Happy Thursday, Dunder Mifflinites! I’ve been seeing those Jim & Pam wedding promos all week, and I don’t know about you, but I’m psyched. But that’s next week. Let’s see how well Dwight’s recovering from his shock last week at finding Jim has become a co-manager. Here we go!
We open on Dwight trying to get an expense report signed. He takes it to Michael, who says he’s not the “big picture” guy. Jim handles the day-to-day items now, but Jim needs Dwight to say please. Dwight tries to complain to Michael, who sends him to Jim. And the fun begins.
After the credits, the employees are already noticing that having two leaders in the office is a little awkward. Jim tries to talk to Michael about the numerous non-essential meetings they hold. Michael tries to hold secret conference room meetings in his office.
Wallace calls and says the company can’t give raises that match what the employees got last year. Michael and Jim have to decide how to distribute the bonus. Jim makes pro and con lists for their options, but Michael only calls him a nerd and nay says every idea. Jim finally cracks and tells Michael some of his many weaknesses as a manager.
Jim suggests only giving raises to the sales staff, but the other employees kill that idea pretty darn quick. Michael and Jim try to evaluate the staff for performance based raises, but the staff feels demeaned. Eventually, a discouraged Michael and Jim bond in Jim’s new office* while drinking out of their “World’s Best Boss” mugs.
Elsewhere, Pam feels awkward about asking for money instead of gifts. (For the record, it IS awkward. But helpful.) Kevin happily writes Pam a check.
Quotes of the Week:
Michael: Jim. James. Jimothy.
Michael: I don’t see you anymore. All I see is how big and gross the pores on your nose are.
Creed: Hey –why haven’t we ever…
Meredith: We have.
Kevin: In the memo line, I’m gonna write “To love’s eternal glory.”
Michael: We are going to go in here and we are not coming out until we do.
Pam: Why aren’t there any beans on this very old, frizzy-haired picture of me?
I deem this week’s MVP to be John Krasinski as Jim Halpert.
How amazing was it to see someone finally tell Michael what we’ve all known about him for years? Jim telling Michael that he is incapable of making decisions, especially difficult ones, was enough of a big moment to make me say “Whoa” out loud.
I loved Dwight trying to get the employees to revolt against Jim, but some of the employee reactions (particularly from Phyllis) were too over the top. “The Office” usually does a good job at mixing the odd/zany/kooky with the reality of the workplace, but Phyllis screaming through a door at Michael was ridiculous –especially when Phyllis doesn’t even need the money, since she’s married to Bob Vance.
*WHERE did Jim’s office come from? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but after a heated debate this summer, my husband and I drew a floorplan of Dunder Mifflin to figure out where exactly everyone sits in relation to everyone else. Jim’s office really threw us. We suspect it was built where Martin the Convict used to sit. Thoughts?
Next week on “The Office:” In “Niagara,” the office travels to Niagara Falls to celebrate Jim and Pam’s wedding under strict orders not to mention Pam’s pregnancy. Michael, Dwight, and Andy all want to hook up with guests at the wedding and Michael and Dwight meet twins.
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