The Office... 9/24 "The Meeting"

[sonnik]

Toby can really be vocal when he's excited.

[Zevida]

I thought this was a good ep.

I did not like the cold open, a little too much for me, especially after they just played Oscar's sexuality for laughs last week.

I really thought Jim might punch Michael when they were downstairs in the lobby. Either that or just quit on the spot and go with his other offer. And the look on Dwight's face when they were announced as co-managers was priceless.

[DancnDude]

I guess it moves the plot along in a different direction, but this was mostly boring to me. Not much of it was really that funny.

[MickeS]

I guess it moves the plot along in a different direction, but this was mostly boring to me. Not much of it was really that funny.

I thought the exact opposite. :) Much better than last week, and I LOLed several times. Loved Michael's foot peeking out of the cheese cart as he wheeled himself out of there, for example, and Dwight and Toby semi-bonding over the train hobby in the car.

Will be interesting to see how it goes with the co-manager part too.

[DancnDude]

I guess different tastes. I thought last week's episode was hilarious! I laughed almost the entire time. This one, not so much.

[Neenahboy]

I guess different tastes. I thought last week's episode was hilarious! I laughed almost the entire time. This one, not so much.

Agreed. I felt like this was another episode where Michael devolved into idiocy, and it just wasn't funny.

Just stay out of the meeting, for crying out loud! You're the regional manager; it's highly unlikely that anything involving Jim would happen without your knowledge, so just let it go. Yeesh, that was an annoying sequence.

[JYoung]

Agreed. I felt like this was another episode where Michael devolved into idiocy, and it just wasn't funny.

Just stay out of the meeting, for crying out loud! You're the regional manager; it's highly unlikely that anything involving Jim would happen without your knowledge, so just let it go. Yeesh, that was an annoying sequence.

Except that one of Michael's (many) weaknesses is that he can't stand to be left out of anything.
It was perfectly in character for him to keep trying to find out what was going on in there.

And I LOL several times in this episode, especially at Dwight's reaction to the promotion announcement.

[campbellleo]

I don't think I laughed as many times, but I still enjoyed the episode.

Although I do find it a little weird that more that a season ago, David Wallace was happy to see Jim in a regional manager position and that now all of a sudden he wants Michael's opinion AND accepts what was obviously a more-than-a-year jealous bitch from Toby about Jim. I think David would know Jim is being under-utilised in sales, PLUS if he was worried that Jim wasn't taking his job seriously before, now that Jim has a baby on the way that obviously not the case. I mean, he even had another job offer and a report for David to prove it!

That aside, I am going to love seeing Jim and Michael co-managing. Man, there has been a lot of office hierarchy restructuring for D-M in the last 6 years!

[Fool Me Twice]

I liked this one better than last week's. The main plot was so simple and perfect for demonstrating Michael's insecurities. It lacked the energy of the better episodes though. It didn't really build to a crescendo. Maybe it would have worked better if we had known what the meeting was about from the beginning, so there would be suspense in watching Michael torpedo his own and Jim's promotions. I don't know... It was just flat.

I liked Toby and Dwight bonding over trains. Well, Toby was bonding anyway, and getting sucked into Dwight's foolishness. The dialogue between the two in the car was just perfect--probably the only scene of the season thus far that really clicked for me and felt like it was worthy of The Office.

Other stuff:

Andy disassembling sandwiches in the background to build a cheese platter, followed by a great presentation.

"Ya'll having birthday cake?" "That's not a very good Daryl."

"Uh... Because you look exactly alike? Am I the only one?" "I don't see it."

I prefer Pam in sweaters.

[Fool Me Twice]

Oh, and Michael's fake phone call while interrupting the meeting. "You tell that SOB he's fired.... Okay, I love you, bye." "You tell the mayor he just lost six votes!" That was another perfect Office moment. Carell doing his best Scott.

[photoshopgrl]

"Uh... Because you look exactly alike? Am I the only one?" "I don't see it."This was my only LOL moment this episode. I'm always amused watching the show and I enjoy it but I find the last couple of seasons that I actually find myself laughing out loud less and less.

[modnar]

I thought this episode was hilarious. I guess I just don't understand why some are so intensely critical about some of these episodes.

Highlights for me (as best I can remember):
Michael (to Pam): "You and Jim are close, right?"
Pam: "I think the pregnancy really brought us closer."

Andy's presentation of the cheese tray was great.

Toby (to Dwight about the train): I'd like to see that sometime.
Dwight: Okay. It's just your typical slaughter house, though.

Stanley's reaction when food was rolled out of the break room (the cheese tray)...something like, "What do we have here?"

Angela and Pam's interaction at the end of the episode where Angela admonished Pam for moving Angela's purse from the chair.

[Alfer]

I liked watching Andy in the background taking cheese from sandwiches etc in order to make the cheese tray.

