After watching four seasons of "The Office", what I was consistently amazed at was the show's ability to stray away from the formula in order to cultivate new territory. For example, during a large portion of the third season Jim and Pam (the emotional backbone of the show) are separated and lose that incredible chemistry. However, that separation ends up bringing in the Andy Bernard character, who has been a wonderful addition to the show.
This fifth season did much of the same. It started off great, especially when Michael Scott finds a new employee, Holly, who can match him step for step in the craziness department. Each episode contains at least one absolutely hilarious moment (and some come once every few seconds!), even despite the fact that the "same old" cast is back again. However, as the season approaches roughly the 2/3rds mark, there are some major changes that take place, primarily for Michael and Pam Beasley. This creates a run of 5-6 episodes that, to be honest, just aren't as hilariously funny as the rest of them (as Jim Halpert's character cannot hold the show in lieu of Michael).
However, as they so often do, the writers take that disturbing change and eventually make it work out for the better, as the emotional sides of many of "The Office" workers are touched on more than ever before, what with all the changes occurring. When the show finally gets back to its original pattern/format, it feels like slipping into that old familiar spot on the couch again...you might take it for granted while you have it, but removing it from your life will just make you want it back that much more!
Thus, I once again give this season of "The Office" my highest approval for its ability to be incredibly funny and still develop characters in a meaningful way.
This fifth season did much of the same. It started off great, especially when Michael Scott finds a new employee, Holly, who can match him step for step in the craziness department. Each episode contains at least one absolutely hilarious moment (and some come once every few seconds!), even despite the fact that the "same old" cast is back again. However, as the season approaches roughly the 2/3rds mark, there are some major changes that take place, primarily for Michael and Pam Beasley. This creates a run of 5-6 episodes that, to be honest, just aren't as hilariously funny as the rest of them (as Jim Halpert's character cannot hold the show in lieu of Michael).
However, as they so often do, the writers take that disturbing change and eventually make it work out for the better, as the emotional sides of many of "The Office" workers are touched on more than ever before, what with all the changes occurring. When the show finally gets back to its original pattern/format, it feels like slipping into that old familiar spot on the couch again...you might take it for granted while you have it, but removing it from your life will just make you want it back that much more!
Thus, I once again give this season of "The Office" my highest approval for its ability to be incredibly funny and still develop characters in a meaningful way.