What could be better than an hour-long episode of “The Office”? How about an hour-long episode that involves competing Christmas parties, Asian waitresses and lots and lots of drinking?
The episode got off to a great start when Dwight brought in a dead bird (was it a goose?) that he happened to hit with his car. How cool did he look in that orange stocking cap? It was a great exchange between him and Toby, where Dwight begs Toby to allow him to clean and cook the bird at the office.
Moments later, Michael sets up the rest of the episode when he announces that he intends to take his girlfriend to a resort on an all-inclusive vacation. His rendition of Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” was priceless. His girlfriend shows up and breaks up with him because he photoshopped himself into a picture she had from a vacation (with her ex-husband) two years earlier, and sent it out as his Christmas card. (I’m sure his awkward marriage proposal last week didn’t help matters, either.)
Jim: “It’s a bold move to photoshop yourself into a photo of your girlfriend and her kids on a ski trip with her ex-husband, but Michael is a bold guy. Is ‘bold’ the right word?”
Michael’s jovial mood quickly turns to depression, which manifests itself as he plays a sappy song clip over and over on his computer. I didn’t recognize the song, but it sounded like James Blunt (or some such crooner). Dwight asks, “Why don’t you just buy the song?”
Meanwhile, Pam extends an olive branch to Karen and the two become quick friends.
Jim: “Yep, it looks like the Scranton people and the Stamford people are finally coming together. And that’s what you want, right?”
Based on your delivery of that line, Jim, not so much.
Angela’s domineering attitude in the party-planning meeting gives Pam and Karen the idea to have their own (more enjoyable) party. The scene where the two opposing committees posted their flyers was great and Jenna Fischer’s comedic timing was on full display. Later, when Karen is asked if they are taking the party war too far, she responds, “I don’t think we’re taking this far enough.” She looks over to Pam, who says, “I just got goose bumps.”
Andy, who is trying to take residence up Michael’s ass, offers to take him to lunch, and Dwight and Jim go along. “Bro’s before ho’s,” Michael reasons. So it’s off to Benihanas, where they drink a lot of saki and egg nogs before returning to work (with two Asian waitresses).
Here are a few of the better moments from the two parties:
– Kelly’s karaoke, where she sang, “We belong together…Ryan!” while Ryan is pounding a margarita.
– Michael losing track of which waitress is “his,” and wisely marks her arm with permanent marker.
– Angela restricting Kevin’s intake of brownies. “You’ve got to be kidding!” Kevin exclaims. Angela responds, pointing at his belly, “You’ve got to be kidding!
– Meredith swaying back and forth with a bottle of vodka in her hand while Kevin sings karaoke.
– Angela suddenly “discovering” the power cord to the karaoke machine, hidden in a nearby planter. She’s a wily one, that Angela.
It looks like Jim is starting to realize that he’s still in love with Pam. His little speech to Michael about rebound relationships implies that he’s realizing that Karen was just a rebound for him. This happened more quickly than I expected, but I have a feeling that Pam will get back with Roy before Jim finally decides to make his move. However, I’m sure he’ll burn bridges with Karen first, ruining that relationship for good.
If I were him, I’d stick with Karen, at least for a while. She’s got a sick sense of humor, she’s hot, but mostly, she’s willing to admit she likes him. Pam’s great, but she’s too timid in the art of love.
And, at the end, who agreed to go on vacation with Michael? It has to be Jan, right?
