tv update: The Office 3x05 "The Initiation"

[timepiececlock]

I loved this episode... it was actually my favorite of the new season so far. When Ryan was first introduced I never thought I'd come to enjoy his character as much as I have. He's a bit off-putting because of how openly disdainful of the office and his coworkers that he is at times, but yet you can't really fault him for feeling that way, given the office that he works in. And he's started to "join the family" as it were. His immitation of a conversation with Dwight while walking to the barn was hilarious, as was his dead-pan reaction to being left in a field.

I was particularly caught, almost jerked out of my happy mood, when he correctly named Michael's greatest fear as loneliness. There was a pause there, and the writers/directors let that pause hang for a minute so the audience could be reminded of how bad we feel for Michael at times, because who isn't afraid of being alone? Especially given that Michael is so often alone. And then suddenly it's back to Dwight being ridiculous again and the moment is gone. But I love that the show includes those little human moments; it's one of the things that balances out the embarrassment factor of the humor, and the sometimes meanness of it. Because despite how ridiculous these people are and how hard the show can be to watch, there's a real fondness for these characters and their flaws that comes through with the writing.

... and I admit sometimes I'm tempted to forget that I'm watching a tv show and not real, actual people. The documentary style is so damn tricksy like that, paired with the writing and the acting that goes into it.

My favorite quote, on the subject of singing:

"Oh come on, stop it. That's not fair. That is not a proportional response."

End thought: I squeed for the Jim & Pam moment. I am easily to please, and it was quite pleasing.

Comments

[chase820.livejournal.com]

I thought BJ Novak really sold the "loneliness--maybe women" line. Ryan's one of the most self-aware people on the show--much more even than Jim, yet he can't help finding himself stuck in these bizarre situations.

I don't understand where all the Ryan (and BJ) hate comes from, as evidenced on TWoP. He's not Jim--but that's the point. Do we need two Jims? Isn't it more realistic to have someone who's not so conventionally nice?

Maybe I'm just prejudiced, because the character and the actor reminds me a lot of an ex of mine.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I'm happy I've never gotten into the TWoP boards. That's a cycle of fan-agression I usually am fine to do without, remembering the stuff I heard back during the latter seasons of Buffy.

I'm glad Ryan's not Jim; I've found Ryan interesting thought I haven't always liked him. That's how it is for most of the cast: I like to watch them because they're funny or weird, but I don't love them. Except Jim and Pam, and grudgingly Michael... Jim and Pam are easy to love, and Michael's like the little kid you love despite yourself. Ryan's going up-- I didn't think he was very nice when first introduced but over the last season he's earned a piece of my heart and sympathy, if only because I can see where he's coming from, and the actor is hilarious with his delivery. I wasn't at all surprised that he said he was in a frat-- he has a bit of that snobbish entitlement underlying some of his actions, but he works really hard to suppress it under the blank indifference of "if only I can surivive today, I'll be able to get out of here eventually." Dwight, despite his crazy, had Ryan pinned when he said that Ryan needs to accept that others still might have something to teach him. And Ryan's giving it a shot, which is making me enjoy his scenes so much more.