NBC

Does it feel to anyone else like the writer’s don’t know how not to focus on the boss?  I know Andy is an important character now, but it feels like he’s become the central focus of every episode so far.  Which is silly when you have James Spader playing Robert California as the CEO and a variety of ways to explore his character.  Having said that, Josh Groban and Schrute Farms made this episode quite a good one.

This almost had the feel of an early season episode, with fewer misses than hits.  Jim’s prankful ways were back, though where he found the time to write an entire book about garden parties with a  pregnant wife and a small child is beyond me.  “The Ultimate Guide To Throwing A Garden Party” written by James Trickington was incredible.  We only got excerpts from Chapters 2, 4, and 9, but we did witness the closing ceremonies which must have been covered in another chapter.  Luckily, we don’t have to guess, as NBC posted the entire book on their website.  Here are Chapters 1 through 10 for your enjoyment (see if you can spot the mistakes!)

After seeing Jim & Dwight somewhat friendly last week, it is good to know their relationship isn’t completely different.  These pranks are essential to my enjoyment of the show, so I do hope they continue, no matter how elaborate and unrealistic the set up must be.

Angela is still hounding Pam during her pregnancy, but both boys having the same name is funny and a little sad.  Hopefully Angela can think of a more meaningful name for her child before his birth.  Or Pam is inspired to name her boy by another name.  Either way, it would be horrible for both women to have their kids named Phillip.  I guess one of them could change the spelling.

Josh Grobin‘s appearance was understated until he was singing, but I could see him transition into acting pretty easily.  He’s completely believable as Andy’s brother and was hilarious singing Kanye West’s Tweets.  I love that Andy told him Jim’s nickname (Tuna) and gave no physical description of Pam, giving Walter Jr (Grobin) licence to mistake both Meredith & Phyllis for her.

Robert California showed up to the garden party, but was just another person there.  The Marmalade vs Basil Plant confusion with Andy was great, as was his interaction with Dwight, but it just felt like he was a minor player.  C’mon writers, get Spader some more stories!

I usually enjoy the opening gags on The Office, but this week was just lame.  The set up was great, defacing billboards could  have been brilliant.  Instead, we got penis jokes.  Tired and lame.

 

Spoonfuls (Thoughts in Smaller Portions):

1. Dwight’s Map Included The Gay District & The Trail Of Tears

I’d much prefer using Dwight’s Map to Google Maps.

2. Schrute Farms Packages Include Pewter & Goat

And oddly, the Pewter Package is worth less than the Goat Package.  Only at Schrute Farms.

3. Oscar got pwned by Darryl

Oscar’s holier-than-thou attitude was put in its place by Darryl’s superior knowledge of Citizen Cane (and specifically Rosebud.)