Episode 15 - The Bubble
6 March 2012
As usual this was good but not great. To be fair it really was pretty good. My criticism of the show is perhaps more specific than ever here because both plots were so good and yet didn't quite live up to their potential.
The A story saw Leslie wanting to enjoy the honeymoon period of her relationship with Ben and trying to avoid introducing him to her mother. In the work context and with her mother's fearsome reputation this was a believably awkward context and set up a good conflict. The genius in the story came when Leslie coached Ben so well that Marlene was actually attracted to him.
That right there could have been the crux of the comedy and put Ben in a desperately awkward position. Instead that development was rushed through and we cut straight to Ben being honest and straightforward. That was of course the right end to the plot but it felt like some comedy was left on the table. I also don't think Leslie or Ben are written exactly as they need to be. The way Ben can be so swiftly reduced to a shaking mess is difficult to buy into sometimes. Similarly Leslie can be so competent and switched on but then ludicrously suggests fleeing the country to avoid a problem. She actually did that three times (Mexico, Belize, London) which was uninspired rather than consistent.
The B story saw Chris try to shake up the Parks Department to maximize productivity and potential. Again the conflict was perfect and personified amusingly in Ron being forced to leave the safety and seclusion of his office for a centrally located circular desk. The writers put some thought into what would most handicap each member of the staff and Ron played the wise and kind leader who sacrificed his own comfort to save his colleagues from misery. The only mild problem with this is that Ron saving the day is becoming a very familiar crutch for the writers. It's hard to argue with it as a pleasant solution but it is becoming too familiar.
I won't complain too much though as Ron swiveling to avoid dealing with the public was funny. Even better was Chris encouraging Jerry and telling him that he could be a charismatic super hero if he wanted to be. Soon Chris asked Jerry to call out his name so that he could demonstrate how the new desk worked:
J: "Chris."
C: "Swivel! What is it Jerry?"
J: "You told me to say your name."
C: "And you did a great job Superstar!"
J: (Beaming, flattered smile)
p.s. The more I think about this episode the more I like it. I know it is a smaller ensemble but this episode demonstrates the story which The Office repeatedly failed to tell. And that is what happens when a new manager reassigns people to roles that don't suit them and comedy ensues.
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