The Office 8.01 "The List"

Fair or not, the first episode of The Office without Steve Carell was going to determine whether or not viewers stuck around for a little while longer. Think about it: who are you watching the show for now? It's of course a great ensemble cast, but the whole 'Let's just throw in some guest stars and let them riff with our regulars' tactic can't last forever. This episode had to establish a new direction and comedic tone that we could enjoy for the rest of the series.

The verdict? Looks like the the eighth season may be the last. The cast just can't survive without Michael Scott, because he was the focal point of each relationship and storyline. Just think about all the ways he dominated that show:

-We don't get to see him romping around the office and warehouse anymore, and if someone else were to try that it'd just be stale. Andy Bernard has none of the stupidly charismatic charm of Michael Scott, so when you install him as the boss, you shouldn't try to make him that guy. Too bad. The writers make Andy just as insecure in his position as Michael was, and now he has to deal with the in-house threat of CEO Robert California (James Spader). Didn't we already see this when Michael had to deal with Stringer Bell? It was the same storyline, down to the upper-management guy breaking down and trying unsuccessfully trying to make friends with everyone. It doesn't just work as well when we have to see Andy Bernard on-screen for more than 90 seconds. Strike One.



-Who is Dwight going to hang out with and play paintball with and handle problems inappropriately with and have a deep-seated paternal respect for? Andy again? Are you serious? Strike Two.

-James Spader didn't really contribute much to his role as new boss Mr. California, and I didn't particularly understand why he was around other than to be a threat. It was interesting that he was simply given the title of CEO (not really, considering Kathy Bates has more important roles to attend to), much less so that he made a list of losers v. winners within the office. Not that it mattered: Kevin was on the winners' side, so Robert California is obviously just as much of a dunderhead as the rest of the office. I'll call this Strike 2.5

-The last strike, which I found most disheartening, was the premise of Jim and Pam as satisfied, static characters. Michael Scott was about 70% of the show's mojo for seven seasons, and the other 30% was built on the continuously non-saccharine romance (near-impossible in these days of cynical viewers [note:myself included]) of receptionist Pam and everyguy Jim. There was always a beautifully-crafted tension as Michael's antics kept our comedic attentions while Jim and Pam played the 'Will they, won't they?' game with our hearts.

But without Michael that's all gone, and no one wants to hear about everyday, average, nothing-special-about-it love. Jim and Pam got together and had a kid, and now they're just boring adults with responsibilities. At some point, knowing Carell was leaving, the show-runners could've opened us up to more of their home lives and moved some plot out of the office. Maybe they don't trust that Jim and Pam could carry the show by themselves? I don't know, but their current placement isn't particularly enticing. Strike Three.

I'm sure there is plenty that can be done to redeem the show (Unleash Spader? Move off-location? Try just one new guiding storyline and then stick to it?), but I found myself more and more waiting for Michael Scott to pop in with some sort of inappropriate comment or startlingly lucid observation. It didn't happen. There were jokes that worked (Dwight taking care of the plankers was GIF-worthy) and jokes that didn't (Stanley doesn't need a catchphrase, he needs to continue hating everyone and everything).

But in the end, the show's heart was gone. The man that demanded your attention at all times, the man that let you laugh at him and feel shame for him, the man that played the dork better than anyone ever has, that man wasn't around to pick up the slack. We miss you already Steve.

-DR will be covering Season 8 of The Office, or at least some of Season 8 until he tires of it. Check out our fish!