The Office: Spooked

Fact. in eight seasons, The Office has only done 3 actual Halloween episodes, including Spooked. Season 5 and 6 had cold opens set on Halloween (Though the season 6 one was removed from the DVD for some reason, probably because the main joke involving Michael pretending to hang himself to teach kids that suicide isn't the answer could offend some.) but only season 2, 7, and now 8 have done full-fledged Halloween episodes. Apparently, Halloween just doesn't provide as much material for Office as Christmas does (The only season they haven't done Christmas episodes were the 6-episode season 1 and the writers-strike shortened season 4. And they had an episode planned for season 4). But when we do get a Halloween episode, it's usually a treat. Like this episode was.

Continuing this seasons trend of focusing more on different members of the ensemble, instead of solely focusing on the boss, this episode was Erin-centric as she tried to figure out why Andy has been more distant towards her, while hoping to impress him with the Halloween party, which she's been put in charge of planning. But Andy panics when he finds that Robert California will be in attendance, and after a first impression, that doesn't seem that positive, Andy asks for something more adult. Erin is worried that Andy is about to fire her. So Erin goes to Gabe, and the results are... unsettling. Hilariously unsettling. Especially when Gabe shows off his weird horror film, that shows that he somehow got into Stanley's car at some point. After Erin's last ditch effort at an "adult" party involves very adult playing cards, Andy reveals the true reason he's been distant from Erin: he has been dating someone. For a while actually. This is a surprising revelation, but it fits and Andy and Erin have a nice reconciliation scene afterwards that we see but don't hear. I've always liked Erin, ever since her debut, and her earnestness and naivety made this storyline work well. I also like that the writers have made Gabe's creepiness funny again.

But the real star of the show, was Robert California who we see throught the episode interacting with the various members of The Office, and figuring out their deepest fears for a reason that is kept unclear until the climax. Some fears are obvious (Kelly's fear of dying alone.). Others are less so (Kevin is terrified when he realizes Mummy's exist and Meredith is creeped out by Jim.). But he slowly learns them all, and proceeds to tell a ghost story that encompasses each and every one. It doesn't make much sense when you really think about it, but it disconcerts everyone in the office except for his 11-year-old son Bert, who I hope we see more of, as I enjoyed his interactions with Dwight. He also provides the closing montage with some interesting poetic waxing on fear and how we let it influence our lives.

The rest of the episode was an assortment of things that were pretty hit or miss. I enjoyed Dwight's interactions with Bert (and the montage of all his Halloween costumes that have been rejected for including weapons was classic.). I didn't get as much out of Jim and Pam debating the existence of ghosts, which just seemed in there to give them something to do (though I loved Pam's Kangaroo costume. Jim wearing a basketball jersey with Kevin and Daryll was OK, but I kind of wish that the writers would come up with a way to top "Bookface."). All in all, this episode of The Office was indeed a treat in an eighth season that continues to show that this show still has legs.

Grade: Totally Awesome! (Great)

Memorable Moments

-Meredith was in England for the royal wedding, skipping her sister's funeral. I can accept that.
- Toby: "Every Halloween I tell him the same thing; you can't bring weapons into the office, and every year he says the same thing; as soon as I get my weapons back I'm gonna kill you".
- Erin: "Pam, how would you rate me as a receptionist on a scale of 1 to 3" Pam: "Umm, Two?" Erin: "That's like the second-last thing I wanted to hear."
-Robert: "Everyone, this is Bert, my son. Bert, this is... a paper company".
-The skeleton crew dance was pretty funny, especially when we find out that Gabe just invited himself to be part of it.
-Kevin: "Why on earth would a MUSEUM put a MUMMY in it?!"
-Erin: “Get out of here, little kid party. Nobody likes you. And clean up your room. Grown-ups are going to use it later.”
-Phyllis: “Is she Asian?" Erin: "I don’t know, she’s from somewhere I bet.”
-Creed: "You don't live as long as I have without a healthy fear of snakes, Bobby."
-Robert: "I'm never uncomfortable".