That sounds like a wonderful episode! Really the beginning of the home stretch. I love the way they teased it with the ad on Oscar’s computer in “Moving On.”
I wonder if they’re going to show Michael Scott in the promos in this episode. He was in the majority of the documentary so it would make sense to show him. I hope so :D
There are now TV promos for the Office within its own fictional universe, and Jim gets to meet the real Ryan Howard. Things are getting really meta.
I really hope they mention that, up to this season, there was another Ryan Howard involved with the office!
I always found it funny that BJ’s character shared his name with Ryan Howard the baseball player and no joke or reference was ever made. Strange since he plays for Philadelphia. I predict Dwight and Angela get back together at some point, however.
I love the fact that “Ryan Howard” will be guest starring as himself on a show that had a character named Ryan Howard for 8 years. I sure hope they mention that fact at some point (and I really, really hope I’m not the only person who’s noticed this).
Oh wow, I’m so excited! #officetallyrules
I wonder if the brussel sprout farmer is Esther from the last episode? Also curious if they’re going to mention the “Ryan Howard” thing. I can’t wait until we see promos for “Promos” haha!!
Ryan Howard was playing minor league ball in Scranton when the series was being developed. BJ’s character was named after him.
ryan howard used to play for the lakewood blue claws, i worked at the staidum. Really nice guy, i saw big things in his future, can’t believe he is going to be on one of my favorite shows… Yes!
Definite awkwardness imminent with Ryan Howard the baseball player.
I hope they don’t wipe all trace of Michael from the promos. He was a huge part of “The Office” (in-universe or not), and it will seem pretty cheap if they do.
I’m ready for a promo of “Promos” ha! It would definitely take my mind off the fact that the cast and crew have finished filming the finale. It’s getting too real for my liking!
sounds amazing! I just wish jim spent more time at the office. I miss him there :( i can’t belive that soon all this expectation and excitement for a new episode will be over :((((
Just a random observation that I didn’t know where to post. Does Jim know about Pam’s mural yet?
@#16 – yes, jim knows about the mural, which added to the fight on the valentine’s day episode.
just read some updates and hints for the remainder of the season…and can’t stand the thought that jim/pam will split. i realize it happens SOMETIMES in real life, but NOT all the time. PLEASE stop all the strain within this beautiful, epic (albeit fictional) love story!! it can be “real” (which is how the writers have been claiming to keep it) while allowing the happily ever after to happen. PLEASE GIVE US OUR HAPPY ENDING!!! (
(to continue with #17)………(that’s what she/he/we said!!)
@17 Thank you! I kinda wish we saw Jim’s reaction to it, though. Would have liked to see a, “Beesly!” if there was any at all
Yeah! A new Office episode! Can’t wait!
@16 You mean the new one that the City of Scranton commissioned Pam to paint?
@21 Yes I do
heard/saw jenna mention that “brian the boom guy” would be making another appearance. for all of us freaking out about pam and jim — let’s say BRIAN was the romantic in his broken relationship and doesn’t want to see jim and pam’s relationship strained (since he was with them for so long) so he’s made a special DVD for them from his footage and…we’ll get to watch the montage on an upcoming episode (along with jim and pam… sort of therapy for ALL of us filled with anxiety about this season so far).
@19 DAVE….. hahahaha yes, i wish we could have heard jim’s exclamation of “beesly!”, too. i LOVE when jim does that!
Of course Jim and Pam will end up together. Jenna said she took Pam’s wedding ring home with her the last day of filming because the “Props” guy was not there to collect it. So she will still be wearing her wedding ring at least on the last episode.
oh wow! jenna deserves an emmy just for keeping a straight face during this “talking head” for promos. i can’t stop laughing!!
I’ve always wondered if the jewelry is real. I’ve heard other actresses say that they’ve kept their rings too.
Does anyone know if Pam’s ring is a real diamond?
@22 I don’t think that he does. Do you?
@27 – In her interview on Leno, it sounds like Jenna doesn’t think that it’s real, or worth anything except sentimental value for her.
One thing I do hope is that when The Office are watching these promos, they will realise that they should have been a bit nicer to Michael. I know Michael did some stupid/silly things, but I still don’t think The Office treated him fairly.
