(S05E14) I don't usually cringe at The Office. For whatever reason, it's hard for me to disconnect the part of my brain that understands that the people I'm watching are actors speaking words written by writers. I know that makes me sort've like Rain Main describing a kiss -- wet -- but I can't help myself: I just don't cringe.That being said, during Michael's presentation tonight, I cringed so hard that I am currently a hunchback.
I'm not even sure what I felt could be described as good. It's like eating hot peppers at one of those places that makes you sign a waiver that you won't sue them for burning off your tongue: are you happy or sad at the end of the meal?
All I know is that any show that's able to get my gut to churn that much (even though I know that the person on the screen isn't real) must be doing something right...
The rest of the episode was fantastic as well, with a nice ending to the Dwight/Jim party planning fiasco (who wouldn't want to take a nap at work?), and a delightfully disturbing C story involving Angela and her crazy cat obsession.
Other stuff:
-- It's been a long time since I've taken a trip to Creepyville regarding Jenna Fischer, so let's go there, shall we? Is it possible for a human being to be more cute than Pam was tonight when she was doing her impression of Michael doing his impression of Forest Gump? No, it's not. Case closed.
-- Oh, and speaking of creepy: girls, what was your opinion of the Holly-obsessed Michael cutting off a piece of her sleeve? Was it sad and emotional? Or was it borderline Jame Gumb?
-- Speaking of Holly, it was a big disappointment that she wasn't there, but I get the feeling we'll be seeing her again in May. It just serves as a warning to all you fellas out there: don't get involved with a woman who was recently nominated for an Academy Award.
-- More Holly: Pam must be hiding something that she read in that letter, right? It can't be that easy.
-- "I was looking at pictures of food on my computer."
-- After what she did to Andy, it's nice to ponder Angela's slow descent as her neighborhood's "Cat Lady", isn't it?
-- "For $7000, I can get you a kid."
-- We're in an odd position, arc-wise, this season, in the sense that since Pam and Jim have been relatively friction-free of late, The Office has lost some of its dramatic drive. Don't get me wrong, these have been a great set of episodes. And, while I don't think, necessarily, that The Office needs Jim staring longingly at Pam to be good, it's worth asking the question as we move into the show's later seasons: do you think The Office can be "special" with a stable, happy Jim and Pam?
As always, your comments are like my lover's sweater sleeve to me.
The Office' Photos
THE OFFICE Steve Carell as Michael Scott and Amy Ryan as Holly star in the episode "Weight Loss." Airs Thursday, September 25, 2008.
NBC
THE OFFICE Steve Carell as Michael Scott and Amy Ryan as Holly star in the episode "Weight Loss." Airs Thursday, September 25, 2008.
NBC
THE OFFICE Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor and Craig Robinson as Darryl Philbin star in the episode "Weight Loss." Airs Thursday, September 25, 2008.
NBC
THE OFFICE Amy Ryan as Holly and Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone star in the episode "Weight Loss." Airs Thursday, September 25, 2008.
NBC
THE OFFICE, Steve Carell, ''Did I Stutter'', (Season 4, airing May 1, 2008), 2005-. Photo: Chris Haston / NBC
THE OFFICE, Rainn Wilson, ''Did I Stutter'', (Season 4, airing May 1, 2008), 2005-. Photo: Chris Haston / NBC
THE OFFICE, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, ''Did I Stutter'', (Season 4, airing May 1, 2008), 2005-. Photo: Chris Haston / NBC
THE OFFICE, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, ''Night Out'', (Season 4, airing April 24, 2008), 2005-. Photo: Mitch Haddad / NBC
THE OFFICE, Rainn Wilson, Cassie Fliegel, ''Night Out'', (Season 4, airing April 24, 2008), 2005-. Photo: Mitch Haddad / NBC
THE OFFICE, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, ''The Dinner Party'', (Season 4, episode 4013, aired April 10, 2008), 2005-,. Photo: Chris Haston / NBC / courtesy everett collection
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-12-2009 @ 11:56PM
Ken said...
The best drama series on TV for the past two years has been -- hands down -- "Friday Night Lights," but considering that it's the foreign press who runs the Golden Globes, I forgive them for not understanding Texas drawls.
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2-13-2009 @ 12:20AM
Natrino said...
To answer your question; "Do you think The Office can be "special" with a stable, happy Jim and Pam?"
I think, and hope, the writers are smart enough to not take the Ross and Rachel route. Yes, a big part of the early seasons was waiting for Pam and Jim to get together, but at some point they needed to. The show can still work just as well with them together. We don't need the drama to keep things interesting. I think it's sad if the writers can't continue without resorting to conflict or splitting them up.
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2-13-2009 @ 12:57AM
Clayton said...
I disagree. The Ross and Rachel route is the classic romance. They can't just work... There needs to be big bumps along the way that shapes who they are and what their relationship will become.
http://makeasitcom.com
2-13-2009 @ 2:19AM
Tim said...
Have you watched the originals by any chance? Perpetual cringing. The British seem to really get a kick out of that sort of thing.
