'Viewing Party' was a spectacularly poor episode of 'The Office', worse than last week's offering, worse than 'Mafia' or the one about Hilary Swank. It felt like a chore watching it. I updated my facebook status three times while watching this episode - I never go on my phone while watching TV.
The idea of the 'Glee' viewing party wasn't particularly funny or well executed, though I did enjoy Kelly's rant about 'Glee' and its inconsistencies. It's a sentiment I really share, and credit to the writers for actually getting all the names of the episodes correct - the talking head was spoken like a true Gleek. I didn't enjoy any of the palaver of the cable going out or the digital recording not working though. In fact, my favourite part of the 'Glee' segment was the actual scenes from the episode 'Duet', an episode I loved(*). It was just completely lifeless and devoid of humour - unlike similar episode 'Andy's Play' which at least had the jokes even though it was lacking 'Office' charm.
(*) I wrote a massive review of that, heaping and heaping praise on it. I wrote it on Notepad and then clicked off it without saving by accident. It was an epic review, too.
Speaking of Andy - I am so, so sick of Andy being hung up on Erin. It's annoying now. Like, so annoying that I don't even enjoy Erin when she's in Andy/Erin scenes. I grew tired of Andy a little while ago but Ellie Kemper has such a likeability that I didn't think that could be taken away. But there was nothing charming or cute about the way the Andy/Erin scenes were executed and I hope that they either get on with it or just leave it, because it doesn't work any more.
I'm not a parent, and always find it difficult to relate to Jim and Pam's baby woes. I don't think they've used Cece to an annoying level at all, I just find it hard to understand how the characters are feeling. But I wasn't amused by Dwight making Jim suffer, nor did I care for Jim's slightly meta-joke about Dwight and their banter together. I honestly cannot remember, having just watched the episode, what the resolution to that storyline was and neither do I really care. The only thing I can remember is Kevin enjoying pigs in a blanket.. in a blanket.
The only thing that really saved the episode was the scene at the end with Michael and Erin where Michael finally gets the chance to see this weird 'The Office are my family' behaviour, but as exhibited by Erin. The idea that Erin sees Michael as a substitute Dad is a great, great potential storyline, and I hope they don't completely forget about it by next week. I'd so much rather see Michael get the chance to live out his dreams of being a Dad and vice versa than see another awkward moment between Andy and Erin. It was just a really, really good moment in the episode, and Ellie Kemper in particular completely sold the look on Erin's face as she realised Michael didn't see her as his pseudo-daughter. Then I think Michael realised there was something there and took on that role, if only for a laugh, and everything was right between them.
I don't like Gabe all that much, I don't like Andy, I don't like Michael when he's being a tool instead of just a moron, and this episode brought all of those things in spades.
It saddens me really - I feel like an old friend is letting me down. On the one hand, I really could drop 'The Office' and be around 40 minutes a week better off (including review time). On the other, shows like '30 Rock' and 'HIMYM' have proved that even if you have a terrible season, doesn't mean you can't pick it back up again.
If next week's isn't better though, I'm out.
What did everyone else think?
