My thing with Ryan is, his character made sense as the temp. Yes, he's got this awful job with a fucked up boss and an overbearing girlfriend, but it's all temporary. He just has to bide his time as he gets through business school, and move on. Now, he still hates his job but he cares enough to stay in Jim's seat. He supposedly hates his relationship with Kelly, but keeps leading her on. It's like he's accepted his fate, but continues whining about it.

The sales call trip with Dwight was the Ryan character's turning point. The whole moral to the story was that he's not better than all these people at the Office like he thinks he is, when he learns something from a guy like Dwight. It was a logical place for the character to go, and a new direction for him to take.

Since then, it's been back to emo-Ryan, with a touch of prickishness added in (mainly towards Jim). It worked for Jim, because he was enduring for the sake of love. He could deal with Michael and Dwight and this awful job, because he gets to spend all day with this girl he's in love with. It even worked for Ryan as the temp, because he's enduring for the sake of his future. It's a temp job, and a temp girlfriend, and a temp life. The temp dimension of his character is gone, and now we just have Ryan the mopey, asshole.

Now if this leads to Ryan hooking up with Pam and becoming the new Roy, I'm all for it. Then we get Jim and Roy awkwardly bonding in their dislike and/or hate for Ryan,until Roy ends up with Karen, who thinks he's cute and who Jim broke up with once he realized she was just the rebound girl. We get psycho-jealous Kelly hating on Ryan, and especially "her best friend" Pam, and maybe throwing herself at Jim for revenge, who does his best to nicely reject her advances. But whatever, "fantasy booking" is just that.

I don't see things going there, and instead the character's stagnating for me. Maybe it's just that they've been focusing on other characters and stories, and are waiting for a chance to push his character forward. Personally, it just feels like they aren't sure where to go with him right now, and are settling for the Kelly/Ryan thing which really needs to go somewhere soon, and sprinkling in some hostility towards Jim for some reason.

And now it sounds like I'm bashing the show or its writing, which I'm not. I've never liked a show as much as I do this one, and I'm constantly impressed with how they continue moving things along at the amazing pace they have. I just see Ryan as a Russo-ish tweener who's hurting because of it, that either needs to turn full on heel, or accept his life and become a lovable babyface.

But you have to admit that this:




was a great moment. Especially how the allergy excises completely conflict with the "I just ate there last night" (or in Michael's mind they all explain the initial "I'm not feeling so well" perfectly well.)

Plus I could completely see Jim saying: "I can't...my grandad fought at Iwo Jima and...well, you know." and Michael completely getting it.."ah, that's...yeah...I know where you're coming from...I was once in a really gross taxi in Tijuana, and I still have a hard time when I walk into a Zantigos. PTSD...serious, serious stuff."

That's the point. He was fine while everything was temporary, making it through the day by telling himself it's going to get better. Then all of sudden, he's stuck. All the miserableness that he was able to push off before due to it being temporary, is now settling in, so he's doing whatever he can to make himself feel better. Also, he's not leading Kelly on, he just realizes that breaking up with her while they work together would be a horrible, horrible idea. Telling her parents he was saving up for an Xbox was a calculated move, because he doesn't want her parents to like him.

"Yeah, Jim's a nice guy. *pause* That's why I got the seat."

I think Ryan's nice to have around so that Jim isn't the only young, normal guy in the office. He adds some realism to balance out some of the more over-the-top folks.

They have been adding alot of deleted scenes to the office site in the last couple weeks

Is it delete scene #2? It seems Ryan was *ALMOST* out, but was pulled back is. The Convict episode has something like nine delete scenes.

Hold on, so Jim did break up with Karen? I was assuming they were kind of seeing each other but didn't feel like telling anyone other than when they told the cameras.

As for Ryan, I totally agree as him being realistic. I'm right now doing temp work and how he's acting is evident in most of the others temps here (I'm not here for long, so I'm not feeling it). I never fully realized this until I stated this job.

