Well, it might be old hat, but it was really nice to have more "Jim and Pam" moments. I missed them. :D

I think I had an endorphin rush when Jim and Pam made eyes after Andy hit on her. That whole scene was hilarious.

This episode had tons of great moments:

Dwight trying to tempt Martin with money hanging out of his pocket..

The office realizing that life at work isn't much better than prison...

Jim being awkward with Karen about Pam...

"Prison Mike" trying to "Scare Straight" the staff...

Andy serenading Pam with the Banjo...

With Martin quitting, it looks like we're going to lose a Standford employee every episode. That's too bad. I think It helps to have a few sane employees around.

A Benihana Christmas is the last new episode before Christmas, coming up next week. Check OfficeTally.com for an episode synopsis. I saw the preview after My Name Is Earl. Episode looks reminiscent to Season 2's Christmas party episode. I know there will be some interesting politics with Jim, Pam and Karen all together, especially when booze is involved.

Last weeks episode, the Convict was written by Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant, the creative minds behind the original British Office. I thought it was good.
I AM HERE TO SCARE YOU STRAIGHT!!!!

Yeah, but except for Andy and Karen, none of them are real characters. I think it'll be fun to see how Scranton kills off each of the Stamfordians.

I just got done watching the UK version, all of season 1. I don't get the hype behind the UK version and how it's supposed to be sooo much funnier and that it's simply better than the US version. I mean it was entertaining, but it wasn't any funnier (I'd say less funny) than the US version. I also like the Michael Scott character WAY more than the David character. Jim is more personal than Tim. I do like Dawn more than Pam, even though Pam and Jim's relationship in the first 2 seasons of US is much more thoughtful than the UKs. I'll watch the next season of the UK version but I'm not expecting too much...so far the US version is much more entertaining, funny, and witty than the UK version, mainly due to the UK version having 4 characters that you "know," while the US version gives each character much more depth.

Ok I just finished the complete second season of the UK version and am now even more dumbfounded as to why the UK version is known as being better. I hated (<I>hated</I>) David (the Michael Scott of the UK) to the point of wishing he was fired from the show at the end. The actor is just so annoying in how he plays David. The show had maybe 4 laugh out loud moments out of every single episode in the entire series...I usually laugh out loud 4 times per episode in the US version. Even though the UK version is pretty much uncensored and can show more adult themes, they still never reach the uncomfortability levels that the US version achieves, all while giving each character a warmth that is <B>completely</B> absent in the UK version.

The creaters of the US version definitely took the premise of the UK version, but instead of simply making it US-ified, they made it better in every sense of the term.

The obvious point you're ignoring is that the UK version came first. Of course the US version should be better! They've had way more time to refine the concepts and way more episodes to do it in. To call the US one better is really a compliment to Gervais & Merchant as they are producers on the US version.

Besides, without getting into it too much, the Office UK is a great example of brit humour and it doesn't surprise me they felt they had to make a US version given a lot of the subtlety and especially darkness of the original.

Yeah I really don't think it's fair to compare the two versions. I don't think Americans or many Canadians get British humour the way they're supposed to.

Anyway, I didn't like the UK version, but i watched it after I'd fallen in love with the US version, and so I was a little biased. In truth I find the American version easier to watch. But I also fear the Office writers conforming to sitcommy trends to try and garner a larger audience. I hope against hope that doesn't happen.

Have you all seen/heard who Michael took to Sandals, Jamaica? It's the subject of the new ep in January. Should be good.

Sadly, the US version is starting to make Michael into more and more of a caricature. They need him to get back a little of the real person he was earlier in the series

I can see that.

Dwight, on the other hand, is a caricature, has always been a caricature, and must stay a caricature.

The reason I compare to the two is because most (if not all) of the people I know who have seen the UK and US versions say that the UK version is SO much better. I simply can't agree.

BTW, Tomorrow on BBC Canada the UK Office Christmas special is on.

just wanted to post here so y'all could see my new avatar! It's also my wallpaper!!!

For me, it's Gareth. His character rocks so hard.

So what did everybody think of "Back From Vacation"?

