The Office: Episode 146 – Gettysburg

• The Writer –  Robert Padnick
• Directed by – Jeffrey Blitz
• A brief synopsis – In hopes of motivating the group, Andy decides to take them to Gettysburg.  Those who stay behind are subject to Robert’s quest for originality.
• The best line – “I thought you said you weren’t going to look back.” Dwight to Andy, walking away from the group and hoping they would follow.
• The best moment – Jim finally dropping the sarcasm entirely and telling Andy why the idea of going to Gettysburg sucked.
• The best story line – Dwight versus Oscar, for historical accuracy, and Oscar wins!  Schrute farms, home for “Dandies.”
• Notable guest appearance – Just a bunch of other tourists wandering to and fro, wondering where the comedy went.
• Grade – C+

A decent idea, which really seems to have been a carryover from the Michael years.  The idea that your manager comes up with a bad idea to motivate is definitely not new.  The fact that this episode plays as poorly and as unfunny as one of those ideas is sad.  There are way more misfires than actual hits in this episode.  The subplot with Robert falling under the spell of Kevin’s knowledge is a real stretch after this many episodes.   This is the same show that brilliantly handled that idea with Holly in under 2 episodes.  The writing, I fear, is the main culprit.  Too many opportunities are being wasted with each episode not written by Mindy Kaling, Justin Spitzer or any of the other good writers of the past.  The show will always be worth watching for the rich characters it has produced.  These characters need something to do besides sitting around looking bored.

As a side note, this is listed as the 160th episode of the show, and, I suppose, when you consider syndication, that would be true.  I don’t count hour long episodes for 2, however, which is why I come to what I consider a more accurate number of 146.