Monday, July 16, 2007

You and I are done.

I’ve watched the season finale of The Office, season 3, at least four times. Last night I watched it again with Sarah, and the magic is still strong. The episode’s final beats are two of the most elegant climaxes I’ve ever seen—both beautiful for opposite reasons—and that’s about all I can say without diving into spoilers. Jim’s epiphany towards the end of the episode was also intercut with a true flashback, which I thought was taboo in the documentary-style of The Office… but yeah, it fucking works, and all the seeds were planted so it didn’t feel forced or out of place. 

I would kill to work on that show. I think the turning point, in terms of my obsession with The Office, was reading this interview with Mindy Kaling, in which she references the kinds of discussions they have in their writing meetings.  Wait, it’s not just writing jokes? You actually discuss character, truth, honesty, plot and development? For a job? It’s so obvious, watching the show, how much care is put into the writing, but to hear the process described in such plain terms… well, it makes it seem accessible, normal.

p.s. This article on the management lessons of The Office is alternately insightful and embarrassing.