Steve Carell left a giant crater behind that desperately needed to be filled and James Spader's assimilation into the cast was supposed to be a 'stimulus package' of sorts for the show. Yet so far Robert California has played a less than minor role in the goings-on at Dunder-Mifflin, Scranton. Tonight we were introduced to his wife Susan (played by the talented Maura Tierney), who Robert brought along with the promise that she would be given a job at the Scranton branch. Except Robert doesn't really want her to work there, and drops the hot potato on Andy to make sure she doesn't. Which put Andy in a hilariously awkward position. This episode almost made me not miss Steve Carell.
James Spader is funny as hell. But his talents have been disgracefully wasted so far this season. The first time we met Robert California, he was a creepy, glassy-eyed, evil genius, and that's why we liked him. His character did a complete one eighty this season and now he's just another not-so-memorable boss. I would even settle for Alan Shore to make an appearance. In fact, if he had just continued to BE Alan Shore, things would have been a lot more entertaining. But I'm getting off track.
This episode had a lot of funny moments. Some of the memorable ones being
- Andy's multiple failed attempts to read Robert's face
- Jim scampering to hide from Andy & the Californias (does that sound right?)
- Dwight's raised work station
- Creed flying a toy helicopter on the roof.
It was also weirdly awesome to see Robert actually scared of his wife!
So are we watching the last season of The Office? This episode was good, but not nearly as good as we're used to. If a salvage operation is to be executed for this season, we need to see a funnier, creepier Robert California.
Tidbits
- Andy is doing a decent enough job as manager. But he's no Michael Scott.
- Jim always seems to end up in bad situations when Pam is not around. Jim minus Pam = Dwight??
- Good to see Maura Tierney back on TV. Her last conversation with Andy suggests we will see her again.
- I'm this close to joining Dwight's gym. It's a little too pricey for my taste. Maybe he'll accept bales of hay as payment.
They're playing reruns of Person Of Interest and The Mentalist tonight. Shucks!
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