Watching The Office

Last night’s episode of The Office reminded me of the British version’s treatment. Sure, there was hardly a scene that was extra funny…in fact, it was a slightly dramatic episode; and yet, I would have to say that Money easily slides into one of this show’s best, for three reasons: 1) it had heart, 2) it allowed viewers to be more sympathetic to the characters, and 3) the camera direction is so raw, it stays true to how the show originally tells the story.

As the episode opens, we find Michael in his office with Jan, going over some swatches for Michael’s apartment. Jan is currently doing a project — she’s redecorating his place and keeping herself busy now that she’s jobless.  But Michael admits his cashflow isn’t well-funded. So Jan’s project becomes a big problem for him.  They’ve both already given up one of two cars (kept the Porsche, of course) so sometimes one of them has to walk or commute to wherever they have to go.   While discussing the money situation with Jan,  they are interrupted by Ryan’s call reminding Michael about a presentation he’s supposed to have already done on Powerpoint. Ryan’s voice is very firm. He rrreally wants everyone  to use the program for their presentations.

Outside Michael’s office, Dwight receives a different kind of sales call. Someone is inquiring about accommodations at Schrute Farms, Dwight’s Bed and Breakfast establishment. Jim overhears the conversation and becomes very curious . Pam immediately makes a reservation for two at Schrute Farms. They are to drive to Schrute Farms (aka the Beets Motel) later.  And this will actually be the couple’s first ”romantic getaway”.

Sometime after work at Dunder Mifflin, Michael commutes to another building. Apparently, to make ends meet, Michael takes on another job as a tele-marketeer.  But when the camera catches up with him, Michael says he “just loves sales to death” so he decided to take the job “as a hobby”. 

But he isn’t doing well at this.

• While making his sales call, Michael inadvertedly dials Stanley’s number and realizing he is caught, he immediately pretends to be someone else.  
• His boss has to always watch for him and remind him on what he’s supposed to do. Michael’s boss, by the way, doesn’t have the slightest idea about his background.
• He wasted precious sales hours talking about the difference between Die Hard and Die Hard 4 with his co-workers, which angered his boss once more.

At Schrute Farms, Dwight is proving to be a gracious host. When he asked the couple what they needed, Jim requested a bedtime story. Dwight initially refused to do it, but ends up reading Harry Potter to them anyway. Aside from this, he also showed them how to make wine from beets or spread manure in the planting fields.

The couple finds the experience rather bizarre…but they actually have a great time. And it would also seem Dwight enjoyed having them there. He obviously doesn’t  have any friends apart from Mose, his cousin.

Sometime that night, Jim and Pam hears somebody wailing and it was coming from Dwight’s room. Evidently, Dwight is still very much hurting over his break-up with Angela.

The next day, with some of them still feeling restless from what they did previously, Ryan arrives for the presentation. But Michael is not even prepared for this.

When this became apparent to Ryan, he became annoyed at him, especially when Michael told him he was up all night working a second job. Ryan was almost berating Michael when they are interrupted by 1) Kelly who was with Darryl (they are dating and she is making Ryan jealous) and 2) this whole bit about the use of the word whoever/whomever (which I am also quite confused about, to be honest!).

Suffice to say, the presentation didn’t end well. And Ryan tells Michael he has to quit his second job or he will be fired.

And so, he did. He also declared himself bankcrupt.

“I was never in this for the money, but it turns out that the money was an absolute necessity for me. I tried to live the dream. I tried to have a job,  a girlfriend, another job…and I failed. The good thing about the American dream is that you can just go to sleep. And try it all again the next night.”

Depressed and disheartened, Michael runs away (literally) hoping to get away from it all. When Jan learned what has happened to him she follows Michael, who was sitting by himself in a cargo train. Jan convinces him they can work their problems out with each other’s help, and as long as they are there for each other.

Meanwhile, back in the office…. Angela and Andy’s relationship seems to be taking a step further. When Andy gifted Angela with a cat, she finally agrees to go on a date with him. Hearing this broke Dwight’s heart once more. He withdraws by the office stairwell and cries his heart out. Jim tries to console him by telling the story of the reason why he left Scranton last year.

“Did I ever tell you why I left Scranton? It was all about Pam. She was with Roy and I just couldn’t take it. I mean, I lost it Dwight. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t concentrate on anything. And weird stuff like food had no taste. So my solution was to move away. It was awful. And it was something I didn’t wish on my worst enemy. And that includes you.”

These two moments that highlights the struggles of Michael and Dwight are honestly so heartbreaking and unexpected from a comedy series. But whatever writer and director Paul Leiberstein (who plays Toby) has done worked so very well, the episode gave some depth  and deepness to these principal characters. 

And that’s something that’s rare in a comedy series these days.

The Office, The Office episode recap, The Office Money episode, Paul Leiberstein