The Office – Who will be the next hot couple?

Ah, folks at Dunder Mifflin, Scranton … is it something we said? Are you mad at us? Trying to win a bet? Paying the wager on a bet? Because something abnormal is going on, and I don’t get it.

Unfortunately I’m not about to pull the old scwitcheroo and say that what was abnormal about last night’s episode of The Office was that it was good, as opposed to the episodes preceding it this season. No, I’m talking about this season as a whole. Not good.

And the proof is in one tiny plot line — Andy and Erin. Yes, they’re acting out the script as themselves, but the script they’re reading from was originally written for Pam and Jim! A PodClack or two ago, Jay Black and Rich Keller discussed how the show had come to a natural conclusion with Pam and Jim getting together, and that it would continue to flounder unless The Office was given a new goal, like Erin and Andy. That’s okay, even if I’m not a fan, but I don’t think that means that Andy and Erin need to walk in Jim and Pam’s shoes! Step one, will they/won’t they. Step two, keep our relationship under wraps. Been there, done that. Give me a break.

It was great to see Pam again, and funny how excited she was at the mere prospect of seeing people, let alone at the sight of Kevin. I remember those days, post being cooped up with an infant. Sometimes you need air, even if it’s recycled from Kevin’s baby cries, as he attempts to get you to lactate, thus causing your shirt to become see-through. You have to give him credit for putting thought into that.

I’m not sure if Oscar pursuing Matt the warehouse guy is cute or pathetic. After watching them together it does smack a bit of desperation, but it might be fun to watch Oscar be awkward, since he’s generally in control of any situation that he’s in. The jury’s still out on that one.

How could Pam have subjected a friend of hers to Michael? Remember when he was going in search of the chair catalog model, and Pam set him up with her landlady? What did he say upon seeing her? Yuck? Oh God? And then he denied being himself until the barista brought over his coffee. Did Pam learn nothing? Or at least keep him away from your inner circle after he dated your mother.

Because Michael certainly didn’t make a case for himself otherwise with Julie (Laurie Naughton Okin). That was just painful and embarrassing, once he realized he was supposedly on a date. Surprising that it was his “little kid throwing a tantrum” side that attracted Donna (Amy Pietz). That doesn’t say much for her, but who knows … this could be an enjoyable relationshiop to watch in the long run. Another jury out here.

I wonder if we’re right in thinking that a series retool is going to involve a new relationship, but wrong in thinking that it’ll be Erin and Andy. That could just be a red herring … Oscar and Michael have potentials budding as well.

As does Dwight, who continues to have his head turned by Pam’s bridesmaid Isabel (Kelen Coleman). Far enough that he may be officially done with Angela. And that’s actually a shame, because we never really got a chance to see them out and about in all the times that they were together. That’s a couple I’d love to follow with a camera.

No quotes from me this time, but I did love two minor gags:

• Stanley actually did 26 push ups. Which is a managerial lesson for all of you — incentivize people correctly, and they can perform miracles.
• Creed dancing. Enough said.

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Mar 26, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT