tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post4376101025932470020..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: The Office, "Two Weeks": Company womanAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8338126375053592762009-03-29T13:21:00.000-04:002009-03-29T13:21:00.000-04:00remember how, during one of the first episodes wit...<I>remember how, during one of the first episodes with Wallace's character, when each branch manager had to prepare a presentation on their financials, Michael did a video of the staff? Because that's all he knows.)</I><BR/><BR/>After that, Wallace asked him if he had the financials, and it turns out he did. We just didn't see him present them.Mark Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89866908586959382102009-03-28T23:44:00.000-04:002009-03-28T23:44:00.000-04:00I think Pam has a protective nature towards Michae...I think Pam has a protective nature towards Michael. It developed very slowly until the episode of with Pam's art show. <BR/><BR/>Michael was the only one who went. (Well, Oscar was there, but his boyfriend was a jerk mocking Pam's hard work.) Michael told her how good her work was and how proud of her he was. I think Michael's paper company might have success with Pam helping him. <BR/><BR/>I'd love for Pam to become a salesperson! Why hasn't Wallace put Jim, the official No. 2 in charge? Couldn't you see two desks in Michael's office with Jim and Dwight being co-managers? :-)Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27697301270227051822009-03-28T17:55:00.000-04:002009-03-28T17:55:00.000-04:00Really liked the episode as a whole. My only disap...Really liked the episode as a whole. My only disappointment was seeing Charles so obviously set up for a downfall - we're supposed to take this guy as smart, right? Any fool could see that Kevin as a receptionist would fail nigh-instantly. And while Stanley could conceivably respond to increased responsibility (remember how he briefly went crazy in "The Job" in an attempt to get Michael's job?), it's more likely just another factor to Charles' downfall. It just doesn't seem like Charles would pick Stanley, who was doing a crossword puzzle at that exact moment.<BR/><BR/>Now sure, he has limited options. He won't pick Jim for obvious reasons, plus Jim might not actually be that great of a "productivity czar". But why not accountant Oscar? Or it would have been funny to see what Creed would do with a little more power.<BR/><BR/>Dwight would be the obvious choice, as he's the top salesman in the company and is productivity-insane. But that would be a retread of "The Job" when Dwight takes over the Office, so I'm glad they didn't go in that direction. Maybe Wallace warned Charles that Dwight's a lunatic.<BR/><BR/>In any case, I'm mostly nervous that this show will have a great season-ending arc that eventually returns to the show to the status quo, and to the tired and overused material that preceded it. Sure, Pam being a salesman at DM would offer a slightly new dynamic - and that's really the only eventual change I see coming at the end of this arc - but it won't provide enough material.<BR/><BR/>Oh well. I'll certainly enjoy this arc while it lasts.<BR/><BR/>PS Charles so explicitly threatening Michael also rang a little false to me, even if it was funny to see Michael turn tail so quickly. And Toby's talking head made me laugh out loud.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34211470049395416712009-03-28T16:49:00.000-04:002009-03-28T16:49:00.000-04:00Am thrilled with Two Weeks and the new story possi...Am thrilled with Two Weeks and the new story possibilities that have opened up. <BR/><BR/>I just told a friend a few weeks ago that while I think The Office is better this year than it was last, the office party scenes were starting to drag the show down for me. Then, boom, the very next week, the party planning committee was dissolved, and now this. Bravo, writers.<BR/><BR/>It's funny. In reading the comments, I'm finding that the fans of The Wire are reacting to Charles in a totally different way than I am. I've never seen The Wire, and this is my first exposure to the actor, so I guess I'm observing with no expectations. Not judging anyone, just noticing the difference between Wire/non-Wire viewers.LAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15571960251511548342009-03-28T15:43:00.000-04:002009-03-28T15:43:00.000-04:00So is Pam officially done with pursuing a career i...So is Pam officially done with pursuing a career in art? With her leaving art school without graduating, are we to assume she's content with relegating it to a hobby?chrissienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19084287724664403082009-03-28T15:18:00.000-04:002009-03-28T15:18:00.000-04:00My first thought was that it was a good thing that...My first thought was that it was a good thing that they set up Pam and Michael's relationship in a TWO-part storyline when they went to visit Karen. I'll have to go back and read people's comments on that. But I felt it rang a bit sentimental and I was not happy with the perfect bow on Karen's storyline. Very un-office-ish. I was almost suspicious. And maybe there's still time for some of that to unravel. Who knows?<BR/><BR/>Also--and this is really reaching back into tv-land--but this episode gave me the same feeling I had when I witnessed "Little House on the Prairie" morphing into "Little House--A New Beginning." An emptiness that hinted of the loneliness you might feel if you were the only person from your graduating class that was left to take another course at your high school. Everything familiar was replaced by something slightly off. The ground shifted and you had not completely found equilibrium. <BR/><BR/>That having been said, I was also disappointed to see that Charles Miner was beginning to feel one-dimensional. However, I loved that look shared between him and Hank. It was as if Hank acknowledged him as Stringer Bell and shared a moment. Expressing appreciation for all the Wire fans out there.