The Office: Moroccan Christmas, 5.11

220 comments

1. did anybody else lose audio on this episode???

2. Damn! That was a rough one.. Good, different, but rough.

3. I loved this episode! Dwight’s ‘wooden stack to the head’ and the cold open with Jim & Dwight were fantastic!

   Also, good job Phyllis! Dwight’s smirk afterwards was great too! It’s going to be hard waiting to see how this all plays out now.

4. All over the emotional spectrum. Wow, really really floored by the performances and some high LOL (literally) humor. From the opening prank to Andy’s final scene… it was like an opera. Great stuff.

   PS. Meredith fans rejoice!

   Xmas came early (that’s what…)

5. Absolutely perfect. Dwight was completely on tonight. Creed was hilarious, and JAM was adorable.

   Best episode this season.

6. That was incredible. Wow. Christmas episodes never disappoint. Omg. Now we have to wait a month to find out what happens with the Angela situation. :(

7. I didn’t like this episode. It was sad and mean. The only comic relief was Dwight’s storyline…very funny.
   This wasn’t the cheery Christmas episode I had been hoping for after a 2 year wait…

8. That was one of the weakest episodes this season. The Meredith stuff just wasn’t that funny. The bit with Dwight explaining the doll was fun but besides that very little to laugh at.

9. Kind of a slow and depressing episode for the most part. Not the best way to cap off the year. It’s hard, or at least useless, to pinpoint anything that was demonstrably bad in the episode, but I just wanted something fun to happen — after the desk prank, that is.

   I really hope it comes back with a BANG in February… and yes, that is what she… well, you know the rest.

10. “Do you take requests? Please stop.” Best Jim line of all time.

11. It didn’t have any holiday feel, most of the dialogue was pedestrian and uninspired, and Jim continues to talk in the same monotone, baritone voice without delivery that’s plagued him since season 4.

    Just not a very good episode. A few classic moments, but just a toss-together feel.

12. Meh, decently funny, but easily the worst christmas episode

13. One of the worst episodes ever. Could the first 15 minutes have been more random?

14. Haha love the prank xD great episode, but Christmas Party and Benihana Chrismas were much better.

15. Terrible episode.

16. The funniest cold open this season!

17. I was disappointed and felt really down when the episode was over. I don’t think anyone had Christmas cheer.

18. Totally dark, wicked, and funny…loved it!

19. Besides the cold opening (an instant classic prank), the episode was an overall disappointment. The Meredith sub-story was run-of-the-mill and not very funny, even though it took up the majority of the episode. Although, it does present an interesting scenario between Angela and Andy in the next episode. Unfortunately, that is a long wait for redemption.

20. Wow- I honestly think I’m depressed now. Not a great episode. The cold open was hilarious though- but it just kinda went downhill from there

21. Can’t believe that was all they had to offer. As Michael would say I feel as though they dropped my heart into a bucket of boiling tears.

22. I almost died when Dwight explained about killing zombies. but besides that, not so great. they just broke their 4 season 2esqe episode streak. kind of depressing for a Xmas episode

23. It was an okay episode. I consider it one of the weaker episodes this season so far. I was hoping Angela would have broken down and told Andy that she was cheating on him but the way it was revealed was okay.

24. “Fa la la la la, la la ka-chinge!”

    I loved that part so much, one of my favorite scenes of the episode.

    The ending was so awkward, I found it hysterical. I loved it when Andy was like “What, I just learned it.”

25. I lost audio for like the last 10 minutes.

    I’m furious.

26. Wow, that was a first. I can honestly say that is the first time that I barely broke a smirk during an episode of the office. I didn’t laugh out loud at all. I really do hope the writers read these comments so that I can plead to them, please bring our old office back! You’ve taken a comedy with some drama into a drama with some comedy. I never thought this show could get too awkward to be funny, but today I was proven wrong. Please bring our light hearted show back.

27. Pretty good episode. I liked the cold open a lot. And I also thought Kate Flannery had an Emmy worthy performance. But I gotta say, I was a wee bit offended by Phyllis knocking the Nativity Scene off the desk. I know it was done for humor, but that bothered me a bit. Still a good episode, 8/10

28. just called our nbc affiliate here in richmond, va,…there was an audio issue with their feed out of charlotte nc!!!! weird because we got all the audio except the dialogue!!

29. I was completely unimpressed–as littlekidlover @ #7 said, this episode was sad and mean. Michael dragging everyone through the intervention wasn’t funny, and it *really* wasn’t funny when he basically kidnapped and physically forced Meredith into the clinic. And the blackmail of Angela really turned ugly once Andy walked out and everyone knew but him. It wasn’t funny, and the characters really crossed the line for me.

    The only things I liked were Dwight’s storyline, the little bit of JAM at the end, and the gift-wrapping of Dwight’s desk. It’s Christmas, for God’s sake…give us a little bit of a good note to go out on!

30. Comedy done wrong. Not a very good episode. The only part I liked was the cold opening.

31. I’m with everybody on the “I was expecting something more holiday-ish and less serious.” I think this episode just caught me off-guard. I think I’m going to need to watch it with a more open mind to see how I really like it. Hmm…

32. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-ka-ching!

33. only good part was the running around the rehab place

34. I really like episodes that highlight the supporting cast. Phyllis was great as always, and Meredith cracked me up running from Michael in the parking lot.

35. I lost audio as well…grrr

36. that was awesome. totally did not think that phyllis would actually say anything. and dwight’s talk heads are always hilarious.

37. That was a disappointing episode. It had some funny moments but it just didn’t feel right. Hopefully it will be funnier the second time I watch it. Worst Christmas episode yet, although the first 2 Christmas episodes have been awesome so it had some tough standards to follow.

38. I really liked this episode. It’s my favorite in a while. Andy at the end was awesome. Great episode!!!

39. By the way (to take focus off the negativity for a second, even though I totally agree with it) — I too had audio issues in this episode. After the second commercial break I switched to the non-HD feed to make sure I didn’t miss anything else. That seemed to work.

    I missed a few words around “Bob Hope”.

40. I liked it as an episode, but didn’t have the holiday cheer I was expecting. I think some Jim/Pam would’ve lightened it up a little. And maybe the whole Meredith thing should’ve been a side story, and the main story could’ve been something happy with the office. It was all just kind of dark.

41. Ok… here’s the problem, we’ve waited for a Christmas episode for 2 years, and this was a bit of a let down. I mean it felt out of place, the Meredith story line would have been better suited for an entirely different episode. The Angela reveal was fine, but it all blended together awkwardly. The Dwight storyline was the saving grace, I found that hilarious. It’s too bad really, I wish we could have seen the script from last year!

42. My favorite part was how Michael said he’d like a watch for Christmas. Of course he wants a watch – he gave his to Toby! Great continuity there. And Angela’s gonna be disappointed that the scene with her wrestling the tree was deleted!

    Overall, not one of my favorite eps.

43. ahhh that was really good!! When Meredith was belly dancing, I actually choked on my food. I also liked how they didn’t focus TOO much on Jim and Pam. The Jam parts were adorable but I’m glad this isn’t turning into the Jim and Pam show. I thought the Toby thing was so sad! I actually almost started to cry!!

44. I really enjoyed this episode. I laughed out loud quite a few times. Though the filming of the talking heads seemed different, I thought they were hilarious! I also felt many of the performances were great – especially Kate and Angela. While I agree that it certainly was darker humor, I must have been in the mood for that tonight. So, while not the overall best episode of the season, it delivered for me.

45. I did not like that at all. I had such high hopes for the Christmas episode, too. I don’t know…I just don’t think a serious addiction is all that funny. Easily my least favorite episode of the year. Possibly ever. But, I shall not give up! It’s still the best show on TV right now.

