BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,900
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Post by BRV on Feb 28, 2012 13:09:59 GMT -5
It's not his fault that 'The Office' has been as deplorable as it has recently. He's merely just a passenger walking away from a car crash. His character is a pretty big reason why it was so deplorable. He's been the worst of the boss's boss characters. The biggest problem I've had with the handling of his character this season is that they essentially neutered him from the first episode. His character was so dynamic, off-the-wall and interesting during the finale of season 7, but when he returned for season 8, it was as if they peeled away all the interesting facets of his character and made him just another generic, bland, one-dimensional role player, which is the last thing 'The Office' needs right now. I thought he could play a foil for Andy, much like the way Idris Elba's Charles Miner acted as a tremendous foil for Michael Scott during season five. However, they pulled back on the reigns of making Robert California a villain, and just made him a person without any real definable characteristics. That's Catherine Tate, a British 'comedienne' (and I use that term very loosely) and I would say she's ruined the show but I think its already ruined. I thought she was actually phenomenal in "Tallahassee", but, much like what they did after one great episode of Robert California, they stripped away anything remotely interesting about her character just in time for "After Hours". Nail on the head. They have tried for almost three full seasons to morph Andy and Erin into the second coming of Jim and Pam, but it didn't work in season six, it didn't work in season seven and it sure as hell ain't working in season eight. The reason Jim and Pam worked so perfectly was because of how relatable it all was. Both characters were grounded in reality, and you could understand what each character was going through. Also, they had Roy in seasons 1-3 and Karen in season three acting as road blocks to keep Jim and Pam apart. Nothing has kept Andy and Erin apart aside from a complete lack of chemistry. Again, they're just making a tired attempt at rehashing Jim and Pam. HitFix.com's Alan Sepinwall wrote a brilliant breakdown of what has become of Jim and Pam. Essentially, he wrote that they were the two characters you could relate to and appreciate during the first four seasons, but now they've morphed into the King and Queen of the office itself, where what they say is law, and they are bordering on impervious to any sort of infallibility. I actually held out hope that maybe Jim would fall prey to being seduced by Kathy, just to give his character something interesting for the first time in four or five years and maybe have there be some lingering awkward emotions when they returned to Scranton. But they didn't even have the opportunity to use a single episode on that, because from the moment she arrived at his hotel room, he was reacting as if she had cooties, because heaven forbid the dream couple of 'The Office' actually have some chinks in the armor. Sadly, this happens to almost every show after it hits a certain point in its shelf life, where the role players become caricatures of themselves. They have so little screen time, so what they are most prominently known for becomes their exclusive calling card. |
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chazraps
Wade Wilson
Better have my money when I come-a collect!
Posts: 27,955 
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Post by chazraps on Feb 28, 2012 13:24:44 GMT -5
I actually think Gabe is the best thing about this season. A midst the chaos they've finally figured out how to write him and he kills it. His Abe Lincoln bit made the dreadful "Gettysburg" episode worth sitting through.
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Post by CMPunkyBrewster on Feb 28, 2012 14:12:50 GMT -5
This show is still on?
Not even being a smart ass, I thought this show had been cancelled like, 2 years ago.
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Post by lildude8218 on Feb 28, 2012 14:21:10 GMT -5
they should reveal him to be the real Scranton Strangler.
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Post by Codebreaker on Feb 28, 2012 17:44:53 GMT -5
Nail on the head. They have tried for almost three full seasons to morph Andy and Erin into the second coming of Jim and Pam, but it didn't work in season six, it didn't work in season seven and it sure as hell ain't working in season eight. The reason Jim and Pam worked so perfectly was because of how relatable it all was. Both characters were grounded in reality, and you could understand what each character was going through. Also, they had Roy in seasons 1-3 and Karen in season three acting as road blocks to keep Jim and Pam apart. Nothing has kept Andy and Erin apart aside from a complete lack of chemistry. You're spot on. Part of it to me that fails too is that we've been conditioned to think and believe that Andy is essentially a loser and that we shouldn't really care too much about him. And not a loser in the sense that Michael was - because Michael had so many redeeming qualities. He's the manager that was actually great at his job prior to be promoted. And in the realm of love, you can see he really tries his hardest and it comes across as so genuine. His initial arc with Holly was heartbreaking - and even the stuff with Jan was excellent too. Andy's what? The worst salesman in the company, and he's the goober who tried to marry Angela. He's the guy who punched a hole in the wall and who wears awfully bright suits and pants combinations. For crying out loud, he sings acapella! He's not real. He's the guy who's there to lose and be kicked, not succeed. There's no wonder why I can't take the character seriously. I actually think Gabe is the best thing about this season. A midst the chaos they've finally figured out how to write him and he kills it. His Abe Lincoln bit made the dreadful "Gettysburg" episode worth sitting through. Agreed. I initially didn't like him much but he totally won me over with his Abe Lincoln act. He made me laugh at the pool party where he said he had porn on his iPod too. |
