Lately I was bestowed the gift of "The Office." At first I wasn't thrilled with the mockumentary style and the whole talking to the camera bit. I'm not sure that actually adds to the show. I also had to get used to the lack of music accompaniment because there were awkward moments in this show that appeared all the more awkward for the dead silence that occurred sometimes in its trail.
That said, I think I'm catching on to the genius of the show. It is in the little movements and the unsaid portions. These people, who think they are participating in a documentary of their daily workplace, usually put on a particular front to present a side of themselves to the audience. But when they stop talking, when they look down, or away, or pause uncertainly, that there is the gold.
I just saw a scene for instance of Pam talking to the camera, telling them how she wants the best for Jim and wants him to find somebody to be happy with, etc. Then the next scene shows her finding out that Jim has a hot date for the weekend. She smiles in an effort to appear supportive and casual and then walks back to her desk. Later on, she puts on some gloss and looks both self-conscious and dejected. Feelings of inadequacy and loneliness and perhaps a touch wistfulness? Not one word, just a gesture.
Currently my favorite characters are Pam and Jim, not hard, they are the only two remotely likeable, more fully-fleshed out characters at this point. Dwight is too far left field for me to relate to and Michael Scott ranges from being mildly annoying to extremely obnoxious. But I'm willing to bet that out there in the real world, there are more than a few Michael Scotts floating around. The only question is, do they know it too?
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