46. Dwight made this episode awesome. Without him, it would have sucked!

47. I don’t know about you guys, but i laughed through the whole episode! It is one of my favorites of the season so far. The rehab scene, Dwight saying he would stab Meredith in the brain, Phyllis, Angela, anything Andy did, and poor Toby; it was all great!

48. Tonight’s episode seemed really off. The tone was just kind of dark and depressing. Not what many of us were expecting out of the Christmas episode, especially since the two previous holiday episodes were such classics. The cold open and the end were good, but everything in between was pretty blah. 30 Rock on the other hand was a great episode and had the holiday cheer that I would have liked to see out of the office.

49. That was so mean-spirited and sad. A Christmas episode that dealt with addiction, and cheating. 30 Rock was soooo much better tonight, and I’m saying that as someone who loves The Office. There was no sweet redeeming moment at the end, like when Pam takes the teapot back from Season 2.

    My whole family and I were disappointed.

50. Wow, usually the Christmas episodes turn the underlying angst into happiness, but this one just turned angst into…more angst.

51. I liked the moments with Toby. First, Michael throwing the pen at Toby’s face, awesome. I pretty much knew Michael would do something mean to him after he asked him for the rehab center number. It was also cool to see him excited at making his ex mad for being Sasha’s hero. And lastly, of course, Toby’s initial reaction to the black Princess Unicorn, that was great.

52. [please spellcheck, punctuate, and re-post. thanks!]

53. I agree the Meredith storyline could have been used another time.. although I’m wondering where they’d ever again have booze in the office.

    I don’t know, did anyone else feel like this one was rushed? It blew by at such a snappy pace.

    I guess we’ll have to wait another year to see if they can indeed top Christmas Party.

54. This was disappointing. I think the Christmas episodes need to be an hour, it was too much crammed into a half hour. The gloomy stuff overwhelmed any lighthearted moments, the balance was off.
    I don’t like mean Phyllis, I’m sorry but her talking heads aren’t funny to me anymore. It’s like she knows she’s being sassy, she was much funnier when she was less conniving.
    I was proud of Michael for really caring about Meredith, but that rehab scene was just too over the top. I miss the realism (and Todd Packer) at Christmas.

55. Yes, it was a dark-er episode than what we were expecting but I still laughed in many places. Very good moments there.

    Best line is Jim asking Andy if he takes requests and proceeds to tell him to stop. Loved it.

    I did not like the way Phyllis was acting. I’m glad that Angela said something in the end and I REALLY did not like Phyllis when she blurted all of it out loud. I don’t like mean people.

    And Michael as usual was trying to help out a member of his family…. he was just going about it the wrong way. Typical Michael. Great intentions, bad follow through.

56. The Dwight storyline was hilarious! Also, did anyone else notice that there was hardly any Kevin in this one? Usually Kevin has a really funny part in the Christmas episodes. This episode wasn’t as good as the others but I still love this show.

57. Yeah, it was kind of slow and depressing for a Christmas episode. But I’m really excited that the Andy/Angela/Dwight storyline is starting to come to a climax – it’s been dragging on for a long time and I can’t wait to see what happens!

58. I gotta give this show a lot of credit, no other show would have the guts to make such a dark, mean-spirited episode. Even if it wasn’t one of my favorites, I certainly appreciated it.

59. I enjoyed the first part of this episode especially Dwight. However, I absolutely disliked the whole Michael dragging Meredith around near the rehab place scene, it just didn’t work for me. On the other hand I adore when we get to see Michael’s childlike heart, filled with care. It makes for a funny parallel between his incompetence as a manager.

60. This episode was a tad dark for me. The one thing I did find funny was everyone sitting in the circle in their socks, especially Dwight wearing dingy gym socks with his suit.

61. I’m at the point where I could watch Angela clean out the fridge for 30 minutes and I would be thoroughly entertained.

62. I don’t know why, but I thought this episode was absolutely hilarious. I kept cracking up. What a great early Christmas present. :)

63. I liked it. I’m hugely disappointed for Andy at the moment but that doesn’t make for a bad episode. It means the writers are doing a good job leading me along in the story. Let’s face it, there’s never been a successful Christmas party at Dunder Mifflin.

64. Best episode of the season. Hopefully a step in the right direction hopefully a turn to a brighter 2nd half of the season.

    Although not in the Christmas spirit still a great episode.

65. Who says a Christmas episode needs to be happy? The last one wasn’t really happy either, with Carol dumping Michael etc. etc.

    I loved it.Sometimes bad stuff happens during the holidays. It makes sense that at the Christmas party, Angela would finally snap at Phyllis, thus leading Phyllis to tell the office her secret.

    I agree, however, that the Meredith/Michael story could have waited. But still, one of my favorites this season for sure.

66. This episode had its moments but they were completely overshadowed by the depressing tone. I feel very let down. They’re trying way too hard for storylines and that’s not what this show used to be about.
    KISS- keep it simple stupid.
    I’m definitely gonna go watch the other xmas episodes on dvd.

67. I thought this episode was very funny (or maybe I just have a darker sense of humor). Also, I’m glad they finally addressed Meredith’s drinking issue. It needed to be addressed and, I think they were maybe trying to take a risk with a darker Christmas episode. I guess not every Christmas is as wonderful and cheery as we would like it to be.

68. I’ll give the producers and writers credit for their risk taking with this one – especially for being a Christmas episode.

    Unfortunatly the risk taking didn’t work for me. Rather than laughing or appreciating witty writing, I found myself wincing in a sad way and unamused through too much of the show.

69. This was an all right episode. But, as with any other Office ep, I couldn’t NOT like it!

    I miss Todd Packer! Especially now that it’s Christmas time. In case no one watches Kath & Kim…Mr. Packer and Concierge Marie were over at their place trying to swing with Kath and her loverboy Phil. =p

70. It was disappointing…it seems like so much of this season is all about how delinquent Meredith is, and it’s getting sort of old. But the BEST part was when Michael was staging the intervention, everyone was sitting in a circle, and a random guy walked into the office. He looked awkward for a bit and then held a finger on his head like a horn and then Dwight jumped up…priceless.

71. I really liked the episode, but agree that it was a lot for a half an hour. And it really was time for the Angela/Andy/Dwight storyline to come to a head. As far as the Meredith story line, I seemed like a lot for a Christmas episode, but I don’t see there being another time she would be full on drunk like that at work. (she typically gets smashed in the Christmas episodes) And Toby and the Princess Unicorn Doll… oh my goodness, that was heartbreaking. Anyway, all in all I really liked it, but it was definitely a downer as far as how their Christmas episodes usually are.

72. definitely a dissapointment from a holiday episode standpoint. the meredith storyline sucked and had absolutely nothing to do with christmas at all. it definitely lacked the cheer of the other two christmas episodes. however, the cold-open was absolutely amazing, as was Jim telling Andy to stop playing that horrible music.

73. Feelin real sorry for Andy now. Loved how he kept his charm going even after getting crickets from the audience, even though he didn’t know why.

    Phyllis just made the office real awkward for a lot of people.

    Favorite line was Michael dragging Meredith into the clinic: “I have a deposit. One alcoholic.”

74. I didn’t like mean Phyllis and I was glad when Angela stood up to her. However, I agree that the Meredith part didn’t feel very “Christmassy”. I LOVED Andy and his sitar. Everytime he was on screen my sister and I laughed.
    Also, the first guy that bought a princess unicorn doll…he looked really familiar. Has he guest starred before? Anyone? AND the guy that just made a horn on his forehead with his finger…priceless.

