- Written & Directed by: B.J. Novak
- A brief synopsis – Dwight is offering free family portrait studios, and some folks are curious as to why. Conversely, no one is curious why Andy is acting the fool, begging for menial work. Darryl is finally making the moves on Val, while David Wallace makes his move on the company.
- The best line – Darryl: If I were Val, I would break up with Brandon, then I would date the hell out of me. I wouldn’t give into me too fast. Let me buy myself some nice dinners and such. When I finally did give in, I would go crazy on myself.
- 2nd best line – Gabe (about Andy): Oh, how the mediocre have fallen.
- 3rd best line – Brandon (to Darryl, about Val): So you think she’s going to leave a guy who owns his own restaurant for a dude who ate his own restaurant?
- The best moment – Dwight’s chase scene with Angela…and Mose.
- The best story line – I have to go with Val and Darryl.
- Notable guest appearance – Two guys from the warehouse, HRG and another guy from Heroes who is now Kelly Kapoor’s bf. The people from Heroes must still be under contract with NBC.
- Grade – C
A pretty big disappointment for a season ender, especially given the flux that the show is in. News of an offshoot show with Dwight (which Lieberstein is leaving as show runner to produce), and Mindy Kaling getting her own show, there are lots of questions. Lots of answers are given here, but not in any real satisfactory way. Andy’s search for the “delicious moment” is kind of a bust, and of course they have to give him one painful Carrell-like moment with Wallace. Robert California’s exit is, frankly, underwritten and obvious, even down to the kiss with Andy. When he nods, telling everyone “It’s been a great year,” one can’t help but think, “well, now it hasn’t.” Jim’s belief that Dwight is trying to trick him never works, and thankfully it ends before it gets any momentum. Anyone who couldn’t see Oscar and Senator Lipton coming a mile away, was probably surprised to see Dwight all over Angela again.
I agree with most of what you said, and though this certainly has been the weakest season, it was still better than a lot of other shows. I’d in no way say this show was near its former glory, and I don’t think it will ever get there. But I do think next year will be better. I’d have given the show a B grade instead of a C-, but I suppose those things are relative.
I used to watch this show live every week. These days, I just DVR it. I just barely watched the finale last night, as it was the first chance I got. Having kids and a wife and being a full time Dish employee, I don’t have as much time for TV as I used to. I really enjoyed using Auto Hop though, and watching the season finale with the commercials automatically skipped, it was a little more immersive and I was able to better enjoy what story there was. I hope they can turn things around next year; this show was too good for too long to have to limp off the field into forced retirement.