THE OFFICE Throws a ‘Dinner Party’
April 13, 2008 by Kath Skerry
I wish I had this really incredible tale of a life affirming weekend filled with friends, booze, laughter and love (not necessarily in that order) as an excuse for it being Sunday night and me just getting around to posting my thoughts on this week’s episode of THE OFFICE. But sadly I can’t. It’s was more of a mixture of some personal stuff, boring errands and laziness. I know it’s Sunday and you all probably don’t care what I thought of this week’s show, but what the hell – I have some time to kill.
Before I share my thoughts I think we need to get something out of the way: “THE OFFICE IS BACK!! SWEET GOD ABOVE THANK YOU!!!” Ok, now that that’s done we can move on to my incredibly long and self indulgent post on this week’s episode.
It’s been over 5 months since we last saw our favorite Dunder Mifflinites and it was nice to have them back. Well, some of them anyway. After such a long hiatus I was a little bummed that we didn’t have an office-centric episode that allowed us to catch up with all of our old friends. A girl shouldn’t have to go that long without seeing a little Toby. But, we did get to spend some time with some of the more dysfunctional members of the office, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
I think we all knew that Jan and Michael didn’t necessarily have the healthiest relationship, but it seems the events of the deposition left them in a dark place. And what a better way to deal with your relationship issues then to invite co-workers over to share in your misery! And miserable it was.
I’m usually the first one to complain when people compare the U.S. and the U.K. version of THE OFFICE, but in this particular case I really couldn’t come up with another example to relate just how very cringeworthy this episode was. In my book no one has ever done the cringe better than Ricky Gervais and his cohorts at Warnham-Hogg Paper Company, but “Dinner Party” was very U.K’ish in just how uncomfortable I was from beginning to end. And I liked it!
Major kudos to Steve Carell and Melora Hardin for the brilliant job they did in this episode. This was a major episode for both of them and they kept building the tension until it exploded into a cacophony of unrestrained bitterness (and the destruction of a poor, innocent Dundie). The supporting cast were strong in keeping the balance of the episode and when called upon served as a much needed break from the uncomfortableness (a Michael Scott word) of it all.
I’ve heard some mixed reviews of this episode, and I understand some people’s issue with it. As I said earlier, it didn’t feel like a normal OFFICE episode, and after this long I think it’s what we were all hoping for – just to have our show back. But I’ve watched the ep at least 4 or 5 times now and as is typical with THE OFFICE, it gets better with each viewing.
Before I get to my favorite moments of the night, I will say that I’m disappointed in where the writers have decided to go with Jan. I know others disagree, but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for me to believe that so many bizarre, over-the-top personalities exists in this small, interconnected world. Jan was once a seemingly strong business woman and now she’s a bumbling mess of a bitch. I just don’t like her anymore, and if you told me I’d never see her on the show again I wouldn’t shed a tear. Like most of the employees of Dunder Mifflin, as much as he drives me crazy I’ve become protective of Michael Scott, and I don’t like when people mess with him, none the less treat him like…well you know.
Ok but enough of that, let’s talk about my favorite moments of the episode. Hm, where to start…
- Michael concocting a whole scheme just to get Jim and Pam to his house for dinner. So very sad…so very Michael.
- Jim and Pam being a couple that attends dinner parties together…as a couple. Sorry, but I feel like we’ve missed on so much of their coupledom that the little things make me happy.
- Jim’s dry heaves brought on by ‘Serenity by Jan’
- Angela being Angela when Andy gave her the single rose. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
- The oakey afterbirth of the wine!!
- The words “Dawson’s Creek” coming out of the mouth of Jim Halpert (sorry but that made me happy)
- The Hunted by Hunter: “You took me by the hand/Made me a man/That one night/You made everything all right/So raw, so right/All night, all right/oh yeah oh yeah” – Jan, you Cougar!!!
- NOT a favorite moment: Jim Halpert – not the perfect boyfriend. Hey Jim, there’s a guy I’d like you to meet and his name is Roy Anderson. Just sayin’…you’ve waited this long, don’t screw it up by being a jerky boyfriend. Because honestly you can’t ‘buy another party’. (But I still love you)
- The ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT hand chair shout outs!
