TV Review: The Office 9.9, "Dwight's Christmas"
Where's Clark?
rating: 3
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Despite their being some solid laughs, Dwights Christmas is really just another episode of The Office which, while good for a few laughs, only serves to remind the show really has run out of steam. Dont get me wrong, I liked Dwights Dutch Christmas and seeing Belschnickle (and not seeing Schvate Pete), but nothing else really happened. We got some gags from Kevin and Meredith and Daryl, but in terms of story very little occurred. We saw how much Dwight really cares about Jim, which was nice, and Pete and Erin got a bit closer, which was also nice, but again, thats about it. These characters are still fun and can still be funny and make us laugh, but the series has had its day and its over. And thats okay. Things are meant to end eventually and if we get to watch Dwight beat Jim to show his affection and see Daryl pass out covered in egg nog, all the better. The episode opened with Jim worrying about his first day at his new job in Philadelphia. This is technically a part-time job in Philadelphia to which hell apparently commute half the week and its not such a big deal, but naturally Jims nervous and apparently so is Pam and Dwight. Pam we get because shes Jims wife and that makes sense. But Dwights only very rarely showed any kind of affection for Jim and usually in secret if not entirely in dysfunctional ways. When Angela and (nearly) everyone else forgets to throw the Christmas party, the Party Planning Committee holds an emergency meeting and thanks to Pams barely there salesmanship, Dwight gets to throw his Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas which is pretty much what youd imagine decked the halls of Dwights childhood. When Jim leaves for Philadelphia Dwights just as depressed as Pam about missing Jim, but then he comes back because he realizes he can just leave in the morning. Thats it. Kind of lame, though cute. Meanwhile, Daryl is upset because he was told by Jim a couple months earlier that hed take Daryl to Philadelphia with him and since hes yet to hear a word about the matter since then, he proceeds to get black out wasted. As I hardly remember Jim saying this to Daryl and didnt fully understand how Daryl could get so upset about something apparently he failed to bring up again as well, I didnt really buy into Daryls righteous drunken anger, but I also didnt mind Daryl being drunk because something that simple can make me laugh. Just when Daryls about to tell off Jim, he informs Daryl that he got him an interview which Daryl graciously accepts before passing out, collapsing, and breaking the buffet table in the process. Again, not much of an actual story, but it ended on some slap-stick so, yeah. Its funny how much Ive hated on Nelly for stealing Andys job last season considering what a terrible office manager Andys proven to be these last few episodes. I dont know if Ed Helms was off filming a movie or something during these last few episodes, but how in the hell can he just decide to bail for a couple months and still keep his job? Regardless, Erin is pretty disappointed about the whole thing, enough to let Pete keep his arm around Erin when she cries over Andy, even though she says shes still Andys girlfriend. I guess this is important because now clearly Erin knows Pete likes her so the proverbial ball is in her court. I love Erin though so I really hope the writers dont make her manipulate and string along poor Pete until Andys eventual return, if he returns at all. Maybe this is the result of those casting negotiations that were making the rounds earlier in the year. Maybe Andy isnt coming back. Ive always enjoyed Andy, but maybe its for the best. All I can say is, although I get Pete as the new watered down, old Jim, what Im wondering is wheres Clark? Watching Dwights Christmas wasnt bad; I enjoyed the episode, but what I took away most from it is that The Office is on its last legs and while it may still look healthy enough from afar, up close I just hope it makes it to the finish line without collapsing in on itself. Also, Toby and Nelly are now totally make-put buddies. Go Toby! Happy Holidays, everyone!