The Paper, a highly anticipated show from Peacock, unveiled its debut issue on Thursday, immediately connecting to its roots in the beloved series The Office. This new series acts as a spinoff and seamlessly intertwines with the iconic moments from the original show. The premiere kicks off by recalling a significant moment from 2005, when a documentary crew began following the quirky employees at a Scranton office, setting the stage for a nostalgic return 20 years later.
The opening scenes feature a nostalgic shot of the familiar business park, where we are reintroduced to the beloved character Bob Vance, known for his Vance Refrigeration business. Bob reveals that while Dunder Mifflin has long vacated the premises, the office now houses a laser eye surgery and tattoo removal clinic. Interestingly, Bob shares that Dunder Mifflin was purchased by a company named Enervate back in 2019, prompting employees like Phyllis to relocate to Toledo—a suggestion Bob finds laughable.
As the cameras shift to Toledo, we see how Enervate has expanded its operations, notably selling Softees toilet paper and running the local newspaper, the Toledo Truth Teller. Once a bustling hub for journalism with hundreds of staff members dedicated to holding local officials accountable, the newspaper now struggles to stay afloat, relying on recycled stories and sensationalist headlines, such as “You won’t believe how much Ben Affleck tipped his limo driver.” (For the record, it was a generous $300.)
The series introduces a captivating cast of characters, including the oblivious editor Esmerelda (played by Sabrina Impacciatore), disillusioned reporter Mare (portrayed by Chelsea Frei), circulation staffer Nicole (brought to life by Ramona Young), and the ad sales representative Detrick (played by Melvin Gregg). Notably, we also encounter accountant Oscar (played by Oscar Nuñez), who finds it hard to believe that the documentary crew has followed him all the way from Scranton.
Joining this eclectic team is the new editor-in-chief, Ned Sampson (played by Domnhall Gleeson). Passionate about old-fashioned journalism, Ned dreams of revitalizing the Truth Teller. However, his first day doesn't go as planned. He accidentally knocks over Mare's lunch salad in the lobby and is mistaken for an intruder by the other staffers, who lock him in a conference room.
After Mare clears up the misunderstanding, she shares lunch with Ned, during which he reveals his journey through journalism, his detour into the cardboard business, and how he ended up at Enervate selling toilet paper. The chemistry between Ned and Mare hints at a budding connection as they discuss their experiences at the Truth Teller. Ned candidly admits that he has read the paper and finds it lacking. He makes a commitment to improve it, declaring his intention to assemble a full team of dedicated local reporters.
However, his vision doesn't sit well with Ken, the corporate lackey, who nearly chokes at the thought of the budget implications. Ned proposes cutting expensive wire services that have been propping up the newspaper's content, but Esmerelda is not on board with this plan. In an attempt to undermine him, she sends a company-wide email clarifying that Ned was “not MeToo-ed,” which understandably frustrates him. In a bid to rally the staff, Ned stands on a desk and pitches his idea for the revitalization of the Truth Teller, asking for volunteers to engage in real journalism.
That night, in a touching scene, Mare discovers Ned watching old footage of the Truth Teller in its prime. She leads him to the basement, where they find the sturdy old printing press. When Ned presses a big red button on the press, nothing happens initially, but suddenly his phone begins buzzing with notifications from staff members eager to volunteer for his local reporting initiative. This moment hints that perhaps, just perhaps, the Truth Teller's glory days may be on the horizon once again.
As The Paper embarks on its journey to revive a once-thriving newspaper, it captures the essence of community journalism while paying homage to the beloved characters from The Office. With its blend of humor, nostalgia, and a commitment to storytelling, this new series is poised to resonate with both fans of the original show and newcomers alike. Stay tuned for more updates as The Paper unfolds its narrative in the weeks to come!
