Hi! Bob here, with a quick recap of “The Meeting.” I liked this episode. It wasn’t an “instant classic,” but I thought it featured everything that makes this a great show: office politics, underhanded intrigue, and petty behavior, with a lot of laughs and embarrassing moments mixed in.
First, the cold opening; When Michael asked an earnest Oscar for some advice about a “medical procedure,” I probably wasn’t the only one who quickly guessed what road they were going down. If the misguided discussion about a colonoscopy wasn’t the funniest cold opening ever, it was probably the most cringe-worthy. It definitely was an defining “Office” moment; awkward and underplayed. I’m so glad they don’t have a “laugh track” on this show. You either think that scene is funny, or you don’t. I did.
The show then opened up with the “meeting.” David Wallace left Michael’s office, and then met with Jim… (ahem)… privately. It was shown in a hilarious shorthand way, that again illustrates why I like this show so much. Pam’s subtle “Good luck” wish, Jim’s painfully slow walk into the conference room, the pathetic question mark over Michael’s head… the sudden heightened tension was so realistic and so well done!
Meanwhile, the ever-vigilant, ever-paranoid Dwight was eavesdropping on Darryl’s workman’s comp claim to Toby. Like the subject of last week’s show “Gossip,” a mysterious “injury-on-the-job” seems like such an obvious topic, that I’m surprised it took 6 years to address it. Dwight’s suspicions, Toby’s unwillingness to rock the boat, Darryl’s righteous indignation, the whole bungled surveillance scene… vintage “Office,” I say.
Pam’s struggle with the wedding invitations was perfect, too. In my experience, nothing about a “sign-up” sheet ever seems to go easy. The Office really nailed the various responses that make these endeavors such a hassle, from Ryan’s waffling committal to Meredith’s “hey-I’m-easy” uneasiness. I’m guessing that most of us have been in Pam’s shoes at least once, where you want to scream because a simple “yes-or-no” is never forthcoming.
Michael Scott is at his most entertaining when he feels trapped by his circumstances, and his resulting actions are always inappropriate. His spectacular “sell-out” on Jim, the anguished phone call where he tried to have it both ways, his sad response to Jim’s anger… again, this is what makes “The Office” work for me. And having David Wallace get pulled over by a cop for a cellphone violation? That’s just brilliant. My sister-in-law from Scranton just got a ticket for that same offense, on the same stretch of highway that David wallace more than likely was on… it was probably the same “statie” that pulled them both over!
In the end, the compromise “promotions” felt awkwardly realistic to me. The resolution of Darryl’s workman’s comp claim was satisfying, too, because it left no winners and no saints. Darryl’s sister was a nice touch. The show was full of nice touches. To sum up my feelings on the episode: a co-worker of mine that hasn’t really gotten into the show told me that he was going to watch it last night; I think he got to see, not a classic, but a really good representation of what “The Office” is all about. So, he’s either gonna like it, or he’s not. I did!
Nice wrap, Bob. Yeah, like I said on the forums: Not great but not bad. And I did like the office politics that were going on, I think the show does well when those kinds of things are touched on and something screwed up happens because of it. I like my David Wallace flustered, though, usually at the end of a slow burn and at Michael and whatever nonsense that occurred. I didn’t really get that, though, and I felt a little robbed. When Wallace is at wits end with the Scranton office I am most happy. See “Golden Ticket” for one of my favorite David Wallace ” I can’t take these people anymore moments. But it was a good episode. I’m just a little afraid that they will get away from Jim being Jim and that concerns me (although I understand his obvious additional responsibilities). We’ll see. Dwight will no doubt inspire Jim to newer heights of prankdom, all within the corporate structure. Cool, Bob!
Kevin, I agree with you that David Wallace’s reactions felt a little, um… underwritten. That’s why I would give the episode a “B” rather than an “A.” But I’d like to hear more about your fears of “Jim no longer being Jim.” Expound upon that either here, or on the forum, OK? (Typing the word “expound” just made me laugh… I’m not sure why.)
lol… well… it is really cool to see Jim become more of an adult, more responsible and in tune with what he needs to do, as far as a pending wife and baby goes. But… I liked Jim because I think he represented something that a lot of people feel, I think. Adrift at work, sort of going through the motions at a job he really is not invested in. And a big part of that manifests itself in the form of torturing Dwight. I don’t want to lose that and it will be interesting to see how the writers continue Jim being Jim, but being Mr. Dad and Husband at the same time. Of course, torturing Dwight is second nature to Jim (and Pam). There is a picture in that Entertainment Weekly article that suggests that Pam and/or Jim will still find ways to mess with Dwight. But how does that part of the show, which is a big fan-favorite part, occur with Jim’s new responsibilities. I’m just thinking here; I’m sure the shows writers have thought this out and are actually having fun figuring out Jim pranks in the new structure, but it’s a concern that popped into my head last night as I watched the show.
Great recap Bob! I personally LOVED the sub-plot with Darryl’s workman’s comp claim. How funny was it that his sister was outside in the same green jersey? I love that Toby was mortified and so awkward about the whole thing. Thent there’s Dwight like a cement truck, he just keeps barreling along. “Are you kidding me?! You two are identical!” ha ha! We were all thinking it, but it’s so not PC to say. Not that our Dwight cares about PC!! ha ha
I don’t know how the writers are going to work with Jim’s new responsibilities. I agree that a big part of JAM was their complete apathy at work. Now, they both are invested in this sinking ship. Not sure how that will play out. I’ll make it over to the forums sometime soon so we can chat some more.
Well, I thought this week’s episode was a big improvement over last week. I thought the Toby/Dwight pairing was funny, though I thought spying on Darryl was a bit too much. That’s something Dwight would do, but I don’t think Toby would get involved with something like that.
I am a little nervous about how “New Jim” will work out.
And I really hope they find something for Erin to do on the show. Ellie Kemper is a very funny actress and deserves more screen time. Of course, that seems to be a problem with this show. ALL of the supporting cast deserves more screen time.