75. Very good episode. Love the open with Dwight’s desk. Classic Jim.

76. I feel that a Christmas episode, and one that will not have a new episode airing for over a month, should be something to really make us happy and excited. I felt that the episode was funny tonight, yet the whole Meredith thing was pushed into the episode and there was no flow to it. Toby was good as was Dwight and Jim had some good moments, and I am glad that the Andy/Angela/Dwight business is out in the open (except from Andy). I do not think that this episode ranks up with the other Christmas episodes of past.
    Better luck next year…
    Fa lala lala, lala ca-ching!

77. #1 – I didn’t lose audio, but the last two episodes have not been transmitted as wide-screen on my tv. It was so distracting this episode with people’s heads and some of the action being cut off. I’ve got a 5+ year old tv, but up until The Surplus, it’s been showing wide-screen just fine. Grr.

    Laughed up until the intervention scene. I didn’t find it offensive, just not that funny. And Michael dragging Meredith into the rehab center had a “driving into the lake” vibe for me. I’m glad Angela and Dwight’s secret is out. Now if only Andy could be clued in so we could move on from that storyline.

78. wow. I’m really surprised at all the negative comments towards this episode. I think a lot of you need to re-watch this episode. It was a classic in my opinion. It was darker than other episodes but it balanced well with some great moments (Dwight and the dolls, Michael throwing pen at Toby, Andy and the instrument, Jim’s prank.)

    I’ll agree that the office has changed since season both in tone and content but would we really want the writers to rehash the same stuff from season 2. It would get old fast. Embrace change.

79. I personally thought that the Meredith story was great. I’ve always known Christmas as a time for emotional breakdowns, it isn’t all happy/jolly all the time. That’s what makes this show so real. She may not have let Michael take it as far as he did, but still…
    This episode also reminded me how much I missed Toby. I am so glad that he is back! His desperation for the unicorn doll was sad and hilarious at the same time which is hard to pull off.
    I wonder if everyone in the office is just going to let Andy go through with the wedding…

80. I love The Office — but this episode was cringeworthy for me — no holiday cheer — I sort of wanted to turn it off.

81. My husband kept turning to me during the episode, asking “when will it get funny?” Sadly, he asked the same thing last week. When it was over, we both wondered what happened to the show we’ve adored since day one.

    I’ve always loved The Office’s skewed humor, and have enjoyed the moments of sweetness mingled with the darker bits. Tonight, however, there was an unfunny, unsuccessful intervention and an unfunny, mean-spirited Phyllis. There were mildly amusing moments, but I can hardly recall them now. I found nothing to counteract the dark tone.

    And no, I’m not taking the show too seriously; at times, the show itself has become too serious and I’m just longing for more funny.

82. Remember when The Office was subtle? Tonight had Michael chasing Meredith around in the parking lot and Phyllis’ rash announcement. For a Christmas episode, nothing felt right.

83. I LOVED it! So dark, painfully awkward, hilarious and yet it still managed to have a little heart. I was cracking up through the whole episode.

84. Possibly my least favorite episode of all time. I don’t know what it was but after the cold open I didn’t find it as awesomly amazing as I do every other episode. Not a great way to leave the end of the year.

85. I personally liked this episode… but it didn’t really live up to the amazingly awesome Office Christmas episode hype. I think the rehab story line could have been saved for another episode… I mean we all know that Christmas is Meredith’s favorite time to display her alcoholism in all its glory… but it could have been pushed back into some sort of January aftermath. Speaking of aftermath… I don’t know if I can wait to find out what happens with Angela and Andy until January!!

86. Well, I thought we were off to a great start with the cold open, but the whole thing ran downhill for me after that. I didn’t mind the dark tone- in fact it had everything set up for the makings of a great episode. I think the execution just fell flat. I felt sad at the end, and not in a good/funny way, which is kind of a disappointing note to end it on. Especially now that we have to wait a month. The episode didn’t need to be “happy” but I did expect it to be funnier. I love it when they can mix something very serious with humor in a totally inappropriate way. I was all ready for it but instead, Michael came off heartfelt, which was sweet but strange and ultimately unfunny. The rest of the episode was just fragmented.
    And I agree with #54 MOOMINTROLL- I’ve always loved Phyllis because she’s so sweet on the surface but has this hidden sass underneath. Deliberately Conniving Phyllis is not as likable to me.
    I’m not trying to be negative- after everything I’ve said it was not without its funny moments.
    Best line: “RID-IT-DIT-DI-DO-ROO DOO DOO DOO!”

87. I hate when I don’t absolutely love office episodes… tonight was just one of those nights I guess. I dunno I guess I just don’t think alcoholism is… funny. And I kinda wanted more jim and pam. but what else is new, right?

88. I laughed a lot during this episode, but I understand why people have a problem with it. The only part I had a real problem with was Michael chasing Meredith around in the parking lot; it just seemed a bit too comical for Office-stylings.

    The dark quality of this episode was something I loved, but then again, I suppose it’s because I work in retail and this is pretty much the most horrid time of year for me. This episode just suited my mood perfectly.

89. I did laugh during this but overall was disappointed. Especially the way the first 15 minutes just jumped around and wasn’t really about anything. I don’t like the level of meanness Phyllis went to – yes Angela has been very degrading to her in the past .. but can’t she rise above it? Toby has reached a new level of pathetic, I just feel so bad for him. The intervention wasn’t funny and felt oddly placed for a Christmas episode.

    I think my favorite part was when that Dad came into buy a unicorn princess doll and had to put his finger to his forehead.

    Also when Kevin said “Fire girl” and there was no pan to Ryan (who is on a trip to Thailand with some high schoolers?), I thought it was weird that his leaving was never addressed.

90. oh another continuity thing i didn’t like: meredith usually seemed like she knew she had a problem. like she said in the season 2 christmas that she wanted to stop and in one ep where pam says something like ‘hi my name is pam’ at a meeting she goes ‘hi pam’ like in AA and she also said “hi i’m meredith and i’m an al…” in another ep, which led me to believe that she knows she has a problem. little thing, but it bugged me all episode.

91. Very funny overall! And the Andy scene at the end was sad and funny and fantastic. It was a great way to come back after losing it in the sickeningly broad unfunny meredith rehab scene. But before that scene and after, very funny. I think the directing is bigger than most of us realize. THANK YOU Paul Feig!

92. I don’t understand why everyone is saying this episode was dark. The Office has always balanced moments of drama with humor. There was classic Michael trying to lead an intervention. His heart but not his head was in the right place. They finally dealt with Meredith’s drinking which adds to the realism of the show. As for the Phyllis/Angela thing the office has always been a hotbed of passive aggressive rivalries. This was a great episode.

93. l know I said previously l hated the title but I LOVED THIS EPISODE.

    Meredith and Phyllis for the win!!

    l loved the combination of comedy and drama,the actors’ performances and the use of close-ups( which made me wondered if Carell’s hair was a wig btw).

94. I find absolutely nothing about alcoholism funny, which is probably why I didn’t like the episode as a whole. I did enjoy most of the other parts, but it just didn’t put me in the Christmas spirit like Christmas Party and Benihana did. I think everyone could use some holiday cheer this year during these tough times. Oh well, I’m thankful for the DVDs!

95. This episode deleted my favorite part of the promo! The bit when Phyllis is talking about Angela: “Did you know that an ant can carry up to 5x its own weight…”

    I thought Phyllis’ confession was one of the most satisfying moments of Office history! Like the ending of “The Job” when Jim comes in during Pam’s talking head and asks her on a date. Angela deserved it.

    I loved the dolls (and Dwight’s comment about them being “genetically improbable”) and the cold open! Overall I just loved the sad/dark comedy reminiscent of the UK Office.

