Hey there, gossip girls. Had enough of last week’s rumor-mongering at Dunder Mifflin? Well, it’s a new week with new shenanigans on “The Office.” Let’s go!

The episode, “The Meeting,” opens on a meeting between Oscar and Michael. Michael tells Oscar he’s going in for a colonoscopy and wants to know how it might feel, asks how to make it pleasant, whether he should have a safe word, etc. Poor Oscar.

After the credits, we find David Wallace at the office to meet with Jim, which drives Michael insane with curiosity. Michael’s been stressed lately, what with the Buffalo branch closing and the Scranton branch taking on their clients. Michael has Andy wheel him into the meeting under a makeshift cheese cart. Wow.

Turns out, Jim suggested to Wallace that Michael be promoted and Jim would take over Michael’s job. But before Michael knows this, he’s intimidated enough to badmouth Jim using some of Toby’s old complaint reports. Jim confronts Michael about it, who tries to go back on what he said. End result: Jim and Michael now share the position of manager!

In warehouse news, Darryl is on crutches discussing a worker’s compensation issue with Toby. Dwight convinces Toby to investigate Darryl’s claims – and the unlikely duo finds a common interest in trains. They mistake a black woman not on crutches for Darryl, yell at him, see the real Darryl, then speed off and run into some garbage cans. Eventually, Dwight files a report against Darryl for fraud and Darryl files a complaint against Dwight for sexual harassment of his sister.

Quotes of the Week:

Michael: You and Jim are really close.
Pam: Yeah, I think the pregnancy brought us together.

Michael: If you lie to me right now, your baby will come out a liar.

Dwight: When have you known Darryl rush to do anything other than rush up here for birthday cake?

Michael: Jim is like Big Bird. He is tall, yellow, and very nice. But when I put him in charge… Big Bird doesn’t make the big decisions.

Darryl: Why would you think a lady is me?
Dwight: …Are you serious? You look exactly alike.

Michael: Toby Flenderson is doing drugs.

 

I deem this week’s MVP to be Paul Lieberstein as Toby Flenderson.

 

I think this episode was much snappier than last week’s. I loved the new paring of Dwight and Toby – it’s amazing when a show can be around for six seasons and still think of new things to do with the characters that don’t seem forced at all.

Dwight’s horrified scream at the end of the episode was the breaking point for me – hilarious. But I also loved Toby yelling out the window of Dwight’s car. And did anyone notice that Andy was wearing the most ridiculous tie in the world? What about you? What did you like/dislike/etc?

Next week on “The Office:” In “The Promotion,” David Wallace breaks the bad news that not everyone will get a raise this year. Dwight reaches his breaking point with Jim and looks to the rest of the office for allies. Pam would like cash instead of wedding gifts.

 

Also posted at Urban Living.