THE OFFICE: The Surplus
December 4, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Red rover, red rover, send Michael right over. Welcome to a alternate-reality Dunder Mifflin where Michael Scott is the world’s best boss, the most popular guy at work, and his minions want to do nothing but please him and make him happy. It’s a scary reality, and one I’m glad didn’t last the full half hour.
The “Other” Dunder Mifflin…
“The Surplus” might be remembered as the episode where Dwight and Angela got married. I, however, will choose to remember it as the ep where Pam almost prostituted herself for a new desk chair. I’m not judging – use what God gave you Ms. Beesly.
Let’s first tackle the Dwangelandy stuff, shall we? I’m over it. It’s been a whole season of this back and forth nonsense. We get it – Angela is conflicted. Can we please move on and tie up this storyline already? Since Dwight and Angela were married last night, I guess the answer would be no.
The minute the German priest appeared I knew where the storyline was going. And as funny as Rainn Wilson’s demeanor was during the scene, I was still cringing – and not in the way I like to cringe while watching The Office.
I think the thing that bums be the most about this Andy/Dwight/Angela storyline is that we have almost completely lost Angela Martin. Much like they did with Jan Levinson, the writers have taken all the best parts of Angela and thrown them by the wayside in the name of “evolving” the character. Can you imagine Angela Martin of Season 1, 2 or 3 every making out with someone in the middle of the office? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
At least Andy remains funny. As does Mose. Manure in the kitchen? Not so much.
Ok, now that I got that out of the way. Let’s talk about the funny. I love The Office the best when it focuses on matters that one is likely to find in a real office setting. And while hopefully none of us have a Michael Scott in our lives, we might have found tonight’s budget surplus storyline a bit familiar.
Pam Beesley (Captain, Team Chairs). I must say, Jenna Fischer rocked my world last night. Pam Beesly could not have been more adorable. As I said earlier, one step away from prostitution, but cute as a button all the same. I loved the way she took on the guys, especially Jim. She knows how to get what she wants. I just thought the scenes with Pam and Michael (and Michael’s ass) were laugh out loud funny. She molded him like a piece of clay.
“There’s that ass.”
“Yeah”
“Aw, don’t take it away”
On the other side, pitted against the Chairs were the Copiers, led by Oscar Nunez and Jim Halpert. I think Pam could have easily taken on Oscar, but when Jim defected and came down on the side of copiers, I think Pam knew she had a challenge. She knew all it would take would be a few high fives and maybe an acknowledgment that Michael was Jim’s best friend and she would be defeated.
It was nice to Jim and Pam interact in a non-sappy way. I like feisty Jim and Pam. Despite being at odds, the tension remained playful. I don’t think Jim got any lovin’ that night when they got home, but I think the kids will be just fine. I thought the final scene with Jim getting his last dig in on Pam was funny stuff. Good for you, Halpert.
What was really disappointing is that we didn’t get to hear Angela, Dwight and Andy’s take on Chairs vs. Copiers. Three of the most opinionated people in the office. What a waste.
A few other chuckles from last night’s episode…
Michael: “…I love Burlington Coat Factory. You got in there with $645, you are literally a King.”
Pam: “How is it possible that in five years I’ve had two engagement rings and only one chair?”
Michael: “You are the silent killer. Go back to the annex.
The Copiers vs. The Chairs
The Copiers should have won. And no, I’m not just saying that because Jim was on the team. The copier is a device used by the whole office to better the business as a whole. Team Copier!!
This is the part of the post where I ask you your thoughts on last night’s episode. But I don’t think you need an engraved invitation…you know what to do.
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Funny, funny, funny episode. Finally!
Married? I saw it happening but I wouldn’t believe it. Let’s hope the legal system doesn’t intervene.
I saw your twitter GMMR and I love Pam too. She was so adorable tonight. I’m glad Jim stood up to her though.
I only spent one year in law school but I know that marriage isn’t legal. Dwight you ruined it.
Becca, why do you say finally? I think The Office is funny every week.
So good. One of my favorite episodes of the season. I love how everyone knows how to get to Michael. Do you know who wrote this episode?
Heather – Gene & Lee wrote the episode. I agree – loved it. It was very entertaining and some good plot progress for Angela’s love triangle! Can’t wait for Christmas episode – I wish it was an hour!! It was great to see manipulative Pam – she realllly wanted a new chair!!
This episode is a litmus test. What matters more to you–the funny or JAM?
Last week was funnier and this week had more/better JAM.
I liked the episode. Solid, but not spectacular.
I’m pretty sure next week is the christmas episode and we haven’t had one of those in two years. Looking forward to it.
Excluding the wonderful engagement moment, this episode had my favorite Jim/Pam moments of the season. It recaptured the sort of fun playful chemistry we saw in the first couple seasons.
