The Quad

Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Entertainment

NBC's hit, Golden Globe Award-winning sitcom "The Office" returned for its fourth season on Sept. 27 and to quote Michael Scott (Steve Carell): "There ain't no party like a Scranton party because a Scranton party don't stop!" Unfortunately, for fans of the show, the party had to pause briefly for summer vacation. This summer was a long one, full of questions as last season's finale bought with it big changes both professionally and personally for our friends at Dunder-Mifflin's Scranton branch. The good news for them is that the season four opener did not disappoint.

For those who've never seen "The Office," the storyline revolves around the inner workings of the Scranton office of Dunder-Mifflin, a company that sells paper and paper goods. The show was originally conceived by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and aired over in England for two seasons. In 2005, it made the leap across the pond and has successfully managed to combine British and American humor. The cast is led by "Daily Show" alum Steve Carell as Regional Manager Michael Scott, the head of the titular office. Carell plays the role of the good hearted, yet utterly clueless boss to perfection. His dead-pan yet goofy sense of humor will often make you cringe, but it will always keep you laughing. Despite the fact that Michael says and does some truly idiotic and often insensitive things, Carell keeps him human enough so as not to turn him into a caricature. This balance between documentary-style believability and sitcom goofiness is the true genius of "The Office." One of the best examples of this balance occurs when the reasons behind Michael's over-the-top at work persona are revealed to be a fear of loneliness. He wants to make everyone like him and of course this is something that while not being possible, is something we all want.

Carell isn't the only cast member worth mentioning, however. The cast of "The Office" is an ensemble in every sense of the word. Every supporting character is given plenty of background so that they become just as important as Carell and, at times, more so. One of "The Office's" most compelling story lines since its first episode has been the will they/won't they relationship of Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer). Since the first episode these two have danced around the idea of getting together, but as Pam put it in the season three finale: "Jim and I never quite got the timing right."

Watching Jim and Pam feels like you're watching two of your own friends that you know are wasting a great opportunity and looking for love in all the wrong places.

Continued...

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