Grid Effect

Definitely on par with last week’s episode, maybe even a slight improvement, depending on your sensibilities. The episodes where they venture outside the office are really either hit or miss and I would classify last night’s venture as a success.

Where to begin? First off, there was just enough Pam-Jim stuff to suffice the romantic interlude crowd, but not enough to nauseate the rest of us as we pray to God that this character driven comedy doesn’t turn into Friends or Will and Grace (I feel like it’s only a matter of time, look at the general source of conversation at the TWoP message boards). Even I enjoyed some of the subtle reminders that those two crazy kids are still into each other (Jim admiring Pam’s composite sketch, Pam eavesdropping on Phyllis and Karen’s conversation about lingerie Jim might find appealing).

This was definitely an opportunity to pity instead of hate Michael. Mainly because of his relationship with his boss and his inability to realize that he wants to break up with her because of her sexual experimentation (a euphemism for complete denigration of Michael); which actually brought him to tears while in the company of his female employees. Outside of maybe the first ten minutes or so (when he was mimmicking Phyllis’ flasher), the majority of the episode was a reflection of the dismal understanding he has for his relationship with Jan. At least the mall field trip actually gave Michael some closure and he broke it off with her. Never the less, he still couldn’t change a tire, or even pretend like he could (reminded me of the Curb episode “Thor”, in which a wrestler slashed Larry’s tire).

The entire women’s restroom thing was a little bizarre. Is this common practice for women’s restroom’s at work to have a better interior design than the rest of the building? And Creed has always been a character, somewhat defiant of the mainstream, so to speak. but this week he was conveying actual criminal behavior. Is he eventually going to admit to killing someone? Because at this point, that seems like the only logical trajectory for the character.

Also revealed in the womens restroom amongst all the regular guys, Ryan made a move for Karen in an email, read it to Jim, then claimed she wasn’t ready for an office relationship. Which he bought to avoid being flat-out rejected, then claimed to be unprepared for such a relationship himself. Despite currently dating Kelly, whom is completely clueless (and always has been) towards Ryan’s indifference to her. I enjoyed that storyline, they managed to convey all of this in about fifteen seconds.

The only thing that seemed a little far-fetched? It going unnoticed to Dwight that Pam drew his face and added a mustache for the picture of the Scranton flasher. I would like to think had a similar prank been played on me, or really anyone for that matter, the person would be able to recognize him/herself. His realization post-credits was hilarious, though. Also, I’m pretty sure I enjoyed Andy more as the pompous, arrogant shit head he was before anger management. How long before the next outburst. This has “Serenity Now” written all over it.

Some noteworthy lines/moments:

Jim Halpert is demerited from Dwight, he asks what it is or what it means, it essentially escalates to the point where its the private sectors equivalent to having insubordinant behavior being placed on your “permanent record”. In other words it’s worthless.

“Phyllis, Your a married woman”. -Angela, blaming Phyllis for being flashed.

“Did he even see Pam, or even Karen… from behind?” -Michael, underplaying the importance of Phyllis being flashed.

“Better 1,000 innocent men are locked up than one guilty man roam free.” -Dwight, bound and determined to catch the perpetrator.

A very basic overview of the tone to Michael’s relationship: their safe word is foliage, and Janet pretends to not hear him from time to time. Janet offers Michael $200 to visit her because she “misses his body”, then offers him $300, then says she just needs to know whether or not he’s driving to New York so she can tell her assistant to get more vodka.

“You know what, why doesn’t Oscar run the meeting? he’s a homosexual.” -Dwight, somehow making a conncetion between homosexuality and flashing.

“When Meredith flashed me at that Christmas party, I nearly vomited” -Michael, regaling a season two episode.

“Are we still talking about this, I’ll ask it again what is the big deal?” -Creed, scaring everybody.

“TV portrays women as tall, skinny goddesses. And are they like that? No, look around, no they are not.” -Michael, inadvertantly insulting every female employee he has.

Angela: Whenever we complain you ask us if we’re on our periods.
Michael: I have to know whether you’re serious or not.

Meredith enjoys potato chips, is disconcerned with the environment and cannot park her van.

“You’re a preppy freak, the office pariah and nobody likes you.” -Dwight, explaining to Andy why Andy is so appreciative of Dwight’s tutiliag

“A woman looks best when she is absolutely naked” -Michael explaining why he doesn’t like lingerie.

‘What are you doing in here? this is the woman’s restroom.” -Creed, protesting all the men hanging out in the women’s restroom, something he uses for his excremental relief. Again, damn weird.

“I wish for Jan to get over me, I wished for Pam to gain courage, I wished for Phyllis a plasma TV, I wished for Angela a heart and for Kelly a brain.” -Michael

As you can see, it was a quote heavy episode. Hopefully the finale can measure up and stear clear of an abundance girlfriend/boyfriend conundrums, much like these past two episodes.