Tori’s Review: Business School
Saturday, February 17th, 2007Before I start this review, I must make a confession.
I’ve never seen Firefly or Serenity. I’ve watched one episode of Buffy and maybe five episodes of Angel. I’m ashamed. I’m naked before you. But, now that I have admitted it, I vow to rent Firefly A.S.A.P. I want a brown coat like the other cool kids. (Did I get that wrong?)
I’m confessing this sin, of course, because Joss Whedon directed this week’s episode of The Office. I’ve read it was a coincidence this episode featured a rogue bat and Vampire!Jim, but I think it was just a sign it was meant to be.
I thought this was a fantastic episode. Michael was a lovable lunatic, we got great character moments, and — it had a bat! What is that?
Yes, it did have the reunion of Pam and Roy. That kind of sucked. I hear your cries and curse words, but fear not JAMpires, I think Pam is about to have her “Oprah moment.”
Even worse than a bat loose in an office, is a Michael loose on a college campus. How poorly is Ryan doing in school that he would risk humiliation, property damage, and candy bar assaults for a better letter grade? Maybe Ryan needs to spend less time watching Ugly Betty with Kelly and more time with the books.
It broke my heart when Michael realized his “big honor” was really an example of the downfall of small business. But through the humiliation, I think Ryan learned a small lesson from Michael. While Dunder Mifflin may one day go under, “A boss inspires people, and people don’t go out of business.” Unfortunately, he now must sit in the Annex — with Kelly. Beneath Michael’s lunacy and child-like behavior, he really does care about people and he hopes to inspire them in his own bizarre way.
Michael has inspired Dwight. Whenever I’m about to do something, I think, “Would an idiot do that?” And if they would, I do not do that thing. It makes me wonder what Dwight’s idea of an “idiot move” would be, because chasing a bat with a bag and sawed off broom (love ya, Creed!) is high up on my list. The entire mess did make for some great television, though. Angela’s stop-drop-and-roll and Mary Beth’s kitchen ass-kicking will go down as some of my favorite moments in Office history.
Back to Pam’s Oprah moment. I feel it in the air like an old man can feel rain coming. She described getting back together with Roy as stable and mature. Wrong. As much as it hurt her feelings, Gil hit the nail on the head: Pam is not courageous or honest with herself. She draws Dunder Mifflin and staplers and mugs because that is all she sees. She is too damn afraid of what she will find if she really looks. But if she can do it, I think she will be happy. I want Pam to be happy.
As the old cliché goes, art is in the eye of the beholder. Michael saw something in that drawing of Dunder Mifflin that he really needed to see. The final scene was touching — Michael was proud of Pam and it gave her the bit of inspiration she needed. After all, that is what bosses do — they inspire people.
Plus, he didn’t try and kiss her this time, so … progress.
Keep the faith, JAM fans. I feel we will get our happy ending someday. May your hats fly as high as your dreams. That doesn’t apply here, does it?
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Tori Weber is a Web Producer and writer for a television news station in Orlando, FL. Writing keeps her sane, and ice cream makes her happy. Dogs are good too. Visit her here.
What is peeving me the most is what they are doing with Pam. I could understand Pam going out with Roy again just because she thought he could “change.” Classic move. But come on, it is not like Pam just to practically move back in with him. She is the “test the waters” girl until she drowns. I love the Pam character and just feel they are getting awfully lazy with writing her. When she cancelled her wedding, that should have been Pam’s pivot point. Instead, not only do they make her look like a simpleton when she can’t recognize Jim’s continued interest in her but they make her entire life turn on the point of Jim’s perceived disinterest. I mean sure, she could have set backs, but geez, we are right back at day ONE with not even a remnant of Fancy Beesley all because some guy doesn’t like her, and yet he does, but she thinks he doesn’t. Whatever.
40 | Cathy Wed. Feb. 21, 2007 at 6:56amTori, I agree with you that Pam is prime for an “Oprah Moment”. If we’re to believe she’s smart enough to first notice Dwight/Angela and to pull pranks on Dwight, then she’s smart enough to see through Roy and to realize it’s time for the next chapter in her life.
But I am part of a growing majority that sees Michael’s over-the-top behavior as annoying, not “lovable” as you stated. We get that he’s socially inept, it doesn’t have to be shoved down our throats each week.
