THE OFFICE’s ‘Moroccan Christmas’ – Better Late Than Never…Or Maybe Not
December 14, 2008 by Kath Skerry
I didn’t share my thoughts on last week’s ‘Moroccan Christmas’. It was half due to the fact that I didn’t have much time on Friday to blog, but also because I didn’t particularly enjoy this episode of THE OFFICE, and I really hate being down on my favorite show. Actually I was going to skip writing about it all together, but there were enough emails over the weekend that I thought I might as well take a quick minute to share my thoughts. It’s probably a little too late, but here we are all the same.
The Christmas episode of THE OFFICE is something I really look forward to. Last year we were cheated out of our holiday ep due to the WGA strike, so I was all geared up and ready to go this past Thursday. Ask my co-workers…I was giddy all day at the thought of settling in for a very Dunder Mifflin Christmas. But the show started and ended and I was left feeling underwhelmed. Did I put too much pressure on the episode to deliver or did it really just fall that flat?
Things started out strong. Jim wrapping Dwight’s desk – classic. Dwight buying up the Princess Unicorn dolls to resell them to desperate parents – awesome. If the whole episode were just the cold open I would be applauding. But the credits came and went and pretty much everything fell off from there…at least for me.
The tone of this episode felt really off to me. It felt too dark and too uncomfortable. And no, not the good kind of uncomfortable that is often welcome from THE OFFICE. It had a hint of mean to it, and it didn’t feel right for the holiday episode of the show.
Rehab is for quitters. I’m all for a Meredith-centric episode. I think Kate Flannery is woefully underutilized on the show, and I’m glad she had her chance to shine. I’m also glad that we finally had an episode centered around Meredith’s obvious alcoholism. Perhaps now that it’s been addressed the writers will give Meredith another characteristic to play, because five seasons of the red-headed drunk has been played out and Kate Flannery is capable of more. If you’ve ever seen Kate perform live, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
I’m disappointed that the Christmas episode was used to play out this particular story. I thought the Meredith storyline was funny. Seeing Steve Carell and Kate Flannery running around the parking lot was brilliant physical comedy. And had it been in any other episode it would have worked so much better. This could have easily been any other episode; did it really need to be the center point of our Christmas ep? I don’t have 1/100 of the writing talent of the most junior person on the writing staff of THE OFFICE but I could have given them at least 20-30 story arcs all related to office holiday parties gone wrong. I’m wondering if the writers are perhaps a little bit out of touch with the actual office life which was the foundation of the show.
And what’s with evil Phyllis? The sweet yet quietly sassy Mother Goose of the office is quickly becoming quite unlikeable. I’m wondering if that’s secretly the goal of the writers room – take all the characters we love and strip them down to the point that we don’t even recognize them anymore. First Jan, then Toby, now Phyllis. What’s next – is Jim going to cheat on Pam or something? Leave our characters alone – there was a reason we fell in love with them in the first place. Greg Daniels, Michael Schur…are you guys even in the writers room these days?
The saving grace of this episode was Dwight’s Princess Unicorn storyline. Thank goodness they had that to fall back on because there wasn’t much comedy to this week’s comedy. His one liners were sassy and smart. But they almost felt forced – like someone in the writers room at the last minute reminded everyone that this was supposed to be a comedy and we needed some funny moments.
I was also left wondering about Jim and Pam? The lamp line was funny, but that’s really all we got. And yes, I do understand that Jim and Pam are NOT the show, so I don’t need reminding. But Jim and Pam are the emotional core to the show, and they have always brought so much to the Christmas episode, and I was bummed they didn’t play much of a part this year.
As for the big reveal of the Dwight/Angela/Andy storyline…well I was disappointed it came from such a spiteful place, but I’m glad it’s out there (well almost). Finally we can take this season-long arc to its next phase.
So yeah, I was down on the episode. And I’m sure quite a few of you are down on me for writing this post. But hey, that’s the way it goes. I’ve read other comments and I’ve received many, many emails from other OFFICE fans who were also left disappointed, so I know I’m not alone in this one.
There’s always next Christmas, right?
Related Posts
Filed under The Office
I was on of the people that wrote you this weekend asking you about your recap of the episode. I think I liked it more than you did but I see where you are coming from. I didn’t really like it all that much for all the reasons you listed. It’s not that it wasn’t funny but it wasn’t that funny. I liked 30 Rock’s xmas episode much better than The Office’s.
