Grid Effect

Its the actual congregating of the two offices! We, as well as Scranton, are introduced to some new faces. Last nights episode entailed tons and tons of setup. It was almost like a second pilot, which gives the series more legs. And considering that one wonders how much longer Carrell plans on playing Michael Scott for. He has a very promising movie career if he decides to pick up and leave, and NBC might not be willing to meet his economic demands after awhile. The British series was something like fourteen episodes, by the time this third season ends the US version will have more than tripled that. So you have too wonder what his loyalties are.

Anyhow, enough cynicism. There was some great material in tonights episode of The Office, especially the dynamic between Dwight and Andy. As I said last week, it would be a middle-management power struggle, and their immediate hatred of each other was exactly what I expected, as Andy is immensely insecure and Dwight is psychotically hyper-competitive and recognizes everyone as a threat, see his racing challenge with Toby, or when he confronted Jim. It just makes sense they would use their completely innocuous titles as means of determining who wields more power. Andy even goes so far as to hit on Angela, albeit unknowing about her and Dwight, it was far from innocent. Also enjoyed the Andy-Michael partnership. They are awkward as hell but they are mutually awkward, so it works. Definitely shades of The Daily Show.

The Pam and Jim scenes are inundated with realism. I don’t even care what happens with them and for me it was painful to watch. I can only imagine what its like to be emotionally invested in this story. When she saw Jim and Karen walking inside after the slashed tires scene, then at the end of the episode leaving the office, I have never seen her look so world-beaten. She seems disappointed that he is so distant. Interesting the shoe is on the other foot, and the more I think about it, the more confident I am they will put her and Roy back together. Why else would he have been in so many scenes leading up to this episode?

Other notes:

-Loved seeing Phyllis snippy with Karen when defending her perfume.

-Pam’s mom crochets, just like Ian Johnson.

-The breast pump thing was… odd.

Some great lines:

“Cross me and I will destroy you.” -Andy threatening Jim before they even get to Scranton.

“My suggestion: you should fire a new employee right off the bat to consolidate power.” -Dwight to Michael on how to handle the new employees.

“I hope 1985 has a time machine because I drive an ‘87″. -Dwight defending his Trans-Am to Andy after he suggested it was made in 1985.

Andy: Anything to report?
Dwight: You mean to me, from you, cause thats how it works.
-Andy and Dwight arguing over whose the subordinate.

Random New Guy: Does it get any better?
Ryan: Sometimes he brings more costumes.
-Ryan explaining employment under Michael.

“Jim is a nice guy, thats why I got the chair.” -Ryan, after Jim forfeited his old chair to him.

“I don’t know what I’m grabbing here.” -Michael, trying to hoist some morbidly obese ex-Stamford-ite onto a table for a motivational exercise.

Thats it for this week as I have to go out of town, will recap last nights Survivor on Sunday.