The Office: The Merger

Michael Scott in The Scranton Witch Project

Wasn’t I just ripping on Ed a little bit with respect to taking too long to post a Lost review?

Yeah… that was me. Now I feel like a hypocrite as it has taken me nearly a week to post this, not that there was really any clamor for it, nor did I promise it on any kind of schedule. So anyway, here it is…

Given the build up that “Branch Closing” left us with, I was hoping for something that was at least as good, but “The Merger” fell a little short and I am not sure how I feel about that. Don’t get me wrong, I laughed quite a bit, but then I also had a lot of uncomfortable moments too.

My uncertainty about the enjoyment is due to the discomfort. I couldn’t tell if it was always intentional or if it was just because some things didn’t fly like maybe they intended? Were they just jokes or situations that flopped and need to be heckled?

How about we play a little 3-up/3-down with the funny vs. uncomfortable:

Funny:

  1. Without a doubt, funniest moment of the episode was Michael’s “Lazy Scranton” orientation video. Jim wasn’t just speechless, he was chewless. The flashback to the version he gave Jim, “The Scranton Witch Project,” was five seconds of comedy genius. I don’t think there can be any doubt now that Ed is Michael Scott.
  2. Dwight v. Andy. It is sooo on and I never saw this coming! I guess we’ll have to wait and see who wins this bracket for the right to pick it back up with Big Tuna. Heck…maybe this was the funniest stuff.
  3. Tied for third would have to be Creed and Kelly. Creed with his wanton disrespect for the breast-pumping hyphenation and Kelly with her report of what’s new with her to Jim.

Uncomfortable:

  1. Michael and Dwight trying to hoist Tony up on the table. They nailed the feeling we should have had about it, but I kept thinking “why isn’t Toby doing something about this?”
  2. All the other folks sitting up on top of the table. Who does that? It came off a little more stupid to me than uncomfortable.
  3. Michael handing out his swag bags. Okay… I’m reaching now. How about the discomfort between Jim and Pam? Yeah, that was intentional… Okay, it’s gotta be Stanley slurping that jello cup.

Other thoughts:

  • Did Kevin shred the Stamford branch personnel files because he was supposed to or was he supposed to file them in the Indy warehouse? Did it start as unclear joke to do an in-show Staples commercial? I knew that was coming anyway, but at least it paid off with him shredding his credit card and later making a salad.
  • Pam tormenting Dwight on her own was new. Well… not new per se, but she’s usually the conspirator and not the instigator. Our little girl is all growned up.
  • How did we go from Karen wondering if Jim was into her last episode to Jim telling Pam he’s seeing someone. Did he just decide that on the spot?
  • Jim needs to get his desk back.
  • Who was the random guy sitting in the conference room for the “Integration Celebration?”

Some quotables:

Hyphen: [Ryan stares her way as she pumps her breast] Take a picture, it will last longer.
Ryan: I’m sorry, it’s just… it’s a little distracting.
Creed: [Sitting next to Hyphen with a big smile] Ditto that my brother.

Hypen later brings Michael over to Creed’s desk…

Hyphen: Look what’s on his computer.
Michael: What is that… a squid’s eye, or…
Hyphen: It’s my left breast
Michael: How did you…
Creed: Right place at the right time.

Talking about Michael after he let the air out of everyone’s tires:

Martin: Is he always like this?
Ryan: Sometimes he brings more costumes.

Others:

  • “I’m always thinking one step ahead. Like a… carpenter… that makes stairs.” – Andy
  • “Can’t we all just get along… or have we forgotten… the words of the Reverend King?” – Michael
  • “I don’t know what I’m grabbing here… I’m right in your crack.” – Michael (trying to lift Tony)

You know… after writing this, and rather than risk Michael Scott pulling a Michael Richards, I’ll go with it was always intentional discomfort, much like that of “Gay Witch Hunt.”

You know what else? Maybe “Diwali” would have benefited from more of this kind of discomfort. I feel like they got it right here and with GWH, but not with “Diwali,” yet I still cannot quite place my finger on what the differences are.

What about you? Did you feel/think the same kind of thing while watching? Did you buy a new Staples MailMate shredder yet?

I did. I’m not sure why…