Thu, 15 October 2009  Hey, NBC.com-- any time you want to update your "Next On" page, just let me know. From Wikipedia: MAFIA | 10.15.09 Michael meets with an insurance salesman and is convinced by Dwight and Andy that he is part of the mafia. Erin accidentally ruins Pam's painting. ----- I'm still awash in thoughts of "Niagara," so I can barely think about this new episode. From what I recall Paul Lieberstein saying before the season began, the events in "Mafia" come about due to Jim and Pam being on their honeymoon-- when the voices of reason are away, the idiots will play. Hopefully things don't get too broad and ridiculous here, as the traditional "Sopranos/Mafia/Godfather" stuff has been mined so often in other media. Can they find a fresh take on this? Let's hope so. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section below and join Kevin and me in the TWSS Chatroom during and after the show to share your thoughts (click on the green "chat" button in the right sidebar). Category: general -- posted at: 12:19 PM Comments[28] |
I try to stay clear of making broad statements, but...perhaps the worst episode ever. This exemplifies what a filler episode is. When it went to the first commercial break, I paused the DVR. As I turned to my and said "Not a good episode" she said, at the exact same time, "Somethings missing from The Office." And we are the couple with "Absolutely I do" engraved on our rings.
Call me crazy, but I just realized that the story line of Erin ruining Pam's painting never happened. Was it just so small that I missed it? Maybe I was grabbing a drink from the fridge or something, but it would seem that if it was mentioned in the show description that it would play a larger role in the episode. Just wondering.
Some people (me included) haven't been enjoying this season and I'd like to venture an explanation as to why. We miss the season arc development, the glue that holds it all together.
In season one they had the downsizing of DM as the season arc. Season two (the greatest!) was full of threads: PB&J, downsizing, Dwangela, Michael and Jan. Season three had several arcs as well: Jim in Stamford, the merger, Michael and Jan, Jim&Karen, PB&J. Season four was about Ryan's DM Infinity, the convoluted relationship between Michael and Jan and the beginning of Angelandy. Season five had Holly and Michael (I miss her!), Andy finding out about Angela and the Michael Scott Paper Company.
Now what is season six about? Six episodes in and we only have clues on what the main developments will be. Conflicts between Jim and Michael? Michael and Pam's mom?
Episodes like "Mafia" and "Gossip" would have been great in the middle of the season. In the beginning of the season, they should have established some main arcs right away.
The upside is that from now on, we should have some interesting stuff happening.
In season one they had the downsizing of DM as the season arc. Season two (the greatest!) was full of threads: PB&J, downsizing, Dwangela, Michael and Jan. Season three had several arcs as well: Jim in Stamford, the merger, Michael and Jan, Jim&Karen, PB&J. Season four was about Ryan's DM Infinity, the convoluted relationship between Michael and Jan and the beginning of Angelandy. Season five had Holly and Michael (I miss her!), Andy finding out about Angela and the Michael Scott Paper Company.
Now what is season six about? Six episodes in and we only have clues on what the main developments will be. Conflicts between Jim and Michael? Michael and Pam's mom?
Episodes like "Mafia" and "Gossip" would have been great in the middle of the season. In the beginning of the season, they should have established some main arcs right away.
The upside is that from now on, we should have some interesting stuff happening.
Looks like they may have switched out the Erin plotline in favor of the Kevin plotline, as Deleted Scene One is the scene in question. Honest opinion, they should have kept Erin in, as the Kevin/Jim stuff seemed...well, kinda dumb. As previously stated, Kevin is starting to act like an actual retarded man. Using an office to fart? I mean, c'mon!
posted by: Ian L. on Fri, 10/16 04:05 PM EDT
This was a BAD episode, and for two reasons:
1) The storyline was nonexistent
2) Most of the jokes were average at best, painfully unfunny at worst.
That being said, all great sitcoms have a bad episode or two. They'll pick things up!
1) The storyline was nonexistent
2) Most of the jokes were average at best, painfully unfunny at worst.
That being said, all great sitcoms have a bad episode or two. They'll pick things up!
posted by: TWSS on Sat, 10/17 01:40 AM EDT
It seems inevitable that the longer a show goes on, the more cartoonlike its characters become. I gave up on The Office being a “slice of life” a long time ago. The British version never lost its edge because it knew when to quit; that’s one huge advantage their style of tv programming has over ours.
But, ridiculous as it was, I thought this episode was pretty darned funny, and packed full of terrific throwaway lines. “That’s why they call it ‘murder,’ not ‘muckduck’!”
The biggest disappointment was Jim & Pam – it felt like they just phoned in their performances.
