There's way too way too WAY TOO much stuff to go through here, but it hit every note of awesomeness that it's ever hit all in one episode. I'm glad they waited this many episodes to do a full-blown Xmas smile time hour, because everyone (even the newbies) have their characters so down cold that everything just meshed perfectly.
I do like how they give Jim his moments of dickery outside of pranking Dwight, but actual dickery. Just like how Dwight has his moments of non-treachery, it's only balancing to give Jim layers. Although the fun thing is going to be when they have to humanize Andy. Or not fun, as it were. I kinda like him having no depth whatsoever, as it works on him.
I'd go on more but I've been found out....must destroy computer.
The fact that Michael and Andy showed up with two different waitresses at the party (and THEN led into the joke about Michael not being able to tell them apart) was priceless. I also loved the ultra-dramatic commercial break just when Stanley had to choose between the parties.
"I don't know what is more disquieting -- the fact that the rest of the statue is missing, or that it has four toes."
I was going to call this thread "Asian Hooters" if it hadn't already been started, but you went with a better choice, I think. This seemed like a real whirlwind of an episode. Might as well spoiler this stuff, although if you haven't seen the episode yet, stop reading this thread and watch it!
Spoiler Below: Highlight text to read
We start with Jim not participating in a prank on Dwight, Pam not liking Karen, and Michael is still going out with Carol. By the end, all that's changed.
Plus we get more than our share of awkward looks, with Pam seeing Jim and Karen hugging, Jim seeing Pam and Karen talking, and Jim seeing Pam and Roy hugging. It was nice to see Oscar return. It was nice to see everyone end up happy (even Toby).
Questions for discussion: 1. Has Jim given up on taking his job as Assistant Regional Manager seriously? 2. Does Michael's call at the end mean Jan will be back as well?
1. Has Jim given up on taking his job as Assistant Regional Manager seriously?
No, it's just his work-cope mechanism just like always. Because somewhere in between putting Dwight's stapler in jello and filling his phone with nickels he also managed to sell paper, even if he was slightly apathetic about it. But really, all Dwight as Assistant To The Regional Manager did was act as Michael's traffic cop that no one took seriously anyway. If he can be made to be taken seriously, even if he's still being Jim in the process, it doesn't really matter. Hey, he already shot down the committee motion and made it stick, so that's half the battle won right there.
Does Michael's call at the end mean Jan will be back as well?
Possibly, although Jan agreeing that quickly would be odd considering . He might have also been thinking of going with Packer and picking up his sloppy seconds.
I thas to be Packer that he called. That would be outstanding to see the two of them in Sandals together terrorizing everyone. Jan makes little sense as she has never been that impulsive of a woman and the one time she was (kind of) it burned her (Casino Night).
I loved this episode and the parts I laughed the hardest at were Ryan's string of excuses not to go to lunch and Kelly singing "We Belong" to Ryan and adding his name at the end of the song. Ryan's pained look and guzzling of his drink were awesome.
Just a great show. My wife, who does not work in an office, has a hard time believing people like this exist. I keep telling her not only do they exist, they are in every office!
...that motherfucker is always spiked with pain.....
Originally posted by WpobI thas to be Packer that he called. That would be outstanding to see the two of them in Sandals together terrorizing everyone. Jan makes little sense as she has never been that impulsive of a woman and the one time she was (kind of) it burned her (Casino Night)
I think that when it comes to being alone with Michael, Jan is usually very impulsive...which is weird in itself (after Chili's, Casino Night, and Valentine's Day). She would have been my guess as who Michael was on the phone with, just because if it was Packer, he would have been more vocal on the phone, as he usually gets when they're together.
Everything worked for me in this episode. Oscar's walk-in/walk-out, Dwight sitting on the other side of the couple, Roy/Pam/Jim/Karen, Kevin channeling Alanis, Toby ending up with the robe, Ryan having the excuses at the ready...could go on forever.
Just....poor Toby. Him being so miserable might be the funniest part of the show for me....makes me always feel better about my own job, anyway.
But what do you do when you find that "she ain't yo ho no mo?"
Ryan is HARDCORE. "Take every excuse why don't ya." That man is a shark. Get in the game, Halpert.
Loved how the walkie-talkies just totally broke Angela.
Andy is still beyond awesome. *psh-eeeeew*
Yet more awesome: Meredith and the vodka - "That's just too sweet." Creed with the gloves - "And a Happy Holidays to you!" That Kevin and Toby moment was so fantastically uncomfortable.
I think it's Jan - I just don't think the cameras will be there to film it, so all we'll hear about are vague bits of what happened. Hilarity will ensue.
My personal favorite moment:
"I hear Angela's party will have double fudge brownies. It will also have Angela. Double fudge.... Angela... double fudge... Angela... hmmmmmmmmm"
"Oh my God! They have a shit-load of Cockapoo stuff!" -Jennifer's greatest quote... ever.
Was the Asian bar from last night the same one from The 40 Year Old Virgin?
This show just keeps getting better. Originally, I had only tuned in at the pilot because the show is set in Scranton and I'm from the general Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area; the little nuances from the area that they add are great, but the show on its own is probably the only genuinely "meant to be funny" non-animated show I've seen in quite some time.
Reasons why this was the best episode ever (until the next best episode ever):
*Onion volcano.
*The whisper and "that's what she said."
*Stanley's cliffhanger decision.
*Kelly's "We Belong" homage to Ryan and his reaction BUT also the catchitifyoucan moment of him trying to hang a spoon from his nose with her help. I think he's cool with her; she's too smothering.
*The rebound discussion and both Jim and Michael's reaction.
*"You just gave me goose bumps." I want team Paren. Now.
Originally posted by Teppan-Yaki*Kelly's "We Belong" homage to Ryan and his reaction BUT also the catchitifyoucan moment of him trying to hang a spoon from his nose with her help. I think he's cool with her; she's too smothering.
Wasn't it a candy cane (or was that two different scenes)?
I can't even start to go through all the goodness that was on the show, but it was a great hour, and you know it's great when by the end of the hour, you are still disappointed to see it end.
The more and more I watch, the more and more I need to add the first couple of seasons on DVD to my To Do list, so I can get caught up on everything that's going on.
Co-Winner of the 2006 Time Magazine Person of the Year Award
My two theories about the phone call were Packer and Jan, but then I realized that Michael was way too surprised that the person said yes (notice him haltingly continue to pitch the idea, with it being all-inclusive, etc.); also, if it was Packer, they'd be talking about all the bitches they'd be getting.
1: Angela, Kelly, and Creed have great singing voices. Best singer to me was probably Angela.
2: During the BRANCH CLOSING episode, Darryl had mentioned that Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration bought the warehouse. I'm guessing that since the merger was reversed, does it mean that Darryl and Roy are still Dunder Mifflin employees?
3: I really, really want to know why Michael has it out for Toby. Seeing Toby upset after Dwight took Toby's gift bag from Corporate was heartbreaking. I have to remind myself that this IS a television show, NOT real life.
4: Next episode is next month, and that's TOO far away. I've never been a patient person when it comes to my favorite TV shows.