The Farm was originally a pilot for a spin off based on Dwight. But I think NBC were right to pass on it. It's just not very good.
I love Dwight as a character, and I love his Pennsylvania Dutch farming past, but this episode was weak. The additional cast playing Dwight's family were not very good, and could not have been compelling over multiple episodes.
There is a possibility that this could have worked with a better more engaging cast, but even then, the script was poor and didn't have anywhere to go. The Packer side story was better than everything involving Dwight's family.
It's a shame really, because I suspect that Michael Schur, when given multiple seasons to work with, could have created something with interesting characters who develop over time and culminate in heart-warming finales, as is his way. But this pilot showed no promise in isolation.
I love Dwight as a character, and I love his Pennsylvania Dutch farming past, but this episode was weak. The additional cast playing Dwight's family were not very good, and could not have been compelling over multiple episodes.
There is a possibility that this could have worked with a better more engaging cast, but even then, the script was poor and didn't have anywhere to go. The Packer side story was better than everything involving Dwight's family.
It's a shame really, because I suspect that Michael Schur, when given multiple seasons to work with, could have created something with interesting characters who develop over time and culminate in heart-warming finales, as is his way. But this pilot showed no promise in isolation.