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768051300360570185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1282640009707266012009-03-28T15:09:00.000-04:002009-03-28T15:09:00.000-04:00Part of me wishes the Charles character was less u...Part of me wishes the Charles character was less uptight and by the book. But another part of me sees where this can go, and it could end up being pretty entertaining.<BR/><BR/>Charles gets a face full of all Michael's managerial flaws right from the get go. It's so extreme, he's ready to dismiss everything about Michael without trying to learn from him the good things Michael did as a manager in handling his staff. Clearly, he was doing something right because the office has been very successful. <BR/><BR/>But Charles has decided to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and it looks like he's heading toward getting knocked down several pegs, Angela/Ryan-style.<BR/>(I'm only guessing here. I intentionally didn't watch the previews for the next new episode so I can be surprised).Oaktown Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00811331454878606058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53160140763219528182009-03-28T13:19:00.000-04:002009-03-28T13:19:00.000-04:00I am having a hard time watching Stringer Bell in ...<I>I am having a hard time watching Stringer Bell in a comedy. I certainly don't think Idris Elba is showing off any particular set of acting skills.</I><BR/><BR/>Rent <I>RocknRolla</I>. Fast forward through Guy Ritchie's wankeriffic, go-nowhere dialogue scenes if necessary, but you'll get to see an Elba who is relaxed, funny and charming. <BR/><BR/>I'm actually kind of surprised how humourless and stern they're making Charles; didn't Elba say he wanted to do something quite different from the Stringer Bell character?filmcrickethttp://filmcricket.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80691236886060121302009-03-28T07:33:00.000-04:002009-03-28T07:33:00.000-04:00I'm surprised so many people think that Michael ca...I'm surprised so many people think that Michael can pull this off. He might be a great salesman, but over the years we've seen how little he knows about anything else that goes on in that office. He has no concept of accounting, he has to be tricked into signing paperwork, he is clueless as to how a warehouse runs, and he continues to be oblivious as to the changes in market conditions.<BR/><BR/>The whole time he was talking up his company, I wanted someone to ask, "Where will you get the paper to sell?" Sure, he might be able to convince some customers to switch to a brand-new, unproven, two-man paper company from the one they've been with for years, but then what? Does he store the paper in his condo, and Pam does double duty as the trucker to deliver it? I'm sure Michael would be shocked to learn what the costs are to rent a warehouse, not to mention staff it. Remember his confusion over the excess budget they had at year end - this is not a man who is savvy about the financial condition of his branch. (In fact, remember how, during one of the first episodes with Wallace's character, when each branch manager had to prepare a presentation on their financials, Michael did a video of the staff? Because that's all he knows.) <BR/><BR/>I can't imagine a scenario where Michael is successful at this. I can imagine, however, his wooing some customers and then realizing in a panic he has nothing to sell, and filling the orders using D-M's online ordering system (or Staples or Office Max, etc.) He'd lose money on every transaction, have to sell his condo (again) to keep afloat, and wind up desperate enough to accept Wallace's offer to come back after Charles and his new hire(s) can't manage to get this dysfunctional bunch to function the way they are used to offices functioning. <BR/><BR/>(I also kind of like the idea of a constant stream of regional manager -wannabes coming through for the rest of the season, a la Murphy Brown's secretaries.)<BR/><BR/>But Michael Scott Paper a success? No, no, no.Sandienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-72954979620827187442009-03-28T01:14:00.000-04:002009-03-28T01:14:00.000-04:00"I'm a little confused about something...weren't s..."I'm a little confused about something...weren't some of the beginning Pam/copier scenes already in the last episode?? they were the exact same scenes of kevin spilling coffee on the machine, the cat chewing the wire., etc. Or have i discovered some prescience?"<BR/><BR/>I think that scene was previewed on either Ellen or the Tonight Show last week.RichChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03110952693839144718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-26670192792524283912009-03-27T21:56:00.000-04:002009-03-27T21:56:00.000-04:00Elba's accent improved this week over last week. ...Elba's accent improved this week over last week. It's still, in my opinion, a little too Franklin Terrace for a high-flying businessman in New York. But at least he didn't let any England sneak out like last week.<BR/><BR/>I'm kind of sad that Charles is turning out to be a bad manager rather than a tough but sympathetic foil for the crazies in Scranton. I'm afraid his decline is going to be a rerun of Stringer's.