Life In The Office

Hello LITO-ites! Gosh, this season is flying by, isn’t it? I can’t believe “Body Language” is already the 21st episode of this season! Only three episodes left in season 6. But don’t fret friends, our favorite show has always been good about giving us new webisodes and other little tid-bits to tide us over until next season. Unfortunately, who knows what will happen to The Office after season 7? But for now, we here at LITO want to continue to focus on the positive (deep cleansing breaths everybody!).

“Body Language” starts off with Michael speaking only Spanish at work. Erin and Jim play along and respond to him in Spanish as well. Prankster Jim has to get in his little dig though. After giving the camera a little sarcastic look that says “watch this”, he rattles off a complex response to Michael’s basic Spanish question that leaves him completely baffled. Unable to respond, Michael just screams a nonsense word back at him. It’s a bit disturbing, but not at all out of character for Michael.

Dwight refuses to play along with Michael. He responds in German. In a talking-head Dwight explains that Spanish is “not worth” learning. He has it on good authority that in twenty years everyone will be speaking German. Everyone, really?! He edits, “well, maybe a German/Chinese hybrid language”.

Michael explains in a talking-head that it’s important that everyone learn to speak Spanish. He then rattles off these lofty altruistic reasons why every man, woman and child should learn the language. You think to yourself “Wow”, how very noble of Michael! But then, he bursts that illusion by telling the camera that he’s going on vacation to Cancun next month. Ah! The real reason he’s spouting Spanish! That Michael!

Oscar has been helping Michael learn Spanish. Since it’s the gender terms that seem to be confusing him, Oscar tells him to put post-it notes with the universal gender symbols on everyday items to help him learn. Oscar then shows us the post-it’s Michael has drawn. It’s boobies and penises. Oscar just shakes his head as he looks around Michael’s post-it covered office, “Your office is full of genitalia”. And so the episode begins…

Jim and Pam have their first joint sale today. They’re both very excited. Dwight is mad of course. He wants to know, why them? Michael explains that JAM will put a “good face” on the company. Dwight just scoffs and replies, “I bet they’ve probably never cut a face off anything in their lives!” Jim has to agree, “Good point”.

In a joint talking-head, Jim and Pam gush about their complimentary strenghts that will make them a successsful sales power couple. I give, he takes, etc…Then it digresses into a cute “Abbott & Costello” type banter. *Sigh* Is there no end to the cuteness power of JAM? Apparently not.

It’s sales time! Jim and Pam’s prospective new client arrives at the office. Ooh! It’s Donna, the cute brunette manager of the restaurant/bar from this season’s episode, “Happy Hour”. Apparently, she’s in the market for printers. Michael it seems is in the market for her. When he sees her, he announces her arrival by saying, “Did somebody order a hooker in here?” Oh my, Michael! I guess that’s his way of flirting? No wonder he’s still single.

But Donna doesn’t seem disgusted by the introduction. She greets Michael who then proceeds to introduce her to his new ”wonder twins” sales team. Donna turns to greet Jim and Pam and immediatly exclaims that they do look exactly alike. Recognizing her confusion, Pam gently corrects her. Oh no, we’re not really twins, we’re married. Undaunted, Donna says that she “knows about these things” and that the newlyweds must have ancestors in common or something. Eww! Who says that?! Especially after you’ve been corrected?!

Angela jumps in and says, “I knew it! You should see their baby!” She says ”baby” in a way that one would say, “dead rat”. Pam and Jim just look at her. Apparently everyone in the office isn’t enamored of newborn CeCe.

Jim, Pam and Donna then proceed into the conference room for the sales pitch presentation. But right behind them is…Michael. He’s even infiltrated Jim’s power-point presentation by putting in photos of himself along side of subliminal sexual messages in the effort of “turning her on”. I laughed out loud when the word “SEX”  flashed briefly across the white screen at the end.

Gabe seems to have weathered the “Cookie Monster” fiasco from last week’s episode. He’s back in fine form. His new project? Finding qualified applicants for Sabre’s ”Print in all Colors” minority executive training program. His first approach at the Scranton Branch? New Sabre darling, Darryl.

