes through also display the layered subtlety that Steve Carell and the show's writers have carefully added to Michael's character during the progression of these episodes. Happily, of course, Michael is still never far from making an outrageous, totally inappropriate comment to his charges, and viewers are all the better for it.
The season closer, "Casino Night", is an example in miniature of everything that makes this series a winner: it's got big laughs (Michael's usual cluelessness), subtle laughs (one character is revealed to be a closet klepto and starts stealing everything in sight), and true poignancy (the Jim/Pam stuff, but also some interesting Michael/Jan revelations).
One final word about the characterizations, because they're really what make the show tick. Every character (with the exception of Dwight, who's just there for laughs, and that's okay) is genuinely complicated. For example, Jim and Pam are whip-smart about human nature, but both are afraid to take steps to improve their personal situations even though what they need to do is right in front of their faces. And even Michael, the show's central clueless buffoon, is allowed moments of insight, and in his own strange way has a certain business acumen (watch how he saves a huge account during a business meeting at the local Chili's restaurant, a regular haunt on the show).
Generous bonus features (commentaries, bloopers, deleted scenes, short "webisodes" that originally aired on the internet, and many other goodies) provide additional value to "The Office, Season 2". But, really, if this DVD boxed set just gave you the episodes and nothing else, it would still be worth it.
I'm getting season three right away. No more tardiness for me!
Movie Review: My New Favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
I was slow getting on board for The Office. I remember reading a creative writer, one time (can't remember who), saying that the most important element for writing a successful story was to have a likeable narrative voice. I think the reason it took me a while on this show was that the first season just didn't have that sort of voice. It was biting and harsh and a little dark. I didn't hate the show, but I certainly didn't like it enough to make the time to see new episodes.
But then, a couple of years later, I saw part of one episode, `The Dundies,' where Pam was accepting her award, and she was so charming, and the tone was so different from the previous season (you seeing such compassion displayed toward Michael) that I was hooked. It's been such a rewarding show since then. Especially in Season 2, there's not a bad episode. Everything is so smartly written and so well acted. This sense of humor is new to American tv. And it's a meaningful show, too.
My favorite thing about the show is how it's not conceived as just a bunch of single episodes. For most sitcoms, the season-long and multi-season-long story arches seem so episodic (no pun intended). There's always a big finale, but the plot wasn't developed such that the ending is logical, and the viewer is rarely emotionally prepared for whatever big even happens. I think this so hampers sitcoms, even good ones. They so rarely are conceived in a way that allows them to be anything beyond amusing.
The Office, of course, is the opposite. The Pam and Jim storyline is realistic (I've been Jim before, I know) and heartfelt. The characterizations (what acting by both of them!) are of such depth (two sitcom characters who are actual adults!) that we can see this as a truthful situation and feel for them. And there are no hasty movements. The story arches have been orchestrated expertly, and the wonderful season finale, `Casino Night,' makes for a perfect climax.
Of course, I love everything else, too. The childishness of Michael, the zaniness of Dwight, and the eccentricities of the other characters provide the perfect counterpoint for the more serious aspects of the show, and the show still succeeds as satire (as Season 1 wanted to be), albeit a less bitter one.
Anyway, I can't think of a better season for any show. This is a real can't-miss, clearly (to my mind) the best show on tv right now.
Movie Review: Addicting and laugh-out-loud funny!
Summary: 5 Stars
Following the short six-episode Season 1 introduction of the Scranton branch of a fictitious paper company, Season 2 really begins to delve into their minds and lives.
As the show operates on the premise that a "documentary" is being filmed at Dunder Mifflin, we get to view the employees both as they interact with one another and as they speak to the camera privately in numerous asides. There's inept regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) is anxious -- as always -- to look competent. We meet his employees -- overeager salesman Dwight (Rainn Wilson), whose main missions in life includes kissing up to Michael; and his deskmate Jim (John Krasinski), who does his best to get by with a minimal amount of effort while on the job. There's also Toby, the quiet, long-suffering HR rep; prim and proper Angela; patient Oscar; long-term temp Ryan; the often childlike Kevin; Meredith, who's a little open about her fondness for men and booze; Creed, whose past as a musician with the Grass Roots (the actor's real backstory) is a tad questionable; talkative Kelly; and Pam (Jenna Fischer), the quiet, artistic receptionist who often holds the entire office together.
In this season, we -- and the rest of the office -- clearly see the developing closeness between Jim and Pam, although the two do their best to deny it and Pam insists on proceeding with wedding plans with her long-time boyfriend, Dunder Mifflin warehouse employee Roy. We also see more layers to the blunderingly inappropriate Michael; despite the things he does, it's becoming evident that beneath it all, he just wants everyone to like him.
Particular noteworthy Season 2 episodes include "The Dundies," an annual office "award night" dreaded by one and all. This year, an obviously tipsy Pam manages to set gears in motion by kissing Jim -- an act which is revisited throughout the season in various episodes, such as "Booze Cruise" and the season ender "Casino Night." It's then that Pam must decide once and for all if she truly wants to live her life with Roy, or risk everything familiar and comfortable for something beyond it that could be even better.
As with all the other seasons of "The Office," this box set includes lots of deleted scenes for every episode, as well as other features. It's well worth the money, and guaranteed to provide lots of laughs!
Movie Review: Each replay of an episode induces laughter, perhaps even greater laughter than from the initial viewing...
Summary: 5 Stars
What a funny show! I watch reruns without getting sick of it because it is so clever, so intelligent (much like Seinfeld reruns). You pick up more details the more times you watch: strange facial expressions and gestures, characters in the background, odd items on desks, etc. Also, I appreciate the absence of an annoying laugh track. Awkward silences are far superior!
Steve Carrell's character, Michael, is weirdly irritating, immature, and pathetic. He's so desperate for everyone to be his friend that half the time you're annoyed with him - and yet you can't help loving him and feeling sorry for his lack of popularity and unique qualities. I thought it was sad when he found out about Jim's party (Email Surveillance episode), to which he was not invited. And it was almost painful to see how everyone hated him in the acting class; but he was obnoxious and repeated the same antics like a little kid, which would bother most people, I think. Nonetheless, he remains a likeable character.
Uptight Angela is so funny as she tries to hide her relationship with Dwight, and vice versa. I especially loved the Valentine's episode, and also the Casino Finale when Dwight kissed her on the cheek. She "angrily" slaps him, but as she walks away, you see a flicker of a smile before her regular stony expression returns.
Kelly is the typical annoying, gossipy coworker that talks like a boy-crazy teenager and acts as if she's still in high school at times. For example, she asked Jim to ask Ryan if he Liked her. And when Jan came to have a meeting with all female staff, I loved this remark by Kelly:
"I don't want to be one of those soccer moms in a minivan," she begins, as Jan looks on approvingly. "I want to drive an SUV!" Jan is disappointed at that one, of course.
Also liked Angela's asides about a woman's aspirations in the office. "Jan obviously aspires to be a whore," with a glance to her miniskirt. (These are loose quotes, by the way. I'm not sure if they're perfectly accurate, though I think they're close.)
I see some of my coworkers in these characters, but my office is not nearly as entertaining (however, we accomplish more work because of this). My hope is for this show to continue for many years. As it is, I'm very excited for the third season. I wonder what will become of Pam and Jim...
Movie Review: Builds On The Momentum Of Previous "Trial Run"
Summary: 5 Stars
The first "season" (six episodes) of The Office was little more than a sort of "trial run" to see whether or not the British sensation would catch on with an American audience. Once it proved that it could be hilarious, however, this second season cemented the show as one of the funniest (and most touching) comedies of all time.
The biggest, most interesting, and most dramatic theme of the second season is the relationship between Pam Beasley (Jenna Fischer) and Jim Halpert (John Krasinski). On one hand, you will laugh along with them as they make fun of boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell), play pranks on office suck-up Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), and make the boring Scranton branch of the Dunder-Mifflin paper supply company as fun as possible in their own little discreet way. Besides the comedy, though, you will also be touched by the genuineness of their casual flirtings/friendship despite the fact that anything more just doesn't seem destined to be. For a comedy, the writers do a remarkable job of making you care about both Jim and Pam, as (at least in this season of the show) they really are the backbone of the whole experience.
Lest we forget the comedic genius of Carell as Michael Scott, though, this season also sees his character grow in new and always hilarious ways. His "relationship" with boss Jan provides plenty of opportunities for hilarity, as do company work days devoted to such topics as diversity and sexual harassment. Michael always seems to come through with the best possible line in the worst possible situation, and that is what makes him so hilarious.
Finally, again building off of the success of the first six episodes, I continued to be impressed by the ability of the writers/creators to keep the plots and relationships moving forward from episode to episode. While many half-hour comedies stagnate and let their protagonists fall into the same routine and same old jokes every week, The Office advances the formula in order to keep things fresh.
Thus, if you in any way, shape, or form enjoyed the first season of "The Office", this second installment will not disappoint you whatsoever, as it continues to both tickle the funny bone and pull at the heartstrings...often at the same time!