Posted by Mike, Ryan and johnnysweeptheleg
You know, sometimes we don’t give Michael Scott enough credit. Not many people would go the lengths that he did in last night’s episode to trick someone into having dinner with him. Staging a special assignment from corporate for which the entire Scranton branch would have to work late, he slyly gets Jim to admit that he has no plans for the evening before “convincing” corporate to call the whole thing off — leaving Jim and Pam available to attend the most awkward dinner party ever.
The evening begins with Jan insulting the wine brought by PB&J (yes, we’re still calling them that), and she and Michael exchanging the first of what seems like thousands of “babes.” PB&J get a quick tour – the highlights of which are Michael’s comically miniscule plasma TV, his finely crafted homemade table and Jan’s scented candle workshop. The games begin after the arrival of the other guests , both invited (Andy and Angela) and otherwise (Dwight and his elderly former babysitter). As Jim describes it, “Michael and Jan seem to be playing their own separate game, and it’s called ‘let’s see how uncomfortable we can make our guests.’ And they’re both winning.” (Not as much fun as charades, at which Michael’s not quite so adept.) Making things better, the entire night features a soundtrack by Jan’s former assistant Hunter, who has written what seems to be an entire CD of songs about his love for Jan, which seems to have been reciprocated, at least for “that one night.” She thinks he’s a talented artist, and by the end of the episode we have to admit that his music has grown on us.
The rest of the evening consists of constant bickering between the “babes,” Michael trying to coax a $10,000 investment out of Jim to fund Jan’s candle business, Jan accusing Pam of having a thing for Michael (despite Pam’s protests that she has “never, ever dated, or wanted to do anything resembling dating Michael, ever. Not ever, not now, not then, not now, not ever, ever”) and the cops showing up to investigate a domestic disturbance. It’s no wonder Jim tries to fake a natural disaster to try and get out of there — even if it means leaving Pam behind. (At times like this, all that “women and children first” crap goes out the window.) The cops view Jan as the aggressor (rightfully so) and Michael ends up spending the night at a safer place (Dwight’s). We’re left to wonder if he and Jan are done for good. Any other couple in the world would be, but this is Michael and Jan we’re talking about, so we’ll have to find out next week.
Mike says
Best quote: “That’s sort of an oaky afterbirth.” — Michael describing the wine at the dinner party
Best moment: The games of charades, at which Michael clearly excels. “He rhymes with Parnold Schporzenegger.” Brilliant!
Employee of the week: Hunter. The guy might have been a lousy assistant, but he sure can belt out a tune. By the way, it can be heard here. (For the complete lyrics, scroll down to the bottom of this post.)
Ryan says
Best quote: “Sit on the couch. Be amongst friends. And we’re not going to think about all your stuff being destroyed.” — Michael, to Jim
Best moment: The police officers called to Michael’s condo know Dwight by name.
Employee of the week: Pam. When Jim tried to ditch out on her at the dinner party, Pam won the game of one-upmanship with her “You can buy new stuff, but you can’t buy a new party” logic.
johnnysweeptheleg says
Best quote: “My apartment’s on fire. Flooded.” — Jim on why he can’t have Michael stay at his house.
Best moment: The hanging and lighting of the beer sign.
Employee of the week: Jim. His reactions alone provided over half of the comedic moments this episode.
“That One Night” lyrics
(By Hunter, from the album The Hunted)
You took me by the hand
Made me a man
That one night (one night)
You made everything all right
That one night (one night)
You made everything all right
So raw, so right, all night, all right, oh yeah (x2)
Update: NBC is having a contest in which viewers can make a video for “That One Night.” For details, go to http://www.dundermifflininfinity.com/tasks
Second Update: For those of you who might be wondering who is actually singing “That One Night,” it’s Todd Fancey of the bands The New Pornographers and Fancey. Visit Fancey’s MySpace page here.
Photo: © NBC Universal, Inc. Credit: Chris Haston