Gabe explains the perks of the program to a hesitant Darryl. Dwight overhears their conversation and he wants in! Gabe explains that the program is for minorities only. Dwight scoffs and explains that he is a minority, “glasses, cholera survivor, genius, non-organic family farmer”. Gabe explains that none of those “qualifications” count. Applicants need to be a racial/ethnic minority. Dwight is mad and he let’s Darryl have it, “ten seconds ago this guy was driving a forklift, now he’s Cinderella of the office? What are you guys thinking?!”

Darryl, who was hesitant about the program initially, threatens to Dwight, “I like this program. Maybe one day I’ll be sitting in Michael’s chair. Would that be something?”  Darryl’s threat now has Dwight upset and worried!

Dwight explains in a talking-head, “A minority from this branch is getting in this program. Who do I prefer? The head-strong one? Or, the maliable simpleton who can be bought for a few fashion magazines?” lol ~ whomever could he mean?!

Dwight heads on over to Kelly’s desk. He immediatly pours on the charm (well…all the charm Dwight can muster). He tells her that he bets because of her minority status she probably gets treated poorly and pulled over by police alot. How unfair! Kelly mulls this thought over. “Well, the police say they’re pulling me over for texting, but maybe you’re right”. Dwight’s manipulation appears to be working! He tells Kelly about the program and explains how she could become the Indian Bill Gates or Ted Turner. Kelly looks confused by these comparison. But then she brightens, “I could be the Indian Julia Roberts!”. Dwight shakes his head, but decides it’s better to just go with it. After all, Kelly appears to be onboard with his plan so far.

Back in the conference room, Michael’s inappropriate behavior continues. Finally, it ends with him trying to kiss new client Donna. She gently moves out of his range. Awkward! Granted she seemed to be flirting back, but Michael’s action crossed the line completely. After all, this is a business, not a nightclub. Trying to kiss your client is a professional no-no!

Obviously Jim and Pam are not happy about what Michael did. Jim is very upset. Michael stands up for himself. After all Jim and Pam worked together and they did a heck of alot more than kiss. Pam realizes this is true and summarizes that if client Donna were really upset about the almost-kiss incident, she would have left the office.

Donna explains in a talking-head why she didn’t storm out. She agrees that Michael’s behavior wasn’t professional at all. But, she works in a nightclub and “gets hit on all the time”. “In my early twenties it was annoying. But in my late twenties, it’s flattering.” Late twenties? I don’t think so honey!

Michael is feeling bad about possibly ruining Pam and Jim’s first joint sale. He apologizes to them for his behavior. Pam is still on his side though. She tells Michael she’s backing out of the sale. It’s not up to Michael and Jim to sell Donna the printers she needs. Jim is shocked. He doesn’t agree with Pam’s assumption that maybe Donna is attracted to Michael too. Pam just pats him on the shoulder and says, “good luck wing-man.”

The rest of the staff is watching Jim and Michael work their sales magic through the blinds of the conference room. They’re trying to tell is Michael has a shot by Donna’s body language. They all have their opinion as to whether Donna is or is not attracted to Michael. Kevin thinks that Donna’s flirting with him. Phyllis disagrees saying, “some people can’t help but ooze sexuality”. Creed (yea!) pipes up, “you ever notice you can only ooze two things? Sexuality and pus.”

Back in the sales meeting, Donna is pushing for a discount. Jim explains they’re at their lowest numbers. Donna amps up the pressure on Michael by taking off her jacket and revealing a tight, low-cut blouse with holes cut out of the shoulders. It’s the kind of shirt you’d wear to a nightclub. Certainly not to a sales meeting! The presence of the sexy shirt drives Michael to interfere with Jim’s sale. He offers Donna discounts that would actually cost the company money!

Once again, Jim has to pull him aside to slap some sense into him. Jim, and the other office dudes explain that Donna’s just not that into him. She’s using her sexuality and his attraction for her to try to get a better deal on printers. That’s all. Michael is dejected.

Pam is still disagreeing with Jim. She feels that Donna is attracted to Michael. The pair has a joint talking-head and she explains her point, “You can flirt to get what you want and also be attracted to them. How do you think we got together?” Jim replies that he was at her desk 15 times a day. Pam retorts, “I was after your money”. Jim deadpans, “Well, then the joke was on you.” Her reply? “Yes it was.” So adorable!!!

