RECAP: The Office 4.7 Survivor Man
Last night’s episode of The Office was penned by Steve Carell, who is a card carrying member of the WGA. Steve has written the celebrated episode, Casino Night for Season 2 but tonight’s Survivor Man is a bit modulated compared to it. Although, I have to say that the last scene between Michael and Jim was sheer perfection.
The episode opens with Toby milling with some of the gang in the kitchen and their discussing the wilderness trip Ryan organized for Dunder Mifflin’s executives. The trouble is, Michael wasn’t invited to the said event and he’s pretty sour about it. So, Michael being Michael he decides to go on his own wilderness camping trip, pulling inspiration from Survivor Man, a cable show he watches with Jan. With Dwight’s help (who shows us just how mighty prepared he is for anything relating to life in the wild), they drive to the woodlands of Pennsylvania. And there, Dwight leaves him to commune with nature. Or so Michael thinks.
In pure roughing-it manner, Michael brought only two things with him — a knife and a duct tape. He shows the camera crew various ways in which one turn pants into something useful other than as an article of clothing:
- cut said pants into comfortable shorts
- use the remaining pieces as headgear or a scarf
- make a tiny shelter out of it
- if cold, duct tape said pants back to the original (the shorts)
About four hours later, it was time for Michael to find his meal. And as he scourges for food, Dwight has some bird eggs already boiling, not a few meters away from Michael. When it was apparent that Michael was about to swallow inedible mushrooms, Dwight swiftly jumps out of his hide-out and comes to his boss’ aid.
Back at the office, Michael leaves Jim in charge for the day (or until he comes back from his self-organized trip). And the office is celebrating Creed’s birthday. When Angela tells Jim about the party and four other different birthday parties that were to take place within the month, Jim decides that a bigger one-time celebration would be best. And it would all be done today. He sends out a memo to the staff, but not everyone liked the idea. Each celebrator wanted something special for his or her birthday and Jim is pressured to do what is right, without realizing that he’s already stepping into Michael’s shoes and is being treated the same as him.
In the end though, Michael is back and safe at the office, just in time for Creed (and only Creed’s!) birthday party. Jim and him sat together and enjoyed the food. Jim tells him how his day as the boss went. And Michael sort of indicated that it was how things were for him several years ago. Then the camera pans to Jim, who just realized what he will become if he rots in this company.
The Office, The Office Survivor Man, Steve Carell, The Office episode recap
November 13th, 2007 at 9:23 am
[...] For more of The Office Quotes, click this. For a full recap of this episode, click this. [...]
November 15th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
What do ya’ll think about Jim’s expression at the end of the episdode? (Where he realizes what he will become if he stays at the office.) Do you think this is a setup for him to leave the office in the future? He seemed quite uncomfortable in the boss position when Michael was gone.
November 15th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Jim leaving Dunder-Mifflin in the future? It isn’t farfetched. But that doesn’t mean his character would have to be removed from the show.
November 15th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I’m not sure. The look on his face made me believe he is going to make a life changing decision. Job? Position at The Office? Marriage?
Other? Of course I could be reading into it waaayyy too much, but I just feel like “the look” means something. It may be awhile before we find out anyway with the strike and all. 
November 15th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Although, the last time Jim shifted careers by moving to a different branch, it didn’t exactly make him happy. He still missed Scranton. Or maybe because Pam was there? Now that he’s got Pam and it’s somehow a secured relationship…what’s stopping him from moving on, career wise?
No way of telling until the strike is resolved, yeah. Bummer.