96. I think alcoholism is funny. And Michael singing the Princess Unicorn song was one the funniest things ever. Merry Christmas!

97. I’m really surprised at how negative the reactions are for this episode. I think the Meredith storyline was very Season 2; the idea of Michael picking the worst possible time to have an intervention, which is already completely inappropriate and unprofessional in the first place, and then forcing everyone sit through it despite how painfully awkward it is. Painfully awkward comedy is getting back to the roots of The Office. That’s what made the UK version such a classic. If we didn’t get that dark comedy, if this episode had been as cheery as many people wanted, then we’d have a boring generic episode from a run-of-the-mill sitcom.

98. I felt like I was watching the British version. Excellent.

99. The unfunniest episode of The Office in a long time. I tried to laugh at the jokes, but they really weren’t funny. The only time I laughed was the opening.

100. What was the deal with the mormon church thing? It seems a little bit like there’s still some controversy from the Prop 8 fight in California spilling over… Interesting

101. I am an Office fanatic, but something just doesn´t feel right about the show anymore. I was in love because I could completely relate to all the episodes of seasons 1, 2 and 3 … they were all based on common office antics, but I believe the reason I have become less and less excited about Thursday nights is that the storylines have become so way over the top and so unrealistic.

     I would love to know of any other office that has a moroccan themed Christmas… other than offices in Morocco…

     Side note I love Andy´s character more and more every episode.

102. I’m probably the ONLY person who watches for Pam and Jim first, comedy second. There was NO Pam and Jim is this. Two scenes. And one was WAYYY out of character. I really didn’t like this episode at all. Besides the ONE Pam and Jim scene that was cute, and “My horn can pierce the sky”. Phyllis is way meaner than she needs to be.

     1 out of 10 stars.

     The Office is my life. My life. But when there’s no Pam and Jim… I’m not happy :(

     P.S. Surplus was my favorite episode ever. Pam and Jim PDA plus hilarity (is that a word?). PERFECT!

103. Best episode of the season, very funny, Dwight was on fire…

104. Best line “Do you take requests?” “Yes” “Please stop” AWESOME!

     I found myself LOL several times during the episode – the overall episode wasn’t all that great but there were some really funny moments.

     “Fa la la la la la la cha-ching”

105. Unlike most people, I found the cold open to be the weakest part of the episode. All I could think was, great…another Jim/Dwight prank, but then it took off! I love when it can take a new, smart direction. As for Phyllis, I don’t think she’s being conniving. Angela is basically evil…she was becoming a joke. By having Phyllis basically take her down (remember, Angela abused her for years), she(Angela) showed more humanity than I’ve ever seen from her. I can’t wait to see where all of this is going!

106. yeah… didn’t like it. I couldn’t believe how Phyllis was acting, at their Christmas party! yeah, it’s funny to see characters break out of their molds and behave in new ways, but I thought she crossed the line with Angela – big time. I really felt for Andy at the end, too! (though, Dwight’s face after the big announcement was priceless.) oh well, I’ve already started the countdown to the post-Super Bowl roast!

107. Yea, I think a bunch of you were expecting a “good-time happy Christmas special”. You should know by now that The Office isn’t the usual show. If you stop harping on that issue I think you’d enjoy this episode more. THAT SAID, I personally did not particularly enjoy about the first half or so. It just felt odd if that makes sense. But the last half made up for it. Toby’s reaction to getting the black doll=classic. Also the end was very cliffhangerish, poor Andy.

108. I absolutely loved this episode! It actually looked like a documentary and so much was happening but it didn’t feel like it was overloaded.
     Meredith’s drinking problem has been a running storyline for the last five years – why are people suddenly going crazy over it? I thought it was handled in a very “Office” way – Michael attempted to control the situation and it of course got out of control.
     If you’re offended by jokes about alcoholism, then are you offended by jokes about overweight people, religion and race? Cause they were all in this episode….you can’t love a show and suddenly don’t like it because it joked about something that affects you personally.
     Well done writers! Excellent episode.

109. I thought this was the best episode yet. I laughed out loud many times! I can’t wait to get my Unicorn Princess shirt in the mail!

110. What happened to the office policy on no alcohol at Christmas parties? I know they skirted it a few years ago, but I thought it would be worth a mention. Maybe that scene was cut.

111. Some VERY funny parts (father showing unicorn as finger, fa-la-la..kaching, Jim & Pam, Kevin! ) but I, too, found the alcoholism theme depressing. I am an AVID Office fan, but I think the alcohol situation could have been funnier if it were not around xmas. This time of year is stressful enough without having to sit through the uncomfortable moments as shown in the office last night.

112. I’ve been a die hard fan of the office since season 1, but imo, after season 3 the show has been on a downward spiral. Let’s be honest, this episode was just not funny. It didn’t even feel like a Christmas episode. Before, it was amost guaranteed every episode was gonna classic but it’s just so hit and miss now.

113. Phyllis does have a history of mean moments, like when she told Pam that she couldn’t give the sales calls to “whomever you’re sleeping with at the moment.” She can be sweet and vulnerable, but also petty and mean. In other words, she’s human. She did look regretful after the fact in that awkward moment Andy walked out, oblivious to the previous scene.

     I think this episode was great for its dark, awkward moments that resemble the tone of the BBC version.

114. The Office is my all-time favorite show, but sadly this episode just seemed a bit over the top:(

115. As a die-hard “Office” fan, I have to say … I was very disappointed with this Christmas episode. I don’t mind uncomfortably funny/awkward moments, but the writers missed the boat with this whole “Meredith’s intervention” thing. It seems like they realized how dark it was and tried to balance that with Michael being too eager and sweet. It just didn’t work for me. The Angela-Andy-Dwight triangle is getting very stale. Plus, alcoholism in general — with the exception of “Bad Santa” — isn’t really a funny subject. And I agree with a previous posting: Meredith’s refusal to acknowledge her problem doesn’t make sense when you watch older episodes. Alcoholic or not, she seemed aware of how hard she was drinking. Overall … not very funny and disappointing.

116. I now realize I was looking forward to a sappy happy Christmas episode. They gave us more of a traditional season 1 cringe episode. I’ll need to watch it again and again.. I love Pam. but as someone else said, this is not the Jim and Pam show.

117. I thought this episode was all around funny. I think the dark humor in this episode reminded me of the 1st season. I can’t wait until 2009 for more episodes.

118. [200-word limit]

119. Not a good episode. The first major disappointment of the season. When it was over I thought, “Was that really our Christmas episode this year??”.

     The rehab scene made me cringe. #77 and #93 nailed it: “had a ‘driving into the lake’ vibe” and “sickeningly broad”.

     And what was with the talking heads in Michael’s office? Very weird angle.

120. I thought it was funny. It just didn’t feel very Christmas-y to me, and I was hoping for more Jim and Pam moments. But overall, a good episode, and I can’t wait to see what happens with the Angela-Andy-Dwight triangle.

121. I loved this episode (and not just because Toby was a highlight, although that would be reason enough for me!) And I’m with you, Princess Unicorn. I’m on the “please Lord DON’T go back to Season 2” boat. Plus, I don’t think physical comedy is a bad thing – I thought Michael dragging Meredith into the clinic was hilarious (I also love the car in the lake scene). Favourite moment: The look on Toby’s face when Darryl hands him the doll…

122. What a disappointment! I look forward to the Christmas episode every year and this was just awful. Not funny at all, not Christmas-y at all. Sigh. Last week’s episode was the best of the season and then this one fell flat like all of the others this season. Come on, Office staff!! I’ve really only enjoyed 2 episodes so far this year. I am a diehard so I’ll keep watching, but I’m afraid they’re going to lose viewers. :( I hope the Super Bowl episode is up to par with the usual Office greatness.