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Post by Red Impact on Feb 28, 2012 20:54:39 GMT -5
His character is a pretty big reason why it was so deplorable. He's been the worst of the boss's boss characters. The biggest problem I've had with the handling of his character this season is that they essentially neutered him from the first episode. His character was so dynamic, off-the-wall and interesting during the finale of season 7, but when he returned for season 8, it was as if they peeled away all the interesting facets of his character and made him just another generic, bland, one-dimensional role player, which is the last thing 'The Office' needs right now. I thought he could play a foil for Andy, much like the way Idris Elba's Charles Miner acted as a tremendous foil for Michael Scott during season five. However, they pulled back on the reigns of making Robert California a villain, and just made him a person without any real definable characteristics. I'm one of the few that absolutely hated him in the S7 finale, and hated the prospect of him joining the show. There were a few episodes that I thought they might warm me up to him, but I didn't like him from the get go. |
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Turd Ferguson
Hank Scorpio
John Cena: Colossal Douche
Posts: 7,402
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Post by Turd Ferguson on Feb 28, 2012 21:31:47 GMT -5
Zzzz. I lost interest when Heimdall joined the cast and found it difficult to get back into it, despite liking this season.
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Post by Brandon Walsh is Insane. on Feb 28, 2012 22:09:01 GMT -5
I don't like the Robert California character, so this is OK by me.
I haven't really liked anything since the Jim/Pam wedding, barring the beginning of the Planking episode, so hopefully something good comes from this.
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Post by flatsdomino on Feb 29, 2012 3:39:21 GMT -5
Ah, the infamous "one-season arc"...just like Michelle Rodriguez on Lost. Man, that whole period of Lost was so pointless. "NEW PLOT THREADS?! NOPE, MICHAEL JUST KILLED EVERYONE!!! AND NOW HE'S GONE TOO!!!" That was when everyone started jumping off the train, IMO. |
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JDviant
Unicron
XB1 username: lil giant robot
Posts: 3,103
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Post by JDviant on Feb 29, 2012 8:36:42 GMT -5
Andy's what? The worst salesman in the company, and he's the goober who tried to marry Angela. He's the guy who punched a hole in the wall and who wears awfully bright suits and pants combinations. For crying out loud, he sings acapella! He's not real. He's the guy who's there to lose and be kicked, not succeed. There's no wonder why I can't take the character seriously. I wish Andy had the killer instinct of season 3 back again. Season 3 Andy I can completely see taking over the audience, because while not brilliant or anything he was driven, competitive, and willing to be underhanded. |
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salz4life
Grimlock
Prichard is a guy who gets that his job is to service his boss.
Posts: 13,947
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Post by salz4life on Feb 29, 2012 15:43:11 GMT -5
I only watched the first 3 or 4 episodes from this season before I had to tap out. I just wasn't enjoying it too much and that character definitely was a factor. The last two episodes have been fairly decent. They have centered around Dwight (coincidence?). |
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salz4life
Grimlock
Prichard is a guy who gets that his job is to service his boss.
Posts: 13,947
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Post by salz4life on Feb 29, 2012 15:46:24 GMT -5
I actually think Gabe is the best thing about this season. A midst the chaos they've finally figured out how to write him and he kills it. His Abe Lincoln bit made the dreadful "Gettysburg" episode worth sitting through. I cringe whenever Gabe is on the screen. I hate the character. |
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h
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 5,734
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Post by h on Feb 29, 2012 15:58:33 GMT -5
Robert California is definitely the worst part of the show. I don't miss Michael, but Robert is just pointless. His character is partially developed, then partially developed as something entirely different, then back to the first personality, then back to the second, then something altogether new and inconsistent. He doesn't do or say anything interesting, and he always slows the momentum when he is on screen.
I like that a lot of the other characters are getting a chance to develop this year. Hopefully that can continue next year without the need for an unnecessary replacement to an unnecessary replacement to an unnecessary replacement to a manager who didn't add much to begin with.
(I wouldn't lose any sleep if Meredith also left, mind you.)
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h
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 5,734
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Post by h on Feb 29, 2012 16:02:42 GMT -5
I also agree that Gabe is starting to shine. He had by far my favorite line of last season--"Shut up about the Sun! Shut--up--about--the--Sun!" The Abraham Lincoln thing was bizarre but enjoyable. I love his role at the head office in Florida, with a desk in the hallway, and his "What's in it for GSL?" in the last episode was good. It took a while to sort him out as a character, but they're hitting their stride.
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