[7.2/10] This is a pretty good, but not great episode. The main plot, about Ben meeting Leslie’s mom, is one of those typical sitcom plots that the show can breathe new life into with its execution. Details like Leslie and Maureen’s simultaneous head tilts are great stuff. Still, the twist that Maureen makes a pass at Ben doesn’t really work for me, as it feels a little too contrived a monkey wrench to throw into “the bubble.”
Still, the whole “bubble” thing resonates, with the universal desire to prolong that initial burst of carefree euphoria invoked, and that gives it a bit more pep. At the same time, after being initially flummoxed by Leslie underpreparing him, and then doing too good a job after Leslie overprepares him, the fact that Ben finds the middle ground (and backbone) on his own initiative to tell Maureen that he and Leslie are dating is a nice resolution.
The B-story with Ron reacting to Chris shaking up the department is a mixed bag as well. The various changes lead to some funny scenes (like the woman who made tea with sprinkler water chasing Ron around his swivel-desk), but gets a little broad for my tastes. Still, Ron perfectly assessing his team to Chris to try to undo the shakeup, and stomaching a week at the dreaded swivel desk as a sacrifice for the return to normalcy are nice looks for him.
The C-story with Tom and Andy helping to digitize the archives on the fourth floor is similarly hit or miss. Andy’s clueless enthusiasm is always funny, but Tom’s stymied schemes don’t do much for me, and the exaggerated gags about how horrible the fourth floor are a bit too much as well. (Though the guy who pour out coffee and then smashes the pot is a nicely surreal moment.) It’s a decent enough way for Tom to start feeling the tug of his leash in local government, but moment-to-moment it’s just not that great.
Overall, it’s an episode with some evident flaws, but still a largely enjoyable one due to the comedy and characters.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParent2017-03-10T23:04:21Z
[7.2/10] This is a pretty good, but not great episode. The main plot, about Ben meeting Leslie’s mom, is one of those typical sitcom plots that the show can breathe new life into with its execution. Details like Leslie and Maureen’s simultaneous head tilts are great stuff. Still, the twist that Maureen makes a pass at Ben doesn’t really work for me, as it feels a little too contrived a monkey wrench to throw into “the bubble.”
Still, the whole “bubble” thing resonates, with the universal desire to prolong that initial burst of carefree euphoria invoked, and that gives it a bit more pep. At the same time, after being initially flummoxed by Leslie underpreparing him, and then doing too good a job after Leslie overprepares him, the fact that Ben finds the middle ground (and backbone) on his own initiative to tell Maureen that he and Leslie are dating is a nice resolution.
The B-story with Ron reacting to Chris shaking up the department is a mixed bag as well. The various changes lead to some funny scenes (like the woman who made tea with sprinkler water chasing Ron around his swivel-desk), but gets a little broad for my tastes. Still, Ron perfectly assessing his team to Chris to try to undo the shakeup, and stomaching a week at the dreaded swivel desk as a sacrifice for the return to normalcy are nice looks for him.
The C-story with Tom and Andy helping to digitize the archives on the fourth floor is similarly hit or miss. Andy’s clueless enthusiasm is always funny, but Tom’s stymied schemes don’t do much for me, and the exaggerated gags about how horrible the fourth floor are a bit too much as well. (Though the guy who pour out coffee and then smashes the pot is a nicely surreal moment.) It’s a decent enough way for Tom to start feeling the tug of his leash in local government, but moment-to-moment it’s just not that great.
Overall, it’s an episode with some evident flaws, but still a largely enjoyable one due to the comedy and characters.