Congratulations to Ed Helms for being promoted to the opening credits! The Office producers did the right thing since their star only happens to also star in the biggest comedy of 2009. (Or is it officially the biggest comedy of all time at this point?)
So much good stuff in this comeback episode (clip shows don't count, even with 30% new footage) directed by John Krasinski.
"Scissors me!" and Pam's horrified reaction.
Dwight with the tray of hot dogs, not having anywhere to put them, and finally setting them on the floor.
No one knowing how to pronounce "Sabre", leading into Andy and Erin's parody of "Party in the USA". Amazing. And they keep finding all-new ways to keep Andy and Erin apart that still seem completely plausible considering their characters.
The awkward humor of Jim and Pam at the day care center and their meeting not going well. "Did you ever consider the meeting's not going well because you two aren't as charming as you think you are?"
The bathrobe house-haunting sad sack David Wallace turned into.
Michael couldn't quit this time, even though he again felt disrespected. He can't form another Michael Scott Paper Company. I liked how his visit with Wallace made him realize it's better to have a job that isn't fun than to have no job at all.
Lastly, the episode touched on the very real disappointment of your workplace blocking access to time-wasting Internet sites. I've been through that. It's horrible.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
I hope this means that David Wallace isn't going away completely. He's been one of my favorite guest characters, even as he creepily followed Michael as he was backing out of his driveway.
Glad to have The Office back, and Kathy Bates as the recurring CEO could be nice, I'm looking forward to her and Michael butting heads.
But according to the song, don't you have to take out your suck it to suck it? Yeah, David Wallace may be a sad sack, but that song is damn better than most anything on radio right now.
In a weird way, I think Wallace has become Michael Scott & Michael realized that. He's now the guy who doesn't make sense and is desperate to have the other's attention and acceptance. It was interesting seeing the two reverse roles this time around.
Just one other thing: did they ever find out whose car window Michael cracked when he threw out the canteen? I want to say Toby, just because of the non-reaction he gave when he realized he broke it.
Very good episode. I loved Michael trying to back out of the driveway, with creepy David just standing there watching him.
Pam and Jim being knocked down a peg to two is always funny. They realize they are viewed as "the perfect couple", and moments like these make them more realistic/relatable.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
The Seth segments didn't bother me, but I didn't think they were that funny. But I did really like when he asked the woman if she'd still cancel the show if it meant David Hyde Pierce would be out of work.