THE OFFICE: Employee Transfer
October 30, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Hey OFFICE writers…don’t think for a minute that you pulled one over on us. A whole episode revolving around the romantic entanglements of Dunder Mifflin? Yeah, we saw right through you…and I couldn’t care less. Tonight may have had an underlying theme of fighting for the one you love, but it certainly used the funny to get us there, so I’m all for it.
Before we go any further, please stand up…yes, get on your feet…and applaud last night’s awesome cold open. Creed (and Kevin and Dwight) as the Joker was brills!! If I were working at Dunder Mifflin (dare to dream) and Creed was walking around looking like that, I’m not sure I would have been able to stay. I think everyone is lucky he didn’t go all method and kill everyone at their desks. And Pam as Charlie Chaplin/Hilter? As someone who hates Halloween with a passion, I think Pam’s scenario of being the only one to show up in a costume is perhaps my worst nightmare. I can’t imagine the horror. Funny stuff all the same. Too bad we didn’t get to see more of it. I’m sure the makeup and costume people were bummed to know all their hard work was up on the screen for less than five minutes. Job well done.
Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long (that’s what she said).
Both Jim and Michael took to the highways tonight in the name of love. But while one relationship is perhaps stronger for the road trip, one landed in the breakdown breakup lane.
Let’s get right to it – I didn’t know that last night was Amy Ryan’s last episode and I must say that I felt like I was a bit blind sided by the departure of Holly. Of course I knew Amy Ryan was leaving the show, it wasn’t a secret. And after David Wallace’s talking head last week about Michael and Holly’s relationship, I knew how she would leave. But I didn’t expect it to be so soon. It felt so abrupt. Not to say it wasn’t handled well, because it was, it’s just that I wasn’t emotionally ready to say goodbye to Holly. Clearly neither was Michael.
Amy Ryan went out on a high note as she had some fantastic material from new writer, Anthony Farrell, to work with. A lot went down in the cab of that truck (that’s what she said). In seven hours a relationship went from new and exciting to non-existent. But the Michael/Holly arc was so satisfying that I think you just have to be happy that we go to see them together at all.
We will miss you Amy Ryan. Here’s to hoping that we see you again….soon! And while we’re at is, here’s to hoping Michael doesn’t go back to Jan (he hates her!).
While Michael’s realtionship crashed and burned on the road trip, Jim’s trek to NYC showed just how great Jim and Pam are as a couple. Sigh.
Its taken five seasons but tonight we finally got to meet members of Jim’s family. To date we’ve had a few nuggets of info – in “The Fight” Jim referenced his emergency contact Larissa Halpert (allegedly his sister), in “Branch Wars” we learned that Jim had a brother who had a new baby, and in “Weight Loss” we learned that he had a nephew old enough to play T-Ball. But tonight we actually got to meet the Halpert brothers – Pete from Boston (Newton perhaps?) and Tom from New Jersey. We also learned that not all the Halpert boys are as perfect as Jim…but really, how could they be?
Pam’s attempt to pull a prank on Jim, while good intentioned, went horribly awry – and at her expense. Reading way too much into it, I couldn’t help but wonder if Tom and Pete’s “prank” wasn’t a way to get in a dig at their future sister-in-law for the hell she put Jim through in the past. I’m just saying, I agree with Pam – they did think up that prank pretty fast. No matter how you look at it there was just nothing funny about making fun of Pam’s career as an artist. But I guess if the end result was seeing Jim step up and defend his woman then who am I to complain.
I can’t say that I found Jim & Pam’s arc tonight to be funny at all, but I’m not going to knock any on-screen time these two get this season. Pam’s been gone too long and the show doesn’t feel the same without her.
One last thing about Jim & Pam…this is merely an observation as I think it was a improvised moment versus one that was planned, but did anyone else notice the awkward greeting Jim gave to Pam? He hasn’t presumably seen his fiance in at least a few days and he greets her with a friendly peck on the cheek and a “Hi. How are you? Good to see you.”. Ha ha. Me thinks that perhaps that was John Krasinski greeting Jenna Fischer rather than Jim greeting Pam. (And this is why the writers probably hate obsessive fans like me).
While two of the couples were dealing with long distance, Dwight was all about going the distance…to show his love for Angela.
