Death usually isn’t this funny.
When Michael learns that his former boss died, it sends him into a bit of a tailspin. After he announces the news to the office, he looks for support from Pam
Michael: Did you hear the news?
Pam: You mean the news that you just announced?
This conversation ends in a hug.
Meanwhile, Jim and Karen, the pretty brunette from his new office, are in full flirt mode. Karen can’t get the chips she wants, so the duo searches hither, thither and yon for a store that carries them. At one point, Karen called a store in Montreal, speaking perfect French to the store clerk. They didn’t stock the chips, but Jim was duly impressed.
Finally, after calling the manufacturer, the distributor and the vending machine company, Jim learns that they sell the chips in the building next door. Karen lights up when she sees the bag of chips on her desk.
Is Jim finally over Pam? I don’t think so.
Back at the Scranton office, Creed informs Michael that his former boss died by decapitation (apparently, driving drunk and sliding under an 18-wheeler).
Dwight: That is the way to go – instant death, very smart.
Jan suggests that Michael give the office the day off, but he decides that it would be more appropriate to build a statue in the man’s honor – a full-size statue with moving arms. Dwight informs him that that makes it a robot.
Dwight: We better make it two-thirds scale. That way we can stop it if it turns on us.
I thought the best part of the episode was the meeting that Michael called in the conference room, where whoever was holding that stupid expanding plastic ball would have to relate a story about death. Pam was pulled out of the meeting by her ex and the two went down to the parking lot and had a little chat. It’s clear now that’s she’s warming up to him again. Another bad blind date and she’ll want to get back into something familiar. But the best line of the episode – or, I should say, the best delivery – was when Pam returned to the conference room.
Michael: Okay, we can get started.
Pam: (incredulous) You waited for me?
Dwight’s story about “resorbing” his twin brother in the womb was awesome, capped by his line…
Dwight: Now I have the strength of a man and a small baby.
Pam related a story about an aunt who was a great boxer. She was paralyzed in a fight and asked her trainer to remove her breathing tube. Ryan finally seems to be catching on to Pam’s humor, and he told the story of “The Lion King,” describing how his cousin (Mufasa) was trampled by a herd of wildebeest on a recent safari to Africa.
After Kevin goes too far (by trying to pass of the plot of “Weekend at Bernie’s” as his own story), Michael catches on and gets upset.
Michael: Do you think this is a game?
Phyllis: You did throw us a ball.
I thought it was great that Michael didn’t recognize the other two movie plots, but sure as hell knew the one to “Weekend at Bernie’s.”
Michael is fuming now, and Toby tries to talk him down by relating a story about a dead bird that flew into the window that morning. Michael furiously tries to resuscitate the bird, but it’s too late. Michael announces that there will be a funeral (for the bird) in the parking lot at 4 PM that is mandatory for the office. Pam, sensing that Michael needs closure, helps to organize the event. I loved the little casket she built (complete with little handles for the pallbearers to hold). Michael was obviously touched by Pam’s reading and her song, on which Dwight played his recorder.
In the tag, Dwight uses a fire extinguisher on the burning casket, and finally stomps out the flames. As two dockworkers look on, Dwight exclaims, “Get a broom and clean this up. You heard me. Mush!”
