*** The Office: Season 5 ***

[Stumbleweed]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Yeah, I mean, he can only take so much... the Holly thing really got to him, and then getting a new boss who ruins his fun put him over the edge. Not being able to even talk to David Wallace was a huge slap in the face for someone that is a 15 year employee and is helming the most productive branch, regardless of his ridiculousness and screw-ups over the years. He's a sensitive guy, and when Wallace offered him the party but nothing in the way of actual respect, that was the final straw for Michael. Obviously he's not leaving the show or anyhting, so this will blow over... but yeah, I kinda saw this coming ever since he started talking brashly to David in "Business Trip".

I think the episode was one of the most in-character episodes for everyone aside from Angela, actually... but I think it's slowly being revealed that her hyper-religious personality is just an act and she's really just a big ol' slutbag.

Jim: "Mr. Peanut is classy."

Michael: "Yes, so classy!"

Dwight: "Mr. Peanut is not classy, he is a regular peanut with a tuxedo and top hat."

[taylor34]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Was I the only one that found Michael s behavior severely over the top?

When this show first started I thought it was brilliant. Michael wasn't an idiot in the traditional sense, but more of a social moron.
I thought Steve Carols portrayal of Michael Scott reflected the British version perfectly.
But since season 2 the character has changed drastically.
He's turned into a complete bumbling idiot with no brains.

That whole thing where he was imitating his boss like a 5-year-old was ridiculous.

I wish they would go back to how he was earlier. It's probably the reason why I haven't watched more than 6 full episodes in the past 2 seasons.

I agree totally. The show getting to be uncomfortable to watch. I loved the office, even the first couple of episodes this season, but the last bunch of episodes have been not funny and overall terrible basically because of what they have done to Michael's character. This latest episode didn't have single funny moment.

Taylor34

[p_rushing]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

I think what is going to happen is Charles is going to screw something up because he doesn't know paper and the rest of the office is going to revolt. This will cause Michael to get his job back, maybe a promotion, and finally get a pay raise to match his title.

[Pared]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Yeah, I mean, he can only take so much... the Holly thing really got to him, and then getting a new boss who ruins his fun put him over the edge. Not being able to even talk to David Wallace was a huge slap in the face for someone that is a 15 year employee and is helming the most productive branch, regardless of his ridiculousness and screw-ups over the years. He's a sensitive guy, and when Wallace offered him the party but nothing in the way of actual respect, that was the final straw for Michael. Obviously he's not leaving the show or anyhting, so this will blow over... but yeah, I kinda saw this coming ever since he started talking brashly to David in "Business Trip".

That is what was so great about it, IMO.

As big as a goof as he is, he has his moments. The whole "I've been here for 15 years; I deserve more" speech was perfectly done. It's what I would expect from him... and those signs are rare, but that's what I love about them.

Go back and rewatch Season's 1 and 2. C'mon, the guy was cooking his foot on a George Foreman grill for crying out loud!

[pfunk880]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

As far as the thing with Jim, I'm assuming Charles just wasn't aware of the position, because it definitely exists.

[trobinson97]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

As far as the thing with Jim, I'm assuming Charles just wasn't aware of the position, because it definitely exists.

Yeah but Jim knows and he didn't make much of an argument to convince him that he did. Like someone else said, it seems like the answer is that it was simply a continuity error on the part of the writers. I remember Jim getting the promotion having just watched that season again a few weeks ago.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Yeah, I love Season 2 as much as anyone, but I think people are romanticizing those episodes a bit, as the behavior of characters was just as crazy back then. They had a lot more out of the office episodes (which I never really like) since Season 2, but honestly, the development that has occured since then has done more for the show than any of the bad episodes since have taken away from it... all of the side characters are way more interesting and multi-faceted since the early days.

The Jim and Pam dynamic is the only thing you can really point at when people say that the show lost its mojo since Season 2-3... otherwise, it's very similar and has truly improved in a lot of ways. Yeah, the "will they, won't they" element added a lot of intrigue, but they couldn't carry on with that forever and it often became the focus of the episode, which took away from the comedy most of the time. I can't complain about this show.. occasionally an episode that I didn't like much comes around, but it's been really solid.

EDIT: And as far as the confusion/continuity error about Jim's Assistant REgional Manager position, my take on it is this:

He went to Stamford, but when the branches were merging ("Branch Closing"), and Josh weaseled out of the company, Jan offered Jim the 2nd in command at Scranton just to keep him in the company. She never mentioned any added responsibilities or anything like that. Michael always told Dwight he was the #2, but clearly Jim has had that title since his return to Scranton, as he's always "in charge" when Michael is out of the office.

