Episode 15 - Couples Discount
11 February 2013
Synopsis: Most of the office head out to the mall to enjoy one last day without Andy. He returns early to surprise Erin who wants to break up with him. Dwight and the others are outraged that David Wallace doesn’t know that Andy has been away. When Andy loses the White Pages account Dwight tries to sabotage him by telling him fake things which happened while he was gone. Jim and Pam have lunch with Brian whose own relationship is over. Jim is upset to learn of details which Pam omitted and wants to return to Philadelphia.
The Good: Jim and Pam were very strong in their scenes. The writers have done a fine job keeping their perspectives separate so that although Jim looks like the bag guy, we do understand how he feels. Philly is his dream job and to find out that Pam had omitted details in the Brian story and been crying without telling him would throw him off. But Jim has always been a bit of a coward. It felt entirely appropriate that he wanted to flee the scene and it was a lovely moment when Pam asks him to stay and fight. It may not be the best story ever told but I can’t fault the acting.
I was also pleased that Erin pointed out how everyone used to love Andy. There was little else about his return which felt real.
The Bad: It was a bad idea to have Andy leave without David Wallace knowing. Even though it’s implausible that he would have been given three months of leave, it just felt ridiculous that Wallace hadn’t found out. It also destroyed any sense that the Andy character is real any more. He is so flaky and self involved that he wonders off and yet is smart enough to concoct lies for three months?
The story constructed around his return was half hearted, in part because it was only half a story. The trip to the mall didn’t have a chance to develop because Andy returned. Andy’s return couldn’t develop much because he had to get his lies in order. The reaction of the rest of the office was fine and Oscar pointing out the hypocrisy of Andy’s attitude and the outrage of his bonus cheque were all decent moments. But there was nothing to cling to hear. Even the least attentive viewer will have figured out that Andy’s character was butchered to service Ed Helms’ other projects. The way David Wallace eventually found out was flat and if he doesn’t fire him then he will look ridiculous.
The Erin story played out in predictable fashion and there was no joy when she finally dumped Andy and kissed Pete. We knew that was where things were headed and not they are here.
Comic Highlight: Andy falling for Dwight’s lies and repeating them to David was basic stuff but it was executed well. When he covers for the lie about their being a fire in the warehouse his comment “I think you’ll agree I explained that pretty well” hit the right comic note.
That’s what I said: Jim and Pam were the only things to watch.
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