The conceit really should have been discarded.  Nobody needs a "resolution" on the documentary, and there's no way for it to make sense.  "Modern Family" and "Parks and Rec" use the handheld cameras and the "confessional" asides as well, and there's no conceit there that there are offscreen characters filming things…

Every week, I kind of hope they'll pull it together, but I pretty much hate-watch this now.  I probably wouldn't be keeping up with it if I didn't like ripping it apart  on the AVClub comments.  I'd probably be streaming it on Hulu on my phone at the gym weeks later or something.

Every week, I kind of hope they'll pull it together, but I pretty much hate-watch this now.  I probably wouldn't be keeping up with it if I didn't like ripping it apart  on the AVClub comments.  I'd probably be streaming it on Hulu on my phone at the gym weeks later or something.

1.  Okay, the documentary crew fired Brian the sound guy for interfering last week, and robbing them of their chance to film Pam being beaten to a pulp by the warehouse guy.
Then, Pam and Jim decide to go to lunch with Brian and his wife, and invite the documentary crew that has just fired Brian to follow them and film…

1.  Okay, the documentary crew fired Brian the sound guy for interfering last week, and robbing them of their chance to film Pam being beaten to a pulp by the warehouse guy.
Then, Pam and Jim decide to go to lunch with Brian and his wife, and invite the documentary crew that has just fired Brian to follow them and film…

You can tell a bad comedy because it's very broad and a good comedy because it's very specific.  "Arrested Development" would never have a character working on commission one week and salary the next, because knowing what the character's job is is crucial to having a grasp on the character.

These aren't minor continuity mistakes.  These are major problems. The problems underlying the conflicts that drive the show's plot are inconsistent, ill-conceived and contrived.

These aren't minor continuity mistakes.  These are major problems. The problems underlying the conflicts that drive the show's plot are inconsistent, ill-conceived and contrived.

Early on, the premise was that this was a place in which the business operated under the rules that might plausibly govern a workplace, and the people had the dispositions and expectations that people who worked in such a place might reasonably have.  And then, Michael was their boss.

Early on, the premise was that this was a place in which the business operated under the rules that might plausibly govern a workplace, and the people had the dispositions and expectations that people who worked in such a place might reasonably have.  And then, Michael was their boss.

It definitely seemed to me that Dwight was pretty close with the people he brought in.   They may have been friends with narrow specific functions, like his paintball buddy, but Dwight clearly has a lot of people he hangs out with outside of work.

I can't believe Andy asked David Wallace to invest in the shitty paper company that had fired him for disappearing from work for weeks.  Then I can't believe David Wallace bought the paper company and hired Andy back.  Then I can't believe Andy disappeared from work again to go sail the high seas on a yacht with Josh…

I can't believe Andy asked David Wallace to invest in the shitty paper company that had fired him for disappearing from work for weeks.  Then I can't believe David Wallace bought the paper company and hired Andy back.  Then I can't believe Andy disappeared from work again to go sail the high seas on a yacht with Josh…

Best first novel. The Edgar Allan Poe awards are given by the Mystery Writers of America to honor the best writing in the mystery/thriller genre.

Best first novel. The Edgar Allan Poe awards are given by the Mystery Writers of America to honor the best writing in the mystery/thriller genre.

1. Okay, Dwight has a lot of friends outside of work. This is a beloved man, apparently.  I don't have that many friends I socialize with regularly.  I actually feel kind of bad about myself.

1. Okay, Dwight has a lot of friends outside of work. This is a beloved man, apparently.  I don't have that many friends I socialize with regularly.  I actually feel kind of bad about myself.

1.  Since this is a show about the things people have to do in order to have food to eat, it's nice to have a reminder that they're being followed around by Season 14 Homer Simpson.  Next week: The Documentary Crew is going to Brazil!

1.  Since this is a show about the things people have to do in order to have food to eat, it's nice to have a reminder that they're being followed around by Season 14 Homer Simpson.  Next week: The Documentary Crew is going to Brazil!

I believe there are a lot of startups where the principals are pouring all their capital into the enterprise and not drawing salaries, but are they generally working half-time on the startup and half-time at shitty jobs like Dunder Mifflin?