Dwight Schrute – you Colonel Cornell loving/hating nudge – I love you. How about the Halpertesque prank that Dwight pulled on Andy tonight? Bravo! I’m so sad Jim wasn’t there to see it play out – I’m sure he would have been quite proud of Dwight.
Looks like Dwight’s stepping up his game in order to get Angela back. But what was his angle? To show off what a bufoon Andy is? To get him to punch something and ship him back to anger management? Either way I liked his approach. He knew his opponent and he knew exactly the right button to push to get Andy all kinds of fired up.
Cheers to Ed Helms and Rainn Wilson for the perfectly played “interview” scene in the conference room. That could not have been an easy scene to play, but they nailed it with their perfect timing. If you remember back to “The Job”, Andy and Dwight had similar interview scene – maybe a bit too similar to this one, but it’s ok. Clearly these two are all about hierarchy of power and if this is how it plays itself out then who am I to stop them. Oh, and you know Dwight K. Schrute is serious about getting Angela back. I mean the guy plans a prank on a day that both Michael and Jim are out of the office? One would think he would revel in his authority. But alas, Angela & Andy’s wedding date has been set, and a man has got to step it up if he wants his monkey back.
The tone of “Employee Transfer” was really different from last week’s episode which was filled to the brim with crazy antics and witty one-liners. But the episode still worked. In fact, I thought it was one of the strongest of the season. THE OFFICE never has relied on the set up and serve of a joke – it’s never had to. Episodes like tonight prove the funny can be found anywhere…even in the cab of a small delivery trunk on the way to New Hampshire.
Favorite Moments…
- Cold open…’duh
- Andy’s “kitten” walk away from Jim’s desk. I’ve watched it about ten times already.
- Angela Kinsey almost breaking when Brian Baumgartner bumps into her in the cold open.
- Ryan as Gordon Gekko – the Temp can’t stop being a douchebag for one second, can he?
- Jim walking Michael out and then bolting for New York. Gotta love the job dedication, Halpert.
- Michael: “Did Darryl touch you?”
- Michael: “Holly thinks that this relationship is over. Well you know what? I’m not going to give up that easy. I’m going to make this way harder than it needs to be.”
- Jim defending Pam as an artist – where is my Jim Halpert?
- Andy the beet farmer – amazing!!
So clearly I loved last night’s episode, but what did you think? Any favorite moments? Any bits that didn’t work for you? I don’t even have to ask if you all will miss Holly, because I know you will. But feel free to share the Amy Ryan love.
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I think might be one of my favorite episodes of all time. I was happy, sad, and laughed a lot.
I loved tonight’s show. Does anyone else think that the cold open would be a bit longer? The whole thing about Pam being the only one dressed at Corporate was in the episode description and it was only a few seconds long. Otherwise awesome.
Pam looked really hot tonight. I should like hot Pam. I do. But I miss old Pam and her sweaters. I will never get her back will I?
Funny you should mention how good Pam looked in the episode because they also managed to make her look creepy as hell in her Charlie Chaplin ensemble. Congrats Office, you made Jenna Fischer ugly.
I can honestly say that the cold open was one of my all-time favorites. I haven’t laughed that hard in a really long time- to the point where I missed a few minutes of the episode after the credits 😀
Yey! You guys all liked it! You really liked it! So proud of writer Anthony! I thought it was hilarious but I thought I might have been biased.
Loved it! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts. I was so fast paced, I thought people wouldn’t like it. Jim and Pam were adorable!
Not that great… the whole continuity of the episode was all messed up, made it hard to follow. The writers need to go back and watch season two.
I didn’t dislike tonight’s episode, but i didn’t love it either.
It was kinda all over the place and really felt like a filler episode and an attempt to setup story lines.
Still it had some great individual moments, imo the parts were greater the sum.
I loved when Jim’s brother looked at the camera and gave a little look. priceless. Also, Andy’s little riddle about where to meet with Dwight. wonderful. Pam’s costume. awesome.
I will never listen to Life is a Highway in the same way again.
I do agree that the story didn’t flow well; it was three completely separate storylines. They didn’t come together at all. But it was still funny.
