The office (U.S) T V series review
We used to watch this series during the high and dry days in Chennai. Back then it was introduced to us by the talented memeya. The show and specifically some of its characters were the subjects of multiple memes and now I see why - this is a very popular series, and the sporadic episodes which we used to watch back then always had us in splits.
This one is based on the original show from the U.K, and has been remade in the U.S. The show follows the everyday work lives of employees in a fictitious paper company, Dunder Mifflin, in Scranton, PA.
The show employs a unique narration technique. It feels like a documentary, although there is no voice-over or laugh track, so it feels different. The subjects interact with the camera in between shots, giving us their take on events. This technique is called "Cinema Verite". Learn more : "What is cinema verite?"
What makes this show likable? No doubt the characters. You might think, how much fun can you portray in an office, the vicious edifice feeding the vile capitalistic machine? This show will make you realize. From the self- proclaimed best boss in the world, Michael Scott, to the mysterious Creed Bratton, the range of personalities in this office makes sure that there is no dull day at work. Also, you don't have to actually have worked to connect with the characters - the situations created might work just as well elsewhere, with any group of people. This is all about the eccentricities and interactions in this particular group, and the way the humour is presented. Most of the time, what happens is, there is a funny situation created. There is no laugh track, there is no fake audience, but the camera captures someone else's bewilderment, confusion or pure shock, and this is what provides the comedy effect. This was something new and refreshing for us. And this works well, as you become the judge of how good or bad the joke is, times the hilarity of the expression. There is no dull repetition to nudge you to laugh. You get to decide.
I want to write a bit about Michael Scott, who I feel holds the characters together, like a thread in a necklace. I felt he was indeed the world's best boss. Because if you dig beneath his jovial, narcissistic and distracting professional behaviour, you will find the reasons why he is the way he is. He treats his employees like his children, encouraging and admonishing when needed. More importantly, he cares and is there when his people need him the most. There are some words of wisdom from him which are profound and to the point. And there are many moments where we witness his bond with his subordinates, guiding them both personally and professionally, and simply letting his actions do the talking. He may or may not be a good manager, but he is a great human being.
And then there is Dwight Schrute, Michael's trusted aide with a debatable job title. His German ancestry, farming background, and conspiracy theories never cease to create crazy situations. He is extremely hard working, and his work pays off in the end. He and Jim Halpert compete against each other, with Jim taking advantage of Dwight's quirks in creating some wild pranks. Jim also balances the situation when things go out of control, and brings in a diplomatic perspective to the office. His love interest is the congenial Pam Beesly, a budding artist who needs a little help from her friends sometimes. Don't we all?
We have Oscar, a minority employee and ridicule of many Michael jokes, Toby ,the HR who Michael absolutely despises for some reason, Darryl , from the warehouse who quickly rises in rank, owing to his smart suggestions. Kevin is portrayed to be a little show, and always interested in food. Stanley is the disinterested rebel.
So, like in any office, we have people hungry for power, we have lovebirds, the wounded in love, the aloof, the hopeful, the mysterious, the talented and the disinterested. This makes the series real, as if we're witnessing an actual workplace.
Finally, the women of Dunder Mifflin :P The casting for the women has been spot - on, and we have a mix of main characters and those who join the group later on. Michael and his boss, Jan have some of the best interactions in the show. Kelly (also one of the show's writers) has an on/ off relationship with Ryan. Angela is the uptight cat woman. Meredith represents everything not "ok" in character.
I felt that there was a good mix of personalities and tensions with the male characters in the series. There are a few long - lasting relationships, and there are on - and off relationships as well. Although Michael's relationships and interests are presented, we also have many other couples in the series, and this keeps things interesting.
What did I not like in the series? In retrospect, they could have done away with a few irritants in the script, thereby launching the show beyond the echelons of great T.V comedies. I don't want to give out spoilers, so I'll just say that there are unnecessary characters brought in towards the end, and important ones leaving. This changes gears in the humour levels and we were left wondering as to what the hell is going on? Some of the character developments were laughable and I felt that the writing had lost any semblance of direction.
And then there were a few sequences which were completely shocking, to say the least. I'm not sure what the writers were thinking when they developed those, but I did not appreciate those at all, as they were unwarranted.