:)

[USAFSSO]

... I guess I just don't understand why some are so intensely critical about some of these episodes.

...

Simple, they are dead inside. :p

It's official, Michael is worse than George Castanza.

I liked the Toby and Dwight have the same hobby. Toby, building model trains - Dwight, building real trains.

[kaszeta]

I got a good chuckle out of the cheese plate scene, both Andy building it, and his delivery of it.

[jkalnin]

6/10 - week

I agree about David, he should know all he needs to know about Jim without going to Michael for his insight. Also, what happened to the position of East Coast Sales Manager? Did they decide that wasn't necessary now?

I hope they bring back in the nutty woman from HR that Michael likes. I love their chemistry.

[JYoung]

Although I do find it a little weird that more that a season ago, David Wallace was happy to see Jim in a regional manager position and that now all of a sudden he wants Michael's opinion AND accepts what was obviously a more-than-a-year jealous bitch from Toby about Jim. I think David would know Jim is being under-utilised in sales, PLUS if he was worried that Jim wasn't taking his job seriously before, now that Jim has a baby on the way that obviously not the case. I mean, he even had another job offer and a report for David to prove it!



Yes, but..... since Jim removed himself from consideration for that position before, it's not that far of stretch to think that David may be concerned about Jim's commitment to a more responsible position.

[MickeS]

I agree about David, he should know all he needs to know about Jim without going to Michael for his insight. Also, what happened to the position of East Coast Sales Manager? Did they decide that wasn't necessary now?

Like real world businesses in turmoil, DM just seems to be throwing things on the wall hoping something sticks. They're in deep trouble and seem to have no idea what the hell they're doing. If we want to apply logic to what's happening, I'd say Wallace is just desperate to use any way to see even a temporary uptick in profit right now.

[6079 Smith W]

Although I do find it a little weird that more that a season ago, David Wallace was happy to see Jim in a regional manager position and that now all of a sudden he wants Michael's opinion AND accepts what was obviously a more-than-a-year jealous bitch from Toby about Jim.

I was *sure* that it was going to turn out that the negative performance review in that book was going to be Michael's and not Jim's. It seemed to describe Michael perfectly. :)

[wprager]

Don't you remember, Toby had a crush on Pam and was always trying to use HR rules to separate them. The real question is why did *Toby* write Jim's review?

[pigonthewing]

I loved, loved, that someone FINALLY stood up to Michael, called him out on being a total jerk, etc. Man was that a long time coming. Go Jim. It's about time someone in that building grew some balls.

[DevdogAZ]

I prefer Pam in sweaters.
Kelly: I'm so jealous of your boobs. :D

I think it' funny to read these threads every week. There's always someone bitching that Michael acted like an idiot, and there are always those defending his actions as perfectly in character. There are always people complaining that the episode was "off," while there are others saying they laughed out loud.

I think the bottom line is that this show is uneven, but it's funny more often than it's not, and everyone is entertained by different types of humor.

[Shaunnick]

Or it's a show that caters to two different audiences.

[scooterboy]

6/10 - week

I agree about David, he should know all he needs to know about Jim without going to Michael for his insight. Also, what happened to the position of East Coast Sales Manager? Did they decide that wasn't necessary now?

I hope they bring back in the nutty woman from HR that Michael likes. I love their chemistry.

I don't understand how the week of June 10th has anything to do with this episode...

[Shaunnick]

I don't understand how the week of June 10th has anything to do with this episode...

I think that is his rating for the episode.

[BrandonRe]

I think that is his rating for the episode.

That's the way I read it as well. I think it was supposed to be:

6/10- weak.

[Shaunnick]

That's the way I read it as well. I think it was supposed to be:

6/10- weak.

:D Even better, I though he meant:

6/10- (this) week('s episode)

Maybe he could step back in and let the rest of us know, eh?

[jkalnin]

Score: 6 out of 10 - WEAK!

Sorry for the confusion.

[trainman]

Dwight and Toby being railroad buffs doesn't surprise me at all.

Because I've met a number of those people in real life.

[DreadPirateRob]

I was crying from laughing so hard at the cold open - such a pure example of his idiocy and naivete. The rest of the ep wasn't quite as funny, but still awesome.

[getreal]

I was crying from laughing so hard ....

Literally? :confused:

[MickeS]

Literally? :confused:

Why not? I do it quite a bit. Last time was last week when watching "It's always sunny in Philadelphia" and Mac and Dennis were realtors. Not only crying, but stomach was hurting too. :)

It's been a while since it happened during "The Office" though...

[zordude]

Co-Managers sounds like something crazy Michael would come up with, not David Wallace.

It made no sense with regards to his character.

Z

[Bierboy]

6/10 - week...

No, 7 is a week.....

[marksman]

So far so good. Been very happy with the first two episodes this season.

I still don't get people's criticism of the show when Michael acts like a complete idiot. That is the show.

