Summary
DMV feels a little more engaging in “Power Shift” thanks to moving focus away from Colette’s antics and reflecting a very real workplace anxiety.
I’ve long held a personal theory that DMV is much better when it isn’t focusing on Colette, and Episode 11, “Power Shift”, makes me feel pretty vindicated. Colette is in it, sure, and she’s partially responsible for the episode’s B-plot, which features a guest-starring Renee Montgomery at Vic’s expense, but the bulk of the focus is on Barb and Ceci, and the overall effect is a much funnier and more balanced outing than the one the show returned with in its mid-season premiere.
We also get more insight into Gregg’s ridiculous marriage, which can never be a bad thing. Sure, a potential robot uprising might be of more immediate concern, but I’m literally counting down the weeks until we finally get to meet his wife.
Anyway, the main thrust of the comedy here comes from a light rivalry between Barb and Ceci. The arrival of an automatic photo booth sends the latter spiralling, since it’s her job to take the photos, and if the robot is a preferable option for customers, that job might become obsolete. It’s a very real and relatable form of workplace anxiety – will we lose our jobs to robots? – taken to its comedic extreme.
Barb, upset about Ceci criticising her management abilities, leaves Ceci in charge temporarily while she heads to the doctor, ostensibly to prove a point about how challenging her role is. Unexpectedly, Ceci has the place running like a military operation, with all of the staff and customers agreeing that it’s significantly better in Barb’s absence. Because Barb has kind of attached her identity and self-worth to the idea of being a half-decent regional DMV manager, she can’t have this, so she sabotages Ceci’s effort in order to prove a point about how she isn’t cut out for management.
It’s a petty move, obviously, but it’s also impossible to dislike Barb, so even when she confesses to having played the saboteur, Ceci isn’t mad about it. She has also realised that Barb’s job is a lot tougher than she thought. As for the automatic photo booth, that’s probably going to stay, but given Barb’s clumsy nature, there’s no reason it can’t be upended and dumped on the floor (Barb’s leg trapped under this thing while the machine constantly takes photos of her wailing face is the best visual gag of “Power Shift”).
In the B-plot of DMV Episode 11, Vic claims to Colette that he could beat WNBA legend Renee Montgomery in a one-on-one game, since men are just naturally better athletes. Not one to miss an opportunity, Colette enlists Renee to play him around the back of the DMV, but she throws the first game because Vic claims to be dying. When that is revealed to be a ruse, Renee shows no mercy and batters him in the rematch, but fakes an injury for the final point so that Colette can sink the winner.
It’s a bit predictable, but Colette’s winning no-look shot is still pretty satisfying, and I’m glad the show didn’t let Vic totally off the hook. When he asks Renee to sign his basketball, she simply writes “Loser” on it, which feels fair enough.
And then there’s Gregg, who has been totally thrown after receiving a gift from his wife on their wedding anniversary, despite having an agreement not to give each other gifts. Gregg enlists Noa to help him find a return gift that is somehow better than what he received but also slightly spiteful so as not to establish a precedent. It’s very funny because it’s such a weird subplot, but everything involving Gregg and his wife seems to be weird, which is precisely why it works.
But I liked this episode more than usual, I must admit. The focus on Ceci, particularly, is welcome, showing a different side to her character – who knew she had gone in for the manager position? – but also reflecting the kind of real anxiety that workplace sitcoms should be exploring if they want to really make a case for themselves. There’s hope for this show yet, I feel.
