Don't let the high rating for this episode fool you into believing that
The Office without
Michael Scott is a good thing. The first time the episode aired, coming off the emotional high of
Goodbye, Michael, it was just a huge letdown. There was an obvious hole left to fill and the episode just felt off. So, what about now? As in previous episodes, I have had a year of getting "use to no
Michael Scott" and can be more objective in my assessment of this episode without being subjected to the sting of
Steve Carell being gone.
I think
The Inner Circle does play better a year removed from it's initial airing. This one was all about kissing up to the new Boss man that is
Deangelo, with the exception of
Dwight, which made his scenes so much funnier. He is now doing the complete opposite of what he has done for the the entire series toward
Michael. There really isn't much of a 'plot' here other than kissing ass. But its the little scenes where
Deangelo is trying to fake his way through it all to garner his employee's 'respect', but it does the opposite. I thought the juggling scene was hilarious and the Basketball Dunking Contest and subsequent hospital trip was just as funny. The episode was indeed better the second time around for me, but in the end, there is still a massive hole that no one could conceivably fill or would ever be able to fill. Just look at the mess that is
Season 8 for proof of that.
Check out the final scene to see
John Krasinski (Jim) break character by trying to keep from laughing at
Will Ferrell.