What was the song Michael was listening to while Dwight was getting rid of everything that reminded him of Carol? If it was 'Goodbye Lover' by John Mayer then I've got a really funny story to tell after this past weekend.

I'm sorry I know this, but it was "Goodbye, My Lover" by James Blunt.

wow. i had never heard that song before, but i assumed it was a woman singing

A Brief History of Jim & Karen:

-Gay Witch Hunt [E3-01]: Jim's the new guy in Stamford. Karen makes fun of his wacky faces.
-The Coup [E3-03]: Jim discovers Stamford's love of Call of Duty. Karen especially enjoys tormenting Jim while playing Call of Duty, noting how "cute" it is that he sucks. Jim playfully tosses an invisible grenade at her at the end of the day. She makes sex eyes at him.
-Grief Counseling [E3-04]: Jim finds chips for Karen.
-Initiation [E3-05]: Karen complains that Jim switched his squeaky chair for her non-squeaky one, and pledges to steal the chair back when Jim stands up. Jim pledges to not stand up, and sings to annoy Karen.
-Diwali [E3-06]: Jim & Andy get drunk at work during an inventory night while Karen doesn't. Karen ends up giving Jim a ride home.
-Branch Closing [E3-07]: Stamford gets closed down. Jim decides to take the #2 job in Scranton and convinces Karen to take a job there if she's offered one. Karen says (in a talking head) that she digs Jim.
-The Merger [E3-08]: The merger occurs. Karen and Jim seem to be more coupley by now than they were in Branch Closing, and Jim tells Pam at the end of the episode that he's (kind of) seeing someone.
-The Convict [E3-09]: Jim mentions at the beginning of the episode that he's seeing Karen, but they haven't mentioned it to anyone.
-A Benihana Christmas [E3-10]: Jim & Karen exchange gifts.

So...yeah.

Ok, that's the song...

This past my ex played it for me and she started crying while all I could think of was Michael listening to it in his bathrobe and having to leave the room because I was ready to start laughing. I know it sounds like being a 'dick' but it was the day after I saw that episode and the thought of Michael Scott singing along to James Blunt made me 'die'.

Freeway, I remember those episodes. That's why I was puzzled about his "rebound girl" comment, which while awesome sounded odd if he was still seeing Karen. I can only think that maybe he's just not committed to her like he was to Pam, but that's a guess.

I think the pointof that scene is that as he was giving Michael this advice about rebounds, Jim realizes himself that Karen is nothing more than a rebound for him. It was like saying it out loud made it hit home for him and he finally began to face the fact that he's not over Pam.

Well, JIM has never said "Fuck, Karen's awesome." She's been the prime mover behind everything, it seems, and Jim's going along with it because...well, he wants somebody. He's still obviously very hung up on Pam, and I cannot WAIT for the eventual moment where Karen (and Roy) find out about The Kiss.

I took it that he was telling Michael the same thing he should be telling himself. I think he realised this after he finished saying it to Michael. Karen's just a bit of fun for now, probably to get over how Pam broke his heart. Once he's over the heartbreak and his relationship with Karen is done, he's still going to be hung up on Pam.

So Rainn Wilson came to Scranton yesterday and it was just a sea of people.


Peace Out, Santa




I think they estimated about 5,000 just waiting in line. It went all around the one wing of the mall, to the side, to the outside, and all the way down the street.

Only about 300 able to get photos with him.

I was one of them:



He seems like the nicest guy ever. Just real cordial with all the fans and every couple minutes would get up and talk so that those unable to meet him got to at least have a nice moment with him. He was real appreciative for all the people (including me) who waited so long in line to meet him. For those who didn't get an autograph or picture, he did a running high-five to everyone. Again, just an awesome dude.

Is there really a coffee place called Jitters? And is there really a mall that houses said coffee house? Knowing the writers attention to detail on the show I'm gonna go and say yes there is.

