The writers over at The Office have used archetypes to create another set of characters every bit as strong as those in Men in Trees, but very different.
Men in Tree’s librarian archetypes, Marin and Jane, are joined by Angela from The Office. Remember me saying that archetypes are NOT stereotypes? I rest my case. If the librarian is efficient and serious, then Angela is the extreme. Even when she smiles, she doesn’t really. Repressed? Ha! I’ll bet she irons herself when she gets of bed in the morning. Is she a carbon copy of Marin or Jane? Not on your life!
Is there a professor archetype on The Office? No. Oh, wait. Dwight! Expert, analytical, insular, inflexible. Jack on Men in Trees is an expert wildlife biologist. Dwight is an expert on everything, or at least in his mind he is.
So, two very different shows, two very different pairs of characters. Jack and Marin. Dwight and Angela. The professor and the librarian.
These are so not stereotypes!
Till tomorrow,
Lee
