The Office - "A.R.R.M." - Review

“A.A.R.M” has peaks and it has troughs. There are things that are terrible (anything involving Andy). But it also has some of the best moments of the season.

While the series should have ended long ago with the departure of Michael Scott, the show has found ways in this final season to retroactively justify the extra two seasons. For instance, the shenanigans of Jim getting one over on Dwight like old times was not only very funny but an excellent pay off of that relationship. This was the type of story I wish the show had been doing for much longer and much earlier. 

Not only is this one of the funniest episodes in a long while, but it has some phenomenal emotional moments. Anything between Jim and Pam this season has been great enough to merit the screen time post-Michael, but the video montage intercut with Jim’s speech to Dwight about love is one of the most satisfying dramatic moments the show has done in a long time. 

And even slightly fluff material on the edges of the episode such as Darryl’s dance-party departure managed to be funny, touching, and pull off some nice (sometimes weird) character moments from the supporting characters. 

I was on the whole pleased even if much like this season in general it was not the most consistent of experiences. For the most part it had me laughing and tearing up, and it had me reacting as such in a manner that only this show can do when it’s working effectively. The Office may have gotten messy in later years, but it still has a few tricks up it sleeve.