54 replies to this topic

[whywatch]

Per zap2it:

After returning from his romantic quest, Andy battles with Nellie for the manager's chair; Kelly has a difficult time choosing between Ryan and a perfect man (Sendhil Ramamurthy).

[Beloved Aunt]

Sad to say but I think it's over for The Office.

Pam, while right, was a total bitch. Jim has become a dweeb.

Nellie got the job because Robert is horny? WTF?

Only thing I liked was the cold open. Actually, the cold opens have been the only consistent thing about this season.

[LizDC]

Both Erin and Andy should have had their asses fired immediately for their tantrums. I hate it that Erin still has her job there.

[futurechemist]

I haven't read any spoilers, but I hope the next episode's plot features a wrongful termination lawsuit by Andy. It's a bad sign when I spent most of the episode wondering how this could be happening in an office, rather than laughing at the jokes. And the whole sexual dysfunction meeting seemed way too creepy and went on for too long.

Also, I thought Andy was relatively well liked and Nellie was relatively disliked. Why weren't more employees standing up for him?

[TheRabbi]

Loved the cold open with Phyllis. A few good moments otherwise, but that's about it

[Misslindsey]

I haven't read any spoilers, but I hope the next episode's plot features a wrongful termination lawsuit by Andy. It's a bad sign when I spent most of the episode wondering how this could be happening in an office, rather than laughing at the jokes. And the whole sexual dysfunction meeting seemed way too creepy and went on for too long.

Also, I thought Andy was relatively well liked and Nellie was relatively disliked. Why weren't more employees standing up for him?

This. I was wondering too how Nellie just took over everything. I was probably angrier than Andy that this was going down, so I did not mind his (and Erin's) tantrum.

Somehow, I feel like if Michael Scott was doing the sexual dysfunction meeting that I probably would have laughed even though it was totally cringeworthy. I would have loved a Michael Scott rap for it all.

I am glad Kelly chose the other guy over Ryan though.

[HandBanana]

I just cannot stand the character of Nellie. She just grates.

When they were doing all the manager rehearsals, she was the one I disliked the most.

[murrrrr]

I just cannot stand the character of Nellie. She just grates.

I feel as though she's ripping off David Brent.

[Mr Pants]

I keep trying to remind myself that we've had characters quit or get fired before and come back just fine. Andy pushed Dwight into resigning, back in the early days when Andy was the new villian and Dwight was still dating Angela. After all the work that's been done this season establishing Andy as a likable manager who deserves the job (or at least deserves the job as much as Michael Scott ever did), I'm hoping that this story arc will end with Andy somehow winning his job back. Otherwise what was the point of ever making Andy manager? At least when Jim was co-manager, it was established that it wasn't really working out before he was bumped back to sales.

I really don't understand why Robert is taking Nellie's side in this. It's true that Andy was really irresponsible to run off to Florida for however many days, but I'd rather have him in charge than someone who sauntered in and feels entitled to claim a job without following any rules. Is the fact that she's Jo's friend factoring in to this?

Basically, I just don't like Nellie. She's not remotely funny or likable. And if they want to make us like her, pushing out another established character is not really the way to do it. The whole thing is painful to watch.

But then, there was a time when I hated Andy as well. Maybe all this can be salvaged.

Edited to add: The cold open with Phyllis was great! It reminds me that this show can still be funny.

Edited by Mr Pants, Apr 19, 2012 @ 10:51 PM.

[Somebody]

I really dislike Nellie. She just isn't funny in any way.

And did Kelly choose the dr guy over ryan? I thought she did but then she was kissing Ryan at the end.

I think I'm done with this show. I've stuck it out because I used to love this show and it's characters but it's getting really bad. Robert especially sucks.

And did anything ever happen with the one chick hitting on Jim? Did Pam find out? Sometimes I ff and miss things, heh.

I did like the part in the lunchroom where the warehouse guy said he'd pick Ravi over Ryan and he hadn't even met Ravi. That was pretty funny. The rest meh.

[seminoles1]

I thought last week was awful...but tonight's episode was the true definition of awful. Angela siding with Nellie when a week ago she hated her? Robert choosing Nellie for absolutely no reason whatsoever other than the fact that she has a vagina? Half the episode discussing erectile dysfunction? This show sucks.

At least Toby had one great line.

[niklj]

I am glad Kelly chose the other guy over Ryan though.

She didn't because that would be too rational for Kelly. I LOLed with Pam: "YOU SUCK."

Cold opening was great. The rest was a muddled mess, I don't know why I'm still watching. Maybe I think they can surprise me, like they did with the whole Michael Scott Paper Company thing, which was brilliant.

[PJWatcher]

If there had been some kind of dialogue that indicated that California considered Andy's failure to return to work a resignation, then I might've understood. They never hired a replacement receptionist, after all, and that's something that happened fairly quickly when Michael and Pam left to start the MSPC. But this episode seemed to me as if all of Michael Scott's incompetence had been turned over to other people.

