The Office Review - 8.9 - Mrs. California

Posted by Mike Nasiatka on 12.02.2011

Maura Tierney guest stars on The Office as Mrs. California, she wants a job and Robert California is going insane. Check out 411's complete review of The Office for all the details...





By: Mike Nasiatka
Follow @NuggetNegative




I will be somewhat unorthodox in tonight’s review by revealing my 5.0 rating in the introduction. I wanted to give “Mrs. California” a lower rating, but it seems as if I have developed a sort of numbness towards The Office. While tonight’s episode will in no way receive a glowing review, I won’t be using this column to continue trashing my once favorite show.

Many readers suggest that I set the bar too high for The Office. Others suggest I need to understand Steve Carell’s absence means the show will markedly change. I strongly disagree with these sentiments. Sure the show no longer has it’s star, but there are still plenty of characters we care about. While I refuse to hold this show to a different standard, I suppose after seeing so many bad episodes, even a bad one seems OK at best.

My main qualm with this episode is directed straight at Maura Tierney. Like many, I was beyond excited when I discovered her upcoming guest spot on The Office. Tierney is a veteran actress with proven sitcom chops. (Newsradio anyone? ) This guest spot should have been a home run. Maura Tierney herself actually doesn’t deserve the blame but rather the character given to her. The role of Mrs. California could have been played by basically any one.

I have often stated how much I enjoy James Spader as Robert California. With this, one could only imagine how excited I became to see California stressing. When we discover the stress is caused by his wife, I was officially beside myself. How crazy must his wife be to make Robert act like this? Instead of a potentially maniacal woman, we get essentially a straight-sweet woman. As Kevin Malone would say, “What a waste.”

Does it really make any sense that Robert California would create an elaborate ruse just to avoid giving his wife a job. Robert California has spent an entire season plotting, judging, and having his subordinates act out what seems to be a game. How come such a schemer couldn’t figure out an easier way to avoid his wife getting a job?

Now, I will admit, there is a chance my ramblings could be all moot points. Maura Tierney may not be completely done with The Office. I absolutely loved the little interaction between Andy and Susan California towards the end of the episode. After a tiny misunderstanding, Susan appears to have agreed to go on a date with Andy. Was “It’s A Date.” just an innocent statement? I’m hoping that tiny statement does in fact lead to something greater. Half of me even hopes to eventually find out Susan California is like Lady Macbeth and in complete control of her husband.

I must also highlight the continual great work of Craig Robinson this season. Darryl is consistently funny and always brings a spark to the show despite his lethargic demeanor. I thought the Dwight and Darryl B-story was nothing special, but there were some great moments. The ending Val Kilmer bit was nothing short of exceptional.

Once again, The Office offers us another week of really nothing. Pam is currently on from maternity leave so I don’t believe we’ll have any development there until Jenna Fischer’s real life return. I did like the reminder that Jim has zero gumption when he took off before being called upon by Robert California. Him climbing to the roof was absurd, but it worked.

Line Of The Night

I am going to make you the buffest dude Val Kilmer has ever seen – Dwight Schrute

The 411: Another episode that was neither exceptional or unwatchable. The role of Mrs. California was a complete waste of Maura Tierney's talents and her character's debut was lackluster at best. As the show continues to rest on its old laurels, Dwight, Darryl and surprisingly Jim gave the episode a few decent laughs. Let's hope next week's Christmas episode delivers as The Office Christmas episodes generally do.

Final Score:  5.0   [ Not So Good ]