An amazing, terrifying, weirdly hilarious episode. More after the jump. …
From the moment Jan declared that the wine Jim and Pam brought would be good to cook with, I knew we were in for some inspired madness.
Actually, I kind of knew before that. I was so paranoid about NBC juggling start times in a way that would make me miss something, that I set the DVR running a single recording (instead of a series of dubs for individual shows) from "Earl" on through the entire lineup. And when I was scrolling through to get to "The Office," I saw that stupid, stupid, stupid capsule of what was to come that gave away entirely too much. "The Office" is a smart show. Its viewers, one would think, were also smart. That opener seemed to assume that we're all still enrolled in Ding Dong School.
But when the episode got going, it was so fine. Jan and the wine, as I said. Jan's takeover of Michael's condo. Michael's sad little plasma TV. The three hours needed for cooking. Jan dancing to her former assistant's CD. (This was such a good episode for Jan, and for Melora Hardin. It did more than show us how batso Jan is. It showed us that she is, at heart, Michael's Michael. And Hardin carried it off splendidly.) Jim trying to escape, and more than willing to leave Pam behind, and Pam making sure it did not happen. (Of course, it's also another hint that Jim-Pam is doomed, but even if it is, Pam is proving to be the strong and sympathetic one — and, if doom is in the offing, I can see her dumping Jim because he just hasn't met expectations.)
Jan's jealousy. Michael trying to get the guys to invest in her candle company. The beer-lamp scene. The smudges argument. And I can't forget either Angela's really hating that she's on a date with someone else, and Dwight with the turkey leg.
Oh. My. Gosh. What a joy to have it back. Anyone want to disagree?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I won't disagree one bit, especially since it seemed to go out with somewhat of a whimper prior in the last pre-strike show.
The big debate in our house tonight was exactly how much Jan may have "assisted" Hunter's music career, or how much she may have "inspired" the song that was playing in the background.
Oh, I think she was quite the inspiration for Hunter.
I didn't think anything of it, but the tarped-over patio door and "he ran through it because he heard the ice cream truck" story started to bother me when the police showed up after they heard the arguing. (I guess living in a paper mache "luxury apartment" means yelling isn't commonplace in other residential areas?) I don't want to ruin my happy place (The Office) but that crossed my mind.
I'm not ready to put a due date on Jim & Pam breaking up – its not going to be perfect (is any relationship?) – but it will be interesting to see how they deal with.
Angela + Ice Cream Cone/Andy's Attempt to Connect = Awesome!
If that episode alone doesn't win Melora an Emmy, what will? Her senseless dancing (captured perfectly in your photo above), and trying to get Jim involved, was one of the funniest scenes ever.
Equally big laughs in 30 Rock. "MILF Island" is inspired genius; fifty 8th graders leering at middle-aged mothers. The women's challenge at 'Erection Cove.' The loser having to 'hang up her bikini top.' The host telling her that 'we no longer want to hit that.'
Best hour of comedy on television, bar none.
It was a good night. I think the business with the police was a reminder of how close to the edge of ugliness the show is willing to go — and sometimes past the edge. (At one point, I was calling this post "Theater of Cruelty.") But there's also the comic exaggeration — wouldn't Michael have gotten some cuts from running through the door? And Melora Hardin should definitely be on the fast track to an Emmy — how about a "30 Rock" where she's nominated against the star of that "MILF Island" spinoff?
OR: Jan appears on DeBOREah's talk show, ala a Tyra Banks appearance.
Yep, the show pushes it, and we don't know if Michael actually did go through the window (do we?) but it was a good story instead of what actually happened.
I just remembered the camera & tripod… that was a cold shower moment!
And I believe the camera was Jan's idea.
Oh, the camera was TOTALLY Jan's idea. I'm surprised there weren't some costumes hanging up.