123. 92- You make a good point, however I think the reason Meredith kept denying she was an alcoholic was because she was drunk. I must say I’m absolutely stunned at the negativity over this episode. I thought it was right up there with Customer Survey as the best of the season.

124. I guess I’m in the minority. I thought this was one of the best of the season. Certainly not as good as the past Christmas episodes however. The whole alcoholism/intervention story was risky but I think they did a good job of making it funny but not making alcoholism a joke. Know what I mean? I was glad to see more Andy and less Pam. Pam has just been annoying lately. Toby’s reaction to seeing the doll was priceless. The closing tag was amazing. But where has Jan been? I was expecting Jan/Astird to be a big storyline this season.

125. Worst xmas episode ever. :( Regardless, there was still a few funny lines, but I feel as though lately I’ve been “searching” for them instead of spewing them out to my co-workers the next day. Season 5 is really spotty. Really good and really bad…this one was the later of the two.

126. This episode started out so-so but really picked up steam.
     Best Scene: Phyllis outing Angela and Andy (although I am not sure I like “mean Phyllis.”) I can’t wait to see how this plays out in future episodes!
     Runner Up: Michael making “a deposit” at rehab and not knowing they must enter voluntarily…..classic Michael.
     Would someone please let me know if this is the last episode of 2008 (?)
     P.S. Phyllis’s party budget was clearly higher than Angela’s previously complained about $60 budget. I guess Bob Vance kicked in for it!

127. I’ve never commented on a website before, but I love the Office and Office Tally. I also love hearing compliments about my own work, and my resolution for 2009 is to tell other people when I think they’ve done a good job. I’m going to get a head start. GREAT WORK!!!!

     My boyfriend and I thought last night’s show was hilarious. He ranks it in his top 5 favorite Office episodes of all time. Sometime last week we said there hasn’t been a good, dark Office episode since Michael and Jan’s dinner party. Wish fulfilled! We’re both leaving grad school with lots of debt and entering two terrible job markets—publishing and banking. Thanks for making us forget the real world for a short time.

     I’ve watched this show religiously since season two, and it has never disappointed. All of my HBO shows are on a break, so this is the only tv I watch during the week. (I’m lying. When I want to procrastinate, I’ll watch Law and Order: SVU or House for hours.) Anyway, thanks to the cast and crew for a wonderful show. Oh, and this website is awesome, so thanks to Tanster too!

     [from tanster: thanks, KMC! :) ]

128. oh yea, THANKS “joe” for the reminder. Toby has NEVER been funnier than last night’s episode. His reaction to the “black” doll was so hilarious. He went from the high of making his estranged daughter happy to the low of seeing the doll. So Funny! I agree, MORE Toby, Creed and Andy, Less Pam (I know that not a popular opinion, but oh well).

129. Not a particularly good episode… feel like I got cheated out of yet another holiday episode – the “Halloween” one being the first. I’m not a negative guy, but continue to search for good lines / laughs in the episodes and the nagging feeling that the show peaked in Season 3 keeps growing.

130. This was classic “Office” IMO. As others have pointed out, there was an ill-timed but well-intentioned intervention by Michael; the cold open; Dwight’s money-making scheme and Toby trying desperately to one-up someone and have a happy holiday in the process. I did think Phyllis was rather mean and while I do realize Angela has been rather mean to her . . . I don’t know. Though we have seen Phyllis’ mean streak before (like when she more or less told Pam not to pass all sales calls to whomever she was sleeping with at the time). But yeah. Stuff like that happens in real life too, where you just don’t know how to feel about a terribly awkward situation!

     I’m looking forward to January and new “Office” episodes!

131. Since when did corporate approve of alcohol during hours???

     OMG, I wanted to slap Phyllis. If anyone’s changed, it’s her. She turned into a you-know-what! And for outing Angela like that?

     Did anyone catch Pam’s face when they were talking about Meredith’s addiction to porn?

132. Wonderful episode! I’m so glad the episode was a different spin on Christmas, I get tired of the same type of Christmas episodes on TV. It focused more on the characters than the actual holiday so it was refreshing. Classic Michael, trying to help but doing it totally wrong and Phyllis finally getting her revenge was oh so sweet. Confident Phyllis is as refreshing as confident Pam, go women empowerment! Perfect episode, don’t change a thing Office Writers!

133. #133 -Yes! You beat me to it! I was just about to mention that look-Pam’s reaction to Meredith’s porn confession. lol

     I gave this episode an 8/10. I liked it. I also liked the cliffhanger feel, too. For the record, there’s a lot not being considered. Angela had probably been torturing Phyllis for at least 10 years. Phyllis has only been”in power” for a few months, so in her mind there’s a lot to make up for. She’s just being human! Phyllis has always had a bit of a mean streak, though. Even in the deleted scene for “Did I Stutter?” she tells Pam, “Boys don’t make passes at girls wearing glasses,” AFTER she compliments her glasses, THEN throws out the comment about how she’s already married. lol

134. You kind of feel sorry for Andy, he’s just a lovable fool, and is completely oblivious to everything. and he’s definitely going to lose another deposit.

135. I agree with #105. I totally felt even more sympathetic towards Angela than I did after Sprinkles died. Phyllis had already taken her down a peg or two by replacing her as head of the Party Planning Committee and in this ep she just took it to a whole other level. It was pretty awesome. And it’s putting a move on the Dwight-Angela-Andy storyline that people keep complaining about so that’s good.
     I also loved the subtle placement of Jim and Pam. They didn’t overload us with a Jim-Pam story but they still showed them joking around and having fun. Good stuff.
     Favorite line that I noticed wasn’t on this page:
     “I don’t mind telling you that I have an addiction. I do…to porn.” I laughed so hard because I did not see it coming.

136. Re #102 Headdoc

     I’m pretty sure the mormon reference had nothing to do with Prop 8: it wasn’t bashing mormonism in anyway. Mormon’s aren’t supposed to drink any alcohol at all, so the list he was reading sounded like how a mormon would view alcoholism (drinking on holidays, drinking to feel good, all common things regular people use alcohol for). So I think it was a joke about how someone who isn’t allowed to drink would view alcoholism. Not to mention the Office is a pretty non-political show I doubt they’d through anything like Prop 8 in there. :)

137. I can’t believe all the negative comments. I loved this episode! I thought Toby’s disappointment in the African American doll was hysterical, and Michael chasing Meredith around the parking lot was ridiculously funny. But the best part was seeing everyone’s obvious heartbreak for Andy at the end. He can be so obnoxious, but I (along with everyone in the Office) felt so badly for him at that moment. I can’t wait to see how that line plays out!

138. I really liked it! When that random dad walked in to buy a doll during the intervention and made the secret horn symbol on his forehead, I lost it!

139. Fa la la la la, la la, ka ching!!! One of the funniest lines of all time. This is the first time I’ve laughed out loud at the Office in a long time. I had many LOL moments in this episode. Good job!

140. I thought this episode was great! I’m so glad it focused more on the other characters rather than an overload of JAM (don’t get me wrong I love them but sometimes we need a break) and it wasn’t total Dwight overload either.

     I’m glad Phyllis got to shine as well as Meredith cause they never seem to have anything going on. And I kinda felt bad for Michael…cause you know he thought he was doing the right thing by helping out but it’s always the wrong approach. He’s so compassionate yet so oblivious. And I have mixed feelings about Phyllis “outing” Angela. Not a smart thing to do but boy was that great TV!