However, by mentioning to Stringer (heh) that the position was once fake (when Dwight had it) as well as not being able to describe his added responsibilities (since there aren't really any to speak of.. Jan just offered him that position to keep him from leaving), it made him look like a joker getting paid more money for no extra work. And in tough economic times, a cost-cutting VP like String is going to raise an eyebrow about a guy making more than everyone else with no clear added responsibilities.

[fpac]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Go back and rewatch Season's 1 and 2. C'mon, the guy was cooking his foot on a George Foreman grill for crying out loud!

Thank you. I was fixing to write the same exact thing. Michael has ALWAYS done completely ridiculous over the top things.

I thought last night's episode was great. I seriously think the 2nd hardest I've ever laughed at this show was Michael's line "I just spoke with Michael Scotch and David's kid will be returned unharmed."

[Pared]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

LMAO I completely forgot about that. Great scene. I love Dwight's "Hey Sweety" tone with the dark turn. He never disappoints.

[Sandman42]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Yeah, I love Season 2 as much as anyone, but I think people are romanticizing those episodes a bit, as the behavior of characters was just as crazy back then. They had a lot more out of the office episodes (which I never really like) since Season 2, but honestly, the development that has occured since then has done more for the show than any of the bad episodes since have taken away from it... all of the side characters are way more interesting and multi-faceted since the early days.

The Jim and Pam dynamic is the only thing you can really point at when people say that the show lost its mojo since Season 2-3... otherwise, it's very similar and has truly improved in a lot of ways. Yeah, the "will they, won't they" element added a lot of intrigue, but they couldn't carry on with that forever and it often became the focus of the episode, which took away from the comedy most of the time. I can't complain about this show.. occasionally an episode that I didn't like much comes around, but it's been really solid.

EDIT: And as far as the confusion/continuity error about Jim's Assistant REgional Manager position, my take on it is this:

He went to Stamford, but when the branches were merging ("Branch Closing"), and Josh weaseled out of the company, Jan offered Jim the 2nd in command at Scranton just to keep him in the company. She never mentioned any added responsibilities or anything like that. Michael always told Dwight he was the #2, but clearly Jim has had that title since his return to Scranton, as he's always "in charge" when Michael is out of the office.

However, by mentioning to Stringer (heh) that the position was once fake (when Dwight had it) as well as not being able to describe his added responsibilities (since there aren't really any to speak of.. Jan just offered him that position to keep him from leaving), it made him look like a joker getting paid more money for no extra work. And in tough economic times, a cost-cutting VP like String is going to raise an eyebrow about a guy making more than everyone else with no clear added responsibilities.

I agree with that also. He gets some extra pay and is "in command" when Michael is out of the office, but that's really it. It sounds like none of the other branches have an Asst. Regional Manager, because when Jim told Stringer he definitely never heard of it before, and I assume he's been to most of the other branches.

[Skerik]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Just watched last night's episode on DVR. It was great! Every member of the cast is funny in their own way, but adding a completely straight man like Idris Elba to the show really gives people like Michael something to play against.

Although when Michael first stepped out of the office to greet the new VP, I fully expected String to pull out a gun and cap him.

[trobinson97]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Just watched last night's episode on DVR. It was great! Every member of the cast is funny in their own way, but adding a completely straight man like Idris Elba to the show really gives people like Michael something to play against.

Although when Michael first stepped out of the office to greet the new VP, I fully expected String to pull out a gun and cap him.

Another dude you can add to the "actors you can't see as anyone else" thread. I even told my wife last night, "Stringer Bell is on The Office now."

[Sandman42]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Was I the only one hoping that when Michael asked him where he worked before, that Stringer would have said Baltimore?

[pfunk880]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

Was I the only one hoping that when Michael asked him where he worked before, that Stringer would have said Baltimore?

[Pared]

Re: *** The Office: Season 5 ***

I just rewatched the episode and there were plenty of funny parts.

"Tell him to call me back ASAP as possible."

"4 string quartet playing classy-cal music"

Jim being watched by Charles

"You spend all this money on lunch... I think it's a little hyper-critical."

"He just skipped the Ace Ventura butt thing."

Jim's 2 way petting zoo idea (lol) "No, I'd really just like to get back to work."

"Newflash... Headline... End of story. END OF STORY.

Michael throwing the cushion chair

Great ep. Loved the balance of story/character development and humor.