MovieChat Forums > The Office (2003) Discussion > Let's talk Chris Finch...

Let's talk Chris Finch...

posted 9 years ago by ztraybllet
22 replies | jump to latest

So Chris Finch was the real 'bully' of the show.

What is it about Finch that make people call him a bully? Is it that others are afraid to say things or be themselves because he may "take the mickey" out of them? Brent, Neil and Gareth seem to respect him and even like his jokes.

I think he was a different kind of 'David Brent'.

The other staff didn't respond to him any better than they did David Brent. While David loved Finch's act, it would seem like the rest of the staff would only 'put up' with it because they had to (the way they put up with David).

Any thoughts/opinions?

[–] moviefool09 9 years ago

I believe Gervais has said that Finch is the only truly despicable character on the show. The rest are all likeable to some extent (though the misogynistic Warehouse Guys are really pretty awful, especially the way they went after the albeit annoying pregnant woman in the Xmas episode).

I think the main key is that Finchy's humor seems cruel at times, particularly at the expense of Brent towards the end. It's not "inclusive" humor....it seems to put down others in a mean-spirited fashion. He also seems to be trying to "gang up" to win the approval of Neil.

We're all supposed to cheer when Brent puts him in his place in the Xmas episode. By extension, I also read that as a put-down against Neil, who seems to be aligned with Finch by the end.

"The future is tape, videotape, and NOT film?"

[–] ztraybllet 9 years ago

By extension, I also read that as a put-down against Neil, who seems to be aligned with Finch by the end.

Yes, that was a brilliant scene.

Very real and interesting characters in this show!

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] archer1267 9 years ago

I don't know if I'd say bully, but Finch is definitely an *beep* He seemed deferential of Neil, given Neil's position, but was downright disgusting at other times (pretending to ride Dawn like a pig and make her squeal, for one). I don't think anyone ever told him to cool it, except for David at the end (and Finch just shut up and had no response).

The "bully" thing is interesting, because I just finished re-watching both seasons and think that Tim and Dawn (and later Rachel) went overboard in messing with Gareth. Gareth could be annoying, but their constant wind-ups of him, putting his stapler in jello, gluing his phone, locking him in his office etc. was childish, and I didn't think Gareth deserved the extent of their ridicule. Because Tim and Dawn are supposedly the "everyman/woman" the audience is supposed to relate to and root for, it's not obvious at first, but on re-watching, it just seemed like they were ganging up on him.

[–] moviefool09 9 years ago

I don't think anyone ever told him to cool it, except for David at the end (and Finch just shut up and had no response).

Yeah, I think Finch was so stunned by David standing up for himself at long last against the insults, that he was rendered speechless. The long shot of Finch and Neil as they watch David walk away is quite priceless.

The "bully" thing is interesting, because I just finished re-watching both seasons and think that Tim and Dawn (and later Rachel) went overboard in messing with Gareth. Gareth could be annoying, but their constant wind-ups of him, putting his stapler in jello, gluing his phone, locking him in his office etc. was childish, and I didn't think Gareth deserved the extent of their ridicule. Because Tim and Dawn are supposedly the "everyman/woman" the audience is supposed to relate to and root for, it's not obvious at first, but on re-watching, it just seemed like they were ganging up on him.

I agree that Tim and Dawn had their own version of cruelty towards Gareth. The wind-up pranks weren't too bad, but I found it ugly and somewhat demeaning how they talked down to him, made faces at him when he turned away, etc. He was their own private joke and it felt a little cheap at times, for these two good characters to do so.

"The future is tape, videotape, and NOT film?"

[–] legnadibrom (6515) 4 years ago

i've been revisiting the series & this time around Tim is almost insufferable, such an immature little punk,
he's painted as the good guy & the one to relate to in the series but in reality he'd be an incredible annoyance in any office environment & his antics would grow old by the 2nd day

[–] mcgmcgmcg 9 years ago

Chris Finch represents the ar$ehole stereotype.
Although the character delivers one of the funniest lines, at the end of one episode, where he is banging the Welsh lady outside.
Welsh lady: "My knees hurt."
Finch: "Nearly done."

No cash here!! Here, no cash!!! Cash, no!!!! Robbo? No Cash!

