The Office: Season Four - Page 2

Re: The Office: Season Four

I love it any time Ryan is taken down a notch. He's such an ass.

Cash basket!

Re: The Office: Season Four

The look on Ryan's face when Pam tells him she's dating Jim and then the camera pans towards Jim was classic.

Michael's "That's what she said" list.

Anything Creed.

I got a date!

Few other laughs but didn't really LOL much this episode.

Poor Toby!!!!

Re: The Office: Season Four

OK. Another darker episode - or maybe I'm just not used to these characters being tossed so relentlessly into these new, odd, dare I say "sitcom" situations. I can't quite put my finger on it - almost as if it's trying harder to capture the scripted tone of a show like "30 Rock" or "My Name is Earl", rather than the naturalistic tone is struck so well its first couple seasons.

The Dwight and Angela interactions have never made me laugh, and have never entertained me, although those two characters on their own I find very funny. Together they just seem so scripted.

This episode was full of brilliant little moments - and I mean FULL. Kevin calling Jim "tuna", Ryan's David-Brent like cocky expressions, Creed's "young dude" routine in the break room, Dwight's crying in the car ("crying Dwight" is hilarious), and Michael's "crazed" expression when he goes back to "reclaim" the basket... still cracks me up thinking about that.

And this episode was AWKWARD. Toby's memo and subsequent talk with Jim and Pam... ugh... Phyllis getting all catty about "receptionist favoritism"... Ryan asking out Pam (hey, he's always been a pompous jerk, we KNEW he had this inner bastard waiting to burst out after years of being under Michael) ...

Anyone think they're setting up Ryan for a fall? Anyone think he's going to start dating Karen? Man, please don't let this show be just another show consisting mainly of criss-crossing romantic relationships.

The broader strokes, as usual, were the weakest. Angela and Dwight's (looong) talks, their restaurant breakup, driving the car into the lake... Michael's breakdown in his old client's office was amazing, though...

Re: The Office: Season Four

Wow, this season is starting out strong! Another great episode(s).

I too loved Michael running his car into the lake based on the GPS directions. I have a GPS navigational system in my wife's car, and while it's usually great, there is the occasional time when it says to do something that a little human observation would clearly indicate not to do.

I also loved the use of the Crackberries. Not everyone in my company has them, but enough do, and that blank, distracted look on people's faces as they text out an e-mail to someone is very real. I liked the conversation between Phyllis and Stanley about learning to use the Crackberry. "How do you just press one button?"

Poor Toby. "Let's just wait and see," when Pam and Jim wanted to fill out a love document. And his memo at the top of the show about PDAs. "That must have been your way of congratulating us." Yeah...

I always love Mindy aka Kelly when she gets screen time. I loved the tone of her voice when she told the camera she had a date, after telling Ryan she was pregnant. And then when he found out she lied and asked how she figured he wouldn't be upset and that "they" were over, and she said "Whyyy!" And when Ryan suggested that they could downsize her and outsource her job to India. And yes, she's Indian, and it's confusing. And wow, she looked hot in that polka dot dress.

I enjoyed the reuse of the "Big" photo.

Did the view outside Michael's office window during his interview scenes look different?

I really wanted Michael's old-school business tactics to work. :-(

Creed's dyed hair cracked me up.

Great season so far...

Re: The Office: Season Four

OK, I just rewatched it and the first half hour was better that the last half in terms of laughter.

Regarding the dundermifflininfinity.com commercial at the end. Only young people were in it, including Pam and Jim. Ok, Michael was there but he doesn't look that old yet.

Re: The Office: Season Four

I like this TV show is all about the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder Mifflin Paper Company..

Re: The Office: Season Four

Wow, after only a few weeks at Corporate, Ryan has completely transformed into a d*****bag. He's already outdone Jan at her worst. I wonder how much they're paying him, because Kevin kept referring to Ryan as being "rich," and I never thought of Jan as "rich" when she held the position.

Re: The Office: Season Four

I am rooting for Ryan. I hate Michael's character and would love to see him leave the show. I know, I know, that would never happen. He is the "main" character. I just hate his whole personality. I guess that means that Steve C. is a good actor.

Ryan was abused for a long time. He deserves to get in a few licks.

Kelly looked really bad in this episode. She is not really aging very well.

Re: The Office: Season Four

Well, she didn't look so good in 40 Year Old Virgin, so I think it's mostly hair-and-makeup thing.

Actually, Ryan starting showing that side of him last season when Jim moved to the other branch and he stopped being "The Temp."

Re: The Office: Season Four

So, has anyone visited www.dundermifflininfinity.com? I just applied to join their Spokane, Wa branch.

Re: The Office: Season Four

For days I've been getting a communication log error (in red text) whenever i try to submit my information to the DunderMifflinInfinity website. Strange.

Last night's episode was good but I agree with Steve that some of the moments felt too scripted. The uncomfortable moments were my favorite. This was true with the original UK series, a show that benefited from a shorter run with more tightly wound and carefully scripted 'spontaneity.'

"Where are the TURTLES?!!!!!!!" <---- my favorite moment, plus Michael's crazed, single-minded expression of hurt and pain.


Fair enough, but it's Michael's deep rooted insecurity and constant misguided attempts to appease his own neurosis provide many of my favorite moments on "The Office."

