“Branch Wars” ~ Donna’s recap
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for “Branch Wars”
OMG! I am still giggling to myself about this episode. It was absolutely hilarious! Where to start? Well, for starters, Karen’s back….in Utica. She is now the new Regional Manager of that branch. And she has decided to poach Stanley from the Scranton branch. And oh yeah, she is still waaay bitter about the Jim/Pam thing.
Click link below to read more about “Branch Wars”
Michael is very upset about Stanley leaving. The office employees are his family,and he is devastated that Stanley has chosen to go to Utica where Karen has offered him more money. He tells Stanley, “Mo’ money, mo’ problems Stanley, you of all people should know that!” So, so wrong, on so many levels…:)
First, Michael tries to get back at Karen by stealing one of her sales people. When Pam gets their top sales guy on the phone, Michael opens with, “I’m gonna cut right to the chase here. Do you like magic? Because I’m a genie in a bottle.” Surprisingly, the man declines his offer, asking “aren’t you the guy who ran over a woman with his car?” lol
So to get back at Karen, he and Dwight decide to go to Utica and play a prank. They enlist Jim, only they don’t tell him where they are going. He thinks he’s on a sales call. When Jim realizes that Dwight is in charge of the prank, and that it involved bombs (’cause it’ll be badass!) he knows he has to go along to keep them in check.
Now, this is where it gets a little kooky. Jim agrees to wear a disguise of a Dunder Mifflin warehouse uniform and a fake moustache as a compromise to Dwight using no bombs.
To me, this seemed very out of character for Jim. However, it did serve the purpose of putting him and Karen back together. And the absolute best quote of the show (at least in my opinion) is when Michael has fouled up the prank, and he is begging Jim through the walkie-talkie to sleep with Karen. He says, “Come on Jim, just climb on top of her and save Stanley. “ I mean…Wow! I have no words…LMAO
After catching the boys doing their prank, Karen pulls Jim aside and tells him if he wanted to see her, he could have just called like an adult. Jim tells her coming to Utica to see her was not his idea because he’s still with Pam and things are going great. Then, Karen loses her cool.
I have to say, it was absolutely delicious to see her rip into him. We haven’t seen Jim denigrated like this since Season 2 when it seemed like he was constantly being kicked in the face by Roy and Pam’s relationship. And I don’t know why, but it was absolutely awesome! Seeing him squirm, the pained uncomfortable looks on his face…just priceless! I’ve never been a “Team Karen” girl, but it was cool to see her get a little revenge.
Back at the office; Pam, Toby and Oscar have become the founding member’s of “The Finer Things Club”. This is a club they formed to discuss things like art, literature, music. Oscar’s talking head was hysterical. “Besides having sex with men, “The Finer Things Club” is the gayest thing about me”. I’d have to agree with you there, Oscar! And poor hound-dog Toby. Anything to get close to Pam I guess, right Toby?
At the end of the day, Michael’s mission has failed and he is devistated that Stanley will be leaving. He asks Pam to put out a help wanted ad for “a middle-aged black man with sass, a big butt and a bigger heart”. lol
Turns out though, Stanley was never planning to leave, just bluffing to try for a raise. So in end, a win, win, win for Michael Scott and Dunder Mifflin Scranton.
That’s all folks! It’s great sharing the Office love with ya’ll. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode, so sound off in the comments.
~Donna
Next blog: The Office Convention Writers Block
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November 1st, 2007 20:21
I loved this episode. It was over-the-top ridiculous in a way that reminded me of The Injury–and of course any episode that lets Michael, Dwight, and Jim go off on an adventure is bound to be a winner.
And while I was never pro-Jim-and-Karen, I have to say, I’m more of a Karen myself than a Pam. It was oddly satisfying to see her tear Jim a new one like that, and to see that she got promoted while everyone back in Scranton is still just getting by. Go Filipelli!
November 1st, 2007 20:47
Fantastic episode, and a lovely recap there Donna! I had been missing Karen and seeing her back was just awesome! I still love her and seeing her trying to keep up that “I’m over him” memento but really just not over him at all is just heartbreaking. My poor Karen!!
