I found it to be very funny in parts, though I see why you would say that - the whole tone of it is generally grim, but I think that works. As for the sentimentality, I think it's totally deserved, considering what Andy and Maggie had been put through before it. I do agree, however, that some of the music choices were…

But we've all seen this show, we all know what happens, so why would you want a simple recap of what happened? Maybe I just don't really get the concept of reading a straight-up recap of a show you just watched (like they seem do on a lot of other sites,) but it doesn't make sense to me.

I personally loved the Extras special. It's no more cruel than this show - it's "nice" to everyone by the end of it, and it has similar themes of people only achieving happiness when they take charge of their lives.

Yeah, really great work, Todd. This is definitely one of my favorite things TV Club has ever done.

As a fan of the show, I would love another special, but I do agree that it would be hard to do it without damaging the narrative.

Agreed. I do think Tim never accomplishing anything would in a way be realistic also, but in my mind, it's no more realistic than the happy ending.

I think I read somewhere that they designed her as an even-more-annoying version of Gareth. Mission accomplished, certainly.

"Do you want us to invite some prostitutes, Keith?"

Oh, Cousin Merle, really…

Yeah, Cape Feare is my favorite too, though Sideshow Bob Roberts is a very close second.

This is actually one of my main reasons for preferring the UK version - Tim and Dawn are both better characters than Jim and Pam.

Yes, Krasinski is particularly bad in the first season, but I'd argue that, though he did improve, he's pretty bad overall compared to Martin Freeman. Though that may be in part because Tim is a much better character than Jim.

It is indeed the worst episode.

I sincerely hope that's a gimmick post.

And his rubbish clothes!

Shows like All in the Family and Cheers have characters being mean to each other sometimes, yes, but in both of those shows, everyone has affection for everyone else deep down (well, okay, maybe Carla hates Cliff…)

CC Baxter's post made me remember Mother Simpson's ending, too - forgot about that one. Another one of the best.

I think the ending to this episode is one of the most perfect endings in the whole show - it's very sweet, yet not overly sappy like some Season 1 and Season 2 endings were.

That reminds me - why wasn't she in the Christmas special? I know she wasn't relevant to the story anymore, but they could have at least explained it away by saying she left or was made redundant or something. Just forgetting about a once-major character like that is odd for this show.

I'll second that request. That'd be great. It's not quite as powerful of a show, but it's still fantastic and there's a lot about it that's worth discussing.