What drew me to the show in the first place (I'm speaking of the UK version here) was an appreciation for dark humor, for mining the vein of lost souls, their horror and discomfort and warmth and skewed, unlikely kinships, particularly this man-child with delusions of grandeur and (ultimately) David Brent's partial and surprising redemption at the end.

I realize this is a different show, a broader situation comedy with faint glimmers of the more reality based docudrama feel. As for the US version, I keep watching Michael Scott in the hopes that as the show nears its end, the writers will find a way to give him true happiness and security, even if it's irrelevant. His alleged 'unlikability' is what makes his moments of genuine warmth (and they do happen) so satisfying to watch. He may be a SNL-grade pratfaller some of the time, but in the show's best moments, he's a true comedian... a tragic figure who mines laughs from the darkest of moments, someone who earns our affection by appealing simultaneously to our sympathy and disgust.

I may be mistaken about this, but the more conventional, scripted laughs and the clever confessions seem to be the moments that much of the HTF feedback warms to most quickly. Perhaps Michael should leave... to make room for a different kind of show. Perhaps an hour long dramedy about romantic relationships in an office, complete with 'life lesson' narration bookending each episode.

Sorry, that was mean-spirited. I guess you can see how and why those same-self moments on "The Office" appeal to me most.

Re: The Office: Season Four

"The Office" has a mission statement, and it is personified in the buffoonish and often (unconsciously) cruel Michael Scott: "Personal connections and love are more important than money or business." Even if Michael mangles this message 99% of the time, Michael is the planet around which the satellites of "The Office" gravitate/rotate, as well as this theme.

As funny as they are, without Michael the show would have no center. The surrounding characters would be less funny. That's why a Dwight spinoff is a seriously bad idea. Beet farms, odd beliefs... his odd devotion to Michael is what makes him really amusing and it also adds a touching element (I recall the car scene between Dwight and Michael in "Branch Closing") to the show.

Upon further reflection, it's really Dwight and Angela's relationship which provides the moments which take me out of the "reality" of the situation more often nowadays. It has always rung a little too exaggerated and false to me, just this side of disbelief.

Did anyone notice right after Michael and Dwight escape from the car, you can see the shadow of the cameraman's head/camera on the ground at the shore of the lake? I believe that's one of the first times we've seen an actual visual mark of the "camera crew" inexplicably following these people around for years (despite their interaction with the staff).

I'll be watching this episode again, to catch the dozens of things I'm sure I missed the first time through.

Re: The Office: Season Four

It was probably because they couldn't film it again without incurring more expenses in pulling the car out of the lake and filming it again, plus they were probably fighting to get the scene done before they lost the light.

Re: The Office: Season Four

The cameraman was in the rear seat when the car went into the lake. I remember seeing the rear door open so the cameraman can escape.

Re: The Office: Season Four

Michael opened the door for the cameraman to get out of the car.

Re: The Office: Season Four

I've really enjoyed that there are many throwaway visual and dialogue bits that can be appreciated if you rewatch an episode. Did anyone happen to notice what appeared to be a jar of homemade "Great Scott" salad dressing on Michael's desk when he and Jan were eating?

Definitely! The most awkward moment, in my opinion, being the attempt to reclaim the gift basket. This was on my mind mostly because Entertainment Weekly paired their cover story on the show with a list of awkward comedy moments.

Re: The Office: Season Four

another good episode.

My favorite part is Creed coloring his hair and saying he turns 30 in November.

I also laughed at the part when Michael told Dwight about fixing the dent where he hit Meredith.

I agree about the Dwight and Angelia scenes. It seems like it slows down the comedic pace.

Re: The Office: Season Four

Michael: I wanted to print new photos but all the printers were out of ink and toner. *Camera closes in on Creed's dyed hair*

Re: The Office: Season Four

Ha! Didn't make that connection. I think I was concentrating on the reuse of the Ben Kingsley photo, which I was amused to note Pam pointed out.

Re: The Office: Season Four

Great episode although I agree with Jose that the first half hour was much better than the second in terms of sheer laughs. Overall I enjoyed this one more than the season premiere and the season is definitely off to a good start. The only thing I'm really not liking so far is the whole Dwight/Angela angle. I hope they shift the focus away from that soon as it's not really a lot of fun to watch. Dwight was responsible for some of the greatest moments in this show's history so I really hope they get his character back on track.

Re: The Office: Season Four

I just saw a commercial for this coming episode and I just Laughed Out Loud.

Re: The Office: Season Four

I forgot to mention my favorite moment of last week's episode: the fact that Michael actually had a list of phrases he could follow up with "That's what she said". I especially loved Pam reading #3 on the list: "Put your mouth on it".

Re: The Office: Season Four

The Office is by far still the best show.

Are they going to keep the show an hour each week?

Re: The Office: Season Four

I sure hope not (unless it's two separate half hour episodes).

I thought the funniest line from this past week was when Andy said (something like), "Now that Jim is with Pam, that means I'm now the best looking available bachelor in the office." With this big grin on his face. It took me a few seconds to realize how funny that is (once I realized who the available women in the office are.) It's subtle humor like that that makes the show so great.

Re: The Office: Season Four

You need to check out the English version of the Office...the English of Michael is much, much more annoying. Like the most cringe worthy character on tv ever.

All i have to say is Creed....Later Skater

Re: The Office: Season Four

If Creed were to write that, you know he'd write it like this;

l8r sk8r

Re: The Office: Season Four

"Sometimes you got to ride the bull - ya know what I mean?"