I feel like at this point, everyone has this idea in their head about what should be going on with Jim and Pam onscreen, and then, when it doesn’t deliver, there are comments to be made about what they should or shouldn’t be doing, or whatever. I just figured that Jim and Pam didn’t want to be all over each other in front of Jim’s brothers. I know I would be uncomfortable with that situation. I feel like John and Jenna have kissed in every scene we’ve seen them together in thi s year. It’s ok to have a break…a short one….but a break.
Overall, I liked the episode, especially the cold open. And honestly, it was way better than Baby Shower, so no complaints here.
Oh, Michael! I almost forgot how much I love Steve Carell. And Darryl was solid gold, all the way through.
I really liked the episode, but it left me unsatisfied at the end…(TWSS)…and I wasn’t sure why. I thought it was because it was so fast paced. But I think you’re right GMMR – I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Amy Ryan. Even though I had assumed this was her last episode (by the title) – it seemed to be a very quick deterioration of their relationship, although it was realistic. I had to pause the tv b/c I was laughing so hard at the “Did Darryl touch you” line. Classic. I hope there is a deleted scene to explain why in the world Darryl would ever agree to drive Mike & Holly 7 hours in his van!
Only one thing seemed off to me. Although I loved the Hallowe’en stuff, it was very rushed, and then it threw off the continuity for me. Hallowe’en is on a Friday, and then the rest of this episode took place on a Friday (Michael was going to spend the weekend with Holly), so that means it continued – what – a week later? It felt like it should have taken place a been a day later, but that didn’t make sense either – b/c then it would be a Monday – I don’t know, it confused me.
I noticed the awkward kiss too, but I also noticed Pam’s little excited dance when she saw Jim, so maybe the kiss was just them being nervous with his bros? But it wasn’t her first time meeting them either it appears. So maybe it was a Jenna/John thing?
Michael waking up from his “nightmare” in the van? Hilarious and totally random – the way I love my Office!! Can’t wait to rewatch it again (3x so far)…and that’s ALWAYS means a good episode in my opinion. 🙂
I thought this episode was hysterical. Daryl on the phone in the truck while Michael and Holly were having their sad drama. Could not stop laughing. The Jim Halpert face that his brother made was probably the best part of that whole thing. And then Jim made a face right after that.
Creed creeped me out. And all of the Dwight/Andy parts were killing me. And the end. Andy with the beets. Loved it.
Loved, loved, loved that cold open. I could not stop laughing! I definitely would have loved a more Halloween-centric episode, but really liked the ep the way it was too. I was so glad to see Jim and Pam on-screen again, even if their storyline wasn’t really funny but it was great to show how strong their relationship is. I was prepared for Amy Ryan’s departure after this episode, but that did not make it any easier. I was so sad when Michael and Holly said goodbye to each other. I really hope they find a way to bring Amy back!
Overall – another great episode. So far, I think this season is reaching the level of Season 2 (though that season was nearly perfection).
I didn’t like it. There I said it. I think the Office has been hit (Crime Aid) or miss (everything else) this season, and this episode was a huge miss. The cold open was okay, and probably would have been better if it was the entire episode as Halloween. Holly leaving hurt. I wanted to punch Jim’s brothers. The Andy/Dwight stuff was okay, but barely enough to make a dent in my anger at the rest of the stuff.
Plus, Pam’s been in NYC for like 4-5 months? What the hell? She was only supposed to be gone for 3 months!
I’m going to go watch S2 to remember why i love this show, and then hope S5 episodes suddenly seem better. (a bit pesimistic I know)
I hated this episode. I was under the impression it was going to be a Halloween episode and we got like 2 seconds of seeing a couple of people in cool costumes. I wanted to see the writers play with that more. It didn’t seem to flow well… the Jim/ Pam storyline was uncomfortable and the Andy/ Dwight story was just ridiculous.
Ugh….BIG ugh.
I don’t know if a whole episode in their Halloween costumes would have worked as they’ve already done it. But I thought we would see more.
Jim’s brother, Pete, reminded me of Craig Bierko (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0081572/).
Not sure who this is complaining to here, but I am sort of growing tired of “TWSS.” Its funnier in unexpected bursts, not every single time it could possibly be a response.
That being said, I really liked this episode. I thought it was heartbreakingly sweet how Michael initially was upset about Holly, but in the end conceded how it just wouldn’t work. And GMMR–you didn’t mention Darryl and Michael “singing” the blues in the truck on the way home! That was CLASSIC!
