‘The Office’ no longer downsizing quality

Though not as sharp as it once was, season five of “The Office” was an enjoyable return to form after a disappointing fourth year.

NBC might want the writers to focus on the love lives of Michael Scott and company, but doing so makes the show much less enjoyable.

After dragging down season four, the Dwight-Andy-Angela love triangle did the same here until finally ending mid-way through. All characters (and us) were better for it.
Once the attention turned back to the workplace with Michael’s departure and subsequent new business venture, season five improved immensely.

Workplace humor returned while Michael and Dwight felt more like complicated characters instead of broad, be-whoever-the-plot-needs-them-to-be archetypes.

Like all “Office” DVD sets, this one features great deleted scenes and commentaries but also presents a “100 episodes, 100 moments” feature that looks back over the program’s first five years.

Despite its issues, “The Office” remains one of television’s best comedies and signs are present that the show is back on the upswing after a year of downsizing in quality.