Just saw this is the one Jennifer C. directed. So happy and extra excited now.
Not a happy episode so far… let’s see how this ends.
This is a funny episode so far, but wouldn’t everyone in the documentary had to have signed some kind of release form before filming began…?
Wow…what an amazing episode.
Apart from the kind of meandering Dwight and Jim subplots, this episode was a clear standout. Hilarious moments related to the actual promos, but some legitimate emotions in the Pam scene…We’re in the home stretch, guys, and you’re off to a great start.
Really liked this episode just wish jim had seen the promos to see how he reacted. They are probably holding that till later tho!! Excited for the last 5 episodes!!
Yay Pam will hopefully fight even harder for her relationship with Jim now!!!
I’m going to be totally honest here, I think this was either the best or second best (behind “The Target”) episode of the season. I loved the self-referential feeling of the Dunder Mifflin cast knowing they were being filmed. The drama about the employees being mad with secret moments being filmed — none of it felt shoehorned in, it all felt like genuine drama. I thought that Phyllis’s reaction to the water splash was a big highlight, as it may be one of the only times she’s ever yelled on the show. Like someone else mentioned, I also liked the mass glimpse at the camera.
Loved the episode, seeing them watching the old footage was definitely interesting. The cold open was one of the best.
Really starting to hate Kevin. No adult could be that stupid, and it takes away from the small bit of realism The Office has left. The writers are getting really lazy with him. Decent episode though 8/10
wish they’d kept the full talking head clip that was shown here last week. MUCH funnier than tonight’s cut. definitely one of the better episodes lately (1/2 hour is TOO SHORT though!). still not lovin’ that pam/jim tension, but tonight provided hope (and clues). pam’s reaction was sooo sweet. hope jim watches the promos and feels the same way pam does.
i liked the throwback of the script reading (season 2?) … although it was just as wacky a script as ‘threat level midnight’.
Loved this episode! Couple of callbacks: Andy saying, “I’m about to lose my freaking mind” (didn’t he say that just before punching the hole in the wall?”, and Jim involved with the table reading of a badly written movie.
The phone call with Jim & Pam had some really good acting by John & Jenna. Before they even got to the awkward silences you could see and hear that things were strained. It almost reminded me of Series 1 & 2 conversations between them.
“specimens in a human zoo” The Office is finally back to normal! I love this episode!
Oh – and one more thing. While watching Jim dealing with the self-absorbed athlete, I started to wonder if he will begin to understand that his whole life will be dealing with these jerks. Sometimes when you realize your dream you discover that it isn’t all you thought it would be. Maybe that, combined with watching the promos, will send him back to Pam, Scranton & Dunder Mifflin satisfied that he tried living his dream and found he missed his real life more than he expected.
I cringed when I saw Brian take Pam on his balcony. Pam and Jim are fighters, I hope these promos and the documentary save them!
Jenna was so great in the scene at Brian’s house that I had to watch it twice! I was a little worried when she acted freaked out about not having privacy, like, “what is she hiding?!” But the scene at the end made me think she was just upset about the Jim situation. I can’t wait to see where all this goes. Also, Kevin had some AMAZING lines tonight!
Mass glimpse to the camera. :) I am in Office heaven.
Oh wow!!! Loved this episode! One of my favorites: Angela collapsing onto the table after she and Oscar called the Senator. :-)
my dvr cut the episode short, what was the final translation?
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@gary, it was ‘lovers’. :o)
Was it me, or did Angela seem a lot more chipper than we’ve seen her since…. ever?
loved the callback with Andy,I’m gonna lose my freakin mind. He said that when Jim first pranked him in Stamford by putting his calculator in Jello and kicked a garbage can in frustration.
I’m Glad that Pam got mad at Brian for invading everyone’s privacy for ten years. I was fine with Pam having a friend on the film crew, it would be inevitable after ten years, but I don’t understand why they had to make him “in love” with her(so soap opera-like). Hopefully that’s the last we see of him. Good to see that Pam is a “Jam fan”.
I really like the Clark/Dwight dynamic however their story wasn’t very interesting.
@bad idea jeans. The last time Angela was that chipper I remember was when she got Princess Lady in Lecture Circuit part 2.