But, ridiculous as it was, I thought this episode was pretty darned funny, and packed full of terrific throwaway lines. “That’s why they call it ‘murder,’ not ‘muckduck’!”
The biggest disappointment was Jim & Pam – it felt like they just phoned in their performances.
I didn't like the episode much upon initial viewing, and I have to say that my second viewing did not really change my opinion that much. Pam & Jim's (understandable) absence was a big blow to the episode. Right now, we're left with characters who are too cartoonish to be believable. Oscar said it best: "There's not the usual balance between sane and others."
BTW, the storyline of Erin ruining Pam's painting is evidently in the deleted scenes. I'm not sure I'm convinced that the storyline really needed to be in the episode, unless just to explain the presumed absence of this painting in future episodes.
BTW, the storyline of Erin ruining Pam's painting is evidently in the deleted scenes. I'm not sure I'm convinced that the storyline really needed to be in the episode, unless just to explain the presumed absence of this painting in future episodes.
Wow, I was so bitter about the last episode, and I disliked this episode as well. Season six is just not doing it for me. Angry Face!
The plotline was predictable, and not realistic. Some jokes were funny, but not the kind of funny that would turn my opinion on this episode around. When the biggest laughs were Andy electrocuting himself, it is not a good episode.
The Kevin plotline was also ridiculous and not believable.
Once again I find myself leaving a bad comment. This makes me just plain dissapointed.
The plotline was predictable, and not realistic. Some jokes were funny, but not the kind of funny that would turn my opinion on this episode around. When the biggest laughs were Andy electrocuting himself, it is not a good episode.
The Kevin plotline was also ridiculous and not believable.
Once again I find myself leaving a bad comment. This makes me just plain dissapointed.
If you can't handle being with people who have different opinions that you do, then by all means go somewhere else.
This is just such a pointless comment-- if you liked it, engage in a dialog about WHY you liked it. Why should people be "happy" over this episode? Why are those people wrong? What are they missing that YOU are seeing?
Saying "wow, you're all negative!" and then threatening to never return is incredibly infantile and adds nothing to any kind of reasoned, adult discussion.
This is just such a pointless comment-- if you liked it, engage in a dialog about WHY you liked it. Why should people be "happy" over this episode? Why are those people wrong? What are they missing that YOU are seeing?
Saying "wow, you're all negative!" and then threatening to never return is incredibly infantile and adds nothing to any kind of reasoned, adult discussion.
I liked the cold open, it reminded me of season 2 Ryan, calling Michael out, we need more of this. I did enjoy the word MukDuk, and seeing the guy from Dumb and Dumber was a nice surprise. I hated the commercial for this episode, I'm glad they cut the "horses head" talking head, Rainn was smiling through it, I expect on the DVD we'll see alot of takes of that on the blooper reel. I'm glad there were no cameras with Pam and Jim, I think the show could have worked without them for an entire episode, while I did laugh at the many phone calls to them, they weren't mandatory. Speaking of the honeymoon, Michael's wedding gift should have been tickets to Sandals Jamaica. And yes, Toby have checked out
Perfectly stated, Matt. I'd much rather have a respectful discussion/analysis about something than a bunch of cheerleaders insisting every episode is awesome. That's what I liked about this place from the start
posted by: Pat on Sat, 10/17 04:12 PM EDT
I guess I'm joining the minority because I liked this episode. I think the Kevin stuff was pretty entertaining. The cancellation of the credit cards seemed to flow naturally for me.
I liked the interaction between Dwight and Andy in the restaurant. Checking for a gun in the restroom was a nice Godfather reference, and I liked the whole roach motel bit. Watching Andy squirm as he's asked to help a woman with her car was also fun to watch. And honestly, based on the way the insurance salesman was acting, I can't say I wouldn't suspect mafia involvement if somebody planted the seed in my head.
Not a major plot-moving episode, but a fun Thursday night for me. (Although Parks and Recreation was very over-the-top)
I also adored the Erin deleted scenes.
7/10
I liked the interaction between Dwight and Andy in the restaurant. Checking for a gun in the restroom was a nice Godfather reference, and I liked the whole roach motel bit. Watching Andy squirm as he's asked to help a woman with her car was also fun to watch. And honestly, based on the way the insurance salesman was acting, I can't say I wouldn't suspect mafia involvement if somebody planted the seed in my head.
Not a major plot-moving episode, but a fun Thursday night for me. (Although Parks and Recreation was very over-the-top)
I also adored the Erin deleted scenes.
7/10
I thought "The Surplus" was the worst episode ever, but I didn't realize the writers had more crap available in their big-o-bag of poop to dole out.
The only thing that made me laugh was Kevin admitting he went into Jim's office to fart. Other than that - this episode was just horrible.