- Dwight not only bringing the old lady from Speed to the party, but also bringing his own food (beet salad, anyone), and wine glasses.
- Jan possibly poisoning Michael’s former lover, Pam.
- Angela’s napkin placed over the meat on her plate. It’s all in the details.
- “B.F.D, I’m a screenwriter” – Long live Michael Scarn and ‘Threat Level Midnight’
- “You’re hardly my first!” “THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!!”
- Jim: “My apartment is on fire.” Pam: “Flooded.”
- “I stole this…for you, babe.”
- Dwight driving my his babysitter at the bus stop. Seriously, I love Dwight Kurt Schrute
I’m sure by now you’ve probably rehashed “Dinner Party” and it’s old news, but if you want to indulge me and share your thoughts on the episode as well as some of your favorite moments I would be as happy as Pam and Jim were to get the hell out of that condo!!
Note: I’m going to be on vacation during this week’s episode. I’m trying to figure out the best way to properly cover next week’s episode here on GMMR…I’ll do my best to have some kind of forum where we can all share our thoughts. More on that later.
i giggle just thinking about andy wearing a sweater, another sweater over his shoulders, and a jacket.
Well you definately listed some of the best parts. Although it wasn’t my fav episode of the season it still great. I also really loved the part when Angela smashed the ice cream cone into the side of Andy’s car. It just seemed like something Angela (the person not character) decided to do as an improv, and it was so Angela (the character). I also loved Pam’s reaction to the finding out that Michael told Jan that they were lovers, and when Angela said “I’ve seen the way you look at him”. Her face was priceless, and I loved her comment back “I have never, ever dated, or wanted to do anything resembling dating Michael, ever. Not ever, not now, not then, not now, not ever, ever.”
The whole babe thing was hilarious, as well as the camera set up in Jan and Michael’s room. I liked how Pam and Jim did confessionals in the bathroom.
The whole thing with Jim didn’t bother me, because I really didn’t feel like he would have left or if he did, he probably figured she could get out too. I agree though that we have missed out on alot of JAM, and I want to see them together as much as possible.
This was typical Michael and a funny one. I am pretty sure he’s used that line improperly before.
Jan: You know Pam, in Spain they often don’t start eating until midnight.
Michael: When in Rome.
Another good one.
Dwight: Hey hey hey hey. [to Angela] I know you love beet salad. I’ve seen you eat it many times.
Angela: The thought of popping one of your beets into my mouth makes me want to vomit.
Oh Angela.
Lastly I really loved when the cops showed up and of course Dwight stood up to take care of Michael. Oh Dwight, why do you do the things you do for him, we will never understand. I loved how Jan came out and thought they were arresting Michael.
[…] reading this post by: Give Me My Remote For more… RSS […]
I loved Andy and all his clothes, and when I saw those hand chairs, I so screamed “Buster!” lol.
Definitely not my favorite episode, but I think there were so many great reaction shots of Jim and Pam that that more than made up for crazy psycho Jan.
I have been waiting since Friday morning to read your thoughts on the episode.
All the stuff you pointed out were some of the parts that I laughed out loud at.
The “When in Rome” quote reminded me though of Anchorman when Ron Burgundy uses it incorrectly.
I agree with Shannon the whole Jim thing didn’t bother me (first viewing it did). I think Pam would have found a way to leave if Jim had gone. I think they would have pulled that fake phone call emergency thing, usually used on bad dates, to get Pam out of the house and then Jim would pick her up.
By the end of the show Hunter’s song was stuck in my head and I found myself humming the tune.
I also loved at the end when Angela is all Angela with the ice cream. Her face as she smashes it on the door is priceless.
That episode was funny from beginning to end. I don’t have one bad thing to say about it.
As far as Jan’s slow yet sudden drift to insanity, I really don’t see where else they could have gone with Jan’s character. You’d have to somewhat insane to have a relationship with Michael Scott.
Also, I have to defend my guy Jim. He tried to bring Pam with him but he swung and missed. Sometimes in a disaster you have to fend for yourself. That didn’t get anywhere close to Roy Andersonish.
I think the most important thing this episode did was alert the public to the mental toll multiple vasectomies have on a person.