This guy is the CEO of the company and, yet, he couldn't push someone he hadn't hired out of the manager's office. His solution was to order an allegedly-sick Andy into the office so he could presumably handle it. Then he just lets Nellie take over for several episodes. When Andy finally returns, California is still unable to eject Nellie from the manager's office. So he pulls a Michael and just lets them sort it out until he's forced into making an unpopular decision.

I agree with futurechemist that the other employees showed an astonishing lack of loyalty toward him, considering who the alternative was.

Nellie gets the Michael-Does-Inappropriate-Things-At-Work schtick. So we get subjected to people being grilled about their sexual performances. At least, Toby finally admits he's helpless to stop this, something that's been obvious all along.

While Kelly verbally stated she chose Ravi, she kissed Ryan for a long time, indicating to me, at least, that her relationship with Ryan has been largely physical and that affects her emotional maturity. Kissing Kelly was Ryan's way of exerting his influence over him again...in a creepy Nick Tortelli way.

Very few funny moments. I would really rather not have to keep watching this show just to see funny moments that might involve Creed or Oscar or Phyllis.

[tominboston]

What the hell was THAT? I have generally enjoyed this post-Michael Scott season, but now it seems that the writers are just blowing everything up in the hope that it somehow comes together again. I'm beginning to agree with those who feel the show should have pulled the plug with the scene of Pam watching Michel's plane fly off to Colorado.

[dreamer55]

I was wondering too how Nellie just took over everything. I was probably angrier than Andy that this was going down, so I did not mind his (and Erin's) tantrum.

AGREED.

This was the worst episode in a long time. Nellie is obnoxious, unfunny, and makes me (as a VIEWER) irrationally angry. Her repeatedly saying "No" when Andy asked her to leave his office? It's like, real life doesn't work this way. Why does everyone roll over and let her get her way? Where does she get off? OMG GET HER OUT OF THERE.

And then I was so happy at Erin and Andy's tantrum, because FINALLY someone was standing up to Nellie. FINALLY someone showed some emotions and pushed back. Of course it went into the ridiculous, when Andy yelled at Erin and punched the wall. But at least it was a start.

Robert is useless and disgusting.

And the meeting? WTF? Why did everyone continue to sit there? As soon as they realized the meeting topic, why didn't anyone be like EFF THIS and go back to their desk? Before Nellie clued everyone in that it was about Andy, why would anyone think this topic is in any way related to an office? Toby's throwaway line about not being able to stop anything was a cop-out. Toby and his HR rules might be useless, but he's always tried to be reasonable.

After all the work that's been done this season establishing Andy as a likable manager who deserves the job (or at least deserves the job as much as Michael Scott ever did), I'm hoping that this story arc will end with Andy somehow winning his job back.

Agreed. I adore Andy, he's one of my favorite all-time Office characters. They have done a lot of work to make him likeable. To write him off and push him out for NELLIE? Are you KIDDING? I haven't heard anything about Ed Helms wanting to leave the show, so even if this is the final season, it is ridiculous to kick him out so close to the end.

[pakelihe]

I watched the cold open (mildly amusing), and then about five more minutes, then came to TWoP to see if anything was worthwhile. I've now deleted this from the DVR recording schedule and have declared defeat. I had hopes at the start of this season, but the last two episodes have crushed them.

Goodbye The Office. I'll enjoy watching the first few seasons on DVD and re-runs, but I'm officially done.

Edited by pakelihe, Apr 20, 2012 @ 8:43 AM.

[WAnglais1]

Only thing I liked was the cold open. Actually, the cold opens have been the only consistent thing about this season.

Word. A few episodes back I mentioned how I'd love to see an episode of nothing but the cold opens. At least those have made me laugh.

I like both Tate and Spader, but can't stand their characters. And while we're at it, writers, what's happened to the loose plot thread of Mrs. California and Andy's "date?"

I watch out of habit, and don't laugh anymore. The show should have ended when Jim and Pam got married or when Michael left. Both were happy endings. Michael leaving, taking off the mic pack, hugging Pam, her talking head, and blackout. A title card, "Two Months Later," and David Brent steps out of the manager's office and says, "Conference room, five minutes," we get a take to the camera from a few folks, perhaps Jim sighs in a TH, and then blackout, "End of Series."

[FreeperDave]

Awful awful awful.

This could have been redeemed if Andy and Erin's defiance led to a general office revolution and ousting of Nellie.

That it didn't and that Robert California has been reduced to a wimp who won't make decisions is pathetic.

[ReadIshmael]

I liked the cold open, and, in truth, I really liked the Ryan/Kelly subplot, because I still get such a kick out of Ryan and his douchebaggery. And I did find Andy calmly, though not really maturely, saying no to Robert and Nellie kind of satisfying, not because it was in any way earned or made any kind of sense, but just because I hate them both so much. But the whole impotence thing, and Andy and Erin's tantrums, and the whole idea of Nellie taking over like that and Robert (who is so not the person they sold to the audience at the end of last season) giving in to her was incredibly dumb and unfunny.

