'The Office' review: last-season premiere

There's something both sad and absurd about that because most everyone here -- Michael (Steve Carell) excepted -- pretty much completed their life journey before the first season. They are all glorious characters preserved in amber -- the cramped space of Dunder's Scranton outpost. These past eight seasons have merely offered variations on their tics.

But Thursday's episode promises that the ninth and final season actually may offer completion. Those new guys are the clue -- so young, fresh-faced and not entirely guileless, they are flashbacks to a younger Jim and Dwight. That fills the older characters with remorse and self-awareness. Maybe it is time to change. (But will they?) Or will Andy ever learn how to be a boss, or Creed (Creed Bratton) ever figure out exactly what product he sells? Who knows, but tonight promises we'll get considerable pleasure in finding out.

SEE PHOTOSNotable guest stars on 'The Office'