Season 2 of Peacock's mockumentary 'The Paper' places a significant emphasis on the tangled romantic lives of its fictional newspaper employees, a move that injects both humor and complexity into the series. The latest batch of episodes centers on the burgeoning secret romance between editor-in-chief Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) and star reporter Mare (Chelsea Frei), diverging from the slow-burn approach of similar sitcom relationships by quickly establishing them as a couple facing new relationship tribulations.
Their romance is frequently interwoven with the daily chaos of the Toledo Truth Teller, leading to scenarios such as Ned's jealousy at a gun range, a flirtatious yet argumentative podcast co-hosted by the pair, and a hastily ended romantic getaway due to an urgent news story. This approach aims to make workplace antics more meaningful by grounding them in the central relationship, though a predictable conflict arising from miscommunication and a moldy muffin tests the couple late in the season.
Beyond Ned and Mare, the season introduces a multitude of secondary romantic entanglements among the staff, ranging from subtle flirtations to more overt dalliances. Characters like Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore) and Ken (Tim Key) engage in near-relationship hijinks, Oscar (Oscar Martinez) pursues a nursing home employee, and other staffers deal with their own office crushes. Even the parent company CEO makes a romantic play. While individually benign, the sheer volume of these subplots risks diluting the show's focus from its mockumentary roots into a sprawling romantic comedy.
'The Paper' also expands its comedic palette in Season 2, venturing beyond the more contained humor of 'The Office' into broader, sometimes farcical territory. While sharp wit remains, evidenced by a memorable subplot involving William Randolph Hearst, the series occasionally pushes the boundaries of the mockumentary format. These comedic swings, while not always successful—such as Esmeralda's Michael Scott-esque undercover operation—can lead to moments of brilliance, like Ned faking a rat bite to make a point to Mare or a team recreating a crime scene with condiments. This scattershot approach yields both misses and comedic gold.
New characters are introduced to enrich the series' expanding world, notably Lisa (Lisa Gilroy), a wildly inappropriate yet competent HR representative. Her interactions with the staff showcase a range of behaviors from manic to bawdy, fitting the show's established archetype of capable yet inept characters. The season also features guest appearances from Andy Richter and Jon Lovitz, who seamlessly integrate into the expanding ensemble.
Over its two seasons, 'The Paper' has carved out its own identity, moving beyond its 'The Office' origins. The series demonstrates a greater social consciousness, addressing the struggles of under-resourced journalists, and boasts a more universal comedic appeal. However, echoes of 'The Office' persist, manifesting in plot devices like character reassignments, nostalgic workplace celebrations, and character disguises. These callbacks, while understandable given the show's creators, sometimes feel at odds with the unique universe 'The Paper' has built, suggesting the series could further solidify its own distinct voice by fully embracing its original material.