I don't know for sure, but we unfortunately we don't have a Hooters or a Bennyhannas (spelling is probably way wrong on that one) like they went to on the show.

the way they are playing the Jim and Pam thing this season is pretty similar to how the UK Office played the Tim and Dawn stuff in series 2. i don't know if they'll go to the same conclusion as the UK series though

Oh how I love The Office. Wanna know why this show is special? This last spring, I was studying abroad in Prague, and we never really got into Czech television. In my program there were six other guys, and after class we would all get together and watch The Office; didn't matter if we had seen the episodes a million times. Basically from all my time in Europe I took away four things: Czech night life is incredible, pictures don't come close to preparing you for Auschwitz, Big Macs are good everywhere, and The Office unifies people.

I gotta agree w/ a lot of people here about the Jim/Michael relationship. That's been one of my favorite parts of the show since season two, specifically the Booze Cruise episode where Michael tells him, quote, "Well, if you like her so much, don't give up. Never, ever, give up." The rebound line from Jim was pretty awesome this week.

The one thing the Christmas episode lacked? Not enough Creet. I need an episode dedicated more to him. For whatever reason I thought Stanly was the MVP: "How do you like it?" ... "(pause) Fruity, and delicious"

Ah, okay. I get it now. Thanks, all. I'm not sure how I missed that.

You mean Creed? I think his "taking a present from the toy drive box" spot was money. The best part about Creed is that he's not on screen a lot, but when he is it's AWESOME.

Can't believe I thought it was Creet this whole time. And yeah, I guess seeing him more runs the risk that I won't like him as much, but that's a risk I want to be a part of. Line of the year last season for me was, "I just love stealing things"

I was rewatching this week's and I noticed just how crazy it is that Michael would buy those tickets for that trip. Carol has two kids, and she's just gonna' leave them with her parents near Christmas and go to freaking Jamaica with him? He's just so nuts. I really hope he got Jan to go with him, and right now, he's having a wonderful time taking pictures and ordering room service while she sets the record for the most tobacco consumed in a 72-hour period.

I'm assuming it was Jan that Michael took because I just saw a commercial for the next episode and he's showing pics of her sunbathing to Pam.

Unless that's his scary "photoshop" talents again.

In case anyone was wondering, the song Creed was singing during karaoke this episode is actually... his own song.

You can listen to it at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bratton3 ; it's track #5 "Spinnin' n Reelin'" and it's pretty catchy!

I know I'm more than a week late, but I just watched this last night.

SO many perfect moments but HOLY SHIT Michael marking his Asian might have been the most incredible thing in this show's history.

The Office returns...again. After a three-week hiatus, the show returns tonight with its eleventh episode of the season.

Here's the official preview from NBC.com:

Best scene of the episode: the Pam/Dwight crying and comforting. Dwight is turning into an extremely well defined character, from his warrior-like "who did this to you" to faking us out on taking off his jacket only to tie it around his waist, to then offering the hanky, sitting down next to her and in the end thinking it is all about PMS.

2, maybe 3 minutes of greatness that the show should use as it's Emmy clip for its' eventual nomination.

I was cringing a couple of times during this episode...
At the part where Michael reveals to the camera that he "had sex"...he wouldn't shut up about it.

Jan's self abuse with her relationship with Michael is awesome...the "Oh God" she exhaled after he said "You complete me" was great.

ML

Great episode as usual. I'm almost tempted to compare this to how ROH is/was viewed by many where it's like how they have 5-star matches The Office" has 5-star episodes. I know that sounds odd, but it makes sense to me.

I was waiting for Pam to just cry her eyes out and tonight she finally did. She could have given Jim the wrong advice and hoped his relationship with Karen was on the rocks, but she did the right thing and helped him out (and yeah, I know she likes Karen as well). I really, really like Fisher, she makes it work so well.

And the beginning scene with the constant joking on Dwight was great. I got a laugh at how awkward it was when Andy went too far in it.

