Spoilers ahead for: The Office U.S.
“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days, before you’ve actually left them,” says Andy Bernard in the final episode of NBC’s The Office U.S. It seems that the cast of Peacock’s new Office spin-off series The Paper is not going to have to wonder if they are in those “good old days.” According to Forbes: “The Office has a lower Rotten Tomatoes score than The Paper.” It has also already been renewed for season two, the announcement coming just days before its release.
The Paper’s connection to The Office is perhaps the most important aspect of the show. It is, probably, the sole reason it got green-lit for a season two before the first season even aired. This aspect is also what could make the show work or not work. The Paper clicking for you all comes down to your expectations for an Office spin-off.
The series follows the same documentary crew as in The Office. It opens with the crew returning to the original Scranton business park, only to discover Dunder Mifflin has been sold. Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration (a legacy character from The Office), is interviewed by the documentary crew. He describes that the company was bought out by Enervate in Ohio. “I remember them asking Phyllis if she wanted to move to Toledo. Leave Scranton for Toledo? Make me laugh.” – Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration. Enervate owns many paper-based companies and retailers, including the Toledo Truth Teller newspaper.
The Enervate building in Toledo, Ohio, is where the new series takes place. While Oscar Martinez (as Oscar Nunez) returns from the original series, no other Office series regulars make an appearance throughout the ten-episode run. This was the most disappointing, and most surprising, aspect of the series for me. It is shocking that the documentary crew did not track down Michael and Holly in Colorado, Dwight on Schrute Farms, or Jim and Pam in Philadelphia, even for a quick cameo. There is no Michael interview talking about how great his life has been with Holly. There is no Dwight interview discussing the closing of Dunder Mifflin. It is almost exclusively a series about new characters.
While Oscar’s return is welcome and is a great part of the show, where The Paper shines is in its new characters. I should mention here that there is no one-to-one replica of Michael, Dwight, Pam, or Jim. These are entirely new dynamics, and the stories being told are entirely different. It is a completely new series, and that could be an issue for general audiences. The promise of an Office spin-off would lead one to think “reboot,” but it is as “spin-offy” as spin-offs get. This means that the world of The Paper would have to stand on its own, and for the most part, it does.
The series follows Ned Sampson, played by Donald Gleeson, becoming the new editor-in-chief of the Toledo Truth Teller. He has only a couple other real reporters on his new team, including Barry (who resembles Stanley Hudson from The Office), and Mare, played by Chelsea Frei. There is also Esmeralda, who is played masterfully by comedic genius Sabrina Impacciatore. She is easily one of the highlights of the series and is the leading editor of TTT (Toledo Truth Teller) Online. Ned hopes he can revitalize this dying newspaper, which is now a void of clickbait articles and other “news” that can be found in other newspapers or online hubs.
He inspires other employees from around the building to become volunteer reporters. This includes Nicole (head of online subscriptions), Detrick (ad sales), Oscar (head accountant), and Adelola (another accountant). These characters do not quite become fully realized throughout the season, but they are all welcome additions with their own subplots.
Easily the best aspects of the show are as follows: Oscar’s annoyance at the documentary crew coming back, Ned and Mare’s developing romantic relationship, and Detrick and Nicole’s polyamorous relationship.
Ned and Mare are easily the most developed characters. Ned is a happy-go-lucky go-getter who “didn’t worship Superman as a kid, but Clark Kent.” He is obviously very passionate about journalism and the Toledo Truth Teller. You really feel that through Gleeson’s performance. The acting all around is fantastic; Gleeson stole the show. Mare is a reporter who was fine doing the bare minimum, but is motivated by Ned to take the job seriously and try to restore the newspaper. This transformation takes place throughout the series, and it is definitely a satisfying watch. Especially as someone who writes for a newspaper, the change in her character makes you root for her and the Truth Teller as a whole.
Oscar’s annoyance at the documentary crew is also very funny. I will not spoil where things go, but it takes an enjoyable turn. The same for Detrick and Nicole, two people who started as side characters but quickly became some of my favorites. I will look forward to seeing more of them in season two.
The question of whether the show works simply boils down to personal taste. This seems self-evident, but if someone were to ask me, “Is The Paper good?” I’d simply reply: “It depends.” If you are as emotionally attached to the universe of The Office and the great works of Greg Daniels as I am, it is definitely worth a watch. If you are indifferent to The Office, and if a show set in a newspaper does not sound interesting, skip it. Although, Ohio Northern University students may be amused by catching the many Ohio easter eggs in the show (Ned loves Shirley’s popcorn!)
I enjoyed my time with The Paper, personally. It left a lot to be desired, but The Office’s first season was not exactly a home run either. The premise and cast are very promising, and there are not only some good jokes, but excellent writing littered throughout the series. With many of the same directors, writers, and producers returning from The Office to The Paper, I would not be surprised if the series becomes a fan-favorite as time goes on. The crew and the actors seem very excited about it (this is especially apparent if you’ve heard the Office Ladies interviews with the cast). You can feel the affection for The Paper from all involved through the screen. I can only hope that season two takes the best parts of season one and puts more emphasis on world-building and character development. I would rate the first season a solid 6/10.
Also, there is a throughline involving a previous documentary about the Toledo Truth Teller from the seventies. This is a creative element on its own, but the former editor-in-chief is played by none other than Tracy Letts. This was a welcome surprise, especially as a Big Picture podcast fan. Letts is a recurring guest and a somewhat-regular on that show. There’s another reason to check out The Paper, if “A new mockumentary set in the universe of The Office that takes place in Toledo” isn’t enough to sell it for you.
Score: 6/10