You are brave though. Sometimes Office fans are mean to those who dare to say anything honest about the show. Good luck.
How about you go back and watch the episode again. I don’t think you really saw it the first time around. It was one of the best of the season. Maybe you just don’t get the humor of The Office.
Sam – if there’s one person who “gets the humour of The Office” it’s GMMR. She just didn’t like this episode.
And – sadly – I have to agree with her. While there was some good bits – actuallly I think the first 5 to 10 minutes was pretty great, from Meredith’s intervention onwards it was just….wrong.
I’m with you, GMMR, although parts were funny… they didn’t fit the tone we have come to expect from our Christmas episdode… kind of a bummer. :l
BUT, I did LOVE Toby’s reaction when he bought Dwight/Darryl’s last Princess Unicorn doll.
I’m all for keeping pathetic Toby around. Hopefully he’s over his sleazy phase. Sad Toby is the best. And the smile we got from him this week might have been his most authentic yet.
GMMR is practically an Office scholar, Sam.
While I agree that this wasn’t the best episode of the season, a bad episode of The Office is still better than the best episode of My Name is Earl or Two and a Half Men.
Well, I didn’t love or hate it, but I think the word would be “underwhelming”. I loved the horribly awkward note it ended on with Andy’s song, and I love the Jim and Pam talking head of “I totally knew it!” But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with not being enamored with every episode. You gave good, solid, logical reasons, not that you have to, but basically, what I’m saying, is you have nothing to apologize for. Kick ass and take names, Kath!
I loved this episode. I actually think that what they’re doing with phyllis is great. Phyllis was always submissive to angela, but that’s not really who phyllis is. She’s got a very hard edge to her (remember when she warned pam not to transfer Jim more of the customer calls just because they were dating or something?). I don’t think that ‘mother goose’ is a fair characterization of her, on the whole. Phyllis used her newfound power as head of the party planning committee to throw a truly fun party, and in the end, she refused to become Angela’s bitch again. And I think it was clear from her face that she felt crappy about ratting her out. It all flowed very well to me, and I thought that the phyllis/angela interaction was some of the best in the episode.
Personally, I was expecting something funny + sweet for this holiday episode because, you know, it’s christmas… time of peace + good will towards man. This episode just felt, well, mean-spirited in too many ways.
I’m gonna stick with fanfic versions of Christmas (and Phyllis and also Jim’s brothers). Much happier.
I think this was one of the worst episodes I’ve seen in the history of the show. It was just boring, and the reveal with the Angela/Dwight thing was a tease because Andy doesn’t know a thing. The writers will keep dragging that out for a while, which just sucks.
By the way, I don’t think Michael Schur writes for the show anymore.
I really enjoyed the episode. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la ca-chink. Awesome.
I wonder if you (not Kath, a general “you” to all those who felt this episode and others this season weren’t up to snuff) maybe just have REALLY high expectations? Not every episode of every season can be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Long running shows will have hills and valleys. Look at “Friends” and “Seinfeld”.
But I can honestly say that every season of The Office has given me lots to laugh about and enjoy. There are truly only a handful of episodes over the five seasons that left me with a “meh” feeling. But when that happens it’s no biggie. It’s still my fave show and I love it. And I love Jim, my TV boyfriend. 🙂
I was completely taken aback by the dark storylines and the spitefulness that led to the Monkey/D reveal. What was a sweet, hidden romance has turned into this evil thing. I was just disappointed. The soft touches that were endearing seem to be gone this season.
These characters seems to be characters of themselves and not real people I can identify with -which was the best part about Season 1. We all knew people who WERE these characters.
Thanks for the write up GMMR – I’m glad to know I am among company with this ep.
I was very disappointed by this episode. I love The Office Christmas episodes, so I had high hopes. After it was over, I couldn’t believe what a dark storyline I had just watched. I went back and watched it again, and did not find it funny in the second viewing like I usually do. It was immediately deleted off my DVR, and that never happens with The Office.
I agree with GMMR. The way they are taking some of the characters over to the dark side is sad. I used to love Phylis. Now I can’t stand her. Also I want this whole Dwight/Angela/Andy storyline wrapped up. It’s old and stale. Time to move on.
