Sorry to do this here. It has nothing to do with what I'm cooking. But I just finished watching the new episode of The Office, and I'm struggling to find the word for the emotion the show often leaves me with.

I'm not good at talking about TV or movies. I tend to watch Grey's Anatomy after The Office is over, and I think the differences between the two magnify the quality of The Office. GA is huge, melodramatic, with grand romances, big emergencies, fast talking, rousing monologues. I think the titular character, Meredith Grey, has almost died 3 or 4 times in the one season I've watched.

But Office does more with less. It's mundane, everyday, banal, but the nuances of the characters' words and actions are honest, maybe because their experiences are more like our everyday experiences. And the character who reveals the most and who draws the most out of his coworkers is the one I hated in the beginng, the boss, Michael. He makes me squirm with embarrassment every single episode, but then he responds with unfeigned shocked anger and sorrow at an employee's lack of faith in the business, or genuinely admires Pam's awkward attempts at painting, and for me he redeems all of humanity.

I'm done, I think. Just so glad to find something that can move me without making me feel like I've been manipulated. Do I belittle what The Office is trying to do by saying it moves me? I'm not sure that's the goal of the British version, at least. Hmm.

On related note, I've found that I have a lot less tolerance for violence, grief, pain in TV shows or movies since my son was born. I don't mean it makes me mad. It makes me feel sick and tense, even if it's Hollywood over-the-top. More than ever before. Huh.