The Worst Storyline In The Office Season 8
By Season 8 of NBC's "The Office," things look much different at Dunder Mifflin than where the series began. Michael Scott (Steve Carell), the lifeblood of the paper company's Scranton branch, leaves for Colorado in Season 7 to start a life with HR rep Holly Flax (Amy Ryan). Deangelo Vickers (Will Ferrell) steps in as his replacement, but his time as regional manager is short-lived.
The next season begins with Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) excitedly serving in the position. Meanwhile, the aloof Robert California (James Spader) manages to talk Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) out of her own job as CEO of Sabre, the printer company that bought out Dunder Mifflin in Season 6. Under Robert's leadership, the atmosphere at Dunder Mifflin isn't the same. His uncomfortable presence and habits, including the making of a mysterious list with employees' names divided into two columns, are a stark contrast to those of goofy Michael Scott.
Also different from Michael is Robert's lack of kindness and respect for his workers. Though Michael often pushes boundaries and can be inappropriate at times, he considers Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and the gang to be his closest friends. Robert, on the other hand, is just fine with sitting back and letting someone's job be jeopardized in what some fans feel is the worst storyline of Season 8.
Fans hated Nellie trying to take Andy's job
Audiences of "The Office" are introduced to Nellie Bertram (Catherine Tate), a close friend of Jo Bennett's who is interviewing to be the next regional manager, in the Season 7 finale ("Search Committee"). Given her outlandish ideas, such as getting rid of desks and titles, the hiring committee of Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein), and Gabe Lewis (Zach Woods) feels she'd be an awful fit for the job.
However, she makes an unwelcome return to Scranton in Season 8, Episode 19 ("Get the Girl") after failing to launch a chain of Sabre stores. At this point, Andy is in Florida trying to win back Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper). Nellie, under her motto "if the seat is open, the job is open," takes over his empty office and names herself regional manager. As Nellie starts conducting performance reviews, Robert does nothing to stop her.
Many fans were angered over Nellie's takeover, with many naming it the worst moment in "The Office" history. On Reddit, u/metalslug123 said, "This scene nearly ruined The Office for me ... this episode fills me with pure rage and frustration." u/5k1895 added, "When Nellie comes in and hijacks the manager position is easily my least favorite part of the entire series ... I didn't find it funny at all." The thread, itself focused on the dislike for this particular storyline, has received over a thousand upvotes.
It's also sad to see so many members of the team accept Nellie when she offers substantial raises. Jim is the only one frantically calling Andy and trying to save his job. There may be plenty of changes at Dunder Mifflin in Season 8, but this episode is especially full of unfairness and disloyalty, winning it the title of the worst storyline of the season.