Dwight comes to coach Kelly for the minority executive program and finds her huddled with Ryan over her computer. She tells Dwight that she doesn’t need his help. Ryan has already coached her. What?! Yep! And…she lets Dwight know that once she’s supervisor, she’s making Ryan manager and then they’re going to “clean house”. Uh-oh!

In Dwight’s talking-head he admits that in trying to control the outcome of the “Print in all Colors” program, he may have created a monster in Kelly.

Back in the sales meeting. Michael appears to have got a hold on his libido. But wait…no he hasn’t. Once again he does something innaproriate. Donna offers him a mint and he leans down to eat it out of her hand! This is such a gaff, that now the entire office is siding with Jim in that Donna is not attracted to Michael. Everyone in the office except Pam that is! She still thinks there is some attraction there. She explains, “I won’t say an attraction is impossible. Most printer sales are done over the phone Miss Boobshirt”. And I’ve got to admit, Pam has a point there!

Realizing his mistake in grooming Kelly to apply for the minority executive program, Dwight approaches Gabe and tries to disqualify her. His attempt fails. So, instead he tries to get Darryl back on board. But Gabe explains that Darryl has withdrawn his application because of the company softball team. Huh? Darryl explains, “I’ve got my whole life to be a minority executive. I’ve only got about a year left in these knees though.”

Kelly shows up for her interview in traditional Indian dress. Gabe is impressed. He asks, “I don’t mean to offend, but what does the dot mean?” Kelly replies, “I find that offensive actually.” lol Good cover Kelly! Long time Office fans know that she has no idea what that dot means either! Kelly then continues along with the interview. Gabe asks her hobbies. Her reply? Yoga, belly dancing, snake charming and beds of nails.

Not ready to give up, Dwight drags in the new Japanese warehouse worker to apply for the program. Kelly is mad!

Back to Michael’s struggle. After his last mistake, everyone (including Pam) has to admit that Donna is not attracted to Michael. Pam tries to soften the hurt by explaining that she really did think Donna was attracted to him. Phyllis offers her sympathies as well, “Bob’s workers flirt with me all the time. Usually I don’t let it go to far.” Usually?! The camera catches Jim’s face as he registers this comment. That Phyllis, quite the randy lady, huh?

In typical Michael style, he all but follows Donna out the door anyway. It’s uncomfortable and awkward. The staff is embarassed for their boss. He realized Donna left her barrette and runs out the door to return it to her in one last attempt to gain her favor. The staff tries to stop him, but it’s no use. He’s a man on a mission!

Gabe lets the office know that Kelly has been selected for the program. Her coworkers are thrilled for her! So is Gabe. He explains in a talking-head, “Tallahassee will be happy. I snagged an Indian. Kelly’s the first. The program has alot of black people. It’s almost too black.” Then realizing he’s made a very un-politically correct comment, he backpeddles. “That didn’t sound right.”

Kelly is gushing about being chosen. Dwight offers his congratulations. She appears to accept. They hug. Then Kelly tells him, “I never forget anything.” Uh-oh! Dwight laments in a talking-head, “Just once I’d like to be a puppet master and have nothing go wrong. Is that too much to ask?”

Michael heads out to the parking lot. Donna is in her car. He hands her barrette and realizes how silly he’s being. He tells her, “everyone told me you weren’t interested in me and they were right”. She replies that no, he was right. They kiss for real this time!

The episode closes with Michael returning to the office. Kelly tells him about her acceptance into the program. He tells everyone about his kiss with Donna. But it’s clear that after the whole day of this, no one believes him. Michael tries to act it doesn’t bother him that no one believe him, but it clearly does. He mumbles that he knows the truth and heads into his office.

The End!

So, what did you think of “Body Language”? I liked it. There were a few sweet JAM moments, Michael’s awkwardness was cringeworthy and cute. Kelly and Dwight’s interaction was great. So, all in all, a good episode. Let me know what you think by sounding off in the comments section. Or, please join us over in the forums to discuss the episode.

Thanks for reading! Donna