The Office Season 8 opens with ‘The List’

Tonight the newest character to the cast, Robert California, played by James Spader, intellectually penetrated the whole staff with his doodle found in his notebook.  Not just any ordinary doodle but Mr. California doodles with word lists.

After leaving his notebook laying at reception the list was found.  The entire staff roster was listed in two columns.  Without any other column headings or indications what the split in the names indicated, this left the gang inquisitive about why each of them were on one side of the list or the other.

The newly appointed Regional Manager exercises his leadership and confronts California about the meaning of the message.  Robert responds vaguely with his explanation of how he doodles.  He quips that most people doodle houses or penises, but he is the wordsmith doodler.

At this point in the episode I think we get the first of many quotable lines from Mr. Spader’s already legendary character.  “The houses are always colonials, and the penises are always circumcised.”

I think I fell off of my bed laughing at this.  I do think we are in store for Dwight’s reign as the quote king of the series to be challenged this season.

However, Kevin Malone gets the honorable mention in this episode for his text to the office workers that reside on the opposite side of the list from him.  “Suck it Losers!”

I realize that this Season 8 opener was a major set up episode for what’s coming up later in the season, but this primer for fans of The Office was not a disappointment.  Can’t wait until next week I wonder what inspiration will develop the next The Office T Shirts.