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2-13-2009 @ 1:08AM
Eludium-Q36 said...
Two writing errors that bugged me:
Continuity problem: Michael was not even scheduled to see the Nashua staff and it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to appear there, yet the receptionist said they were expecting him. And it's not likely Michael or Pam called ahead because he/she would've asked in a subtle way if Holly was there.
Plausibility Problem: how 'bout Michael with his spare flash drive ? But how is it that Holly's PC was (a) logged in while she's away for several days and (b) not screen-locked ? Also, that Holly would have a private document on her desktop instead of within a personal folder. Do the writers think we're all computer morons in 2009 ?
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2-13-2009 @ 1:45AM
Craig said...
They did call ahead. Pam mentioned that they were excited to see them.
2-13-2009 @ 1:48AM
Calum said...
Pam made a comment about how they'd called ahead to Nashua and they'd been given the all clear or words to that effect, so that's why they were expecting them.
2-13-2009 @ 1:48AM
dalex said...
Eludium, I'm pretty sure Pam rung ahead to tell Nashua that they were coming. "We're now adding Nashua to the lecture circuit so Michael can confront Holly... Nashua actually sounded very excited on the phone, I don't think they get a lot of visitors..." And since Pam's been doing all the other work (driving, even unloading/loading luggage) I'd be willing to bet that she rang Nashua, not Michael (and therefore there'd be no mention of Holly over the phone).
As for the "plausibility problem", I don't think that it's of that much relevance. Besides, I know for a fact that I've seen other episodes of The Office where the computers at Dunder Mifflin are on after closing and still on the desktop, i.e. Ryan's computer in the episode Initiation (Season 3, Episode 5). And I recall anecdotally many people who like to leave files scattered on their desktop. Not everyone is a neat freak you know?
2-13-2009 @ 1:47AM
Adam said...
I enjoyed seeing Rob Huebel.....even if he only got 3 lines. Seriously, has there ever been a more wasted comedy opportunity? It would have been hilarious to see he and Carell bouncing off of each other, but they made him straight laced. I just hope there's a huge payoff when the Holly issue gets its inevitable resolution.
Anyway, I'll stop ranting and get back to watching my Human Giant DVD. Thant and hoping they make better use of Aziz Ansari on Parks and Recreation.
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2-13-2009 @ 7:22AM
julie said...
First a gripe to the producers - if you're going to do exteriors of a place FAR removed from Southern California, PLEASE make an effort to make it look real! If it's supposed to be winter in Northeastern PA, Upstate NY and NH, don't just thow in the occasional road-salted car and mound of fake snow. The trees and bushes would not be covered with shiny green leaves! I also glimpse, from time to time, palm trees in the background and Lebanon cedars that don't grow here....
Now that that's off my chest, stroking the sweater was sweet, cutting the sleeve creepy (Plus, now she has to go buy a new sweater!!!)
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2-13-2009 @ 8:16AM
jasahl said...
I have one nit: slow descent? She's full blown crazy.
Good fun to watch though - especially the hairball...
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2-13-2009 @ 9:46AM
kip said...
I know! She LICKED her CAT!
2-13-2009 @ 8:34AM
Shannon said...
Absolute favorite moment of the night was the last one; When dwight woke Kelly from her birthday nap. As she trotted out of the room, his patting her on the butt and saying "Many Happy Returns" made me laugh so hard I almost peed myself. It looked so off-hand, I am wondering if it wasn't just a brilliant ad-lib...
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2-13-2009 @ 8:46AM
John in Dallas said...
When Michael saw Ed Grimley on Holly's computer backdrop - that was priceless. If ever he needed a sign from heaven that they are made for each other.
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2-13-2009 @ 10:24AM
Allison said...
Jim and Dwight came up with the perfect birthday theme for ME. I could never decide between an hour nap or an hour of TV at work. What a great gift!
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2-13-2009 @ 10:07AM
Courtney said...
Where was Andy?! I missed him.
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2-13-2009 @ 10:13AM
Adam said...
Part of me was expecting the receptionist to have referred Michael and Pam to the "wrong" Holly. I don't recall if they asked for her last name (I think they did), but maybe the receptionist got confused and referred them to a different Holly that was in that office. Then again, they did say she was on an HR retreat, so I guess that kills the theory.
IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY. (still drop-dead hillarious)
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2-13-2009 @ 10:24AM
cdawg said...
Kelley spelled with an E between the L and the Y. lolz.
"I'm too excited to sleep!"
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2-13-2009 @ 10:59AM
Joe said...
I felt the exact same way. it was hard to watch. This is the only show that has ever made me feel that way. I didn't really like this episode. So much promise and little glimpses of funny, but that's about it.
http://www.joeonthetube.com
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2-13-2009 @ 2:47PM
Kat said...
I have to say, this was one of the best episodes when it comes to the Jim/Dwight storyline. My favorite line(from what I remember): Jim - "Okay next time you get the cake and I get to yell at the birthday girl!"
Also I don't remember if this has been explained, but where is Ryan? I noticed this a couple of episodes ago. He isn't even in the background...
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