I liked the JAM stuff and the Dwangelandy stuff individually but I don’t think this episode was LOL hilarious. I like that they can create tension with JAM without jeopardizing the relationship. They didn’t take the easy route and I applaud that. They were cute.
I agree with Ryan’s assessment: Solid but not spectacular.
I love this side of Pam. She’s been growing more in confidence since her art show and it’s so cool to see her assert herself. There was some stuff she said that I was so surprised by and I was laughing the whole time, so kudos to Jenna!! 😛
I actually feel the opposite of most people I guess – I didn’t find this episode that funny. There were only a couple of LOL moments for me, including Angela having to convince Dwight not to slaughter animals on the wedding day, and Andy stepping in animal crap in the kitchen?!?!
Otherwise, though, I saw the bait-and-switch marriage thing coming from a MILE away, and thought it was pretty dumb, frankly. Of course Angela would be pissed! Dwight would know better than that. And the whole surplus thing…. while true, I dunno…. just didn’t do it for me. And Pam as cut-throat beyotch was really odd, too. Was not feeling this episode.
I hate to say it but not feeling a lot of love for this ep. I like FNB but I’m not fond of manipulation and I thought there was a lot of that. I also knew what Dwight was doing and thought Monkey would be PO’d.
i’m surprised i have yet to see a mention of the biggest laugh-out-loud moment of the night for me…
Kevin: “Michael, you’re a GENIUS!”
I found this to be one of the funniest episodes of the season – right up there with “Customer Survey” (which I consider an Office classic). Anytime we get office politics dominating an episode we get a great episode.
Michael was being the Michael we have all come to know and love. What’s with people getting down on Pam? Several people in the office were asserting themselves over this – so why are people picking on Pam? Don’t forget that she has been lobbying for a new chair for a year now. She managed to get new ones for everyone – not just herself. I loved her in this episode.
And the marriage thing in the barn? I saw it coming a mile away too – but I think that was the point. This show often lets us in on the joke early and it allows us to watch the reactions without having to wait for a re-watch of the episode.
Second “Classic” episode of the season IMHO.
I loved the episode. It was definitely better than the last one. I agree though, about missing ye Angela Martin of olde… But, I think that was the point of her making out in the Office. She would never have done that without intense provocation.
Pam and Jim were fabulous in this episode. I loved this take on them. More of it, please.
I really liked this episode- but I have to agree with you that I’m really over the Dwight/Angela/Andy thing. It’s getting really old now- time to wrap it up. But I loved everyone trying to get on Michael’s good side to get what they wanted
I just wanted to mention some parts that weren’t mentioned that I LOVED!
-Jim’s shudder after Pam threatened him
-Michael pulling the original out of the copier
-The shot back to Michael while demonstrating his love for Pam’s chair, and he is at least a foot lower than the last time 🙂
-Oscar knowing immediately what Michael was up to
(I guess in general the whole scene in which Michael tries to justify his getting the bonus)
LOVED IT! Great episode!
ahh i’m so bummed. i live in nyc and i just read on gawker/stalker that jenna was spotted literally a block away from where i was at that time! would’ve loved to see her.
anyway .. great episode last night! loooved it.
funny funny funny episode. when they talk about things that really go on in offices, funny funny funny. we’ve all been there, done that.
Me likey, even if the Angela/Dwight/Andy thing has seemed to go too far.
BTW, Kath, you typed in Oscar Nunez instead of Oscar Martinez. 🙂
no more office thursday?
[…] The other side plot of this episode was Andela’s visit Schrute farms to prepare for their wedding ceremony. When Dwight is practicing with Angela at the alter in front of a German minister, he secretly has the minster marry them. Angela, who was super angry at the situation, decides to mack on Andy in front of the entire office. “Was that hot or what.” I’m not sure if that was her finally picking Andy over Dwight, but critics have a huge hunch that it’s not over yet. Anyone else grown tired from this soap-opera… […]
Best line of the night came after the “aw, don’t take it away!”:
Michael: Ah. I almost choked.
Hilarious!
As someone with a crap back, I am certainly TEAM CHAIR! Everyone sits in their chairs for nearly all 8 hours of the day. Copies are only needed every now and again.
I have to say that I love the fact that Jim doesn’t feel comfortable having Pam make copies for him. I love that they are comfortable enough in their relationship to start exerting power in a playful way.
No haters here! I absolutely loved this episode. It’s kind of sad that some people don’t want Pam to grow. There is nothing wrong with her being assertive. She is no longer the same person she was before she lived in New York. It’s inevitable. However, I don’t know where this thing with “Dwangelandy” is going. Love that name!!! Pam is so funny. “There’s that hot ass..No don’t take it away.” Jim’s look….all priceless.