<BR/><BR/>Jim is pretty supportive of Pam so I think he won't mind her trying her luck at MSPC. And it's not all that bad of a move for her, either - with no kids, the potential getting into a startup on the ground floor outweighs the loss of a receptionist job.digammahttp://digamma.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29353399872839066572009-03-27T20:12:00.000-04:002009-03-27T20:12:00.000-04:00I'm a little confused about something...weren't so...I'm a little confused about something...weren't some of the beginning Pam/copier scenes already in the last episode?? they were the exact same scenes of kevin spilling coffee on the machine, the cat chewing the wire., etc. Or have i discovered some prescience?<BR/><BR/>Also, i agree with the comment about the craziness of Pam just walking out on a job (that she's had for years)to follow Michael Scott???? Couldn't she have given her 2 week notice and then left? He isn't even close to starting a company. Very unrealistic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6441744733371444652009-03-27T17:45:00.000-04:002009-03-27T17:45:00.000-04:00I imagine that Michael will be successful selling ...I imagine that Michael will be successful selling to DM clients- the one thing Charles kept trying to get him to do was write out his personal client list.<BR/><BR/>There wil undeniably be an episode where Jim & Pam are competing for the same client. That's scriptwriting 101.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76034944679450077992009-03-27T17:40:00.000-04:002009-03-27T17:40:00.000-04:00My predictions:• Michael, along with Pam and Ryan ...My predictions:<BR/><BR/>• Michael, along with Pam and Ryan attempt to start up "Michael Scott Paper Co.", however, they need knowledge expertise, and various resources to accelerate development of the company. Where does go? Who does he turn to for help? Enter the Prince Family, formerly of Prince Paper Company. <BR/><BR/>• Michael confesses that their going out of business was of his doing, but he proposes a joint business venture that will help get their paper company back on track, with more clients than any other competitor. The Prince family has enough wealth to get by for a little while with their business in ruins, however, investing in another business that fails would ruin them. <BR/><BR/>• Michael, being the outstanding salesman that he is, successfully sells the idea to the Prince family. So they get to work reopening shop as Michael persuade a great number of Dunder Mifflin customers to buy from his paper company.<BR/><BR/>• Meanwhile, back at the office, Charles engages in a romantic relationship with Angela. Being able to manipulate her V.P. lover, she gets him to fire Kelly and Phyllis, the two co-workers she does not like.<BR/><BR/>• Michael Scott Prince Paper Co. takes off, big time, and captures the majority of paper sales market share in the local area, beating out local competitors Staples and Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Dunder Mifflin Corporate HQ takes notice.<BR/><BR/>•Everyone in the office is miserable. Morale is at an all time low. There is tension between Pam and Jim, being that Pam is the breadwinner of the relationship, seeing that she is selling more than Jim. Charles is doing his best to suppress talk of people defecting to Michael's successful company.<BR/><BR/>• Corporate finds out about Charles and Angela, the wrongful firings, and the extremely low office morale, and well as the grievances of his subordinates. Bob Wallace concludes that the Scranton branch went downhill under the management of Charles Minor, and immediately terminates his position as he is tasked to save the Scranton branch before an imminent closure.<BR/><BR/>• Corporate tries to buy out Michael Scott Prince Paper Company, however, Michael and co. reject Corporates offers. They offer Michael, Ryan, and Pam very high salaries to come back to Dunder Mifflin, believing that those three are the reason the new company is doing so well. Michael accepts under the condition that Corporate will not try to buy out and dissolve Prince Paper company. Michael ends up working at corporate replacing Charles Minor, Ryan returns as regional manager, and Pam ends up as Jim and Dwight's rival saleswoman. Creed becomes the next receptionist.Keith Rogersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52890322788225086082009-03-27T17:21:00.000-04:002009-03-27T17:21:00.000-04:00I thought this was a very funny episode. But I re...I thought this was a very funny episode. But I really, really, really hated the end when Pam leaves. I just think it's really gross that Pam would voluntarily go somewhere else to work with Michael Scott. I guess others have a better opinion of Michael than I do. While he's funny to laugh at, and I can see he's not a bad person necessarily, I still think he's the kind of boss you run away from when you get the chance.RichChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03110952693839144718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27227074337069041132009-03-27T17:08:00.000-04:002009-03-27T17:08:00.000-04:00It would be more in character, and funnier, if she...<I>It would be more in character, and funnier, if she more like uptight-Angela trying to flirt and failing, </I><BR/><BR/>The Angela we have now is not the same person as the Angela we had before, and I feel that if the writers were to portray her as though she were would be too phony to bear. <BR/><BR/>Having been dumped by both Dwight and Andy in such a public fashion, Angela's been knocked completely off her high horse. She's no longer top of pecking order in the office, even if it was only in her own mind that she was.