Did anyone else catch the subtle cracks appearing in Jim and Pam's relationship? I applaud the writers for going there and It'll be interesting to chart their progress across the season.

Also, I'm enjoying Andy's character more and more each episode. His pompous and opportunistic baffoon is masterful.

What cracks are you talking about?

1.) Jim being evasive and overly defensive about his 2nd Life avatar.

2.) Pam staying late and forgetting that she was supposed to give Jim a ride home. His annoyance was unmistakable.

These incidents were small and quickly resolved, but I think the writers are laying the groundwork for a quietly escalating story arc.

especially when Karen comes back, which should be in a few episodes

Well, I guess it makes sense that you don't agree, because I thought the first 2 episodes dragged and the 3rd one was the best out of the 1 hour episodes.

The more I think about last night's episode, the more I think it's my favorite of the season so far, even if there were quite a few characters who didn't even make an appearance. Those who were in the episode some great one-liners...

Michael (over the walkie-talkie to Jim): "Aaaah... Jim!! Find Karen... make love to her..."

Andy: "The Finer Things Club is the most exclusive club in the office... and that's where I need to be."

Oscar: "Besides having sex with men, I'd say The Finer Things Club is probably the gayest thing about me."

I almost laughed myself off the couch when this part happened. I teared up. Funniest part of the entire season so far. :thumbsup:

I liked that when Michael was pinned by the fax machine he told Jim to get right on top of her. And he told Jim that if he didn't make it, he was to host the Dundies next year.

Nearly pissed my pants, I laughed so hard.

And you just know that Toby is only there because he's got a thing for Pam.

Did anyone else think that tonight's show (Michael in the wilderness) was blah, and quite possibly the worst episode of the whole series? A few laughs here and there, but overall it just stunk to me. Hopefully next week's will be way better, as it's the last one for now 'cause of the strike...

i didn't think it was so bad...got in a few laughs at survivorman, and explored the idea of jim-as-boss. i particularly enjoyed the last few minutes when you could feel jim doing one of those 'this is my life' moments. i thought it was nice to humanize michael a little bit; he's so often such a caricature. i think the whole bit with getting michael out of the office was crafted to deliver that moment. but i guess we'll see...at some point.

I loved the look of horror on Jim's face when he said he wouldn't be there in ten years and Micheal replied "that's what I said." I also liked Jim's failed idea of consolidating the birthday celebrations and the negative reaction to that. But other than that I think this episode fell flat.

Dwight made this episode funny. Especially his little caches of weapons around the office.
And following Michael around in the woods. The safety is... on.

The only part I laughed at was the montage of Michael's "Happy Birthday" surprises. Definitely the worst episode in a long time.

I don't know, I sort of liked Dwight protecting Michael in the wilderness--both of them still in their business suits. Michael didn't even last until the end of the business day, you notice? And the last scene with Michael and Jim was a total winner.

I thought it was a great show.

There are more shows already taped. About 2 or 3 left before the strike happened.

Check tv.com. They'll give you the synopsis as well.

it wasn't brilliant, but this show served its purpose. it was a 'reset' episode, reestablishing the order of the office (michael is the boss, jim isn't ready, etc.). the forest stuff wasn't that funny (outside of dwight and his eggs) but the last 2 minutes was genius

As you can see... I've tented my pants.

I didn't get the other reference until I watched it a second time. It was magic.

The responses to this episode seem to be either liked it or hated it. I am in the liked it quite a bit camp. I thought there were quite a few funny moments, and I thought the B story was good too. There was a whole lot packed into that tag at the end of the episode. Could be some serious foreshadowing as to the plotline with Jim. I liked Creed doing the birthday dance, and Michael cutting his pants off and duct taping them back on. And lots of other stuff. It was a good episode.

