Grid Effect

Between Nip Tuck, South Park, Survivor and tonight’s Office episode, we have four episodes of quality television in a row. Apparently this episode was written by BJ Novak, and he has really refined his skill. It seemed a little self-indulgent how he had more screentime than ever before. When Michael Imperioli writes Sopranos episodes, he seems to make it a point to keep himself in the background. And I can respect that. But hey, if its funny I can’t complain.

The dynamic between Dwight and Ryan is almost as good as Dwight and Michael. Dwight being the misguided, ill-intentioned, authority obsessed Dundler Mifflin employee, decides the best method for mentoring Ryan is to drive him out to his families old beet farm. While there, Rainn Wilson delivers some very unexpected lines. Meanwhile Ryan, the tolerant, suddenly eager to learn yet clearly annoyed with Dwight newbee goes along with his absurd plan because he doesn’t want to be confrontational. Great hijinx ensues. It seems like eveytime they remove the characters from “The Office”, then The Office gets that much more comical.

Stanley’s love for pretzel day seems fitting. Can’t explain why.

Over at the Stamford branch, Jim and Karen are still enjoying each others company as they both try to avoid the chair that squeaks. As dull as it may sound, they make it entertaining. We actually see some witty banter between Jim and Pam this week as well. Albeit over the phone, but its better than nothing. It was amusing before they mutually yet unintentionally forced each other off the phone. I said last week that I would prefer it if the writers veered in a different direction and that is still the case. However their interaction is charming and clever enough that I might not mind it. Even though It seems like that interaction might hinge on their current predicament: unsure on how too approach each other emotionally.

Some great lines:

“When you are ready for the sales office, the sales office will present itself to you.” -Dwight to Ryan, after Dwight stops the car in the middle of nowhere.

“It’s weird. Jan used to treat Michael like a ten year-old, but now its like he’s five.”-Pam, after Jan asks her to log Michael’s activity.

“And just as you have planted your seed in the ground I am going to plant my seed, in you.”
“I don’t think you know what your saying.”
-Dwight to Ryan while Ryan is planting a beet seed at the Schrute beet farm.

“Smells pretty bad, doesn’t it … its called bullcrap, and a client can smell it a mile away.” -Dwight to Ryan about his farm.

“This is pretzel day.” -Stanley to Bob Vance when he tries to let Phyllis cut in the free pretzel line.

“This is not a proportionary response.” -Karen complaining about Jim’s revenge tactic to her purposely squeaking her chair.

“Michael always says: ‘K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple Stupid. Its a great line. Hurts my feelings everytime.” -Dwight lecturing Ryan before the actual sales call.

And really the entire conversation between Jim and Pam was flawless.