THE OFFICE: Broke
April 24, 2009 by Kath Skerry
“Idiot, we’re starting back up. This is Dwight by the way.”
Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the rise and fall of the Michael Scott Paper Company. A storyline that on paper (no pun intended) could have been disastrous. Once again the writers were taking beloved characters out of the Scranton office – and this time they were taking the BMOC, Michael Scott. But against all odds it worked. And it worked really well. The events over the past few weeks have allowed THE OFFICE to bring their characters to a different level. Not easy to do during the fifth season of a show. But tonight all that ended, and I’m rather bummed. The dynamic worked well and I thought there were many more stories to tell. But alas, a reunion was inevitable. Now we get to see what comes of it. I’m all in.
The pieces worked so well in last night’s episode. The writing was spot on and really tight, and the story arcs gelled like a calculator in jello. Kudos to Steve Carell on his OFFICE directing debut. What can’t this man do?
I’m always delighted when the writers remind us that Michael Scott is not a complete buffoon. Clearly he doesn’t know the first thing about running a business, but he sure knows how to negotiate. See he did learn something from Wikipedia. Michael taking on David Wallace was probably the most competent Michael Scott moment we’ve ever seen. “I don’t need to wait out Dunder Mifflin. I think I just have to wait out you.”
There was one part of the negotiation that confused me a bit. Did Michael give up the $60,000 in lieu of getting them their jobs back or did they get the jobs back in addition to the money? I hope they got the cash so Pam doesn’t have to work at Target…oh wait, they wouldn’t even interview her. And how arrogant of Ryan to assume he would get all of the money. He’s such an asshat.
Pam, whom we first met as the shy, cardigan loving receptionist is now a salesman (or saleswoman I should say) at Dunder Mifflin. I’m glad that Pam is no longer the receptionist. She’s grown too much over the past few years to stay stagnant in that position. But, I’m feeling a bit like I did when Pam ditched the barrette and tight curls – a little sad. I’m already hoping that the new girl will go on vacation soon just so we can have Pam sit behind that desk on more time and say, “Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam.”
Bringing Pam back as a salesman also sets up the potential for some interesting and angsty arcs with Jim. I foresee Pam working extra hard to prove to herself and her co-workers that she can do the job. The extra effort could cause some strife with her fiance and now sales competitor, Jim Halpert. I’m not worried in the least that this new role will cause major issues between the two, but I am hoping that it might serve as a catalyst for Jim to reexamine his career path at Dunder Mifflin.
Was anyone else breathing a sigh of relief when David Wallace came into the office and called on Jim? From their greeting I know that things were going to turn out well for Jim. It was great to see Charles align himself with Dwight only to have it blow up in his face. Finally, a little redemption for Halpert! I really loved the kitchen scene and how Jim manipulated Dwight and Charles to the point of distraction. Way to “solve” the issue, Jim.
Dwight goes where the power is. His loyalty to Michael vanished when Charles showed up on the scene. What will the dynamic be between Michael and Dwight now? Has too much happened? Will Dwight stay defiant or will he be back standing on paper boxes and doing Michael’s laundry. I can’t wait to find out!
The Dunder Mifflinites got a taste of life without Michael Scott, and while Angela and Kelly certainly didn’t mind, I think the rest of the classic underachievers are happy to be going back to their old ways.
Another fantastic episode from THE OFFICE. There were a few downers in the middle of the season but it looks like we are finishing up the season strong.
Now, what to do with Ryan Howard? Can’t wait to see him go head-to-head with Halpert and Kapoor. And are we going to learn more about Kelly/Erin? Who is this mysterious new receptionist and how long until Ryan hits on her?
Other favorite moments from “Broke”…
- Michael drinking milk and sugar sans the coffee.
- Kelly and Angela listening at the door. “Mwah, mwah, mwah mwah mwah.“
- Jim in his PJs and Jim giving me kisses through the screen. I know that was meant for me. Shut up. It was.
- David’s reaction to Charle’s support of Dwight: “I find that extraordinarily surprising.”
- Jim’s new ringtone: “Idiot. Idiot. Idiot”
- Jim: “I’ll see you titans of industries upstairs.”
Michael: “We’re not only tight ends, we’re also quarterbacks.”
- Michael: “Our balls are in your court.”
- The van and the lady waiting to go to church.
- Michael to Charles at the end: “No, no. You’re done” Oh snap!
- “Well, well, well how the turntables…”
Ok your turn. I hope you liked last night’s episode as much as I did. Michael Scott FTW!