I find myself fast-forwarding through Michael’s obnoxious scenes now and that’s not good for the health of the show.
39 | 30% Frontal Attack Tue. Feb. 20, 2007 at 9:54amFirefly is amazing! So funny! It is the one show out there that I wish they would bring back. Great ensemble cast. Really witty. Buffy is acutually like that too. Both are not so much about vampires and spaceships as relationships and humor. The Office is my all time favorite show but Firefly is in my top 5 too. I love laugh out loud shows with “smart” humor.
38 | Stacey Mon. Feb. 19, 2007 at 6:16pmGreat insight. You should be thinking Jim and Karen, not Jim and that other girl. Also, I like the Office more when they stress less Jim - other girl.
37 | JR Ewing Mon. Feb. 19, 2007 at 12:11pmWonderful review, Tori!!
You have such great insight and I always feel much better about the show after reading your review. I had “mixed” feelings about this episode.
I hadn’t thought much about the “subjects” of Pam’s art until you mentioned them. Right now her world is so small. Just imagine what she could do with her artistic ability if she was with the one person she truly loved!
36 | Muffy Sun. Feb. 18, 2007 at 5:22pmThank you for all of the awesome comments! I love writing thsese and it means so much that you all read and enjoy! (It’s okay if you don’t like it too :) )
Thank you!
35 | Tori_Weber Sun. Feb. 18, 2007 at 4:23pmWhether Karen eventually ripped the flyer off the wall or not, there is no possible way Jim would have gone to the art show without being personally invited to it by Pam, like she invited Toby and Kelly.
Jim’s absence was Pam’s fault alone.
34 | HinduHalloween Sun. Feb. 18, 2007 at 12:54pm@ Emmy:
33 | majig Sun. Feb. 18, 2007 at 12:32pmYou realize that deleted scenes aren’t necessarily part of ‘Office’ canon, right?
Excellent review. I caught myself giggling again when you brought up some of the most entertaining moments!
32 | Tricia Sun. Feb. 18, 2007 at 11:54amI was really hoping that Pam would have her epiphany early in the season because breaking up with Roy made it seem like she was heading that way. Karen threw a wrench on the works and she’s stumbled. I hope it doesn’t take until the season finale for the writers to make her step up. Love your reviews!
yay this is good! Can’t wait for May && to say bye-bye to stupid Karen! Ya know what? I didn’t mind her untill I saw on the ‘Business School’ deleted scenes that she went && ripped Pam’s art show flyer off of the wall. That’s why Jim didn’t show….what ashame.
31 | Emmy Sun. Feb. 18, 2007 at 8:01amJust waiting for that “Oprah moment” now…
30 | CH Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 8:38pmA lovely review! Thanks for bringing up the other points of the show besides Jim and Pam. I love that storyline, but there is so much more quality writing to focus on!
29 | AnimalStool Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 8:36pmgreat review tori!
28 | eric Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 6:58pmyour reviews are always the best. I think you described the Pam situation perfectly
27 | Corporate Booty Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 5:45pmGreat review! I think the past couple of episodes have been fantastic. This has been a terrific season so far, even if a couple of episodes at the beginning were a little uneven.
26 | Jennifer Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 5:29pmGreat review!
25 | Stephanie C. Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 4:22pmThe Office was the only show (DVD) to get me off of my 2 year Buffy/Angel addiction.
Hey loved your review! I really believe good will come from Gill’s comment, like you said - she needs to look @ reality & see Roy = wrongggg ; jim = rightt!
* Thats all I gotta say & Oh. Next week BETTER be good.
24 | Emmy Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 4:17pmLove JAM. Emily
Joss Whedon rules.
23 | Browncoat Jedi Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 3:24pmGreat review! I was starting to wonder where this was :-P
I must confess. I’ve seen nothing at all discussed in your first paragraph. Nothing. :(
Great recap!
22 | Jim Mosby Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 3:22pmgreat review! i so hope that you are right and pam will have her oprah moment soon! it’s episodes like this one that really make michael seem likeable and like a good boss. last week i was a little worried, because he made such a jerk out of himself, but this week he redeemed himself(well as much as michael scott can redeem himself)…can’t wait for next weeks episode
21 | JAMtastic Sat. Feb. 17, 2007 at 3:21pm