The Convict
"The Convict" | |
---|---|
The Office episode | |
Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 9 |
Directed by | Jeffrey Blitz |
Written by | |
Cinematography by | Randall Einhorn |
Editing by | David Rogers |
Production code | 310[1] |
Original air date | November 30, 2006 |
Running time | 21:11[2] |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Convict" is the ninth episode of the
The series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the
According to Nielsen Media Research, an estimated 9.07 million viewers watched "The Convict" on its first broadcast, making it up to that point the largest audience of the season. Among adults aged 18 to 49, it earned a 4.4/11 ratings share, finishing in eighteenth place for the week among all the major networks. Television critics were largely positive towards the episode, particularly Carell's "Prison Mike" sequence as well as Helms' performance as Andy Bernard.
Synopsis
Martin tells the others he was incarcerated for
Production
"The Convict" was written by
Gervais first worried that he was too unfamiliar with office protocol in the United States, noting that he "knew everything about this place (in England), the pitfalls, the dos and don'ts. Whereas in America, I don't know if I'm getting it right or not."[6] Despite this, his script writing went "remarkably fast. I suppose that's because we'd been away from those characters for two or three years. It's one of our favorite shows, the American Office."[5] Gervais and Merchant spent several days debating phrasing and language, leading them to a point where they felt they had "translated it pretty well" for American viewers.[6]
"The Convict" was the first Office episode to be directed by
The third season DVD contains several scenes that were deleted from the final cut of the episode. These include Dwight and Andy verbally sparring in the kitchen, Dwight informing Michael that he believes Martin has murdered Meredith, Michael explaining that he created "Prison Mike" in an improvisation class, and Pam giving Andy wildly incorrect tips for hanging out with Jim.[10]
Reception
"The Convict" was first broadcast on
Eric Goldman of IGN rated "The Convict" 9 out of 10, an indication of an "amazing" episode. He wrote that "while this wouldn't qualify as one of the very best episodes of the series, the great news is, Gervais and Merchant did an excellent job, working very well within the same-but-different world the US version of the show has created, and delivering some of the biggest and best laughs of the season."[4] Mark A. Perigard of the Boston Herald however was more critical of the episode, explaining that "Carell is a fearless actor, but he can't stop a train wreck. The B-story is better, as Jim decides to prank Pam by coaching Andy on just the wrong way to woo the receptionist. The Office has been erratic all season, but even at its worst, it's still the best comedy on television."[15]
Writing for AOL TV, Michael Sciannamea thought "The Convict" seemed different from previous episodes, citing as evidence the scene of Michael and Martin discussing trustworthy black men; Sciannamea attributed this to its guest writers: "I don't think Gervais and Merchant went over the top...it just seemed a little different than the others."[16] Also in his review, Sciannamea expressed his gradual enjoyment of Andy, "When I first saw him up in Stamford, I thought he was just the Connecticut version of Dwight. But now I think he adds greatly to the mix and is definitely one who is going to stir things up in Scranton."[16] Give Me My Remote's Kath Skerry believed "the uncomfortable, unbearably awkward moments that the UK version perfected are definitely present throughout the episode."[3] She also praised Helms for "prov[ing] once again how perfectly he fits in on this show as he is absolutely hysterical."[3]
Entertainment Weekly columnist Abby West was pleased with the Jim-Karen storyline and called it "a nice, normal progression for two single people who are into each other."[17] She also praised Jim's prank on Pam, especially viewing Helms' performance "amazingly funny as this oblivious blowhard."[17] Referring to "Michael's earnest determination not to assume that Martin was the ex-con whom the Stamford office had hired," West found the episode to be a satire of "white liberal guilt".[17] Reviewers were also positive towards the "Prison Mike" sequence,[4][16] with West calling it "a dead-on impersonation of a badass convict."[17] Television Without Pity gave the episode an "A−".[18]
References
- ^ Wilson, Rainn (December 13, 2012). "Remember all of these? #FinalSeason". Facebook.com. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ "The Office, Season 3". iTunes Store. 24 March 2005. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c Skerry, Kath (November 29, 2006). "The Office: US Meets the UK in 'The Convict'". Give Me My Remote. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c Goldman, Eric (December 1, 2006). "The Office: 'The Convict' Review". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ Zap2It. November 10, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Original Office creators come to American branch". Los Angeles Times. November 30, 2006. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- The Office. Season 3. Episode 9. NBC.
- ^ "Emmy Awards: NBC Top-Nominated Broadcast Network" (Press release). NBC. July 16, 2009. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ a b c Flannery, Kate (November 29, 2006). "Episode 9: The Convict". TV Guide. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- Universal Studios Home Entertainment. 2007. The Office: Season Three Disc 2
- ^ "Episode Title: (#309) 'The Convict'" (Press release). The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
- ^ Keller, Richard (November 14, 2006). "Ricky Gervais episode of The Office to air November 30th". AOL TV. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- Daily Variety. Archived from the originalon March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- Daily Variety. December 6, 2006. Archived from the originalon July 7, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ Perigard, Mark A. (November 30, 2006). "TGI Thursday; 'Office' supplies laughs, 'Scrubs' cleans up". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ a b c Sciannamea, Michael (November 30, 2006). "The Office: The Convict". AOL TV. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ a b c d West, Abby (December 1, 2006). "Captive Audience". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ Giant, M. "The Convict". Television Without Pity. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
External links
- "The Convict" at NBC.com
- "The Convict" at IMDb