By Madeleine Bond
Garden Party—while not perfect—was delightful. Not only did we get to meet Andy’s family, but Jim was back to his prankster-ways, and Mose Schrute solidified his position at the top of my list of favourite fictional characters ever. This episode definitely played to the show’s strengths.
By returning to some of the its most celebrated settings and plot points, Garden Party proved that The Office can still be very funny, even without its former star, Steve Carell. The episode followed Andy’s quest to prove himself to his parents and new CEO Robert California, by hosting a garden party at Schrute Farms. Of course, things didn’t go exactly to plan: his parents maintained their unwavering (and borderline-heartbreaking) disappointment, and Robert didn’t really leave the party much more impressed by Andy than he already was (and not in a good way).
This episode heralded the triumphant return of the weirdest character on the show, Dwight’s cousin and best friend, Mose. Being the nerd that I am, I was particularly impressed by the fact that the show’s producers were able to persuade their former showrunner and the co-creator of Parks and Recreation, Michael Schur, to reprise his role as the absolutely insane beet farmer. I’m sure his job as showrunner at Parks leaves little spare time, and I’m thankful that he showed up in typical Mose fashion.
I found it kind of ridiculous that Jim would have the time to write, print, and sell one copy of a rules for garden parties book, but I loved the pseudonym he used: James Trickington. Also, I still haven’t completely warmed to the idea of Andy as the boss. Sure, I truly felt sorry for him in Garden Party (something I was having trouble with in previous episodes), but the Nard Dog has nothing on Michael Scott.
All in all, this was a reasonably good episode of The Office. Not only was the storyline sweet (and vaguely depressing), but the change of setting really allowed the supporting characters to shine (particularly Gabe, the biggest sycophant I’ve ever seen in my life). The guest stars (not just Michael Schur) were a nice surprise, and although I won’t ruin them for you, they made complete sense and were used to great effect. That’s why I’m giving Garden Party a B.
I too was quite smitten with the return to Schrute Farms. The Dwight/Jim dynamic felt like something from a long ago time and I mean that in a good way. While it was a little depressing I think the best Office episodes often are underpinned with a sense of awkward depression (Dinner Party anyone?). I think it seems to be part of the shows (hit and miss) attempts to get both the audience and the staff to understand Andy a little better and hopefully come to accept him as boss. I was a little disappointed that Andys original parents (seen briefly when Andy proposed to Angela) but I guess thats the problem with giving them speaking roles now and wanting to make more of a big deal out of it. All in all though a fun episode.
People seem to be bagging this episode pretty hard elsewhere, but I also thought it was quite fun, enough of the elements worked, and I think Jim’s book worked well enough as a joke that one doesn’t really care about the reality of him actually writing it.
People are bagging it? I dug it a whole lot. Mose was back! Classic Jim and Dwight (I took enjoyed the book stuff even though Jim would need A LOT of time of his hands to write it). I liked how it showed why Andy is the way he is, constantly seeking people’s approval. Also loved JOSH GROBAN.
Particularly enjoyed the last joke with Jim and Dwight!
I feel dirty for admitting it, but I really like Josh Groban.