141. Wait…So Angela is cheating on me with Dwight?!?!? Ok, I have to just remember what I learned in anger management…breath, count to ten, and release…..Ok not working, if someone doesn’t tell me why she is cheating, I’m gonna lose MY FREAKIN” MIND!!!!!

142. Best. Christmas. Episode. EVER!

     And my pick as the top episode of Season 5 (so far). I don’t understand all the negative comments – this was the first episode that felt like Season 2 since… well… Season 2! Funny script with great unexpected turns, cringe-worthy moments and just a hint of meanness – just like the good old days. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel on Season 5 and retreat to my DVDs of the BBC series, they roll out this amazing episode. Bravo!

143. Well, I loved this episode. I laughed from beginning to end. Some said that they didn’t like it because it didn’t feel like a Xmas episode and I loved it because it wasn’t a standard Tree, xmas sweater type feel. They changed up what could have been a very boring topic. Andy on the sitar was wonderful, Phyllis finally sticking it to Angela seemed right.. I loved the look Angela made when she thought she scared Phyllis and then Bam! I think we just try to think into episodes to much.. Did it make you laugh and feel good for 30 minutes. Yes 10/10

144. Oh oh I almost totally forgot! That cold open had me laughing hysterically. SO great! It’s definitely become one of my most favorites now. :D

145. By 9:15 last night, I was starting to get a little upset. But that’s when the episode really took off for me. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing LOTS of bloopers from that scene of Michael chasing Meredith in the parking lot. IMO, best line: “How does that happen?…A man with a horn has sex with a royal horse?” Only Dwight would think of that possibility. And I wish they had focused a little more on Jim/Dwight prank. It’s been so long since we’ve seen a REAL one – where Jim actually has to take time out of his day to pull one over on Dwight.

     For me, the non-Christmas-y feel of this episode I think had to do with the direction. Paul Feig usually does the best, but last night seemed…off. Shots were too crowded a lot of the time, and I felt a little overwhelmed. It’s better when the office is aired out a little bit (with the exception of the conference room).

146. I guess I’m in the minority too with this episode. I thought it was pretty good. I wasn’t crazy about the Meredith storyline, especially at Christmas, but I thought the other stuff was hysterical. BEST. COLD. OPEN. EVER! Laughed out loud for a good 5 minutes.

     Love Dwight and his cornering the market, sort of “Machiavelli meets Christmas.”

     By the way, I don’t think Phyllis as a Lutheran, would sweep the Nativity into a drawer, but who knows?

147. Did anyone notice the weird look of Michael’s talking heads? The angle was weird, and the lighting or filter was different from what they usually use. Don’t know why, but it annoyed me.

148. I’ve been a big fan of this season, but this episode was awful. I rated it a 7

149. I really liked this one. Almost every character had a funny part. Having lived in Morocco, I appreciated the theme and Creed’s hash pipe and jlebba. I thought Michael was pretty sweet and articulate in this one. Go figure. Poor Meredith always has something bad happen to her. I think her character needs some more depth. Overall, this had plenty to enjoy for me.

150. Hmm. Odd episode. I liked the dark turn and uncomfortableness (David Brent, anyone?) but the show as a whole didn’t click for me. Nowhere near feeling like I wasted time watching it, though.

     Best line: “…in the brain with a wooden stick.” The fact that it was repeated made it. There were a ton of great one-liners this week, from “I just learned it” to “Do you take requests?” to EVERYTHING involving Princess Unicorn.

     Best little moment: After the intervention breaks down and people disperse, Dwight, probably without even thinking about it, assumes his position outside Michael’s office. Brilliant. Runner-up nods go to the incredibly dark moments involving the nativity scene and the *other* Princess Unicorn.

151. A fantastic episode, just not a great Holiday episode. The only festive moment was Andy singing at the end, but our feelings were completely overshadowed by pity for Andy.
     However, the character interactions were amazing: Jim-Dwight (classic), Michael-Meredith (we just passed Poor Richard’s), Toby-Darryl, and Angela-Phyllis. The intervention was a bit much, but it was still dark and funny. Phyllis’ negative intentions by outing Angela were just plain mean and ill-timed, and cast a dark cloud over what-could’ve-been a wonderful theme Christmas party. Best moment: Dwight’s response to Meredith coming to work dead! and how to kill a zombie.

152. “Angela is having sex with Dwight!!!”

     Loved it! My jaw dropped!

153. Not the best, but not the worst, either. Kate Flannery is such an unselfish performer, to have all the things done to her over the years – being run over, the bat in her hair, flashing Michael and now this – she’s a great part of the show.

     I liked the expressions on the characters’ faces when Andy came out at the end with his Sitar. He was clueless as to what had just happened. Most of them hate Angela, so I’d have to think it was sympathy for Andy (who isn’t always likable either) but you could tell they were dumbfounded and wanted to say something but couldn’t.

     More drama than comedy, but I’d have to think they’re setting us up for something big in these final episodes.

154. This wasn’t one of my favorites (for reasons others have already mentioned) although it did have some great moments. It did have the Office UK dark humor feel, which is fine but I do love my American happy endings. I was hoping that Meredith would actually go into rehab at the end.

155. I thought the cold open was probably the best Jim/Dwight prank since Jim put Dwight’s stuff in the vending machine. I really liked this episode. I think I would’ve rather seen the intervention stuff in a different episode instead of the Christmas one.

     And what the heck is with Phyllis lately!!??

156. How is nobody mentioning Andy’s speech about him being a partyer in college. That was the best part of the show and ONE OF THE BEST QUOTES OF THE ENTIRE SERIES. “They called me Puke”

157. At first, I was a little disappointed by this episode, but after watching it again, it grew on me. Dwight stole the show in this episode and my heart broke for Andy at the end. It reminds me of the heartache I felt in Benihana Christmas when Jim explained to Michael about rebounds. I also love how they are keeping Jim and Pam very real. I love how they give us little morsels to adore. However, I would just like to ask if we are ever going to get to see them discuss their wedding plans. I am so excited for those conversations/fights. I think it was a nice close to 2008. Thank you to everyone at The Office for the great show and to OfficeTally for the awesome website! Here’s to more hilarity in 2009! Thanks!

158. 149. Spontaneous Dentalhydroplosion:

     I totally noticed! And it bugged me, too. I don’t get why they made it different…

159. I loved this episode! It was hilarious: I really laughed out loud several times.

     Loved when Jim asks Andy if he takes requests and then says “please stop.” I just lost it. There were so many amazing moments. The cold open was Dawesome too! I love the Jim/Dwight pranks like everyone else. Also, when Michael was dragging Meredith into the rehab center.

     I agree with several others, there is gonna be some major stuff going down now that everyone knows Angela has been hooking up with Dwight. Can’t wait to see what happens.

160. I thought this was a great episode, actually. I laughed a whole lot and I usually don’t do that when I’m watching alone.

     Besides Andy, Meredith and Michael are now the only ones in the office who don’t know about Angela and Dwight. I wonder if Michael will find out next and spill it to Andy.

161. I loved this episode. It rose to the British Office’s level of awkwardness. Andy becomes more and more tragic…

162. On second viewing, the episode really grew on me. It sets up some nice storylines for the second half of the season. It shocked me but I’m really glad the Dwangela-Andy storyline finally took a giant leap forward. I was getting bored with it but I can’t wait to see what happens next. I wish maybe that it might have been a little cheery, being the Christmas episode.

163. Loved it!

     Easily the least entertaining of the three Christmas episodes but it still had me roaring at times.

     Highlights – Michael showing just how much he really cares about his ‘family’, everything by Dwight and Ed Helms reminding us of how lucky we all are that they they shut the Stamford branch.