[campbellleo]

Yes, but..... since Jim removed himself from consideration for that position before, it's not that far of stretch to think that David may be concerned about Jim's commitment to a more responsible position.

I guess so, but it still doesn't really mesh with the fact that Jim is having a baby, and put this proposal to David, and had another job offer to back it up.

I was *sure* that it was going to turn out that the negative performance review in that book was going to be Michael's and not Jim's. It seemed to describe Michael perfectly.

I just thought Michael was going to reason that a bad report from Toby equated to a good report from normal people :)

Don't you remember, Toby had a crush on Pam and was always trying to use HR rules to separate them. The real question is why did *Toby* write Jim's review?

Especially when there has been at least one episode showing everyone in the office trying to impress Michael for their performance reports.

I think it' funny to read these threads every week. There's always someone bitching that Michael acted like an idiot, and there are always those defending his actions as perfectly in character. There are always people complaining that the episode was "off," while there are others saying they laughed out loud.

I think the bottom line is that this show is uneven, but it's funny more often than it's not, and everyone is entertained by different types of humor.

Yeah. I don't think I have ever watched an episode that I didn't enjoy. Although I guess most people are criticising against the background of the show's general stellar performance. Still, I very rarely see Michael acting out of character. If anything he has gotten less ridiculous on a whole than he started out -- since he used to be much more like Gervais with the utterly painful awkward humour. Not that that wasn't great, but I think Gervais did it better, and I am glad that Carrell soon established his own hilarious character.

I can't believe it is a whole six days till the next episode!

[Robin]

I loved the announcement at the end. "I've been promoted too! To co-manager!"

Then everyone looking around since the rest of them realize it's a DEmotion.

[JYoung]

I guess so, but it still doesn't really mesh with the fact that Jim is having a baby, and put this proposal to David, and had another job offer to back it up.





Some new fathers also take leave to be with the baby and don't spend as much time at the office as they used to.
That may be Wallace's concern as well.
(Assuming he even knows about the baby.)

[DevdogAZ]

Dwight and Toby being railroad buffs doesn't surprise me at all.

Because I've met a number of those people in real life.
You've met a number of real railroad buffs, or you've met a number of the actors from The Office and they are railroad buffs?

[Fish Man]

Dwight and Toby being railroad buffs doesn't surprise me at all.

Because I've met a number of those people in real life.

I thought of you during that scene, trainman. Really.

That being said, all guys are at least somewhat interested in trains! Trains are cool.

Interesting possibilities for future episodes certainly are presented by Jim being "co manager". I liked it mostly for that reason.

[DevdogAZ]

I thought of you during that scene, trainman. Really.
As did I. Really.

[uncdrew]

The co-manager thing should lead to some nice hijinks.

I miss the days of Dwight's "Assistant TO the regional manager" stuff. I guess he's now "assistant co-regional manager". Should be fun times ahead.

[pigonthewing]

The co-manager thing should lead to some nice hijinks.

I miss the days of Dwight's "Assistant TO the regional manager" stuff. I guess he's now "assistant co-regional manager". Should be fun times ahead.

"Assistant to a co-manager."

[gchance]

"Manager and co-manager?" "No, co-manager and co-manager..."

Greg

[trainman]

You've met a number of real railroad buffs, or you've met a number of the actors from The Office and they are railroad buffs?

I've met a number of real railroad buffs.

And I'm including myself in that, too. (I know myself pretty well.)

[DougF]

I was crying from laughing so hard at the cold open - such a pure example of his idiocy and naivete. The rest of the ep wasn't quite as funny, but still awesome.

I wasn't crying, but I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard and long at something. That was hilarious!

[DevdogAZ]

I've met a number of real railroad buffs.

And I'm including myself in that, too. (I know myself pretty well.)
Well that doesn't surprise me one bit. I'd be shocked if you hadn't met a significant number of RR buffs. I thought you were saying you'd met a number of the actors from The Office and they were RR buffs.

[Bierboy]

I've done about 10K miles on Amtrak the past 7 years...can I join the club? :D

[USAFSSO]

I've done about 10K miles on Amtrak the past 7 years...can I join the club? :D

Is this VP Joe Biden? ;)

[Bierboy]

Is this VP Joe Biden? ;)

Oh, now THAT is an insult....

[bruinfan]

i totally missed the 'that's what she said' on the first viewing....

[trainman]

I've done about 10K miles on Amtrak the past 7 years...can I join the club? :D

Can you tell an EMD locomotive from a GE locomotive by the sound, the way Dwight can?

(Actually, I can't do that myself. :D)

[Bierboy]

Can you tell an EMD locomotive from a GE locomotive by the sound, the way Dwight can?

(Actually, I can't do that myself. :D)
Not a clue, Trainman! I'm not THAT into it....but I sure enjoy traveling by rail. Taking the EB from GBB to SF in Oct 2010.