Season 4, by the way, is exceeding all my expectations. I have liked every episode so far. I think it is shaping up extremely well, and I am very disappointed to know that as of right now there is only one (1) more episode left before the reruns. I truly hope the writers strike gets resolved if for no other reason then to keep the momentum of this great season rolling...

lol... i get it now. definitely didn't strike me while i was watching the show.

Some of the simple stuff amused me ("Mr. A. Knife"), but I didn't think the B plot was amusing at all. Jim struck me as kinda dumb for suggesting his alternative b-day celebration plan. Which seemed really strange to me since he always seemed like one of the more competent ones in that office. His alternative plan, the way he seemed to be in cahoots with Pam regarding it .. it all seemed like it was leading to some of brilliant other plan that he had all along...

it's getting cool, so i've refashioned my hat into my pants.

Well, a bittersweet episode of the Office tonight. I thought it was equal parts touching (Michael being torn between his two loves, only to be betrayed by both) and hilarious (Kelly's smack talking to Pam).

Season 4 continues to hit all the right notes for me. The writing, the plotlines are all so much better and funnier than last season. I really think this season has been so awesome, and it really pains me to think that tonight we could have seen the season finale, if they don't sort out the writers strike. Which would be so, so sad.

I liked last nights episode. I think my favorite part was when they were reading excerpts from Michaels diary and Toby couldn't contain himself started snickering. Also how he requested an 11th copy for himself. Kelly is the character I love to hate. So obnoxious.

that deposition was the epitome of awkward. no show does uncomfortable like The Office

on the heels of an episode that i didn't enjoy very much, comes probably one of the best in recent memory. a hilarious episode all around -- the whole deposition plotline was simply brilliant.

office continues this Thursday! get ready! I'm really hoping for a great comeback! the overall season has been ok but not surprising yet.

Thank goodness. I really resent the dominance of reality television these days.

30 Rock's back too!

Hooray for starting this thread up again! Yes! The Office is BACK. So there will be six episodes, including an hour long finale. There will be a cliffhanger, Jenna Fisher has indicated, and some major changes are in store for the main characters, including Jim and Pam.

Some of you will have heard that there is also an Office spin-off in the works, which will be debuting after the Superbowl, next February! I, personally, am worried about it because I'm afraid it'll take writers and cast members away from the original show, thereby diluting the talent. But we'll see.

Anyway, The Office is back! Yes!

And I should put another plug in for an Office dedicated forum I visit frequently to discuss The Office. It's called NorthernAttack, (taken from a Michael Scott quote from S1 I believe, "Abraham Lincoln once said, if you are a racist, I will attack you with the North",) and it can be found here...

http://forums.northernattack.com/

Yay! Office!! I was wondering when it'd return. Hopefully that spin-off won't ruin things. Maybe it'll just take all of those newbies they acquired from the Stamford branch... I'm not so much a fan of them.

I'm so excited to have The Office back! Thursday night can't come soon enough.

THERE'S A US VERSION?

How does Ricky Gervais feel about it?

...and my life has meaning again. :)

A pretty solid return!

Overall that was a funny episode. Michael's flat screen tv that folds all the way into the wall, Jim's willingness to abandon Pam to save himself, and Dwight. "It's strictly carnal and that's all you need to know" Overall a solid, albeit awkward return.

Well, he's a writer and executive producer for the show, so I'd guess he's pretty happy with it. :)

Anyway... last night's episode seemed really short to me. The humor of the show is so subtle and the jokes take a while to set up... so while I enjoyed it, I really think the show works better when it is an hour long. Glad it's back, though. :thumbsup:

i'm not sure if this is sarcasm or what but the us version of the office is fucking awesome. Watch it from season 1 on and you'll get it. I saw the UK, France, Quebec and US version and it is still the best one. UK and France were pretty similar. Quebec's version was terrible.

Oh, Jan - that woman is a psychopathic lunatic. A lunatic who has her own budding candle company. The show gets better and better...

You know, this episode was a little too agonizing even for me.

As agonizing as the 3 vasectomies Michael has had?

I'd put this episode among the top for me. Brilliant all around.

