Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews

• The Writer –  Mindy Kaling
• Directed by – Ed Helms
• A brief synopsis – Andy bends over backwards to try and make everyones’ Christmas wishes come true, which leads to awkwardness when he hear’s Erin’s wish.  Dwight and Jim’s teasing goes too far for Kathy’s liking.  Andy’s subsequent command makes a bigger issue.
• The best line – Erin: Kelly. Kelly:Yo! Erin: Game on. Kelly: On it. (Kelly immediately goes into mode and walks over to where Andy’s girlfriend Jessica and a group are laughing) Kelly: Jessica did you just fart? (Silence sweeps across the group) Kelly: And that is how it’s done.
• 2nd best line – Robert California: The Corporate party was wretched. I am so tired of the Black Eyed Peas. It’s rock and roll for people who don’t like rock and roll, it’s rap for people who don’t like rap, it’s pop for people who don’t like pop.
• The best moment – Kelly Kapoor in bitch mode.  That’s how its done.
• The best story line – Andy and Erin and Daryl and Val.  Christmas is about that train in the distance.
• Notable guest appearance – Whoever plays Jessica, she looks like the ex-girlfriend of a guy I work with.
• Grade – B+

A very solid and likable Christmas effort, that feels as comfortable with the staff as the rest of us feel by now.  Andy’s desire to please every one and offend no one makes for a pleasant discomfort.  The clash between Erin and herself is at once endearing and incredibly scary.  Dwight and Jim are back at each other in a comfortable way as well, giving the show a the warm glow of tradition.  The standards for the Christmas episode are pretty high.  By going for comfort rather than ingenuity, they play it safe, but only a little.  Robert without his wife is a bummer because I love Maura Tierney.  That it makes him both vulnerable and more dangerous at the same time.and the result is palpable.