For the millionth time, I am so glad that The Office is back on my Thursday nights. Whew.
Also, that’s two episodes in a row where we have almost intolerable Michael antics. I was shocked, appaled and beside myself with frustration as he went out on the date with the very sweet and very lovely Brooke Dillman. (I bet he would be a lot nicer if her knew that on top of collecting the rent check, she was also a Home Economics teacher to Seth and Evan from Superbad!) I found it hilarious that Stanley “didn’t hate anyone enough” to give Michael their name and number. What the eff, we need a redeeming Michael moment. And fast.
I thought that Kevin and Andy were brilliant. The “Five Families” and Kevin’s threats to quit were cracking me up. I also adore Andy. Potential new favorite character.
But the Big Fish: Jim and Pam!!!
Nervewrecking, folks. Because I just don’t see this ending well at all. Pam loves Jim. She’s in love with Jim, no doubt. But she’s not ready to give up her independence and marry him yet. I was nervous when she lost her smile after he told her he’s going to propose to her, but I became terrified when he told us that he bought the ring a week after they started dating. And when they were walking outside of work, and he pulled the shoe tie line (which, by the way, I have been a personal recipient of by my friend Nick), I didn’t know what was going to happen. I know Pam loves Jim, but I don’t know if Pam wants to marry Jim right now. All I’m saying is that the season cliffhanger will be Pam’s response to the sweetest marraige proposal ever. That’s all I’m saying.
Gahhhh, how much longer until next Thursday!?
ChelseaBabble. 
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April 19, 2008 at 7:18 am
John
We really do need a redeeming Michael moment! My least favorite episode of last season, and one of my least favorites period, was “Phyllis’s Wedding.” Because we’d just seen Michael seeing through Andy’s manipulations and machinations and we’d also seen WHY Michael Scott is the Regional Manager. Because he’s an excellent salesman. I don’t want Michael to be perfect by any means. But I like to see those little glimmer sometimes. But then I felt like he was so ridiculous and stupid and over-the-top in “Phyllis’s Wedding” that they took away from the character for the sake of some uncomfortable laughs.
That’s how I felt last night while Michael was being a jerk to Pam’s landlady, with the major exception that I wasn’t laughing. Brooke was indeed Dill-lightful: brilliant, sweet and sincere in how she played her reactions to Steve Carell’s spot-on interpretations of the material. They were both great in the scene. I just didn’t buy the cruelty with which much of it was written.
Andy was indeed hilarious.
And Brian Baumgartner! All of the Kevin stuff tonight was fun, but he so, so nailed his talking head when he said it felt good to win one. That’s the beauty of this show: No matter how silly things or characters get, the writers and actors know how to bring it home with a heart-breaker when you least expect it. That was one of the best such moments I’ve seen on the show, and Brian nailed it.
“Oscar Meyer Weiner … lover.”
“Is her name Burger King?”
Ha! That line would have totally flopped IF Steve Carell had delivered it in any other way. It’s a stupid, stupid line, but it’s something Michael would say, and Steve delivered it with such misery that it came out absolutely perfectly. Amazing.
And Jim and Pam … gaaaah. You are so right about what the season’s cliffhanger is going to be. And so right about your interpretation of the situation. As usual. More to come.
April 28, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Silena
I absolutely disagree with your interpretation of the Jim/Pam situation. It seems to me that they are on the same page. I believe Pam’s lack of smile after the talk at her desk was due to shock not unhappiness. Their relationship has progressed quickly only becuase they’ve been friends for so long. We’ve watched them flirt and practically date for 3 years- engagement is the logical next step. I think the trial and tribulations of the Jim y Pam relationship is a storyline that is going to take a back burnner to other characters. There is no will they/ won’t they anymore because they ARE and The Office is not a soap opera (thank god)! Jim and Pam will not be reduced to some sad copy of Ross and Rachel. We’ve got better writers than that.
P.S. I love Andy’s new dolphin light show desk box!