Ugh...We lost The Office to hell's sitcom dungeon where it rests next to the carcasses of Oliver from the Brady Bunch and Fonzie's shark.
The only thing that made me laugh was Kevin admitting he went into Jim's office to fart. Other than that - this episode was just horrible.
Ugh...We lost The Office to hell's sitcom dungeon where it rests next to the carcasses of Oliver from the Brady Bunch and Fonzie's shark.
posted by: Debi on Sat, 10/17 10:21 PM EDT
If by "some people" you mean the people who write/ produce/ direct THE OFFICE, then you're right... they DO consider the hour long episodes to be TWO episodes. :)
I'm not a fan of the practice, but I understand it when you consider the syndication situation.
I'm not a fan of the practice, but I understand it when you consider the syndication situation.
As was said earlier this certainly had a 'filler' episode feel to it, but there was still some good laughs. In particular the whole 'i'll send it back' stuff, especially at the end when Michael was getting Erin to get him a coffee.
It was also nice to see some of the cast get the spot light, with Pam and jim being absent.
On a side note i watched the premiere of 30 Rock and i'm still mistified how this show bags all the awards! I'd be sending it back for sure!
It was also nice to see some of the cast get the spot light, with Pam and jim being absent.
On a side note i watched the premiere of 30 Rock and i'm still mistified how this show bags all the awards! I'd be sending it back for sure!
I keep tuning in, week after week, hoping that the old "Office" will finally come back. And week after week they disapoint. "Mafia" was probably the worst episode yet. Except for Jim pretending to lose the signal during his call to Michael, I barely smiled at any of it. And I think I've finally figured out what's wrong. They need to get back to episodes that just deal with the mundane slice-of-life working in a boring office stuff. No weddings in Niagra Falls, kleenex box shoes, mafia insurance agents, or making Jim a manager for no apparent reason whe there's barely enough for work for Michael to do by himself. Why don't they just go back to the British series and lift out the plots that they haven't used yet (like Trivia Night)?
posted by: BrianK on Sun, 10/18 03:05 PM EDT
Quick! Somebody lock the door! The B plots are escaping and they're taking over!!
With all of the interesting threads that have been created in the last few episodes, including the end of last year -- Michael and Pam's mom, Andy questioning his sexuality, a thaw in Dwangela relations, Stanley being livid with Michael about letting the Cynthia cat out of the bag, to name just a few -- couldn't just one of them be picked up this week?
I think Kaiser Soje is bang on about the problem being a lack of direction; I'm assuming that the downsizing that is forecast for the Spring will start providing that shortly.
RE: the relative humor of what WAS in the episode - I thought there were a few laffs, but my new standard is the porn version of "The Office," that Kevin discussed on the podcast a few months back. I bought a copy of it as a gag gift for a friend's birthday last month -- it was NOT easy to track down I might add, since you can't call those kinds of stores and request a specific title -- and we watched it at her birthday party (accompanied bymuch laughter). Some of the lines were actually pretty funny. So that's my question about episodes of the real "Office" from now on: is it wittier than the porn version? This one was -- eh. About the same I think. But I'm still hopeful for the rest of the season...
With all of the interesting threads that have been created in the last few episodes, including the end of last year -- Michael and Pam's mom, Andy questioning his sexuality, a thaw in Dwangela relations, Stanley being livid with Michael about letting the Cynthia cat out of the bag, to name just a few -- couldn't just one of them be picked up this week?
I think Kaiser Soje is bang on about the problem being a lack of direction; I'm assuming that the downsizing that is forecast for the Spring will start providing that shortly.
RE: the relative humor of what WAS in the episode - I thought there were a few laffs, but my new standard is the porn version of "The Office," that Kevin discussed on the podcast a few months back. I bought a copy of it as a gag gift for a friend's birthday last month -- it was NOT easy to track down I might add, since you can't call those kinds of stores and request a specific title -- and we watched it at her birthday party (accompanied bymuch laughter). Some of the lines were actually pretty funny. So that's my question about episodes of the real "Office" from now on: is it wittier than the porn version? This one was -- eh. About the same I think. But I'm still hopeful for the rest of the season...
BrianK:
Keep your head up! I've felt the same way about the last couple episodes, but so many hilarious shows go through slumps like this and then come back. Southpark, Seinfeld, Family Guy all had similar unfunny streaks after a couple years, but they all came back as great as ever.
- Pat
Keep your head up! I've felt the same way about the last couple episodes, but so many hilarious shows go through slumps like this and then come back. Southpark, Seinfeld, Family Guy all had similar unfunny streaks after a couple years, but they all came back as great as ever.
- Pat
posted by: TWSS on Mon, 10/19 11:40 PM EDT
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