We just watched in hope of a good ending and we were not disappointed. I'll say that the ending is one of the best I have seen in the few series which I have viewed - there is something for everyone, like the tingling satisfaction in your taste buds after a sumptuous meal. Overall, this is a great series, with a slightly offbeat kind of humor and characters.
(Thanks, Krips for proofreading this :) )
*All images copyright of their respective owners*
 |
| Courtesy imdb |
This one is based on the original show from the U.K, and has been remade in the U.S. The show follows the everyday work lives of employees in a fictitious paper company, Dunder Mifflin, in Scranton, PA.
The show employs a unique narration technique. It feels like a documentary, although there is no voice-over or laugh track, so it feels different. The subjects interact with the camera in between shots, giving us their take on events. This technique is called "Cinema Verite". Learn more : "What is cinema verite?"
 |
| By Tobias Deml - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43572882 |
What makes this show likable? No doubt the characters. You might think, how much fun can you portray in an office, the vicious edifice feeding the vile capitalistic machine? This show will make you realize. From the self- proclaimed best boss in the world, Michael Scott, to the mysterious Creed Bratton, the range of personalities in this office makes sure that there is no dull day at work. Also, you don't have to actually have worked to connect with the characters - the situations created might work just as well elsewhere, with any group of people. This is all about the eccentricities and interactions in this particular group, and the way the humour is presented. Most of the time, what happens is, there is a funny situation created. There is no laugh track, there is no fake audience, but the camera captures someone else's bewilderment, confusion or pure shock, and this is what provides the comedy effect. This was something new and refreshing for us. And this works well, as you become the judge of how good or bad the joke is, times the hilarity of the expression. There is no dull repetition to nudge you to laugh. You get to decide.
And then there is Dwight Schrute, Michael's trusted aide with a debatable job title. His German ancestry, farming background, and conspiracy theories never cease to create crazy situations. He is extremely hard working, and his work pays off in the end. He and Jim Halpert compete against each other, with Jim taking advantage of Dwight's quirks in creating some wild pranks. Jim also balances the situation when things go out of control, and brings in a diplomatic perspective to the office. His love interest is the congenial Pam Beesly, a budding artist who needs a little help from her friends sometimes. Don't we all?
We have Oscar, a minority employee and ridicule of many Michael jokes, Toby ,the HR who Michael absolutely despises for some reason, Darryl , from the warehouse who quickly rises in rank, owing to his smart suggestions. Kevin is portrayed to be a little show, and always interested in food. Stanley is the disinterested rebel.
So, like in any office, we have people hungry for power, we have lovebirds, the wounded in love, the aloof, the hopeful, the mysterious, the talented and the disinterested. This makes the series real, as if we're witnessing an actual workplace.
Finally, the women of Dunder Mifflin :P The casting for the women has been spot - on, and we have a mix of main characters and those who join the group later on. Michael and his boss, Jan have some of the best interactions in the show. Kelly (also one of the show's writers) has an on/ off relationship with Ryan. Angela is the uptight cat woman. Meredith represents everything not "ok" in character.
I felt that there was a good mix of personalities and tensions with the male characters in the series. There are a few long - lasting relationships, and there are on - and off relationships as well. Although Michael's relationships and interests are presented, we also have many other couples in the series, and this keeps things interesting.
What did I not like in the series? In retrospect, they could have done away with a few irritants in the script, thereby launching the show beyond the echelons of great T.V comedies. I don't want to give out spoilers, so I'll just say that there are unnecessary characters brought in towards the end, and important ones leaving. This changes gears in the humour levels and we were left wondering as to what the hell is going on? Some of the character developments were laughable and I felt that the writing had lost any semblance of direction.
And then there were a few sequences which were completely shocking, to say the least. I'm not sure what the writers were thinking when they developed those, but I did not appreciate those at all, as they were unwarranted.
We just watched in hope of a good ending and we were not disappointed. I'll say that the ending is one of the best I have seen in the few series which I have viewed - there is something for everyone, like the tingling satisfaction in your taste buds after a sumptuous meal. Overall, this is a great series, with a slightly offbeat kind of humor and characters.
(Thanks, Krips for proofreading this :) )
*All images copyright of their respective owners*
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