TVSquad

(S05E04) (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) Was it just me, or did tonight's Office feel like a sweeps episode? Look how much was crammed into it: Holly and Michael's first (and, er, second) trip to Funkytown, the return of Roy, a possible declaration of victory in the Dwight-Andy war for Angela's affections, an ominous David Wallace realization, and (hope of hopes) Jim's assertion that he's "not that guy."

All that and it's only October. Tonight's episode was (just about) worth missing the first half of the Phillies' game for, and that's saying something...

There was a lot going on tonight, but the heart of the episode revolved around Andy and Angela's impending wedding. Dwight, like a lot of us, assumed the wedding would never actually happen, but now that they've set a date, the idea that he might lose Angela forever suddenly becomes real. The only person he can turn to for advice is Phyllis (as she's the only one besides the documentary crew who knows about the affair). Her advice: an ultimatum.

Dwight's saga underscores exactly what it is I love about The Office: it has an uncanny ability to mix genuinely emotional moments with some of the sharpest, darkest comedy on TV. It really shouldn't work as well as it does, but like those crazy Top Chef recipes that I'm convinced no human could actually enjoy (tequila ice cream, really?), The Office manages to mix the contrasting flavors perfectly.

Two examples:

1. When he first approaches Phyllis for advice and actually shows some real emotion for Angela. We hold just a beat and then, about her food choice Dwight says, "that's really fattening."

2. After Angela rejects Dwight's ultimatum with a cold turn of the head, we're left to ponder his heartbroken misery while a barely listenable strained set of blues is played by the security guard.

Everything that makes The Office great was just bubbling around tonight in a big vat of awesome. If this episode were a Star Trek movie, it'd be Wrath of Khan. All it needed was a shirtless Ricardo Montalban.

Other stuff:

-- Jim meets Roy and Roy doesn't punch him; instead, he infects Jim with the same kind of jealously that broke a barroom mirror back in season 3. Jim is almost taken by it, driving nervously to New York so he can check up on Pam. Just as I was sure the plot was about to become as predictable as a campaign commercial, Jim does a sharp U turn and declares that he's "not that guy" and that they're "not that couple." Crisis averted. Every time the writers start inching around that plot, I get as jumpy as Dirk Diggler during his drug deal [NSFW].

-- That said, did anyone else think that Pam was being slightly annoying during her 6+ minute accidental voicemail? I know she's enjoying herself in New York and all, but, really, she's not 19, right?

-- I'm going to be honest with you: I would have bid on Creed.

-- We didn't talk about Michael and Holly much: what did you guys think of them getting together so fast? I, for one, loved it. They're even more interesting as a couple. Judging by the look on David Wallace's face, however, it appears that there's trouble ahead for them. Sigh. I guess you can't keep an Oscar nominee shackled on the small screen for more than a few episodes. (Would somebody please offer Amy Ryan a part in Medellín 2 so her film career tanks and she's forced to stay on The Office forever? Thanks.)

-- I was a little unsure what Dwight was trying to say by bidding on Phyllis for the hug. Was it a thank you? It was the only off moment of the episode for me.

-- There was a lot of acknowledgment of the camera crew tonight, and, indeed, more in this season than in any other. Are they building to something or is it just coincidence?

-- "She introduced me to so many things: pasteurized milk, sheets, monotheism, presents on your birthday, preventative medicine..."

-- "It squeaks when I bang it." The best "That's what she said" ever? Discuss.

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