I'm glad that most of you felt the same way about this episode that I did! I thought it was fantastic. I really think that it was the best episode of the show since season two. I was really very happy with it. I've seen it about 5 times already, and loved it more each time.
Favourite line: oaky afterbirth.

NICE avatar, Daoust.

It's been there for over a year, but thanks for noticing, ratbastid. And yes, she's very very pretty.

I guess I only really noticed in the context of this thread. How bout that!

So, lotta folks saying last night's episode Chair Model is in their Top 10 favourite shows of the series. Pretty high praise. I gotta say, I liked it a lot, and even moreso on the second and third viewings (which are not uncommon for me. I watched Dinner Party at least five times).

- Michael Scott was at his best. Cringeworthy scenes, but not unbelievable that he would do/say what he did/said.
- The JAM engagement talk. Wow. That had more than a few Office fans on the edge of their seats. It was good. I gotta say.
- Great scenes with Kevin, Andy, Phyllis and Creed.

All around good stuff. Season 4 is kicking ass! Can't wait to see what the next few eps bring us.

Honestly, for me last night was the worst episode of the entire series. I thought the first 2/3 of the show was absolutely unbearable, way beyond mere cringeworthiness. The last third was good, but getting there was tough. I think it's a little soon for engagement talk, but it was funny when Jim asked Pam to wait while he tied his shoe.

What the hell, folks? I go away for a couple weeks and this thread doesn't get touched. I missed at least two episodes and no one commented. So Night Out, Did I Stutterand Job Fair go by without so much of a whisper from the Office fans here. Disappointing folks. Disappointing.

The finale is called Goodbye, Toby. There's been a fair bit of buildup around Ryan's character and there are more than a few question marks around Jim and Pams future. I'm looking forward to a great episode.

I actually just got around to watching Did I Stutter and Job Fair on nbc.com yesterday. I'm looking forward to seeing what goes on with Ryan's character. He is in so far over his head, but you'd never know it from seeing the size of his ego. And I don't think giving Jim a warning helped him any. I'm interested to see what a motivated Jim can accomplish. Although I have to admit hearing engagement talk kind of turns me off. Just too soon. Although I'm sure there is something good in the storyline coming up about that. One hour season finale, should be good.

the stutter episode was average at best. I think I miss the jokes pulled on dwight the most from the older seasons.

Night Out was kind of lame, I thought. Ryan's in trouble--it was sort of sobering and sad, and I'm surprised even Michael didn't pick up on it and get concerned.

Did I Stutter was funny, especially the face-off that turned into bargaining.

Job Fair was classic Office, desperate Michael ending up getting rejected by the ugly kid. Jim closing the damn sale was pretty awesome.

The Office Season 4 finale is up in 10 mins. Hope you'll be watching, fans.

3min and it plays. i'm there!

wow! what a great episode! I'm impressed. it had everything it needed for a final episode: party, surprises at the end, unexpected moments...

the only reason I knew jan was in that episode is because i saw her name in the credits at the starting... but ya. it was great.

Kevin being a "special" person in that episode was classic!

I also thought it was a great great episode. It had just about everything. I didn't even care that the big surprise at the end didn't materialize. There was a lot of funny in this ep. I'm currently on my second viewing.

I enjoyed the episode as well. Kevin as mentally handicapped was humorous as was the office party. I also enjoyed when Michael restrained himself on the Ferris wheel. That said, I'm not sure that I would watch the show at all if my wife wasn't so interested in it.

I think this episode was fantastic. If Holly stays, she'll balance Michael out greatly. I loved Angela's ending, perfect perfect.....

Michael going back to Jan pains me greatly, especially when his obvious soul mate just started working in the office....

I know I'm stating the obvious here. It's supposed to pain me greatly. And it does.

So no one was pained greatly that Jim and Pam didn't get engaged? Did you buy the Andy jumping in plot device?