[–] Bhoooop_Daahuut 9 years ago

I'm sure we've all met a Chris Finch or two over the years. The standard issue d*ck head who has learned that if he says exactly what's on his mind in a loud, aggressive manner, a lot of the time people are too taken aback to call him on it and would rather feign a respect for his 'straight talking' and edgy humour rather than take him on.

The character is well drawn and extremely well acted. I'd say he's David Brent's evil twin in some ways. Just as deluded, angry and unfulfilled but a lot more cruel and unpredictable.

[–] jamieparsons1 9 years ago

I didn't really get that scene. The Welsh girl hated David and Finch is David times ten. I don't understand really how anyone apart from idiots like David could stand Finch for more than 10 minutes.

[–] FlyingSaucersAreReal 9 years ago

Yeah. She was one of the people who was offended by some of David's jokes, but Finchy was far worse when it came to that sort of thing. I guess she overlooked it because she was attracted to Finchy.

Or maybe she was judgmental of David because she just didn't like him. She didn't seem to mind all the inappropriate presents she got on her birthday, like the dildo. She laughed about that.

-I was born in a crossfire hurricane.

[–] Bill_Bones 9 years ago

You're completely right. I think that sort of hypocrisy is why she's a hated character.

[–] legnadibrom (6515) 4 years ago

she was an admitted slut,
would have bent over for half the office men in the restroom on a 10min break if given the chance,
she just wasn't into David, too small of a man... remember she liked men hung like Clydesdales

[–] sattfield 9 years ago

Something I noticed while rewatching yesterday: wasn't Finchy meant to be fired for the lewd photocopied Brent picture?

[–] ztraybllet 9 years ago

Something I noticed while rewatching yesterday: wasn't Finchy meant to be fired for the lewd photocopied Brent picture?

Yes good point. I think Finchy wasn't a full on character yet. The point of that story was probably more about the pay off at the end rather than for it to have had a proper result.

It reminds me of the 'Extras' episode where Maggie was a fan of Orlando Bloom in the first season, but then completely wants nothing to do with him in an episode in the second season.

While the shows are indeed planned out, there is probably still a lot of improvising/changes going on.

I know what you mean though. I would say though for the purpose of the story, after the way David acted, the whole thing (with Finch being the culprit) was probably 'forgotten'.

[–] daveyh (641) 5 years ago

It's never clear if Finchy is an employee of Wernham Hogg or just a freelance sales rep, or maybe a rep for one of the companies they deal with. In fact, just before Brent rings the talking clock, Jen didn't seem to know who Finch was and says to Brent something to the effect of "I trust you'll tell him we wont be using him again" which would suggest he wasn't officially an employee so maybe they just carried on dealing with him without Jen knowing.
Actually, after Brent had been rumbled with the talking clock call, she just says "pathetic" and walks off so I don't think she was actively going to do anything herself, she was just disappointed with Brent's behaviour.
Or maybe his mate Neil put in a good word for him and convinced Jen to keep him on.
Has anyone got the right time?

[–] RetroActionMovieFan 9 years ago

Bloody good Rep...

[–] Bill_Bones 9 years ago

Calling Finch the true bad guy and an actual bully is something I find a bit odd but it's very typical of Gervais and Merchant. If some of the stuff they've done to Karl Pilkington over the years isn't bullying then I don't know what is. Agree with others saying that Tim went a bit too far with Gareth at times.

I get that Finch is lewd and arrogant, and calls Brent useless after they lose the quiz, actually stating that it's "not banter", but who is he really bullying? Lee confronting Tim at the party in the final episode of S1 is probably the closest thing to bullying on the show.

Maybe in Gervais and Merchant's heads it's only bullying if it's done without smiles and affection. For my money that's actually worse in a creepy way.

[–] ztraybllet 9 years ago

Yes that's partly why I wanted to know why he was considered the real bully.

They never really played this up in the show though. Everyone seemed to have a respect for him (which seemed to come out of fear).

[–] freebird1987 9 years ago

Finchy is an ass hole to everyone. Especially to David, who he calls a good friend.

[–] bobbydallas (8682) 4 years ago

^ this.
not sure about a bully.. but he was a giant prick.

[–] Poopsey1 (973) 4 years ago

Every office has a Finch.