Quick Links
- The Departure of Michael Scott in The Office
- Andy’s Lovelorn Mistake Held Over by Holmes’ Hangover
As a long-time fan of The Office who has watched every episode multiple times, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment when it comes to the character development of Andy Bernard in the series finale.
The US version of The Office remains one of the best sitcoms produced. Throughout the series’ nine seasons, the Dunder Mifflin family and crew provided laughs to audiences and gained a solid fanbase that holds strong even a decade after the series finale. While fans fell in love with the endings for Michael, Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Angela, one series’ regular left off on such a sour note that viewers couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. Andrew Bernard deserved so much better than his The Office finale. So why didn’t the writers give it to him?
In the third season, when Dunder Mifflin’s Stamford branch merged with Scranton, Andy (played by Ed Helms) entered the Scranton team with a tumultuous introduction. This overzealous and highly ambitious salesman inadvertently offended several members with his ambition to become the new leading figure in Scranton, or at least Michael’s assistant. He managed to alienate Michael with his eagerness, made Dwight an enemy by trying to take his position as Michael’s favorite, and coated the office with a layer of arrogant self-importance. Nevertheless, the Cornell University alum, known for his a cappella singing and goofy antics, won over fans with his undying optimism despite the rocky start. Consequently, Andy’s transformation into a grumpy and self-absorbed relic of his former self in Season 9 didn’t sit well with the audience.
The Departure of Michael Scott in The Office
In the last season of The Office, Andy underwent a significant change in his character arc, but unfortunately, viewers preferred him in his previous role. Throughout the series, fans had accompanied Andy on his journey from being slightly self-absorbed to becoming the unique and supportive head of the Scranton Dunder Mifflin branch. However, following his personal troubles in Season 8 and his temporary removal after Nellie’s takeover, Andy seemed lost. In Season 9, after receiving corporate-ordered leadership training, Andy inexplicably reverted to the irritating character we initially met in Season 3. He became unpleasant and arrogant again, but unlike earlier seasons, these unappealing qualities were no longer tempered by his friendly demeanor, making him less endearing.
In Season 9, Andy displays an unpleasant and ungracious demeanor. He becomes bitter, contentious, and downright cruel, reaching a disappointing level. He strains relationships with Jim, Dwight, and Nellie (the latter two who he had been able to establish friendships with), showcasing a petty and disregarding attitude. His slide back into all his previous flaws is disheartening, as it undoes the progress his character had made prior. Fans of the series criticized the writers’ attempt to rekindle the magic of Michael Scott. Since Michael’s departure, the show has introduced a series of managers and CEOs who tried to fill the massive void left by the endearing idiot. Andy’s regression in Season 9 was seen as emblematic of this struggle, as he adopted Michael’s negative traits without any trace of his charm.
Andy’s Lovelorn Mistake Held Over by Holmes’ Hangover
One significant issue that fans found troubling about Andy’s character development in Season 9 was the deterioration of his relationship with Erin. Many viewers felt that Andy’s callous treatment of Erin, portrayed by Ellie Kemper, was particularly hard to accept after six seasons of watching their sweet and endearing courtship. In earlier seasons, such as Season 6, Andy and Erin made a delightful couple due to her cheerful and vibrant personality complementing Andy’s mid-season self. However, by Season 9, Andy had become bitter and insensitive, often belittling and dismissing the loving support that Erin provided him.
The events unfold dramatically in Episode 6 when Erin accompanies Andy to sell his family’s boat. Inspired by her support, Andy chooses to embark on one last voyage. However, instead of staying with Erin as planned, he heads off to the Bahamas with his brother for three months. Upon his return, a sun-kissed Andy dismisses Erin’s emotional turmoil in an effort to rekindle their relationship. In a poignant display of character growth, Erin, who is typically accommodating, asserts her feelings and refuses his proposal to restart their romance.
In the world of movies, I, as a die-hard fan, can’t help but notice that Andy’s split with Erin doesn’t mark the end of his manipulative ways in Season 9. Yet, it highlights Andrew Bernard’s predicament. As the curtain falls on the series, characters like Jim, Pam, and Daryl (not to mention Philadelphia’s allure), as well as Oscar, Angela, and Dwight’s love tangles, get a grand finale. Unfortunately, Andy wasn’t granted the same chance for his character to exit with a bang, possibly due to Ed Helms’ growing commitments beyond the series.
During the ninth season, Helms departed for filming the third Hangover movie, causing his character Andy to effectively pause for nearly half of the final season’s run. This move was regrettable, as when Andy reappeared, all other characters had advanced significantly in their storylines in anticipation of the series finale. Meanwhile, Andy remained immature and unresolved, feeling out of sync with the rest of the plot. Disappointingly, no effort was made to resolve his character arc during his absence, and the writers seemed to overlook it entirely; moreover, they reversed the growth that his character had achieved earlier, which could have served as a fitting conclusion on its own.
Although Helm was missing from much of the final season, it’s clear that Andy’s most significant flaw is due to the writers not fully developing his character arc. The transformation of Andy from an annoying, arrogant character at his introduction to a competent, lovable goofball in Season 8 demonstrated the writers’ potential for wrapping up Andy’s story effectively. However, they chose to undermine his development and sideline him instead. In contrast, many long-standing characters experienced growth in their relationships and careers, culminating in satisfying conclusions.
Ed Helms plays a skilled character in The Office. Regrettably, there seemed to be little effort put into developing his character, regardless of his presence or absence. This reason remains unspecified. It’s possible that as the series concluded, the writers felt it unnecessary to provide Andy with the satisfying resolution he deserved. By the way, you can stream The Office on Peacock.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-11 02:02