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Fabulous episode! Our fearless leader Michael Scott was amazing, and I was happy to finally have some redemption for Jim! Fast paced, funny, big storyline movement, some sweet JAM moments…loved it! Can’t wait to see how they are going to end the season, usually it’s a big surprise/cliffhanger…I thought this storyline was going to be it..but now it’s resolved with them back in the office, so I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next! I’m so proud of Michael!!
(BTW – I’m pretty sure they traded the $ for the jobs, that’s why Michael said it’s better to have a fishing pole than a fish.)
Great review, great episode!!
I also loved how Michael got to say that the company was worth nothing without “Schruting” anything. I thought that was a great, subtle thing.
I agree that they gave up the money, which was probably a smart decision, all things considered! I loved Pam’s “sad story” about the job hunts because I’m going through something similar right now, it made me feel so not-alone. I also chose to leave school early to be with the love of my life, so I feel very close to Pam in general. I’m sure she will be okay in the end. She’s really been growing as a character lately.
I loved this episode too and i was so glad that Jim was back. I also loved how Charles picking Dwight made him look like such a dumbass to David Wallace. Cause, seriously, who would pick Dwight over Jim? And then when Dwight went on and on about the bees. Lvoed it.
Loved everything about the Korean people. And then when the lady just got in the van and they didn’t say anything.
I thought everything about Pam was awesome last night. From when the guy crucnched the numbers again when she said “Did it help?” to her telling the Korean woman they don’t go to the church. She was awesome.
Thanks for the recap. Awesome episode.
My favorite episode of the season!
Best joke for me last night, was when the elevator doors opened to Michael hunched over, “ohhh, I know I’m going to say it…”
haha!
I agree that they must have sacrificed the $$ to get the jobs. However, I find it totally implausible that DM would have been willing to take on the million dollar liability that is Ryan Howard….
I just don’t like Ryan anymore. I am curious to see if they can do anything with him that makes me care again.
One of the missing ingredients of The Office’s past two seasons, following the chemical explosion that was Jim & Pam’s initial courtship, has been a dearth of bold, romantic gestures. Season Five has given us a number of heartwarming scenes, but this week brought us one of the most unusual, yet poignant expressions of love yet.
Jim Halpert’s sudden burst into action, in order to prevent Dwight from blowing up the potential acquisition of the Michael Scott Paper Company, was a reminder that chivalry is not dead, and that Big Tuna brings his “A” game to the table when Pam’s fate is at stake. By exploiting the credibility gap Dwight faced after presenting his plans to infiltrate the MSPC via rabid bees, Jim saved the day, and delivered a knockout punch to his biggest rival, Charles.
That sequence reminded me of Jim’s simple, “Hi,” to Pam after fulfilling his jinx obligations during Season Two’s classic ‘Drug Testing’ installment. Simple, earnest, adoring…that’s the Jim Halpert we know, and that is the woman that he loves. Don’t get in between them, or else you will pay the price.
Like Becky, i also loved all of Dwight’s Bees talk. good good times. and his beet rescues. If Charles hadn’t interrupted, we might have gotten talk on Bears and Battlestar Galactica too.
and I loved Michael’s Steve Martin stuff. hahaha
Top 5 favorites of all time for me, this ep had it all. My personal favorite moment and the one that reminded me why I really do love Michael is when he negotiates for Pam’s job and says words to the effect, “at Michael Scott Paper she’s in sales”. I could have gone right through the screen to plant a big one on him.
It really was nice to see Charles get his comeuppance, and not just from Michael (throwing Charles’ dismissal of Michael a few weeks ago using the same line was brilliant!) but Jim, as well. I don’t know if y’all caught it, but during the meeting when Charles tried to suck up to David again with the typical “I was just about to say that” routine, Jim threw in “Buuut, you didn’t” with just a bit of understated contempt. Ouch! I suppose Charles’ dislike of Jim does have a basis, after all.
“I know that was meant for me. Shut up. It was.” Aaaah… This is why I love GMMR so much. Hilarious. I needed this recap today.
I loved this episode! I am so happy that Michael and Pam are back at Dunder Mifflin. I can’t wait to see what will happen with Pam being a saleswoman. I was really happy when Jim finally got some revenge against Charles. Gotta love David Wallace. I am very excited to see how the last three episodes play out.
David Wallace DOES rock my world. I was SO excited to see him walk in. He might be one of my favorite minor characters and climbing the charts. 🙂
Great episode. The only thing I don’t know about is what’s going to happen to Charles? Wallace said he wouldn’t fire him, but I can’t imagine that he’s going to be able to go back to the role of Michael’s boss.
Where do we think Charles is going to end up?
I thought it seemed pretty clear that they did not get the $60k in addition to their jobs.
I am so happy to see the story line move this way. I thought it was getting a bit dark, and some recent episodes left me unsettled rather than happy.
I have a huge crush on David Wallace!