I don't think so. The initial reveal of Brian wasn't a complete disaster, but there were hints of what they were going to do. Many of us held out hope they wouldn't go the direction they have, but we were all let down. There were a lot of ways they could have introduced the doc crew that might have been…

There's keeping your head in the sand by inventing a fake excuse why he had to return to Philly that night and then there's saying "I'm really busy and you're probably busy too."

There's keeping your head in the sand by inventing a fake excuse why he had to return to Philly that night and then there's saying "I'm really busy and you're probably busy too."

Given that they have had a Christmas episode in almost every season, I don't see how it could be interpreted that the entire series might have taken place over a short period of time.

Given that they have had a Christmas episode in almost every season, I don't see how it could be interpreted that the entire series might have taken place over a short period of time.

The Andy/Erin relationship has been a disaster from the first moment. In a futile effort to recapture the Jim/Pam dynamic, they shoehorned these two into the forefront when they lacked a coherent story and chemistry between the two actors.

The Andy/Erin relationship has been a disaster from the first moment. In a futile effort to recapture the Jim/Pam dynamic, they shoehorned these two into the forefront when they lacked a coherent story and chemistry between the two actors.

No, I still think the writing has been a problem. They could have used an attractive actor if they had made it abundantly clear he had no romantic interest in Pam. Instead they went out of their way to make it seem he had feelings for her. Jim's little voiceover at the end of Junior Salesman about falling in love with…

While in the long run, the Brian story may have no actual love triangle payoff, it seems fairly obvious they were trying to imply that up to this week and it has been pretty disappointing. Sure, we might be overreacting, but given there are only 9 more episodes to go in the series, there will be little time for…

Given the final scene of Jim and Pam this week and the fact that Brian is no longer a member of the crew, I'm somewhat hopeful that the love triangle aspect of the story will no longer be a factor. If true, then in the arc of the season it won't seem so forced and cliched. I hope that Daniels has some further ideas…

This also relates somewhat to why I disliked the "sideways" universe in S6 of Lost. It was the same actors, but not really the same characters and to get to the final reveal and discover that it really meant nothing to the story we had been following for six seasons was infuriating.

Yeah, I'm fairly sure that Greg Daniels won't destroy their relationship by inserting Brian into the middle, but this story has been badly mishandled by making him an attractive possibility. It just wasn't necessary and including shots of Brian gazing fondly at Pam as he holds the mike or gently bopping her on the…

So, you're not a fan of Brian either? I agree with your assessment of both A) and B). I'm hoping that Brian has served his purpose and will now disappear. His being fired pretty much eliminates any reason why he should still be around. Of course logic and reason don't count for much on the show these days.

So, you're not a fan of Brian either? I agree with your assessment of both A) and B). I'm hoping that Brian has served his purpose and will now disappear. His being fired pretty much eliminates any reason why he should still be around. Of course logic and reason don't count for much on the show these days.

@disqus_okgItcD0yy:disqus  The problem is that there isn't enough time for this type of story to develop. Going from a single argument to the unknown Brian representing some sort of threat to their marriage in two episodes is just not credible. They needed to do this two seasons ago.

@disqus_okgItcD0yy:disqus  The problem is that there isn't enough time for this type of story to develop. Going from a single argument to the unknown Brian representing some sort of threat to their marriage in two episodes is just not credible. They needed to do this two seasons ago.

But even someone as conflict-adverse as Jim would understand that telling your wife you were going bail and leave her alone with the kids on Valentine's Day to avoid discussing the fact that you're never around might not be a smart move. This was a level of assholishness that seems more appropriate for this version of…

But even someone as conflict-adverse as Jim would understand that telling your wife you were going bail and leave her alone with the kids on Valentine's Day to avoid discussing the fact that you're never around might not be a smart move. This was a level of assholishness that seems more appropriate for this version of…

Yes, turning Jim into a giant douche isn't helping this story along. There's enough meat just in the story of them moving on from the job and Scranton that additional outside influences are unnecessary.

Yes, turning Jim into a giant douche isn't helping this story along. There's enough meat just in the story of them moving on from the job and Scranton that additional outside influences are unnecessary.