Watching The Office finale felt great. I'm gonna chase that feeling.
Some of the moments were so great that I couldn't laugh. That doesn't make sense, does it? It's just that moments like Toby telling Michael why the Boy Scouts couldn't attend casino night were so perfect that my love for this show and the actors reached dangerous levels. I just felt a burning in my heart. Maybe it was indigestion?
Not withstanding indigestion, I might buy this from iTunes just to show my support of the show. Yeah, I'm going to buy the S2 dvds and I've seen the ep three times but I actually want NBC to get their $1.49 (or whatever).
Random bits of perfection
Creed may have made me laugh more than any other character in this episode. Reaching across Angela and stealing a stack of chips, his comment about the homeless shelter serving "delicious pea soup" on Thursdays and his admission that he had never owned a fridge. Love 'em all.
Dwight! I don't have access to a transcript but here are the great Dwight lines from what I remember after three viewings:
After Jim reveals that he has always had telekinetic powers:
Dwight: I don't believe you. [beat] Continue.
After Pam compliments his tux:
Dwight: It was my great grandfather's. He was buried in it.
Kelly's drink order-- 7 & 7 with 8 maraschino cherries, sugar on the glass, blended if possible.
This script showcased Paul Lieberstein's exceptional deadpan delivery by pitting Toby against Michael. Can you not love how Toby's laundry list of very compelling reasons why the Boy Scouts can't come to casino night (drinking, gambling, Hooters, dangerous location and it's a school night) pushed Michael over the edge? Michael's "Every time I try to make something fun and exciting you make it not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be." was only upped by Toby calling Michael's bluff at the poker table. The wonder of these great moments kinda explains why more people don't watch The Office. The humor isn't in punch lines or farce;instead, the humor comes from the absurd banality of these people and their lives. When I read the dialog it isn't always funny but somehow the show is hilarious. Whether it's Jim's Hardyesque looks at the camera or Michael's desperate attempts to be cool, the comedy isn't easy to describe to people.
I've always thought John Krasinski was a good actor but now I'm convinced that he's great. Like Oscar level great. Okay, that could be an over-statement--he's Emmy great (at least). The scene where he and Pam square off in poker? You could just see his love for her shining out of his eyes and it killed me. Okay, enough about how great John is--Jim rocked tonight for the usual and not-so-usual ways. The usual was, of course, fucking with Dwight. Ah, how I LOVE Jim telling Dwight that he's always had the ability to move things with the power of his mind. And the entire "Jim coughs when he has a good hand" set-up. I don't get tired of Jim messing with Dwight, which says a lot about my own level of maturity.
Jim+Pam4eva
You know, about five years ago a guy told me that I was very romantic and I almost hit him. I was actually insulted because I thought he meant that I was the kind of idiot girly-girl I despise. Since I believe that Pam and Jim are "meant to be together" I have to admit that I am a romantic. Damn. This is embarrassing.
Like everybody I loved the kiss and no matter what happens next, I just love that Jim put himself out there and something finally happened.
Pam's denial is great in a twisted way because it's so very real. I've just listened to my brother talk about where he wants to live for the next few months. After I suggested place after place he finally tells me that he wants place X but then hems and haws. He plainly told me that he wanted place X but then said that he didn't know what to do. I think people do this when they are too scared to make a decision. They'll unconsciously dismiss what they really want because they're too scared or afraid that they're not worthy. Usually they really believe that they don't know which choice to make. [I think therapists must hear this kind of crap all the time and I don't know how they handle it.] Pam must feel the same way about Jim 'cause she's maintaining some heavy duty cognitive dissonance--Jim is my best friend and makes me happier than anyone else but I'm not in love with him.
I love everything about this show but I have to say that I think they've made a mistake with Jim's characterization and as a result the show hasn't given us a valid reason why Pam and Jim can't be together. Tim (UK version) was smart, funny and sensitive but also insecure and stuck in adolescence. I could see why Dawn wouldn't give up her sure thing with Lee to be with Tim because Tim was all about squandered chances. I identified with Tim--we all probably have been in his place at some point in our lives. He was stuck in a job he hated but he stayed because he was scared of trying to do something else. I think the UK version explored Tim's frustration at being under-employed in a manner that made Tim pathetic. Lee was a man while Tim was a boy-- so Dawn's choice to stay with Lee was the organic result of the characters. In the US Office Jim is a man--he's not portrayed as someone with dreams and aspirations that he fails to meet. He's aware that he is under-employed and that his boss and co-workers are wankers but his frustration isn't much of a driving force. He's aimless but seems much happier than Tim. I don't think they've sold us the concept of Jim being a risky choice--Pam wouldn't be risking anything by dropping Roy for Jim. Either the show has to reveal more of Jim's faults or more of Pam's, 'cause somehow I have to have a reason why these two don't get together.
Battlestar Galactica vs. The Office/ Lee Adama vs. Jim Halpern
Jim turned out to be braver than the hunky Lee Adama in affairs of the heart. I admit that it's a little unfair to compare these guys 'cause Lee has to deal with Kara (who is hardcore), but I was just struck with how Jim put himself out there and was truly vulnerable whereas Apollo has a long ways to go in the love department.
First, there's the Admission of love.
Jim to Pam: I'm in love with you.
Lee to Kara: I just want you to know, Kara, that I'm your friend. I love you.
Notice Jim admits romantic feelings for Pam while Lee puts his feelings out there as a "friend".
Next, we have Taking it back/wimping out.
Lee wimped out and told Kara she was dreaming after she teased him about his admission.