Have to agree on the cringeworthyness of this ep – which, of course, makes it a Gervasian-like good one. And check out a funny interview with Rainn Wilson about his TV viewing habits – the big guy is not a fan of “American Idol” – in fact, the word SUCKS is used to describe the music 🙂
Fair enough. Maybe I’m being a little hard on Halpert. I think the scene where he attempts to leave Pam behind coupled with the deleted scene where he threw her under the bus left me a little miffed. That being said, I don’t really believe that Jim is on the same level as Roy. Just trying to make a point.
Such a brilliant episode!!! I love it wholly, so much so that i have watch it over and over in its entirety (usually, i fast forward some parts).
Just my thoughts on Jim:
The most important thing to remember is that he came up with a plan that would (in any other house than Michael Scott’s) have taken both himself AND Pam out of there. Then, in a moment of weakness (or self-preservation), he decided that he could go alone. And here is the big BUT: the fact that Pam (not Michael) was uncomfortable with his exit is the reason Jim stayed. He could have insisted otherwise.
I just think, i would have left my boyfriend if i had the chance, and be more than willing to fight then apologise for it later.
Probably one of my favorite eps EVER!!!!!! I laughed until I cried. I was a little dissapointed by the humanness of Jim, but you know, I would have tried to flee as well.
OH! And How Cute Was Pam!!!!!!!!!
As a fellow obsessor of Dawon’s Creek and Jim Halpert, I actually squealed outloud when Jim said Dawson’s Creek!
I too have been waiting for your recap GMMR – and it was spot on! I loved the episode, and have seen in multiple times alraedy. i thought Melora was phenominal in this episode.
There were tons of quotable lines, and some great Jim/Pam cuteness scenes. Waiting for more deleted scenes! But loved the one with Jim/Pam/Jan…I think that’s the one that Jenna said they took forever getting a shot because they kept laughing! Can’t wait for Thursday! WOOHOO Office is back!! 🙂
“Pam…see you at HOME later?” Could it really be?!
Just one quick note – Jan has *always* been a bitch to Michael. I’ve never liked her because she’s always been mean to him, starting with her interactions with him as his boss.
YES! The bit where Jim said “See you at home” made me freak out. They live together. Love it!! Also, I’d have left Jim there to fend for himself if given the chance. When Pam saw Dwight at the door and said “awesome” – classic. Yay! The Office is back!!
I don’t think Jim and Pam live together…Jim said early “my apartment is flooded”….so I think he just meant he’d meet up with Pam later at home, but not their “home”, as in they live together. IMO.
Loved the episode!
As for Jim and Pam, first he did tried to bring her with him and secondly I don’t think he would have totally left her there. I thought it was more of their playful side. And on Officetally they have Q & A with the writers of the episode who said they didn’t write it as Jim being a jerk, but rather a fun chess match between the two to see who would back down…and Pam won!
Also, I kind of like that sometimes Jim isn’t Mr. Perfect…that makes him more believable and interesting. And he never does anyting intentionally to hurt someone…okay, maybe Dwight 🙂
1) I totally agree with the Jan thing – I liked it a lot better when she was a “normal” woman struggling with her conflicting feelings (rage & hate vs. attraction) towards Michael. Now she’s even weirder than Michael is, and let’s face it – on this show, NO ONE should be weirder or more “out there” than Michael Scott!
2) Jim’s behavior was pretty disappointing – attempting to ditch Pam at a party is something Roy would’ve done, but not something I expected of Jim. Maybe the writers are trying to set up some kind of Jim-cracks-under-the-pressure-of-being-the-perfect-boyfriend-plot or something like that…
Michael is a lot of things, but he does like good TV, so I can def appreciate the Arrested Development shout out.
As much as I was about to throw things at the TV for Jim’s almost ditching, I gotta give props to Pam for being completely cool. I mean, her eyes said a lot…like I’m going to get you if you leave me..but there was never any doubt in there.
The Hunter CD. Oh I hope that is not the last we’ve seen/heard from it.
Definitely is worth multiple viewings!
I adored when Dwight showed up at the door and Pam whispered “Awesome.”
And the ice cream cone smash was priceless.
So glad it’s back!
Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to check
it out. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking
and will be tweeting this to my followers! Great blog and excellent design.