The Office 5.7: “Business Trip”

I don’t like to mix politics and TV talk, generally, and that is why I maintain a separate blog for all of my non-television related blogging.  That said, I’m going to just glance a little bit on politics for a brief moment just to explain why I haven’t been a big fan of Ed Helms for the most part.  It’s probably unfair.  I don’t like The Daily show, and I hate smug liberals.  Since Ed came from The Daily Show, I’ve assumed he was probably a smug liberal and disliked him accordingly.  See?  Rational.  Also a side not to any liberal readers:  I said “smug” liberals, so I probably don’t mean you, okay?  Okay.

But that’s not important, really.  What’s important is that I’ve finally grown to appreciate Andy Bernard in the latest season of The Office, and thanks to tonight’s episode in particular, I’m even borderline loving him. It was probably inevitable because the show has been almost unbearably mean to him all season, and I can’t help but feel for an underdog, even an underdog who’s kind of a doofus.

In the beginning, Andy was brought in as a tiresome sycophant whose job it was to threaten Dwight’s standing as Michael Scott’s second-in-command, and Helms was so good at playing this that I actually found him unappealing and irritating for the longest time.  However, as time has passed, Andy has become a more well-rounded character, particular in the context of his relationship with the inscrutable and treacherous Angela.

What began as a farce, Andy’s relationship with Angela, has steadily progressed into something borderline heartbreaking.  Even though his attraction to her is basically nonsensical, the sincerity of his commitment to her has been touching, and as her treatment of him remains steadily contemptuous, it’s hard not to feel sorry for him.

In tonight’s episode, we finally got to see a more open, vulnerable and hilariously honest side to him as his trip to Canada, combined with Oscar’s prodding and a Long Island ice tea, let us finally see his doubts and pain, albeit just a little.  Nonetheless, there’s a steadiness and constancy in Andy, however misguided, that’s almost noble.  Plus, his efforts to get Oscar laid and willingness to expose himself to ridicule in the process was both kind-hearted and adorable.  His talking head sequence, where he acknowledges that, in spite of everything, he learned that Oscar was a neat guy, was so sweet I thought I might cry.

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Also in tonight’s episode, we had fun with the various responses of Jim’s officemates to Pam’s impending return.  Kevin’s inappropriate ass-slap was funny enough, as was Stanley’s leery chortle, but Creed’s remarkably creepy shoulder rub was arguably the moment of the night.

It will be nice to get Jenna Fischer back in the main setting after her separation, and I remain glad that the show doesn’t seem to be much interested in making the relationship angsty.  The little touches of ordinary understandable sadness throughout this first batch of episodes has been interesting enough, especially since the show has had some real emotional turmoil in the delightful (alas now sadly ended) Holly-Michael relationship.  As far as that goes, it was a nice touch to let us see that Michael is still suffering from this loss, and it was subtle enough that Michael’s rant against David toward the end was surprising and moving.

I love semi-serious Michael, the overgrown manchild who actually has deeper feelings and passions than we’ve come to expect, and I marvel at the way The Office is able to blend those facets with his clownish buffoonery.  It really is a first-rate program.

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A few other things that stuck out included how swiftly Daryl was able to move on when Kelly dumped him (as well as the spring in his step as he headed toward his pickup) and the dawning horror of Ryan as he started to realize that he was getting more than he bargained for and repeating past mistakes.  B.J. Novak does a great job of playing Ryan as a man completely oblivious to his worst tendencies.  Watching him in the tag scene subtly try and let go of oblivious Kelly’s hand even as she grips his with both of hers was very funny.

So, to sum up, another first rate episode in a top-notch season.  If you missed it, look for it to pop up on Hulu shortly.

Now let me know what you thought!