I did. There are a LOT of royally pissed off fans on the communities I frequent who were very upset that a JAM engagement didn't happen. I wasn't that bothered by it. I would have liked to have seen it, and I hope we don't have to watch the engagement on a flashback in the premiere of S5. But we'll have to wait and see.

Quabity Assuance.
I am Captain Bruisin.
The real crime was the beard.

So many hilarious lines in this one.

the engagement with JAM didn't bug me at all. if they did, then the series would be over for me. They're happy and now they're forever happy. bleh. the Dwight and Angela getting together really makes me happy because that means: they wont get maried, Andy will go fucking insane again, and that the office will be totally fucked up in season 5.

I think it was a LOT funnier to have Andy jump in and inadvertently steal Jim's moment. Especially with the "(sheepishly) ok... / speak into the mike, honey / I SAID OK" dialogue. That was hilarious. And it sets up a lot with the Andy/Angela/Dwight triangle for next season. Should be great to watch.

Instead of having a Pam and Jim engagement occur on a totally predictable episode, like a finale or during sweeps, it should just happen when no one expects it. That way they can have their sweet moment and move on.

So are they totally done with Ryan's character? Is he going to federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison or some white collar minimum security resort? Is he going to come back somehow? Does anyone know?

I just got done watching this episode and it was a good one. Jim's Bluetooth headset prank on Dwight to open the episode, Kevin being "special", and the treatment that came from that, Michael's present to Toby, Ryan's collapse, Jan's pregnancy and the awkwardness of explaining she went to a sperm bank while she was with him, and Andrew stealing Jim's proposal moment. I think this is my favorite episode of the whole series.

And no I'm not at all disappointed about the JAM non-engagement, it would have been too obvious for this episode and I think there will be a lot to milk out of that storyline next season when (if?) Pam goes to NY. Plus the awkward proposal by Andy with the fantastic ending of Angela and Dwight will lead to a great storyline next season.

I was surprised that Ryan got busted on fraud charges rather than drug charges... I wonder if that will effect his future on the show at all. If it had been drug charges, I could have seen them sending him to rehab and then giving him a second chance in a reduced capacity. Now... I kinda doubt he'll be back at all. So who gets his job?

I wasn't too disappointed with the JAM situation, but then I remembered that Pam is moving away for design school. The non-engagement is very significant considering that fact and gives me doubts about their future.

What a great opportunity for Jim to move to New York to be with Pam!

I want to know what happened to me that night where I only saw the episode up until the commercial came on after Jim rvealed he was going to propose? :confused:

Was the show not done yet, or was was there another episode after that cut-scene that I spaced out on, or did I have to fight off some invading burglarizers at that exact moment that they totally made miss out on the finale? Very suspicious happenings in my realm. :orly:

Your Prayers have been answered...

http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/#cat=new

On a Side note, as of Monday, I had never seen an episode of The Office.

In the past four days of my life, I have watched every single episode of every single season, and if that wasn't enough - I learned to play the theme song on the Piano.

Impressions? Great show - it took me a few episodes to get into it, but once I got past the how awkward Michael Scott can be, it was excellent - I usually don't binge on television shows like this, but what the hell - it was a week off of work well spent.

My biggest issue now, though, is I actually have to wait for more :(

I got to meet Rainn Wilson a few weeks ago. He is quirky in real life too.

Also, for you Office fans who have Sirius radio, many of the Office stars guest on the Stretch Show on Maxim radio. I've heard about 3 of them in the last 3 weeks alone.

There is so much that went on in this episode! I really like Holly!

very great season opener.

I'm in the minority, but here goes...

The Office reminds me too much of a couple of jobs that I had, & I find Steve Carell as funny as watching paint dry.

Not so much in the minority. I think he can be quite funny when he's not trying to be funny. In every other instance, I totally agree.

well that was fun.
SPOLIOIERELRERERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jim proposed, dwight might get fired, the temp is back as The Temp.

