That wasn't great, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be based on early hints from certain reviewers. It had a few really funny moments that I think hit better and more naturally than any of the other funny moments so far this year. But yeah, too many of the character beats are just off, and the cold…

But did you have lockers???

True story, despite all my other thoughts. This is very, very true.

I didn't like the anime bit. When they said "more animation" at Comic-Con, I cringed a little, given that the original use of anime on the show was one of the weaker moments in my mind. I liked that episode in a lot of ways and I really liked the payoff as cheesy as it was, but it's because I think Jeff and Shirley…

I'm willing to admit that I need to watch this again in a few days with a more open mind. It may have been better than it seemed, and I'll certainly agree that it could have been much worse. But a lot of what was different are things that concern me about how they're going to portray and use characters moving forward.…

First time I ever felt like they really started throwing characters under the bus was tonight. Before that, they may have playfully shoved them in the direction of a bus, but it never went too far. The moment that really hurt tonight was Britta getting in the fountain and all that ensued after that. It's not the…

Like most, I admit that it's hard to be objective when you're heading into this season as skeptically as we all naturally are after this long, long off-season. I get that. But…yikes, I didn't want to have to say "but," but…yes, exactly! No!

The Do No Harm spots looked like they could have easily been spots for one of Jack's "I'm tanking NBC" shows. So, no shock that the ratings were abysmal. The only thing more predictable than that revelation these days is any given plot on The Office lately.

That was about as perfect of a finale as they come. Wow. Bittersweet, hilarious perfection.

Tonight taught me of two things:

Tonight taught me of two things:

They still need to reel Kevin and Dwight in, but the tone and overall feel of this episode felt a lot closer to The Office of old that wasn't so abysmal like last year. I am scared to get too hopeful, but last night really made me think Greg Daniels might be able to get ahold of this thing and deliver a descent season…

They still need to reel Kevin and Dwight in, but the tone and overall feel of this episode felt a lot closer to The Office of old that wasn't so abysmal like last year. I am scared to get too hopeful, but last night really made me think Greg Daniels might be able to get ahold of this thing and deliver a descent season…

I loved everything about this episode but Andy's "gum clue." I had to look away. I get that Andy's the lovable goofball, but that scene was Season 8 of The Office Kevin Dumb. He's one of the best characters on the show when they keep him reeled in a bit, but he had to play that scene in such a deeply stupid way that…

I loved everything about this episode but Andy's "gum clue." I had to look away. I get that Andy's the lovable goofball, but that scene was Season 8 of The Office Kevin Dumb. He's one of the best characters on the show when they keep him reeled in a bit, but he had to play that scene in such a deeply stupid way that…

Watched the whole series in a week. Best comedy on television. Why did I ignore it for so long?!?

Watched the whole series in a week. Best comedy on television. Why did I ignore it for so long?!?

I'm surprised people think this felt like a series finale. There was enough there to suggest a sense of closure if it needed to serve as the series finale after the fact, but I thought every "closing" scene opened a lot more doors than anything. I didn't at all finish the episode feeling like these characters stories…

I believe they actually added two extra episodes down the stretch, so it could've been shorter even. The fact that they ordered more episodes though I think is a good sign. I'm guessing the shorter-season format in general has a lot to do with the size of the cast though. And while I was plenty happy with this season…

It was over the top but it's taking more cues from the style of Office that works. I'll give it a break because I did enjoy it enough. I really liked the cold open for a change. B to me.