But to me that's a slightly different issue than what he's claiming now. Trying to force things, trying to skip to the end—all these things showed that Ted wasn't really ready for that commitment, but they didn't show that he didn't want it. That, to me, has always been what the show was more about, Ted learning that…

That's what I really hate about it. I don't buy that he's been sabotaging himself all this time just so they can hit the reset button and turn a show about an incurable romantic desperate for true love learning what that really means into a womanizer finally ready to settle down after lying about it for years. The…

I wouldn't even say it has to do with how the Cold War ended—I think it's more about her being more of an extremist and extremist are always by definition more likely to be wrong in more situations. When they're facing true danger Elizabeth would probably be more likely to be a larger than life hero, but usually…

But I have to wonder if "voice of reason" here is really American values or just everyday people values. I mean, I would guess that plenty of ordinary Russians would have those same values, while there would be extreme jingoistic Americans who would be more like Elizabeth. Once you make Elizabeth the true believer…

I hope it's never nailed down completely because in many ways it's probably just personality. We've seen some things that explain her mindset and some of those things are really strong—but still, another girl might have reacted differently.

The coverage of the Reagan assassination was joked about at the time. I still can't think of it without remembering SNL doing a whole Buckwheat assassination spoof. Over and over again: "Mr. Wheat?" "'Es?" *bam*

@avclub-f7ab14a5b6fb3e3440995ec977ccebaf:disqus I agree—I think the question often comes down to when an individual attitude is better. In most cases of every day life the open-minded non-zealot is going to be more relate-able and right and this would be equally true if Phillip and Elizabeth were American spies…

I don't think it's that one-sided. Jim didn't tie them down in Scranton all that much—or against Pam's will. Everything Jim's doing to Pam Pam also did/does to Jim: They both felt like the other person answered before they had a chance and got passive-aggressive in response. They've both snapped at each other because…

But isn't the reason it's allegedly tearing the family apart the fact that he likes it?  Jim looks happy and energized when he's at Athlead. The times he looks stressed is when something threatens the place. Like when they lost the investor, he cared. 
I don't think anybody would be able to really explain to me why…

But his wife's ambitions are only to cling to the undemanding job she's had for 10 years and stay within walking distance from her high school, basically. Jim wants this job for himself but it's also a smart move to be moving away from the mid-level paper company. And while he isn't a young single guy any more he's…

I think they have at least tried to establish what this means for Jim. He wants a job that makes him feel engaged and satisfied. That's why he was so horrified to see "new!Jim" in the series premiere and think of his life going on the way it always had. He had a real need to feel like he was doing something (whatever…

This is what I really like about it too. Pam's not just unhappy about changing her life (and she always hates leaving the familiar for the unknown) but she seems unsettled by the Jim who lives in Philadelphia. Much as she was unsettled by the new Roy she met at his wedding. At DM both these guys were aimless, and now…

Which was funny because it was more like a step sideways.

Yes, I thought that was just funny and you had to roll with it in the ep. Even Robert is behind the times on everything EXCEPT gay rights. Even O'Brien didn't seem genuinely disgusted at the idea, she just saw it as a good way to get back at him. Not to mention everyone pretty much agreed that they always knew he was…

Definitely read as manipulative to me. Which would be the only reason to keep Brian around, imo. They've played up the pov of Jim being a selfish jerk for trying to start a company in Philly while Pam cries patiently at home before putting the kids to bed. Hoping they use Brian to get a little more balanced here.

Definitely read as manipulative to me. Which would be the only reason to keep Brian around, imo. They've played up the pov of Jim being a selfish jerk for trying to start a company in Philly while Pam cries patiently at home before putting the kids to bed. Hoping they use Brian to get a little more balanced here.

Isn't it Kristen Wiig who did Barrymore?

Also is supposed to be somewhat cool and in control. Not that he is, these days.

Didn't Pamuk initially encourage him subtly? I thought he was intentionally setting him up to blackmail him into forcing him to give him Mary's key.

Didn't Pamuk initially encourage him subtly? I thought he was intentionally setting him up to blackmail him into forcing him to give him Mary's key.