This episode was amazing. Back to the awkward humor (Jim and Pam) of the first two seasons, some awesome silliness (Dwight and Andy), and plot.
Interestingly, though, the writers seem to be switching roles around (perhaps preparing for a possible goodbye from Steve Carell?):
We’ve already seen how Jim and Michael are similar. In the Money episode, Michael is the popular one when he’s not the boss at the telemarketing job, and in Survivor Man and the episode where the staff all gets locked inside the office park we’ve seen Jim fall into the same managering traps (combining birthdays) and accidental racial insensitivity (assuming the cleaning crew speaks Spanish) as Michael did/does.
Not only is Jim like Michael, we now see that Dwight is like Jim. Dwight and Andy switching roles to get on each others’ nerves was straight out of the cold-open from season 2 (I think) where Jim dresses up as Dwight and Dwight dresses up as Jim in return. The interview scene, too, where Dwight turns the interview around on Andy is similar to the way Jim turned an interview around on Dwight (Drug Testing, season 2).
And then, of course, are the romantic parallels. Dwight is the new Jim, and Dwangela is the new Jam.
This episode was awful. I watched it again only to give it a second chance, and then, I watched season 2 because season five has been such aa disappointmeent. Every episode had let me down It is not as funny as it has been in the past, and every week I say to myself, “well that was just a filler episode to set up a future story line.” I hope this season gets its act together soon, because I am tired of watching old season 2 and 3 stuff.
When did Pam start working at corporate? I think I may have missed an episode.
Wow, people are being harsh about this season. I am really enjoying it, personally. I think that you sometimes need a few episodes to allow the characters to grow before you can play with them like they did in season 2. That is why that season was so great. And I would be disappointed if because that season was great, the writers just left the characters there and didn’t focus on character development. That being said, I thought this episode was funny, too. Singing the blues in the car was all manner of (d)awesome.
Also, having experienced the long-distance relationship, awkward greetings are the norm in front of other people. Fact is, you want to rip each other’s clothes off, but you recognize that the people you are with would not appreciate that. So you go with a somewhat cold greeting because you do not want to get too, um, involved in the expression of affection. I think that was pretty true to life.
JAM has never shown a lot of affection. I’d think they would be a lot more handsy (over this past year in general), seeing how long they waited to be together. That is the part I don’t buy, how cold they are with each other.
I loved Laila’s comments about how the characters are like each other. I thought it was well put!
I really like this season. I don’t know what show some of you are watching to be such complainers, but I am really enjoying it!
Steve Carell’s facial expressions in the truck when they sing the blues were so awesome. His transformation from almost wailing to almost happy was Emmy-worthy! Of course, I loved him in the season finale last year most of all, but that didn’t get him his Emmy, did it? I love how Darryl just went with it instead of trying to explain to Michael how to sing the blues and spill his guts. It was enough to cheer up Michael just doing it that way anyway. Simple little Michael.
These guys are so on their game: the writers and the actors of The Office. They just know what’s funny. How hilarious is Ed Helms? He is such a great addition to the cast. I wonder if Holly will be back on the show? I was starting to like her. She’s a pretty strong character and seems to have a big connection to Michael, that I would be surprised if they just axed her after this episode.
I’m still so impressed by this show and how funny and smart the comedy is. I love the office.
I think we need to pay more attention to Amy Ryan’s schedule to find out if these two will meet again.
This relationship gives so much resolution to Michael Scott. Makes him much more believable.
Was not a fan of the episode, but some moments were very funny.
I’ve only watched the episode once so far…and on my older TV where the screen is dark and way too orange (can’t be corrected). So I feel like I missed a lot of the subtle stuff. On first viewing, I didn’t find it to be one of my favorite episodes, but I’ll give it another look and see what happens.
Great to read everyone’s comments above!
I had to watch online as I had to an unavoidable event Thurs. night and horror of horrors my DVR died…. lost everything. I am hoping I get it back when they come Tuesday to change out the box. Fingers crossed.
I am not sure how much watching on my laptop colors my viewpoint but it was not funny to me. I always enjoy but nothing really made me laugh.
I thought this episode was dull and dry. Singing the blues? Lame. Pam being made fun of for that long. Lame. Dwight taking it that far to annoy Andy? Seemed lame and out of character. Only part I liked was the Halloween open. Rest was downhill.