I loved some aspects of the episode (the cold open- the Dwight scenes with the Unicorn dolls) but for the most part I disliked it very much. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the dark humor- I usually love that part- but I felt like it just didn’t work for this episode. Michaels intervention part felt way too long and then him chasing Meredith around the parking lot and then dragging her into the rehab center- I almost felt like it was too much for The Office. I felt like I needed to remind someone that this is suppose to be a documentary of real people. I’ve been a loyal fan since season 2- but I think it is my least favorite episode ever. No matter how many times I go back and watch it- I (unfortunately) don’t think that opinion is ever going to change
I ditto EVERYTHING you said. This episode was extremely disappointing. I’ve been looking forward to the Christmas episode b/c they’re always so good and then, when i finished watching this one, i thought, That was it? THAT was the Christmas episode?! During the whole “intervention” i felt like i was being forced to watch it b/c it is my favorite show b/c there was nothing good about it. I love the uncomfortable, awkward moments in The Office, but that one fell flat. And i agree: i also feel like they’re changing all these characters. Jan’s transformation was upsetting, then Toby, then i didn’t care much for Angela’s character arc, and now poor Phyllis. After the episode my mom asked, “What happened to Phyllis?! She used to be so nice!” It’s getting a little ridiculous. I like character development but these are like completely 180s from where these characters used to be. I don’t know. Maybe i’m being too much of a stickler.
Overall, not too happy about this episode. Definitely fell flat as the Christmas episode this season. Dwight’s storyline was the only thing i enjoyed (and the cold open), but that’s about it.
I have to admit, my expectations were high, but I was underwhelmed, even disappointed. I like sad Toby, but I don’t like pathetic Toby – and him thanking Daryl for the doll was just too pathetic for me. I was ok with the lack of Jim/Pam storyline, but the combined reveal of the love triangle and Meredith going to rehab made me sad and wasn’t a great way to end the 2008 season. I’m glad you still did a recap. Looking forward to Jan 15th!
Hmm….I’m trying to figure out where I stand about this episode. While I agree with Kath and everyone’s reaction, I also liked the episode. The cold open was hilarious. Been a bit since we’ve had a prank. I loved Meredith running around the parking lot with Michael chasing after her. And I liked the darker tone. Sometimes I felt like it was off and other times I was cheering. I was telling Phyllis out-loud through my TV to blab about Dwight and Angela. I didn’t realize Andy wasn’t in the room and wish he was but I am intrigued to find out how everyone (besides Michael and Meredith) will deal with knowing this information and how they will act towards Andy.
The show has made me feel for Andy and I feel bad knowing this information and him having no clue. I believe Andy is too good for Angela. He’s done everything for her, he puts aside his own feelings for her beliefs and he loves her unconditionally yet she keeps trouncing on him. And it’s not like Andy has even seen her naked! The kiss we saw probably was their first kiss. She’s strict with him yet has no problem going behind his back and going against her religious beliefs and sleeping with Dwight. She constantly puts Andy down when he’s just excited to be marrying her. Poor guy!
I think between Angela and Phyllis, Angela is the meaner of the two. Angela can be mean, cruel, vindictive and Phyllis had enough. Phyllis finally had the upper hand. I liked seeing Phyllis have some power and using it to her advantage. Phyllis has shown a little backbone here and there. Besides Pam, she has shown it to Karen too. Angela, on the other hand, deserved to be chopped down. They all tolerate her but they don’t really like her.
I did love Dwight’s reaction to everyone finding out about him and Angela. While the darker tone doesn’t generally go with a Christmas episode, I liked that they did something different with it. It’s a new twist and Meredith’s alcoholism did need to be dealt with. I was surprised Michael had no problem giving her alcohol in the first place. He was happy to think that he was the life of the party in her eyes but when he needed to be firm, he did it. The last episode Michael was all silly and unprofessional which is fine and fun but sometimes it is nice to show that there is a reason he is the manager of this branch and also show that he is a good person that cares about his coworkers rather than just a person that wants to be liked. I liked that he wanted to take care of her and took notice that things were getting out of hand.
So, while I agree with people that it’s not the ideal Christmas-themed episode, that things could be seen harsh and the dark tone isn’t exactly what was expected from this episode, I do have to say I didn’t hate this episode and I enjoyed it. Maybe I liked that there was a little more bite to it, a little more meaty I guess you can say, rather than being completely light-hearted, silly and a throwaway. This episode took an ongoing storyline and pushed it along so that there may be an end to it.
It was the worst office christmas episode of the three and a dud overall.
Intervention just wasn’t very funny and it was the centerpiece of the episode.
