THE OFFICE: Manager and Salesman

The suit coat came off. The sleeves were rolled up. The tie was loosened. He’s back at his old desk. It’s time to start the slow clap….Jim Halpert is back.

I absolutely loathed tonight’s episode of the office.  Erin and Andy were neither cute nor adorable. Kelly Kapoor wasn’t her awesome self. And I hate the idea of Jim being a salesman again. Oh and if you happen to walk out the door, please pay attention to the sign that says ‘Opposite Day’.

There were so many things to like about this week’s episode of THE OFFICE. I liked it so much I wanted to give it a Valentine’s Day card.

Kathy Bates appeared in her first episode (not via iChat) as Jo Bennett, the new head of Sabre International, the parent company of Dunder Mifflin. I was a bit skeptical of the casting when I first heard of her story arc. I thought perhaps she would feel too much like a special guest star. But I was pleasantly surprised by how natural she felt on the show. You could say I was knee high on a grasshopper. (Nope, I still don’t know what that means.)

If for no other reason, I like Jo Bennett because she showed up and immediately righted so many wrongs. Or at least one important wrong. She restored a sense of comfort that I haven’t felt since David Wallace promoted Jim to co-manager.  Whether it was the season long plan to bring Jim back to his sales position, or the writers finally realized that ‘c0-manager Jim’ just wasn’t working, I’m just glad he’s back. Jim has always been my favorite character on THE OFFICE, and since he was promoted to co-manager we’ve lost the best parts of him. I’m glad that he’s taking his responsibilities more seriously now that he’s a husband and in a few weeks a father, but Jim always brought a lot of humor to the show, and I think the show suffered as a result of the shifts in his character.  There was something so right about seeing him behind that desk, and dipping Dwight’s tie in his coffee.  Let’s hope he’s got a few pranks in his arsenal. Welcome back my tall drink of sun tea.

I know I’ve said it before, but what a fantastic addition Ellie Kemper has been to the cast. She’s absolutely enchanting. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Whether she’s bantering with Andy or dancing the Bosa Nova in the office with Michael, she exudes joy. It’s the main reason that I’m really loving the Erin/Andy courtship so much. After spending so much time being stepped all over by Angela, it’s refreshing to see Andy entering (hopefully) into a relationship where they both are on equal footing. Now if they could just tweak their communication skills, they might be on to something there.

I happen to think that any OFFICE episode is better with a little Kelly Kapoor. Cheers to Mindy Kaling for writing herself such a great part in tonight’s episode. It’s always fun to enter Kelly’s fantasy world. Tonight she was the star of her own romantic comedy. Andy was the reluctant and unwitting Tom Hanks to her adorable Meg Ryan. She’ got mail alright, but clearly she read a little too much into it. It was perfectly in character for Kelly to start crushing on Andy the minute she found out he might have some semblance of feelings for her. She just wants to be loved….and to buy cute clothes at the mall.

Although it was a small moment in tonight’s episode, I thought it was smart how the writers transformed Dunder Mifflin from a paper company to a seller of paper…and printers. It addresses the business concerns that have been looming for quite some time – how does Dunder Mifflin survive in a paperless world. They diversify. Solved.

You know how I feel about THE OFFICE. My love runs so deep that I can forgive a lot, and at times this season I’ve had to call on that love to get me through some darker times when the writers just didn’t get it right. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but it seems like tonight was a bit of a reset button. Maybe it’s just because she’s been there since day one, but Mindy Kaling really showed how strong this show can be when it plays to its strengths. This is the first episode of THE OFFICE in a long time that I felt the need to watch twice.

While I go ask Ryan if I can borrow his bright blue scarf, check out a few more memorable moments from last night’s episode:

• Much like Michael Scott I too would like to cancel my reservations for the Olympics in Vancouver. Too bad I couldn’t pay NBC to keep my shows on the air. They could just charge it to my card.

• If I don’t receive a Valentine’s Day card lightly spritzed with Roger Federer for Men, I’m going to be very sad.

• Anyone else thinking that maybe it was Phyllis emitting that odor before her wedding? It’s nice of her to send an email, but keep your stinky butt at home next time. Someone quick, Google ‘sulfer maps’, it smells like a farty dirt patch in there.

• Now that Dwight and Ryan’s diabolical plan to sabotage Jim is over (thank god), what off the wall reason will the writers concoct to keep Ryan around now? He’s so loathsome. Let’s get him back on drugs. Now that would be fun! Did anyone else think that BJ Novak lost a bet and was forced to wear that hideous scarf all episode? Ditch the scarf and bring back the hot nerd glasses…yowza!

• If Erin wants to bring me ants on a log and spin me around in thinking chair I’m fine with it.  Jim wouldn’t have protested either when Pam was the receptionist.

• Jim really has learned the art of dealing with Michael Scott.

  Jim: In which movie did they realize the boss was within earshot and they just went to talk to her?
  Michael: Leathal Weapon?
  Jim: Then I think we should do it the ‘Leathal Weapon’ way.

• Ryan: Did you see Saw?
  Dwight: Yes, I see-saw. Mose and I see-saw all the time.

• Michael: “I don’t know how things work in Florida, which from your description sounds like a colorful, lawless, swamp.”

• Jo: “They love a good crotch…you should take that as a compliment.”

• Jo: Sabre, whats that? Some company we never heard of down in Tallahassee. Where is that? Near Mars?
  Michael:No we know, Texas.

• Jo: Do you always stay seated when a lady enters the room.
  Dwight: I’m treating you the same as a man, for whom I also would not stand. Unless it was the President or Judge Judy.

• Michael: I can’t even go near a cigarette now without thinking of a penis. And vice versa.

• Meredith: I have this thing about men cutting or threatening to cut my throat. Don’t try to cut my throat.

• Jo: Now this is kuncklehead talk.

• Jim: With all due respect to this job, I think I’m definitely in it for the money. And quite honestly, the women.

• Dwight: I wish I had a lair.

I won’t be standing up to welcome you, but I do invite you to share your thoughts on last night’s episode. What worked. What didn’t. Favorite moments.  Come on, let’s Lethal Weapon this.