I thought it was one of the funniest eps of the season. The cold open was great "Right now I'm chopping off Phyllis' head with a chainsaw!!!!!" Darrell in the warehouse had some great lines, and the scene with Pam and Dwight in the hallway was heartbreaking and hilarious all at once.

I think that scene was setting up how things are going to go with Jim/Pam/Karen over the next little while. The writers won't be rushing Jim and Pam getting together because they know that's their bread and butter. So look for Karen to be in the picture for a while yet. Which is okay with me. I kind of like Karen, it's just unfortunate that she has to be Jim's rebound.

I'd love some viewer feedback here if you've got any to share.

I pretty much agree with everything you said here, it was a fantastic episode. When he sent that email to packaging instead of packer and immediately realized what he had done the 'oh shit' expression on his face was classic. I've done the same thing before :)

A Beni-hana christimas... best episode all season.

"Nogi Saki"

Reminder: New episode of the Office airing tonight.

Travelling Salesman

Summary (NBC): On Andy’s suggestion, Michael has staffers team up for sales calls, leading to some interesting, insightful moments in the field. Meanwhile, Dwight attempts to cover for Angela after she misses an important deadline. Karen receives surprising information.

Word around the water cooler is that Phyllis drops some info on Karen that she didn't know before. That's unsubstantiated, but juicy nonetheless.

Looking forward to some post show commentary!

I'm a late arrival to this show, only watched the last 6 or so episodes on tv but I love it. I still haven't seen the first 4 or 5 episodes from this season but I have seen all of seasons 1 and 2 now so I'm fairly caught up.

As for tonights episode, wow! It will be interesting to see how Angela exacts her revenge.

Last night's episode was one of the best of the season if not THE best. The mix of comedy and drama and character development is unrivaled.

After every episode this season, I find myself saying that THAT episode was the best so far. This show just keeps getting better. The writers of this show deserve an Emmy. I actually found myself feeling sorry for Dwight. When Pam and Angela went for coffee, and Angela was smiling, I was thinking, "Wow, it's nice to see her happy."

It's amazing how much depth these characters have.

I think Pam will convince Angela to fess up to her relationship with Dwight, thus saving his job

Yes. And the glare, at the very end. She went from the heights to the depths in this episode. Really good one for her.

Maybe eventually. I'd like to see a couple episodes following unemployed Dwight around on job interviews first.

That would be great. Especially if he keeps trying to pass off his martial arts training as a necessary job skill. :lol:

man, and wow weird was it to see these people actually being productive at their jobs! They were creative, effective, you name it, they got it. It somehow reassures your faith in humanity... in a very...very odd way.

I have to agree, this was a GREAT episode!! and andy is getting on my nerves!

on another note, I saw the 1st episode of the Quebec version of the office called "La Job" (the job). it follows the UK version but i can tell you that the acting is so fucking lame that i will not be watching this season! they had no timing for their jokes. it felt very rushed... did anyone else catch this show?

edit: I just had to add that i also saw the French version(from france) and that one was well made and had some good characters. I'm happy the US version is moving on it's own!!

Hey all, lots of good conversation about this last show... that's great!

Travelling Salesman was hilarious right from the cold open. "Boobs" was actually the point I laughed the hardest in the whole show! So good!

I really liked the different feel to this episode. I liked the chemistry of the different pairings, especially Dwight and Jim.

I think the episode began the slow funeral procession for the Ed Helms and Rashida Jones characters, Andy and Karen. I think their time is up before the end of season three, and this episode started putting those wheels in motion.

Neat twist at the end with Dwight. It will be interesting to see how he is reinstated.

In the end, a great show. This season is getting better and better!!!

Anyone aching for the JAM get t0gether? (In case you don't know what that means, JAM refers to Jim and Pam, the couple)

Actually, I'm pushing for "PKAJ: The Threesome". But maybe that's just me.

that would be sweet!! they all get along anyways! (maybe not after this week's episode)...

I've been having this random thought about Dwight...

Sometimes Dwight surprises you. As in this episode, he shows he has a better understanding of the real world around him than you would guess he had, if you were to judge him solely based on the fact that he falls for all the silly pranks Jim plays on him. How could somehow be such an astute salesmen, while still falling for a prank where he receives faxes from himself in the future? So... maybe Dwight Shrute is actually playing a "role within a role," or something.

