You would have thought that after last month's wild holiday party that the folks in The Office would lay off
the sauce for a while. Nothing doing. In this case, Michael decides to hold a "Leadership Training Exercise"
in the guise of a booze cruise. Of course, going out on a cruise in winter may not be anyone's idea of a good time, but
Michael is determined to share his leadership ideas with the staff.
Despite numerous Titanic references, the cruise begins under the leadership of Captain Jack. As usual, Michael desperately wants to take over the reins and begin his presentation, but the captain decides to have everyone limbo. In a scene eerily reminiscent of David Brent's wild dance in the British version, Michael gets his groove on, saying that if you're going to be the boss, be the boss of dancing.
At the same time, the Pam/Jim infatuation continues, with Jim making eyes at her. He wants to tell her how he feels, but he can't bring himself to do it. Pam does admit to Jim during a conversation outside that she just doesn't get Roy, her fiance of three years. Later on, Jim's date asks Pam how she was able to get engaged, but she says it's been three years and she's not the right one to ask. She definitely is looking for an out.
Suddenly, a drunken Roy finally announces that he and Pam should set a wedding date, which makes her extremely happy and Jim totally confused. He's so bummed out that he eventually breaks up with his girlfriend.
Michael decides to deliver his presentation, after throwing up. He decides to use a sinking ship analogy, but some of the staff take it seriously, and Captain Jack, in the middle of high seas "shenanigans" ends Michael's program and puts him in the brig outside. Jim later comes out and admits his feelings for Pam to Michael. In another show of humanity that lurks beneath his bravado, Michael tells him to never give up.
What can you say? Another solid episode. This sitcom gets better every week. What made this one quite good was that they didn't rely on Dwight too much, although the bits with him "driving" the boat were good. Will we see Jim get some cojones and tell Pam of his feelings? Probably not until the final episode of the season, but the build-up should be interesting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-07-2006 @ 2:18PM
Skippy said...
I'm surprised how no one has mentioned this show has the second time we've seen Meredith topless (although covered by a life jacket) after "visiting" with Captain Jack in his quarters. Meredith and Phyllis really are two of my favorites to watch.
Reply
1-06-2006 @ 10:47AM
Rich Keller said...
This was the first full American episode I watched. Well, actually, I switched during the more awkward Michael parts -- it was one of those things where you actually feel so embarrased by the person that you can't bear to watch. Michael actually seems like a good enough person, but not a Regional Manager type.
I thought that the last scene was done very well. Curtains come down for both Michael and Jim and you see the real sides of both of them, specially the human side of Michael.
As long as they don't keep swapping the time slot of this show I'll continue to watch.
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1-06-2006 @ 11:11AM
Carl Winslow said...
Wow. A great episode. It was awesome how when Michael was trying to motivate his team (and be cool, as usual), he failed. But when he was simply listening and talking with Jim, he provided all the motivation Jim needed. The Jim/Pam scene where Jim couldn't say anuthing was also a nice one.
Best line of the night - when Michael declared himself the Skipper and told Dwight he could be Gilligan, only to have the real captain declare he was the Skipper and Michael could be Gilligan. Michael's response: "Gilligan, yeah right, I'd rather die."
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1-06-2006 @ 11:45AM
Carson said...
FWIW, it wasn't other "staff" who took Michael seriously, it was other passengers who weren't part of DM. And yeah, I think this might have been the best episode yet. I'm pissed they've parked this opposite CSI, that seems like a deliberate attempt to get it killed. It's the funniest show on TV, I hope they don't screw it up.
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1-06-2006 @ 1:39PM
BGDC said...
They moved it to make a new thursday night comedy blocks like they had in the 80s and 90s...before the dark days of Friends.
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1-06-2006 @ 5:09PM
Carson said...
Ok fine, but up against the most popular show on TV? At least move it an hour off.
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