164. I like dark humor too, but I was looking for a little more of the “humor” part. Different strokes for different folks, I guess… the jokes just didn’t seem to be there for the most part.

     I still prefer this episode to a few others this season, like “Employee Transfer”. That episode was similarly depressing, but I also thought the Dwight/Andy comedy that was supposed to lighten it up was some of the worst ever seen on the show. (Andy buys a beet farm and walks into work wearing a farmer’s outfit? What world is this?) “Business Trip” was similar in tone, but it worked a lot better; don’t ask me why. Still subtle and slow-paced, but definitely better.

     The show is gradually losing its sense of “fun”… I want it back.

165. [200-word limit]

166. #157

     Phyllis is on a power trip.

167. Did anyone else feel like this episode was like a half of an hour long episode?? Just like it started out of nowhere and continued that way.

     The episodes this year aren’t that bad (they aren’t great either), but this isn’t The Office anymore….this show just isn’t special like it used to be. I think “Customer Survey” was the only episode that stands out this season, and the rest are just blah.

168. I had to watch it twice. I am always so excited that it takes me watching it again while I eat breakfast to fully comprehend what happened. Last night, I totally hated it and now it is growing on me. While it wasn’t my favorite, it had funny moments, which others have mentioned.

     I was really put off by Phyllis’ behavior until I read the recap from the guy at tv guide. He pointed out that absolute power makes people corrupt and I think that is exactly what happened. I cannot believe I found myself feeling sorry for Angela!

     I love when Michael tries to be sweet but it always blows up in his face (TWSS) and the intervention was weird for me but I guess it’s true they wouldn’t have been partying any other time. And I believe I have professed my love for JAM many times before but I love how the show doesn’t always concentrate on them. All in all, it was not your grandmother’s Christmas party, just like Phyllis said. I love this show and I look forward to how things develop in 2009.

169. I don’t see how the episode could be more “Christmas-y,” other than the inclusion of a tree and drama over presents, which have already been done before and weren’t needed in this episode. I love the Christmas episodes, because they aren’t so exclusively Christmas-dedicated that non-Christians don’t feel alienated. I love how the Moroccan theme made this holiday episode feel fresh, while still having the basics of a quality Office episode – Jim’s ingenious pranks on Dwight (you’ll need a permit for that!), Michael’s lone efforts to raise awareness, Toby’s sad pursuit of happiness, etc.

     And the sharp awkwardness of the last scene is a perfect example of why we all love the Office! Forget about Christmas, I can’t wait until The Office 2009, and see how the truth leaks to Andy! I wish there would be an Office Hanukkah though. Michael hasn’t covered Jews yet, and being Jewish myself I’m sure it would be painful but totally hilarious.

170. I don’t know if anyone else mentioned this, but I didn’t like the way they filmed Michael driving Meredith to rehab, as though they had a guy with a camera riding in the back of a car directly in front of them. I much prefer the way they’ve done it in the past, with a camera guy sitting in the backseat or with angles that make it look like they have a small camera mounted on the dashboard… it has a much more realistic feeling.

     That camera angle and the PT Cruiser totally made me feel like I watching The 40 Year Old Virgin…

171. This episode had everything that everyone has been complaining about. Less JAM, more supporting characters featured, classic cold opening, and the all over awkwardness in the funniest ways. I have to say I loved this episode.

     I felt a bit of the original office creeping in which I thought was fantastic but the old version had a certain kind of comedy that not that some people can’t swallow so I can understand people’s reactions to this episode.

     But this was a great set up for some fantastic story lines that I cannot wait to see. 10/10

172. I find it so fascinating how we can all have such different opinions about certain episodes! I hated this episode (yes, hated) and people are on here saying it was the best ever. Very funny! I think that’s good, though; better that people are divided than everyone not like it and not want to watch anymore! It makes me feel better that some of you did like it, even though I cannot comprehend for the life of me how this one made anyone laugh! :)

173. Wow, what a disappointment. I haven’t agreed with the many who are finding this season disappointing, but this fell flat. Too dark at the end with Phyllis’s outing of Angela and Dwight, and the only funny parts had no plot/theme, like the first section after the credit.

     What a shame.

174. I think the biggest problem with the episode was that it was NOT a Christmas episode. If they are going to have a Christmas episode, have one, rather than what that was, which was just a regular episode with the background of a party.

     This may have been my least favorite Office of the season, which is saying something, since I really despised Baby Shower.

175. This episode had the classic office feel with a lot of the boring drama taken out. Pretty much a perfect episode, best one this season! This really should’ve been an hour long though.

176. I thought this episode was hilarious!

177. Not funny except the cold opening.

178. Wow. Definitely the worst Christmas episode and definitely the worst episode of the season (or any season.) I really only laughed once or twice.I didn’t even really have high hopes for the episode either. Phyllis’s Moroccan theme wasn’t the only thing tacky about this episode. The jokes just sucked. As for the people saying this is like a season 2 episode, I’d like to ask how so? What happened to the awkward pauses, or Michael’s inappropriate jokes and awkward timing. All this episode seemed to revolve around is Meredith’s alcoholism (which at this point has become a stale joke) and the Dwight/Angela/Andy side story, which is just getting depressing to watch. Oh well, hopefully the next episode will be better.

179. Receptionitis:

     You hit the nail right on the head! Horrible Christmas episode! I wish they would bring back the glory days of S2.

180. I LOVED THE EPISODE!!! Dwight had some of the best lines. And…I wonder what other funny horrible things are the writers going to do to poor Meredith. She’s like the show’s punching bag.

181. #166 SIR LEMMING- “I like dark humor too, but I was looking for a little more of the “humor”… the jokes just didn’t seem to be there for the most part.”

     Same here. I posted yesterday but I re-watched today and you know what? Taking OUT the “Christmas factor” completely, I still just didn’t care for this episode. And no, I was not looking for a “happy Christmas episode”- just a funny one. Toby’s story was the best part, and Andy’s talking head about being called “Ace” and getting straight B’s…
     I was all excited when Michael announced they were going to have this intervention, but it didn’t deliver for me. I only laughed at Kevin’s line about the tickets. It did have the “driving-a-car-into-a-lake-feel”, and while I respect those who like that broadness, it’s not my taste. I prefer The Office when it’s smarter and more clever. I didn’t feel much of that so maybe that’s why I wasn’t loving it.
     Phyllis: Even when she’s taken little digs in the past, her approach was still very innocent somehow and that paradox makes her intriguing. In my opinion, she just came across as plain bi*chy last night.

182. Like many others said, I just didn’t think it was funny :( there were a few funny moments but overall i really didn’t like this episode at all.

183. Michael was the only funny character in this episode, and the show is beginning to become formulaic. ‘Weight Loss’ and ‘Frame Toby’ have been the only good Office episodes this season. I don’t know what’s missing. Maybe Novak? Or Jan?

184. This was, in a word, awkward. I agree with others when they say it fell flat. There were several funny instances, like the cold open and the storyline with Dwight, but I just think the whole Moroccan Christmas storyline and the attempt at an intervention with Meredith tried to produce comedy that came off as more forced than smooth and clever. Gladly, this is the only episode of this season that I feel has let me down…all in all, still a good season!

185. I was hoping for a more CHRISTMAS feel :/ But this just didn’t do it haha

186. Toby’s story line made me sad :( But good ending.

     Michael was also very good in this episode…I love being reminded that his craziness is all out of love for his family. But it’s kinda sad when you remember that no one returns the love very much.