I also am a fan of SeatReclining!Jim cause seeing him just glare at the cameraman for revealing his spot was hilarious!
November 1st, 2007 21:16
I hear ya Claire, and thanks for the comment. I can’t wait to see the awesome icons and fan-fic that will come out of this episode!
November 1st, 2007 22:34
It was interesting to see both Jim and Pam is less-than-flattering light. Jim was kind of cluelessly flailing around, and Pam’s “Finer Things” club meeting at work was just appalling. But that makes the characters more human, and the show more watchable. I liked the episode.
November 2nd, 2007 05:53
“The eyes are the crotch of the head”
My new favorite quote.
November 2nd, 2007 06:43
ha ha Brad! That quote was my second choice for favorite. Dwight is so badass!
Christina!!! Email me!! I am a complete dork when it comes to figuring out your journal. You’re too techno-savvy for me girl.
And last but not least, Bob. I think you find the Finer Things club appalling b/c it’s so exclusive that you wouldn’t be admitted.
Jealousy is an unflattering emotion Bob! lol
November 2nd, 2007 07:41
Brad - “The eyes are the groin of the head.”
Also, the actress that plays Karen quit the show, but agreed to do one last episode as a “guest star”, so that’s the last we’ll see of her.
November 2nd, 2007 07:57
Donna, I have half a mind to start a “Finer LITO Things” club, and not admit YOU! *
*(I wish I had a WHOLE mind, but that’s another story.)
November 2nd, 2007 08:43
I’m never written anything on this site before so I feel like I’m Andy trying to crack the invisible barrier of the “Finer Things Club”. Anywho, I thought the episode was great. The image of Dwight, Michael, and Jim looking like Mario Bros will be stuck in my head for days to come. I have never really liked Karen either but Jim just walked himself into that tounge lashing. He needed to stop talking! I kept thinking, “Stop blubbering, stop blubbering! You’re making it worse!” There was no reason for him to bring up Pam and how great they’re doing. Anyway, it was great. I’m amazed Jim’s phone survived going out a window though!
November 2nd, 2007 10:28
The best quote had to be “I think I cut my penis on the lid”. I thought the episode started off kind of slow but once they started the road trip it got really, really good!
November 2nd, 2007 11:44
I LOVED the zaniness of this episode. Also - I grew up near Utica, and when in college made the drive from Scranton there many a time. While wherever they filmed it wasn’t Utica, I was excited to see Karen there! (Although she seems much more of an NYC girl to me. Hard to believe she’d be into little old Utica. Unless she’s found an upstate NY Jim?)
November 3rd, 2007 11:26
Meghan, welcome to wait list of the LITO Finer Things Club! Just don’t forget your financial contribution! ha ha Just joshin’ you! Anyone is welcome to comment at anytime. We are always happy to chat with other Office fans. I like that you mentioned Jim looked like Mario Bros. Someone needs to make an icon of that (and if you do, send it to me!).Classic…
Greg, I agree with you that the episode was outstanding. I know I didn’t mention the whole “Dwight peeing in a bottle” in my recap, but that’s b/c I have two small boys, and peeing in a bottle in the car seems like the norm to me! hee hee
Alisa, I know they definitely don’t film on location. Greg Daniels (exec. prod) mentioned at the convention that the idea has come up but the logistics of it would be impossible. So, every bit of the show is filmed in Van Nyes, CA.
November 3rd, 2007 12:48
i loved this episode, though i think those deleted scenes would have definitely added a lot to both of the plot lines… feels like it could have been one of the extended episodes
November 3rd, 2007 20:09
I hate to say this, but I HATED this episode. It was very over the top in a not so good way. All the characters just seemed off to me and just overall weird. Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me??
November 4th, 2007 06:10
Gabasha, I wrote in my recap that I thought Jim going along with the prank with Dwight and Michael was completely out of character. I understand that the idea was to get Jim to Utica, and to Karen. But the way they went about it was way over the top.
That said, I did love this episode. So many laugh out loud moments that I can forgive the obvious “out of character” moment concerning Jim. And once he was with Karen, man! That was just the best for me.
November 4th, 2007 12:59
It did show what a good actor JK is. It was a little nice to see Karen again, now that she’s not a threat