a new era begins | *THE OFFICE* S8 REACTION - Episode 1 "The List"

[@aletheagerding4223]

“Suddenly, I was awake.” I don’t understand why… but it’s one of my favorite lines on the show.

[@jerodast]

I howled at that haha. It's classic Erin humor, but somehow doing it right in the face of James Spader, utterly dispelling his aura of mystery, just makes it even better.

[@aletheagerding4223]

Yes! The Erin earnestness vs the California pomposity!

[@thepimp31]

I respond this way at times. Funniest thing ever,

[@dodiswatchbobobo]

It really is more about the person she’s saying it to.

[@TheEpic22]

Robert California is an interesting twist on Michael’s character. Michael was a moron who just didn’t understand basic social norms often and usually broke them out of his desire to be liked by those around him. Whereas Robert also often breaks social norms, but not because he’s stupid. He fully understands what he’s doing, he just doesn’t care. He’s simply bored and rejects those norms to entertain himself and he doesn’t really care what others think of him

[@broncoscountryl3tsrid3]

A Michael Scott and Robert California interaction would feed families.

[@wayfarer4578]

Well said.

[@Violetsareblue092]

As someone with absurdly low self-esteem, Toby just suddenly realizing he shouldn’t be at the “winner” lunch and leaving while apologizing is so hilariously relatable to me

[@SidPhoenix2211]

That "Chins up." from Andy was WILD X)

[@n.ami1505]

I don't care what anyone says... Robert California and his weird antics made this season thoroughly enjoyable to watch imo

[@SidPhoenix2211]

Apt. Apt discussion at the end, Jimmy.

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

Kevin’s warning system is the best.

[@escalatingbarbarism5096]

WARNING WARNING WARNING

[@johnwayne8494]

I think he chose Kevin as a "winner" to insult the losers and force them to do better. Don't @ me if this is a spoiler because I have not rewatched this show in a decade.

[@jerodast]

I figure Kevin's a winner because his achievements and station in life have met or perhaps even exceeded his expectations for himself.

[@stevenginsberg8471]

If Kevin is a winner, he's being graded on a curve.

[@positivelynegative9149]

@johnwayne8494

[@TheJoshestWhite]

I love the fan-theory that R.C. is just Spaders character from the blacklist, on the run and in hiding lol

[@wayfarer4578]

James Spader is awesome. This season has some really good eps.

[@k3n12ock]

REIGN of the LIZARD KING

[@jerodast]

(sigh spoilers I guess) I'm gonna give up on hoping that line will somehow be a surprise at this point. Do you guys just not give a shit that one of the best RC lines of the show, that comes out of f***ing nowhere, is completely expected now after all your chattering?

[@k3n12ock]

@@jerodast awww, go cry in the corner since it hurts your little feelings

[@thedoctor4327]

Andy and Pam’s friendship doesn’t get enough screentime IMO although this season has good examples of it.

[@julybaby8523]

Kevin turning into the robot from the old lost in space tv show 😞

[@jerodast]

California is the first character on the show to feel like he's from a completely different show, and it's glorious but weird. "He convinced Jo to make him CEO" is definitely a complete handwave, but if there's anyone who can wave his hand and change someone's brain, it's Spader. I have no problem with RC Cola putting Pam on that list even though I like her overall, I'm just offended Creed is there too as "Old Man". Creed is living his dream and has so much wisdom to offer the world.

[@jeambeam3173]

Gabe is Almost part of the main cast now as he's the new Toby

[@gregthebaritone]

The most criminally underplayed character on the show was Nate

[@jeambeam3173]

@@gregthebaritone nah fuck Nate not even top AT guy

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

@@gregthebaritoneI’m not deaf, exactly.

[@gregthebaritone]

@@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649 Gum's gotten mintier lately. Have you noticed?

[@akaLids77]

Enter... Robert California. We all knew you'd love this 😁

[@jabrak1]

Robert California my favorite new addition

[@MFSMUG]

Robert California is my favorite

[@marcpilati5597]

Kevin Malone lives a more stable life than me. If he's a loser I'm done for.😅

[@patsk8872]

"A new error begins"

[@tatlertom3090]

I agree. A very solid ep.

[@gregdubya1993]

Robert the enigma

[@KelliFranklin]

I'm currently rewatching the series and I'm up to S8. I love this season and Dwight has never been funnier. I love Robert California. He's so weird!

[@kapla2004]

Season 8 is so good I don’t care what ppl on Reddit say

[@abc123tiktok]

James Spader is hit or miss with most people. Personally I really liked his character through most of stuff albeit some stuff didn't like but won't spoil anything. But for most part I think if you like his character should be able to enjoy quite a few episodes in future.

[@limpfinger12]

James Spader wasn't great with the improv on the show. He said it would totally throw him off

[@frankparoots2980]

Yeaah

[@positivelynegative9149]

👍

[@suncore598]

1:13-1:17 What a disappointing reveal. Andy was the least interesting option. But Robert California's continued presence makes up for some of that.

[@TheEpic22]

Andy was basically the character with the most intrigue at this point. Nothing more you can do with Jim/Pam, Dwight only really works when he’s not the boss, they weren’t adding another character, and the others were too shoehorned into a specific role to have it expanded. Whereas Andy hadn’t really been explored much beyond his relationship with Erin. He made sense as the replacement for Michael in the show. Though it does kind of get a bit old as the season goes on.

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

@@TheEpic22Darryl could have worked.

[@broncoscountryl3tsrid3]

I remember watching the show live at this point and I knew all summer long before this premiere that it would be Andy just because Ed Helms was a rising star with the success of The Hangover. I really think making him the boss was a huge mistake though. They should’ve either committed to Robert California as boss or kept Dwight in that position, as it would satisfy his natural character arc that they had been building up for seasons.

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

@@broncoscountryl3tsrid3 Good point re: Ed Helms. I think the writers realized it wasn’t working, given Andy’s arc in S9.

[@trygswyrmwoodside3229]

Seasons 1/2/8/9 are my least favorite seasons, but there is still amazing parts throughout those seasons. Just some storylines don't work out in a funny way.

[@Mister_Sato]

It could just be me but is Ryan being underutilized in the show? I think as a rotten character he has more depth from a writing perspective so I am perplexed unless Jimmy is editing out scenes with him.

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

Considering BJ Novak was one of the writers, no.

[@Mister_Sato]

@@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649 I never got to the higher seasons but I would like to see more of his character. I suppose I will add those eps to the list for the near future.

[@gregthebaritone]

Robert California was great when he remained a manipulative man of mystery, but I thought the character got worse as the show tried to make him more normal and relatable.

[@jeffreydrozek-fitzwater4649]

I thought the problem was when they made him a creepy perv.

[@EdenMcCoy-rt9hp]

His character literally never became more relatable or normal lol don't know what show you were watching

[@megadeth8592]

this character is awful