The Pam and Dwight scene shocked me. I didn't see it coming at all, and love that Dwight showed so much concern for her, even after taking her and Jim's abuse for years. Jim came off as a bit of a dick in this episode with his actions towards Karen, while Pam came off very nice, and seemingly wants Jim and Karen to be together to take her mind off of him, and give herself reassurance that she made the right call by not persuing a relationship with him. Two of my favorite quotes tonight were Karen's "He said it would be like we were living together… in different houses… two blocks away." and Michael's "They don’t make you do that in the islands, why do you think they move so many business to the Caymans?". Kevin's "I don't have enough art in my house." as he was folding up the giant Jan poster ruled, too.

I don't know how Jim came across as a dick, he did what most guys would do in that situation. He didn't blow up, he didn't run away, but he freaked out and screwed up in the process like most guys do when the girlfriend moving in/moving closer situation presents itself.

I wouldn't say what Jim did was dickish at all. I've actually been in that situation, and I freaked the fuck out. My junior year in college my friends and I had this big house in the perfect spot off campus. My girlfriend at the time, who I've been dating for a few months, gets an apartment about 15 feet from my house.

I'm assuming Jim figured that if Karen is that close.. that means she'll always be at his place. Every night, every morning, etc. It's like putting a relationship on fast forward. Trust me, I went through it....

Anyway, another great show as usual.. I'm not too sure about the suit jacket around the waste look tho.. but that's what makes Dwight great.

Dave

I was jumping up and down when Jan showed-up and began to tell Michael how she felt about him. THE SWERVE FROM HELL!!!

As far as Dwight comforting Pam, yes, that too was a great swerve.

Karen is getting almost as good as Jim with the "perfect timing glance to the camera" move.

The point at which I cringed was when someone accidentally drove over the Jamaican drum. Just when things couldn't get any worse for Michael, someone destroyed the only thing he had left from his trip to Jamaica.

Just a really great epsidode overall.

He still has his hair braid to remind him of Jamaica.

"Hello Jan. You look... TAN"

No Creed was disappointing.

Awesome episode but the line that just broke me up (to the point that my wife was crying with laughter at the sight of me holding my side and cracking up) was .... "I'm not doing a LICK of work until I get my full bonus."

I don't know why...it was a funny line, and Stanley is a favorite of mine....but damn did that crack me up. I had to pause it and regain my composure.

Michael's walk to the gallows when he knew Jan wanted to see him was amazing... and made even better by the big twist. Maybe "dickish" is harsh, but Karen has definitely given Jim a harder edge, or maybe it's all due to Pam's rejection of him back in the season 2 finale.

The way I see it, Pam really does want a relationship with Jim, but she won't go and sabotage his relationship with Karen. She's hoping the relationship will die on its own. But until then she's stuck giving advice to both of them.

But perhaps I am seeing this through the filter of my past experiences...

No Beek, I think you have it spot on.

It's obvious Pam wants Jim, and wishes she could change things...but she's too nice a person (or maybe too proud a person) to reveal her feelings while he's with Karen.

The best scene for me was when Michael went to find Daryl, who was eating lunch, only to never look at him and say "I'm just really busy right now Mike."

And yeah, no Creed sucked. But great episode as usual, this season has been tremendous.

That sounds about right. She clearly wants to be with him, but isn't sure what to do since she's trying to please everyone (Roy, Karen, and Jim) at one time, and it's probably torn her apart, emotionally.

I'M CUTTING PHYLLIS'S HEAD OF WITH A CHAINSAW!

So? She had her chance and ruined many years of Jim's life. There is no need to feel sorry for her.

Rob - 100% Jim Supporter! :)

She had her chance?

Jim comes to her, literally WEEKS before her wedding, and tells her he loves her. Even though we can assume she feels the same, she was engaged to Roy. Leaving her fiancee, and cancelling her wedding wasn't an easy decision I'm sure.

I understand why Jim waited so long, but if anyone was a dick in that situation (and I personally don't think either character was) it was Jim for his timing.

Jim was about to take a job in Stamford. Before he left, he had to make absolutely certain that he had no future in Scranton with Pam. He had to at least take the shot. Really, neither side is totally to blame, both have great arguments for the way things went down, and that's why I enjoy the writing of the show - most of the characters, on some level, are both awful and relatable. In other words, they're realistic.