I wonder how the rest of the season will be like. pam is almost done her time in NY. Will she find a new job, will she get her old job back? how will this work?

The proposal was perfect. It shouldn't of happened any other way. Except the shoe tying thing was good too.

I felt so good for Andy until Angela bitched it up a notch. I am always rooting for Andy. He reminds me of a guy who got picked on at my high school.

Oscar's conversation with Holly was hilarious. I give it a month before michael kisses Holly.

I definitely liked the premiere of the season. It's online if you missed it, on Hulu I think.
I wonder what's gonna happen with Ryan, he's such a douche. I don't like his character much, but the whole drug thing was pretty funny. The sleepover was awesome.

Best episode in SOOOOO long! :-D

nice to see a little depth in both Andy and Oscar. This show continues to impress me by developing character while still keeping the plot and humor going strong.

I love this show.

I wonder what they'll do with pam and jim, I can't see them ever getting married from a story/conflict point of view.

I can't wait to see Andy flips out when he finally finds out the truth about Angela and Dwight.

I enjoyed last night's episode quite a bit. Thank Mose that Pam is back from NYC

Loved the horse shit in the kitchen!

Ah, we said that about them ever getting together, though. I'm not worried--the show has the best damn writers in the business. I've expected them to jump the shark at least three times (Stamford, anyone?) and they've stayed super sharp.

That was freaking hillarious!

Anyone see the christmas special yet? Here it is on Hulu
Wow. I won't spoil it, but some important plot developments here.

Sometimes the awkward situations are so bad that you feel like you've intruded on someone's private moment; which means the Office does what it set out to do. The dinner party episode with Michael and Jan was so bad that I almost had to shut it off I felt so uncomfortable; such a well made show. NBC is putting out some winners lately (The Office, 30 Rock, etc).

Season 6 is underway now. We got confirmation of what we found out at the end of last season, Jim knocked up Pam. I liked Kevin's comment about noticing Pam's boobs were bigger and not being able to figure out why. I also thought Andy's insecurity about his sexuality was good. It will be interesting to see what develops with Stanley in the next few episodes. Those poor interns.

Is this show any funnier than it was in season 3 and 4? I couldn't finish season 4 because it was so awful. They took Dwight too far so that he's actually so unrealistic that it takes away from the show. Seasons 1 and 2 were absolutely great but after that it went downhill. Did it pick up again?

While Season 2 is my favorite, I think it's been funny every year. Yes, Michael and Dwight are over the top, but a comedy about normal people at an Office would be boring as shit

They weren't that over the top in season 1 and 2 and those were the best seasons by far. Michael and Dwight were actual people instead of cartoons in those seasons.

They're clowns, but they're lovable, so their over-the-top antics don't bother me. I prefer the goofy michael to the mean michael

Parkour! Parkour, parkour!

Oh, you forget! HARDCORE Parkour!

it was great. I have to watch it again ... again.

I think it was a great season premier. I wonder if they are going to have Dwight and Angela hook up again. They kind of left it alone at the end of last season.

Why don't I find The Office funny? I don't particularly like it.

There will never be anything that *everyone* finds funny. I don't get why this show gets special attention from those that don't find it funny.

new managers... this should be interesting.

I really think that this season will concentrate with conflicts between jim & michael.

Well Jim's early managerial experience did not go so smoothly with the salary debacle. I'm interested in seeing how his managerial style develops. Between alienating the non sales staff in this episode and his prior experience trying to consolidate the birthday celebrations instead of having individual celebrations he hasn't shown the greatest people appreciation skills, which is where Michael seems to shine in spite of himself.

This week though is the wedding between Jim and Pam. Being The Office though I can't imagine it will be a true fairy tale wedding. How will Dwight and Michael involve themselves in the wedding? Thinking about Michael's involvement in Phyllis' wedding I can't wait to see how he handles this one.

that was a really great Xmas episode!! so far so good for this season. I know there has been some disappointing ones but this is getting better.