TV Review: The Office - "Spooked"

Season 8 - Episode 5

NBC (US)

Halloween has always been a focal point near the beginning of a season of The Office. Of course, with Andy and James Spader's Robert California now in charge, the days of Michael's crazy Halloween parties are over. Welcome the era of Andy attempting to impress Robert with his own brand of party.

This eighth season has suffered so far from making Andy too much like his predecessor. "Spooked" finally sees Andy step out of Michael's shell, but only after managing to upset Erin by pandering to what he percieves to be Robert's wishes again. Erin's attempts to impress Andy are sweet, but it's starting to feel like Erin is becoming a caricature of herself. It's becoming awkward to watch her become more and more stupid, and not daft stupid, more retarded stupid. It's a shame, because she had such potential as a character. Andy's revelation to Erin at the end of the episode was surprising, and the look of heartbreak on her face shows that the writers should be giving Ellie Kemper much more scenes like it. (Inidentally, the writer for Spooked is Kemper's sister, Carrie).

In an episode pretty starved of b-plot, it mainly comes down to the workers' costumes becoming the focal point. Dwight once again tries to bring weapons into the office, Toby, Kelly and Gabe do a silly skeleton dance, Stanley gets mistaken for Chef from South Park, and Jim even "gets in the spirit" by putting on a Chris Bosh jersey to become one of the Miami Heat's "big three" with Darryl and Kevin. Robert California then tells a bizarre horror story built around everyone's irrational fears - which I think was supposed to be motivational, but just came across as bizarre. I'm not really feeling the California character, he seems to be quirky just for the sake of being quirky. Which is never a good idea.

Season 8 of The Office has been funny in places, but disappointing in others. "Spooked" is another episode that has both the good and the bad. Eight years in, the show is still providing laughs, but it looks like it could be running out of steam.

***