In one of the standout episodes of the new Australian version of THE OFFICE, Hannah Howard, the female Michael Scott/David Brent of this piece, overhears her employees talking about quitting and/or new jobs. She freaks out and does the most Michael Scott/David Brent thing possible – drag everyone out on an impromptu ‘away day’. She’s only willing to spend 500 Australian dollars on it though, so everyone ends up at the home of a guy named Pete, whose handwritten sign promises an ‘interactive reptile experience’. And, oh is it ever. At the end of what can be described as a terrible afternoon, Pete tells everyone to segue through the bedroom on the left which doubles as the gift shop. In the end, it turns out, noone was quitting and I suppose the day was saved?

I loved this version of THE OFFICE. As a purist fan of the original British version, I enjoy that this version tries to steer away from the cloying sentimentalism within which the American version drowned itself. Initially, I struggled. I found it difficult to watch a woman boss – especially one played by the phenomenal Felicity Ward – be so deeply, profoundly, unrepentantly incompetent. I also struggled to root against this versions Dwight Schrute/Gareth Keenan, the very severe Lizzie. There’s no reason why, really. I’m just generally with her – I want to believe the best of women in the workplace.

I got over it; the show is just that good. I also realised that the gender-swapped casting is part of the comedic conceit of the show. So many of the internet-bro-peanut-gallery reviews have decried this actually very funny show as unfunny. And, look. Comedy is in the ear of the beholder, or whatever. But I can’t help but wonder if some of the negative reviews are in response to seeing women take on roles and archetypal behaviours that we associate strongly with men. David Brent, as awful as he was, inspired legions of obsessive fans. So did Michael Scott, even though he sort of became genuinely lovable by the end of the run of his show. Hannah Howard behaves just as badly, with all of the racism and sexism and the annoying habit of failing-up. And Felicity Ward, pure talent that she is, plays it to perfection. She is deeply unlikeable, in the proud tradition of THE OFFICE.

It’s hard to watch. However, it’s a good reminder that we are all god’s children, and we all contain within us the potential to be absolutely terrible to one another. Yes, even women. The moral foil to the incompetent boss character is the long-suffering HR manager, Martin. He is the only bulwark between Hannah and complete operational breakdown. He suffers through every bumbling decision, doing the lord’s work of advocating for some semblance of professionalism. He often fails, adding to the hilarity.

Give THE OFFICE (on Amazon Prime – I know, I know) a try. At least, it’s a very bingeable diversion. At best, it is an honest reflection of how much easier it is to hide behind hashtag-girl-boss type platitudes than to do the hard work of caring about and respecting one another.

Photo by Nicola Styles on Unsplash