     Best lines of episode:
     1) “You take requests? Please stop.” I’m pretty sure I’ll be finding an opportunity to use that word whenever I can.
     2) “fa-la-la-la-la la-la-ka-ching.” Same with that line, too. :)

187. Can I just ask? Has anyone tried a ‘one of everything’ yet? I would LOVE to know how that went :)

188. [from tanster: please comment on-topic, i.e. on the episode. thanks!]

189. Fun fact: Michael Scott celebrates Groundhog’s Day which happens to be my birthday. So I have a great icebreaker if I ever meet Jenna Fischer.

190. I’m a bit lukewarm on the episode itself…didn’t love it, didn’t hate it…but I cracked up when Michael did the “My horn can pierce the sky!” thing with such commitment…I just thought it was hilariously random and classic Michael.

191. I don’t understand the negativity to this episode. I actually really like it. To me, it’s probably one of the best this season. The only thing I didn’t like was the dragging of Meredith to rehab. That wasn’t very funny and a little annoying. Other than that, everything else was awesome.

192. It was a great thursday. My bears won, and the office gave me another lovely christmas episode.

     I liked this one. I think that Dwight was really in top form. Especially when he assumed his position outside michael’s office, which was a brilliant little subtlety, and also when phyllis revealed ‘the secret’. Angela was terribly distraught, the rest of the office was unsure of how to comprehend the news…and then there was Dwight, all proud with his chest puffed out. He’s come a far way from crying in his secret stairwell.

193. I thought this episode was hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud a lot! The best of season 5 so far……..

194. uh, how is the show losing its sense of fun?
     the only two episodes with any drama were this one and employee transfer. business trip, customer survey, the surplus, crime aid, and frame toby weren’t fun? this episode was okay. but they were on a streak of great episodes and this one broke it. the funniest thing was toby w/ the doll and michael- “my horn can pierce the sky”. but im so glad phyllis told the office about angela and andy– it’s been a boring storyline since S4.

     7/10

195. I really didn’t like this episode the first time through. But after watching it for a second time, I enjoyed it much more. Like others have said though, I just wish it had more of a Christmas feel to it.

196. having more of creed would have been cooler, he seems like the guy who would sell the dolls for a lot of money haha

197. Ugh. They can’t all be winners. And this one wasn’t. The worst Office episode ever.

     What is the purpose of turning every character into someone we hate? The Office used to be bittersweet. Now it’s just bitter.

198. I applaud the choice to make this season as unpredictable as possible even when it doesn’t succeeds completely, as in this episode.

     As others said, it lacks a Christmas feel and it was a little too mean– it feels out of synch with the Holiday Season. But that’s also part of the greatness of the Office 2008-2009: expect the unexpected.

     I liked the Princess Unicorn meme (hundreds of hilarious testimonials on her webpage) and Andy playing the sitar.

     The dialogue was slightly subpar. The way Phyllis throws the Nativity figures into the drawer was unnecessary and religiously insensitive. It was also too mean to Toby and Andy, the cringe factor was overused.

     All in all, it was a reasonably good episode but it lacked a little kindness perhaps.

199. Well, this is definitely one of the worst episodes they’ve ever done. I wish season 5 would be more consistent. One episode it’s hilarious, the next it’s unwatchable.

200. fa-la-la-la-la la-la-KA-CHING!

201. the episode for me wasn’t all that great. but i did love three lines
     1.)pam- “i wish you would stop rubbing that lamp in a creepy way.”
     2.)michael- “my horn can pierce the sky.”
     3.)dwight- “fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-ka ching”
     oh and the cold opening. that was freaking hilarious!

202. While this episode was disappointing overall (not bad, just disappointing), Phyllis and Angela’s exchanges made it watchable.

     “I am not going to judge Phyllis for desecrating Christmas. There is one person who will, though, and Phyllis just stuffed him into a drawer.”
     – Angela Martin

     Best. Line. Ever.

203. What are you guys talking about? I’ve been just as dissapointed as anyone about this season and most of season four for that matter. I didn’t even watch this show until a few days after the air date. I read the comments before I watched the show and though that it would be like most of season five so far. Not even close. This is an instant office classic! Everything that was great about season two was here. Michael protecting his “family” and no one caring. Dwight in top form. Jim and a great prank. Andy starting to act like annoying but classic andy from season three. This was the funniest episode I’ve seen in awhile. Sure it didn’t have a christmas feel. But who cares. Hopefully this is the direction the show takes the rest of the season.

204. I didn’t think Phyllis throwing the nativity figures into the drawer was offensive because it was meant to gain sympathy for Angela—as were all the other things she did to Angela. Yes, as a Christian I would be horrified if someone threw baby Jesus into the desk drawer, but I could see why they did it. It was the meanest thing they could do to Angela—before the ending announcement. I felt for her then too…yes she’s done horrible things that are contradictory to her faith but she was in tears at being called out publicly for them

205. Toby’s story made me teary! I have yet to cry at an episode, but I felt so bad for him. I’m glad he got the doll, though. This episode was really good though. Phyllis is my favorite:)

206. I thought the episode was great, and so so so funny!

     Best Christmas ep yet!

207. Princess Unicorn. Are you KIDDING me? That was absolutely hilarious and brilliant. The ‘buyer’ walking into the office during the intervention…and putting his finger on his forehead…made me spit out my diet coke….

     Enjoyed it a lot. Wow, there are LOTS of haters out there! haha I know..to each his own….but gosh I do love this crazy show.

208. Wow. This one was a hard one for me. (twss)

     Though there were definitely some funny moments to this episode, overall I just didn’t like it, Christmas or not. Instead of funny-awkward, it was sad-awkward and then, in the end, just sad. I feel like some of the characters have been taken to the extreme which makes them both less funny and less believable to me. I haven’t loved this season, but I haven’t hated it either. I’m just hoping for better episodes in the future.

209. People are saying that it didn’t have a Christmas feel, well we were warned. Didn’t Phyllis say, “This is not your grandmother’s Christmas party,” so I guess more people were looking for their grandmother’s Christmas episode.

210. 209 – “Best Christmas ep yet!”???

     Wow, not even close as far as I’m concerned. It ranks #3 in my book for Office Christmas shows.

211. This show was kinda different. I was really surprised when Phyllis told about Dwight and Angela. I really felt sorry for Andy because he thought they were all looking sorry because of his music. I wonder what is up next? This week’s show should be really good!! But what else can we expect? This is “The Office”

212. Helen, unfortunately no new episode of the office this week. Actually no new episodes until January 15. It’s going to be a long wait :(

213. Hi Louis, I did not know that we have to wait until Jan 15. What a disappointment!! Thank you for letting me know. I’m just not up to speed! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!!

214. I really did not like this episode. I’m okay with comedy that makes the audience uncomfortable because that was definitely how the british version was like but this just lacked humor. It was plainly uncomfortable and just missed the mark.

215. UM… i thought the next episode was feb 1. Thanks for making me think again.

     And this episode was great. Up there with the top 3 christmas episodes….

216. I thought this ep was awesome!

     It was great that Michael thought he could just drop Meredith off at rehab like she’s a dog going to the pound.

     Dwight with Princess Unicorn was incredible, as was Toby paying $400 for the black Princess Unicorn doll.

     Line of the episode goes to Jim for:

     “Stupid….everyone knows to ask for 100 more wishes…..dumb…”

     Close 2nd to Angela for “Really Andy? It’s Christmas and you’re singing about nudity…and France.”

217. Re: Michael, post #219

     There have been only three christmas episodes of The Office….

218. @222

     That was the joke.

219. Love that part where Meredith takes a drink and says “Oh. My. GOD!!!”

     wish I had the clip of that!

220. I lovedddd this episode, me being half moroccan myself really connected to this and I love the office staff (cast) even more now