I understand they are doing a lot of episodes this season which results in some episodes feeling like filler, but the christmas episode should get special attention. I’m sure Justin Spitzer is a far better writer then i and i don’t mean to be unfair, but why is he writing the christmas episode? Back from Vacation, Product Recall, and Did I Stutter certainly are not bad episodes, but they aren’t standouts either.
Is Jennifer Celotta ever gonna write an episode again? BJ Novak? Paul Leiberstein? Greg Daniels? Michael Schur? Heck Steve Carell? Those writers are responsible (also Mindy Kaling and the duo of Gene and Lee) for the first and best two season of this show and they are MIA.
Not to say this season has been awful–i think its had a few great gems–but why are we over a third of the way through this season without any of those writers taking the lead on an episode?
Anyway, disappointing episode.
I used to get so excited for The Office every Thursday. The first 2-3 seasons were brilliant and because of them, The Office is still my favorite show.
Lately, though, things just haven’t been right. I’m not laughing like I used to during every episode. More and more I find myself saying “well, that was weird” while I’m watching an episode. Things have been over the top, people have been acting totally out of character, and the dry/uncomfortable humor that I loved in the first few seasons just seems to have vanished.
There were a few funny moments in this Christmas episode (Toby’s unicorn, Jim and Pam talking head, Angela carrying the tree, and the cold open) but I was still so disappointed at the end.
When I didn’t see a review of the episode posted on GMMR on Friday, I figured that I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. I hope somehow, whatever the writers choose to do, they bring back the old office, the one that made me laugh.
I enjoyed the episode, although I think several points made are valid. I loved the Meredith storyline. I also enjoyed watching a different side of Phyllis. Like one of the commenters, I actually like what the writers are doing with her character. I believe that after four and a half seasons, many characters go through physical, emotional and mental changes, and a modification in one’s personality (however brief it might actually be) is true to life.
I thought it was a fantastic Christmas episode, albeit different but on par with all the rest.
I must be on a different wave. I have found this season to be much better than the start of last season, for sure; it seems to have hit a stride, or to be more polished. I don’t know. I have enjoyed this whole season! But, I get the disparity. I personally think this show needed to end last year, definitely this year. I don’t get why America needs to keep going like the duracell bunny with shows….Better to go out bright than to fade away….
I actually really liked this side of Phyllis. This was her chance to get back at a woman who has always been horrible to her. Remember the “I don’t like you” line from Conflict Resolution?
I am totally with you on this one, Kath – I really, really disliked this episode, and given that this was the Christmas episode, that was especially disappointing.
The one point where I disagree with you is where you said that Michael chasing Meredith around the parking lot was funny – I found that to be very, very unfunny and painful to watch on so many levels.
It’s the way of things, though – shows either are killed in their prime (Pushing Daisies) or they are drug out until they are pathetic shadows of the brilliance they once were (sadly, I think, The Office). I actually reached a turning point recently – for the first time since becoming a fan of the show, I voluntarily deleted current-season episodes of The Office from my Tivo.
I actually turned it off before the end — something is just not clicking for me this year, episode after episode, so I went back and watched season 3 over the weekend and laughed all over again. I used to love these characters so much, and I just don’t recognize any of them anymore. What used to feel most human about this show feels like caricature now. And I don’t mind painful at all (it’s a classic Office characteristic), but it has to be legitimately earned, not tossed off as a quick, cheap shot. I keep trying, but they’re losing me.
You are not alone, GMMR, I did not find the funny and the worst of it for me was the scene at the rehab center. You know what, alcoholism isn’t funny. I found this ep dark and unfunny and was sort of angry at the end. I did rewatch and disliked it slightly less on a second viewing but in general, blech! The economy stinks. a lot of people out of work and we need a little light humor to help us get through the dark days so they better lighten it up.
Please bring my “Office” back! I used to look forward to watching my favorite Dunder Mifflinites, but that certain spark is gone. I could care less about these characters anymore and long for the days of FUNNY “Office”.
GMMR, as soon as I didn’t see a review from you for The Office, I though…yep, I bet Kath thought it wasn’t a good one. I did think the cold open was great, and basically everything with Dwight. I was sad the episode wasn’t about Christmas, Dwights stuff was the only Christmas storyline. I feel like the writers are overthinking the episodes and not sticking to just everyday office stuff…which is funny!
But a bad episode of The Office is still better than an episode of most sitcoms on television.
Has anyone gone to http://www.princessunicorndoll.com/? Awesome.