[lz1982]

I liked the cold open and the Ryan/Kelly plot. The main plot was Godawful. I hate Nellie. She was mildly amusing in Florida but really doesn't work as a major character. She's just too infuriating to even make an enjoyable villain, the way Ryan does.

[Maddingcrowd]

I love all things Ryan and Kelly (just because Ryan is such an amazing asshole) that I'm torn on if they should get back together. In the real world, no-but on the Office, Maybe. Like others have said, I felt angry on Andy's behalf and hope he sues the company. Nellie is a comedy killer and I just don't see why they are continuing with the character.

I also think it looked like even the actors were cringing during the impotence meeting. Surely,even Nellie isn't that stupid. I hope the Office doesn't think it has to start bringing in a lot of sex talk to make the show interesting. So, is Ed Helms leaving the show?

[djsunyc]

Office TPTB...it's not too late to get Murray Hewitt to run the office. What has this become?!?!?

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=vDjJc_ZH6dk

[OpieTaylor]

This episode was appalling. What were the writers thinking? I've been mostly enjoying The Office this season and last, even when others haven't. But this episode made me sad. It just went WAY past the boundaries of potentially believable. Was the impotence meeting a desperate attempt to recapture a Michael Scott moment? It was just wrong.

I did like Pam at the end, when she was so vocal about her Ryan dislike.

it's not too late to get Murray Hewitt to run the office

djsunyc: I just watched the link - funny!!

Edited by OpieTaylor, Apr 20, 2012 @ 1:58 PM.

[goldberry71]

I'm going to turn a blind eye to all the negative in that episode and focus on the good:

Ryan and Kelly - he's my favorite jagoff. I would strangle them both if I knew them in real life but I think the characters shined last night.

There were a few funny lines buried in the episode- my favorite was Creed "Jinx, buy me SOME coke!" (rather than buy me A coke.

Because I have affection for "The Jerk" and the "he hates these cans" line, I heh-heh'd at Darryl's "He really hates that wall" comment after Angry Andy punched the wall.

Nate. Can we get him on the spin-off? I enjoy him.

Second best line: "Erin hates sex, you said it felt like getting tackled by a skeleton."

[Dicegirl]

That impotence stuff was like being bludgeoned over the head by the Office writers as they screamed "Humor! Laugh! Penises are FUNNY! Look how edgy and inappropriate we are!" It was just....sad.

And Erin and Andy's anger was way over the top, and not funny, and actually kind of frightening. Andy should be fired for acting like that, and Erin should have been too. The Office used to be funny because it took a potentially realistic office environment and pushed it a leeetle too far. Outright insanity is not funny.

Erin is so unsexy that the thought of her being tackled by Gabe the skeleton was actually more arousing than "sexy" sex with Andy.

[Blaze Domingo]

Erin is so unsexy

My Washington Monument says otherwise.

[ChromaKelly]

The Ryan and Kelly stuff was funny. I love douchebag Ryan. The other stuff, I'm with you guys. WTF. I'm sick of Nellie, I groan when I see her on an ep and I realize she's not gone yet. Go away!

[FreeperDave]

And Erin and Andy's anger was way over the top, and not funny, and actually kind of frightening. Andy should be fired for acting like that, and Erin should have been too.

And Nellie should be fired for holding a company meeting to discuss Andy's impotence.

I'm reduced to hoping the Doctor shows up to take Nellie away. Soon.

[reggiejax]

She's just too infuriating to even make an enjoyable villain, the way Ryan does.

I agree with the first part, but disagree completely with the second. Ryan has never been enjoyable to me and last night's episode was a supersized portion of his boring dickishness. And they couldn't even get it right either. Kelly does not belong with the doctor, she belongs with Ryan. Those two nitwits are perfect for each other, if only that it spares anyone else from being saddled with either of them. Shame on Pam for pairing her doctor up with Kelly Kapoor. No one but Ryan deserves that horrible fate.

Andy should be fired for acting like that, and Erin should have been too.

Why does Erin even have a job to be fired from? Was her moving to Florida to take a job as an elderly woman's caregiver not a hint to anyone at Dunder Mifflin/Sabre that she had quit?

That it didn't and that Robert California has been reduced to a wimp who won't make decisions is pathetic.

The Robert California we were introduced to a year ago would never let an idiot like Nellie take control of the situation. He would have talked her into moving back to England and giving her romance with the magician another go. That is the Robert California I want on The Office!

Edited by reggiejax, Apr 20, 2012 @ 3:49 PM.

[Blaze Domingo]

Why does Erin even have a job to be fired from? Was her moving to Florida to take a job as an elderly woman's caregiver not a hint to anyone at Dunder Mifflin/Sabre that she had quit?

She turned in her notice to Andy, who obviously didn't accept it.