Jim told Pam that he knew it might be hard for her to hear that he was in love with her but that being friends wasn't enough for him.
Result: Jim 2: Lee 0.
Not withstanding indigestion, I might buy this from iTunes just to show my support of the show. Yeah, I'm going to buy the S2 dvds and I've seen the ep three times but I actually want NBC to get their $1.49 (or whatever).
Random bits of perfection
Creed may have made me laugh more than any other character in this episode. Reaching across Angela and stealing a stack of chips, his comment about the homeless shelter serving "delicious pea soup" on Thursdays and his admission that he had never owned a fridge. Love 'em all.
Dwight! I don't have access to a transcript but here are the great Dwight lines from what I remember after three viewings:
After Jim reveals that he has always had telekinetic powers:
Dwight: I don't believe you. [beat] Continue.
After Pam compliments his tux:
Dwight: It was my great grandfather's. He was buried in it.
Kelly's drink order-- 7 & 7 with 8 maraschino cherries, sugar on the glass, blended if possible.
This script showcased Paul Lieberstein's exceptional deadpan delivery by pitting Toby against Michael. Can you not love how Toby's laundry list of very compelling reasons why the Boy Scouts can't come to casino night (drinking, gambling, Hooters, dangerous location and it's a school night) pushed Michael over the edge? Michael's "Every time I try to make something fun and exciting you make it not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be." was only upped by Toby calling Michael's bluff at the poker table. The wonder of these great moments kinda explains why more people don't watch The Office. The humor isn't in punch lines or farce;instead, the humor comes from the absurd banality of these people and their lives. When I read the dialog it isn't always funny but somehow the show is hilarious. Whether it's Jim's Hardyesque looks at the camera or Michael's desperate attempts to be cool, the comedy isn't easy to describe to people.
I've always thought John Krasinski was a good actor but now I'm convinced that he's great. Like Oscar level great. Okay, that could be an over-statement--he's Emmy great (at least). The scene where he and Pam square off in poker? You could just see his love for her shining out of his eyes and it killed me. Okay, enough about how great John is--Jim rocked tonight for the usual and not-so-usual ways. The usual was, of course, fucking with Dwight. Ah, how I LOVE Jim telling Dwight that he's always had the ability to move things with the power of his mind. And the entire "Jim coughs when he has a good hand" set-up. I don't get tired of Jim messing with Dwight, which says a lot about my own level of maturity.
Jim+Pam4eva
You know, about five years ago a guy told me that I was very romantic and I almost hit him. I was actually insulted because I thought he meant that I was the kind of idiot girly-girl I despise. Since I believe that Pam and Jim are "meant to be together" I have to admit that I am a romantic. Damn. This is embarrassing.
Like everybody I loved the kiss and no matter what happens next, I just love that Jim put himself out there and something finally happened.
Pam's denial is great in a twisted way because it's so very real. I've just listened to my brother talk about where he wants to live for the next few months. After I suggested place after place he finally tells me that he wants place X but then hems and haws. He plainly told me that he wanted place X but then said that he didn't know what to do. I think people do this when they are too scared to make a decision. They'll unconsciously dismiss what they really want because they're too scared or afraid that they're not worthy. Usually they really believe that they don't know which choice to make. [I think therapists must hear this kind of crap all the time and I don't know how they handle it.] Pam must feel the same way about Jim 'cause she's maintaining some heavy duty cognitive dissonance--Jim is my best friend and makes me happier than anyone else but I'm not in love with him.
I love everything about this show but I have to say that I think they've made a mistake with Jim's characterization and as a result the show hasn't given us a valid reason why Pam and Jim can't be together. Tim (UK version) was smart, funny and sensitive but also insecure and stuck in adolescence. I could see why Dawn wouldn't give up her sure thing with Lee to be with Tim because Tim was all about squandered chances. I identified with Tim--we all probably have been in his place at some point in our lives. He was stuck in a job he hated but he stayed because he was scared of trying to do something else. I think the UK version explored Tim's frustration at being under-employed in a manner that made Tim pathetic. Lee was a man while Tim was a boy-- so Dawn's choice to stay with Lee was the organic result of the characters. In the US Office Jim is a man--he's not portrayed as someone with dreams and aspirations that he fails to meet. He's aware that he is under-employed and that his boss and co-workers are wankers but his frustration isn't much of a driving force. He's aimless but seems much happier than Tim. I don't think they've sold us the concept of Jim being a risky choice--Pam wouldn't be risking anything by dropping Roy for Jim. Either the show has to reveal more of Jim's faults or more of Pam's, 'cause somehow I have to have a reason why these two don't get together.
Battlestar Galactica vs. The Office/ Lee Adama vs. Jim Halpern
Jim turned out to be braver than the hunky Lee Adama in affairs of the heart. I admit that it's a little unfair to compare these guys 'cause Lee has to deal with Kara (who is hardcore), but I was just struck with how Jim put himself out there and was truly vulnerable whereas Apollo has a long ways to go in the love department.
First, there's the Admission of love.
Jim to Pam: I'm in love with you.
Lee to Kara: I just want you to know, Kara, that I'm your friend. I love you.
Notice Jim admits romantic feelings for Pam while Lee puts his feelings out there as a "friend".
Next, we have Taking it back/wimping out.
Lee wimped out and told Kara she was dreaming after she teased him about his admission.
Jim told Pam that he knew it might be hard for her to hear that he was in love with her but that being friends wasn't enough for him.
Result: Jim 2: Lee 0.