GMMR, I half agree with you and half don’t agree. I personally found the episode to be genius on several occasions (such as the cold open and the whole princess unicorn storyline), but I do also agree that other moments felt off – like the intervention/rehab thing, which wasn’t very funny.
I dunno, things have definitely changed on this show – especially since most of the original writers are either gone or MIA? Mostly thanks to the new Amy Poehler show, which just confirms all our fears that the original Office would suffer thanks to the new show. On the other hand, characters can’t stay the same forever, and in real life people do change over time. So for the show to be realistic, characters must have some change/growth over time. And characters like Pam and Phyllis that have been beaten down a lot can’t stay doormats forever.
Still, the change has to be believable, and I think this evil Phyllis was too much of a stretch. Phyllis can be manipulative and sneaky, sure, but I have a hard time picturing the Phyllis from Seasons 2 and 3 dumping Angela’s Nativity figurines into a drawer, for example. It felt like too much.
GMMR, can you use your influence to get Mike Schur and Greg Daniels back to The Office, stat? The show really misses them.
LaLa – I think we actually agree fully, because I too found the cold open and the Princess Unicorn stuff great. I wish the whole ep had been more like that.
Sadly I have ZERO influence (or therefore connection to) Greg Daniel and Michael Schur. Maybe tell OfficeTally.com – I think that’s the site they check out these days.
I couldn’t agree with you more, GMMR, about both the episodes and the discussion of where the writers are taking the characters. The best part of the show, to me, is the realism of The Office…and that is what I feel is missing this year.
Real people have both light and dark sides, so it makes it unbelievable when the characters are whittled down to just one extreme. Meredith is more than just a drunk, Phyllis is more than just an manipulative bitty, and Creed is…well, actually Creed really is just a creepy old guy 🙂
I did love the cold open and Dwight storyline, though. Here’s to hoping that there is more of that to come in the New Year.
I agree with you 100%. I think this could have been a really funny regular episode however it did not work for me as a Christmas episode. Especially after we got cheated out of one last year I was expecting something great this year. Also this was the first Christmas episode we got to see since Jim and Pam got together and I would have liked to see more of them in it. The best part of it was Dwight’s story line, which was hilarious. Other than that I was left feeling pretty disappointed with the Christmas episode.
Kath, I’m totally with you on this one. The Office has been my favorite show since its debut, but it seems different since the strike. You’re right about the tone of Moroccan Christmas–it was dark, mean (at times) and worst of all, unfunny. I wasn’t even wild about the cold open (having Dwight fall reminded me too much of Jim stabbing Dwight’s “fitness orb” landing D on the floor–seen it before). I did love the Princess Unicorn bits, but they weren’t enough to make up for the rest; an unfunny, unsuccessful intervention and a mean-spirited Phyllis do not a Christmas episode make.
The Office has always had a heart underneath all of its awkward painfulness. And it’s always been funny. I couldn’t find either the funny or the heart in Moroccan Christmas. I’ll keep watching, and hoping for things to get back on track. I’m all for characters changing and growing, I just want the show to return to its comedy roots. Make me laugh and I’ll forgive anything.
I am so glad that you posted this… I kept checking back for your review just to make sure that you were underwhelmed as much as I was, and I’m glad to see that we agree.
The episode sucked. There really is no other word for it. I don’t think it’s high expectations gone awry, I think it’s poor planning and story-arching. I said exactly the same thing about that story not needing to be in the Christmas episode to my friends and co-workers and we all agreed that it was a bit much. No holiday cheer from any of that.
Thank you for stating what I and everyone I know thought of the show. I, too, was so disappointed that was the Christmas episode. And, I totally agree with you about Phyllis. I hope they bring back “real” Phyllis.
You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be really one thing which I believe I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complex and very vast for me. I’m taking a look ahead to your subsequent submit, I¡¦ll attempt to get the hang of it!
Hey i’m for the very first time here. I came across this board and I locate It seriously useful & it helped me out considerably. I hope to give something back and aid other people as you aided me.
It is nearly impossible to discover knowledgeable people about this topic, however the truth is sound like do you understand what you are coping with! Thanks
i’ve generally been considering the paranormal along with the occult, that may be why i purchased some trifield meter and emf meters.
Merely wanna state that this is really valuable , Thanks for taking your time to write this.
I’m glad to be 1 of several visitants on this outstanding internet web site (:, appreciate it for posting .