<BR/><BR/>Angela's desperate now, and her behavior around Charles is totally in keeping with the new paradigm. Some interesting things are going to have to happen before Angela returns to her former self, and I hope the writers make the most of it.Oaktown Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00811331454878606058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8475467451577530462009-03-27T16:56:00.000-04:002009-03-27T16:56:00.000-04:00So we are gonna see some tension between Jim and P...So we are gonna see some tension between Jim and Pam? I wish we don't.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245472084190224186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21631116213627657482009-03-27T15:35:00.000-04:002009-03-27T15:35:00.000-04:00Loved this episode. I liked how Pam and Michael's ...Loved this episode. I liked how Pam and Michael's road trip earlier in the season foreshadowed their connection here. I think Pam saw him in a different light then and maybe that also helped with her decision. <BR/>Can't wait to see what happens. <BR/>I loved Kelly's "She's such a special person. She's turning 50 this year." Great delivery.melarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06023932133831202782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19374655420614391792009-03-27T15:28:00.000-04:002009-03-27T15:28:00.000-04:00Prediction: Michael tries to get Holly to be part ...Prediction: Michael tries to get Holly to be part of his businessErizuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087037485592891251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-38390802944763996732009-03-27T14:47:00.000-04:002009-03-27T14:47:00.000-04:00How did this superb episode work? Let me count the...How did this superb episode work? Let me count the ways! It worked because Pam not only realized that she needed to do something besides sitting at reception for the rest of her life, but Jim's response was warm and likable after getting over his initial shock and bemusement. It worked because it told us everything about how Michael views Oscar's abilities by simply showing that Michael didn't ask Kevin OR Angela to join his start-up. It worked because Andy's response to Michael leaving showed that Phyllis hasn't forgotten his suckup Season 3 persona but we also saw that Andy is not just that person anymore and will genuinely miss having a laid-back boss. It worked because of course the war Dwight thinks America should have never gotten into was WWII, because Hank doesn't have to define loyalty that way in his job, and because Charles thinks Kevin is a good choice for a coordinated information role and Stanley a good choice to prod other works to be more industrious.<BR/>It worked, overall, because it understands these characters and their crazy world, and it was the best episode of this season by far.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51616714505455863052009-03-27T14:26:00.000-04:002009-03-27T14:26:00.000-04:00Mr. Guilt, I love your prediction as to what will ...Mr. Guilt, I love your prediction as to what will happen next, and think you might be right! Eventually Michael hires them all for this own paper company after DM Scranton tanks. Although it's always been funny to see Michael have to answer to corporate, the things he could get away with when he has no boss could be hysterical.<BR/><BR/>I also agree with Jim (the commenter, not the character) about Angela seeming too flirty/giddy. But my guess is that it will all change once Charles finds out about Bandit living in the file drawer.Jennifer Boudinothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00474532822351545580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65735780228802551322009-03-27T14:00:00.000-04:002009-03-27T14:00:00.000-04:00I'm surprised nobody mentioned creed thinking he h...I'm surprised nobody mentioned creed thinking he had to pay to use the copier. that's the part that had me clutching my stomach from laughing so hardakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00766558267457471519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29116783760528108032009-03-27T13:46:00.000-04:002009-03-27T13:46:00.000-04:00Perhaps Michael has not signed a (non-compete) con...Perhaps Michael has not signed a (non-compete) contract, a la that other business genius, Don Draper...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-61510509697630710692009-03-27T13:39:00.000-04:002009-03-27T13:39:00.000-04:00The other thing is that even David Wallace has tol...The other thing is that even David Wallace has told Michael that he doesn't know how the Scranton branch is outperforming the other branches. <BR/><BR/>Like it or not, Michael is a star player, and Wallace blew it by not keeping his stars happy. With a new guy in place, he has now broken up the system that worked and they're really going to struggle.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15001530336692435773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28752507444076903812009-03-27T13:17:00.000-04:002009-03-27T13:17:00.000-04:00Great episode: monsters.com, the Toby talking head...Great episode: monsters.com, the Toby talking head, Michael crawling around on the floor pleading for people to leave with me, Pam being the one who leaves...all awesome moments. I think the "Charles doesn't understand the skills or lack thereof of everyone, business tanks, Michael returns" speculation makes sense, and I'm sure they have some funny ways to get there.Castawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05122873036959224244noreply@blogger.com