Follow me here: how awesome would it be if, at the end of the entire series, Dwight reveals that he's actually a cool guy. He's been playfully acting as this out-of-touch weirdo just for the fun of it. He appreciates all the ingenious pranks Jim and Pam set up, and has had a blast pretending to fall for them. Maybe he's this thespian-in-training. And what better place to do this than in a documentary being filmed at the dysfunctional offices of Dunder Mifflin?

I don't know, that would just be really fun twist with him. I just appreciate the fact that they've created such great characters here, where an idea like that could even be considered. Yea yea, it's just stupid comedy show, but these are the things I think about when I'm walking down the street. :D

Can't wait for next week.

I hope that twist does not come before the series finale cause I'd hate to lose dwight being dwight.

I also concur that this was one of the best episodes ever of this show. Loved every minute of it.

I really liked how Jim and Dwight were by far the most successful sales team and actually worked together better than any of the others even with Dwight's feelings towards Jim.

I also liked this episode for how it developed some of the supporting players.

The moment I keep coming back to is when Phyllis gives her triumphant smile to the camera after her customer reveals the picture of his equally coiffed wife.

With barely a word, that scene says so much. On one hand, it lays bare the nature of the business and shows her to be smarter than we've given her credit for. On the other, it's bittersweet because we know that the beaming pride she feels through her own beauty and sexual power at that moment will be short lived. Going on a sales call to that customer is what passes for a highpoint in her life.

I also loved hearing Stanley laugh and laugh at Ryan in the car after their trip. Their adventure deftly showed Ryan's misguided ambition as well as Stanley's cynicism.

Ooh, and how great was Andy telling his patronizing and innapropriate Shark hunting story! That glare he gets from Angela at the end of the episode pretty much seals his fate. :lol:

BTW, I highly recommend going to the NBC's official site where they show deleted scenes. There's a great one between Pam and Toby. I wonder where that's going?

Totally agreed, fres. This was a very interesting and character-developmental episode.

That was GREAT! Thanks for the pointer. I can see why they wouldn't air that, though--it would just complicate the whole situation. I don't think of deleted scenes as cannon, so as far as I'm concerned, this is just a funny bit that they thought better of.

All throughout the first 3 seasons Michael has been insinuating that he's a good salesman and that's why he's the manager but everyone always figured he was BSing and that he was just put there due to time at DM. I really liked how he's actually a good salesman and was geniunely pissed when Andy was fucking up the sale. I seriously think that was the best episode of the season so far.

My thoughts exactly. Toby falling for Pam is interesting... and you know that he'd be a complete sociopath about it. But yea, there's enough going on with Jim, Pam, Karen and Roy, that we don't need Toby thrown into the mix.

There are some great videos on the Office site on NBC.com You can also see episode highlights, like the JAM kiss from last seasons finale, Casino Night... There is a HILARIOUS deleted scene with Michael and Stanley eating pretzels in the parking lot... I forget what episode it's from, but it's season three.

i actually got to watch a lot of episodes in my intro management class as a classic example of what NOT to do. we even got tested on it. It was AWESOME.

i love the episode where he seals the deal in chilis with the big contract, jan was completely caught off guard about it. Steve did a great job acting there, especially where he does that subtle finger thing that shushes jan until he finishes his pitch.

there was a little lead up to it where he got top salesman 2 years in a row (though it seemed it was from a time that the company was a little smaller, especially when he saw the crowd during dwights speech ((which by the way was brilliant, i love how jim's plan backfired and everyone just ate it up)) although i found micheal's speech a little hard to stomach.)

Tomorrow night, The Return of Oscar:

Oscar returns from his long vacation with mixed emotions on whether or not he still wants to be a part of the office. Meanwhile, Andy takes advantage of recent events to get closer to Michael. Jim turns to Karen and Pam for help to stage a prank on a new target.

It says that Rainn Wilson will at least be appearing in this ep, so maybe The Return also refers to Dwight. We'll see.

Although The Office got beat out by Ugly Betty for Best Comedy at the Golden Globes, I know that I'm getting happier and happier with S3. In my opinion the season has progressed, and is building toward something neat with Jim, Pam and Karen.