I don’t think Jim’s “changed”. I think “changed” is too big of a word. I believe that he’s matured, possibly? He’s become more work-based, in that he finally cares about his career. But I wouldn’t say “changed”.
I do however feel sympathetic towards Pam and her longing for her earlier days with Jim:( But it’ll be okay, I know it will. They’ve just been so completely in sync with everything so far, and now because of a sudden jolt in their relationship, they’re being tested. So it’s okay Pam!! We’re all here for you!! It’ll work out!!
That was an episode meant for those who’ve been watching this show since the beginning.
Honestly, one of my favourite all-time episodes. Brought back so many memories of the last 9 years. Also liked how they kept “The Farm” running concurrently with the show as well – be interesting to see where that goes, although I anticipate Dwight and Angela will ultimately end up together by the end of the season.
@Mike, you’re absolutely right. But, at that time, she was happy because she had a new (nearly-famous, very expensive) cat. What’s the cause this time? I was confused by it!
Loved the callbacks in tonight’s episode! “I’m gonna lose my freakin’ mind!” and Stanley’s pretzel cracked me up!!!
It was nice to see Michael in the promo. I was worried they would cut him out
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I loved Pam’s reaction to the doc scenes of her and Jim. There was so much love in her eyes, and I think the documentary is going to bring Jim and Pam back together. They’re still a little lost — and hopefully that’s the end of Brian.
Loved Angela and Oscar, loved Andy and Nellie, loved Clark and Dwight, loved the cold open. I didn’t much care for Jim’s storyline but hey ho. Wasn’t The Office’s wrap party sponsored by Subway? “Eat fresh” indeed.
And what’s all this business with Dwight and Esther? Dwangela for ever!
Grrrrr -_- I though I’d never have to see “Brian” again… but I’m sooo relieved that nothing happened that would cause future problems.
I seriously hate that attractive guy…
There were four or five hilarious stories going on at once and it was a terrific episode! Ryan Howard (“Eat Fresh”) was hysterical I loved the whole script bit. Andy losing his mind in a YouTube comment war and Nellie’s hand in it was hilarious. Oscar and Angela’s phone call to the senator was so disastrous and I can’t wait to see what becomes of it. Loved Dwight and Clark – their discussion about picking up a couple fours, etc. was so great. It was very cute when Pam kept playing the scenes of her and Jim in the promo clip over and over. I was bummed that the cold open didn’t include more of Pam’s comments about the book – her comic timing was so impeccable and it was sad that the scene was cut down to one line apiece for her and Clark.
Great episode! I loved all of the callbacks.. like Stanley eating a pretzel, Andy getting angry and of course getting to see Michael in the promos. Also, like @BuyMeACoke noticed, how Jim was involved in a table read of a badly written movie. Loved it. I could’ve done without the Jim/Darryl sub-plot but I loved everything else so much that I didn’t even care. I can’t wait to see Jim & Pam get back on track.
If Jenna Fischer doesn’t win an emmy this year, it will be a shame. She deserves it simply for the heart-breaking moment with Jim a couple of months ago on the phone and now this episode – Wow.
For me, though, the best line of this episode was Clark’s “I don’t even know what a f*@in auger is!”
AND the airing of this episode bumped up another ~1500 signatures :)
The episode was a mixed bag, which is a huge step up lately. Phyllis, Andy, Dwight, and especially Angela were really great last night. (Why can’t they just write Andy this way every week?)
Unfortunately we saw docu guy again last night just waiting to make an ill-advised play on Pam. And if Ryan Howard wanted to parody himself, he should have called 30 Rock before that show ended.
As many have said, the throwbacks were great in this episode. I watched it twice, cuz you always catch something the 2nd time around that you didn’t the first time. Jenna Fischer is the greatest ever, and I just want some JAM in the same darn city scenes soon:) Fantastic episode all around. Had goosebumps when they were watching themselves, and I am not a big Superhero guy, but I am a big fan of DUMPSTERMAN!
Did anyone think it was odd that Brian had a house with a terrace? Didn’t Pam say way back in the episode with Jan and the women of the office about how she wanted to paint and live in a house with a terrace?
My favorite quote came from the conversation between Jim and Pam when they were talking about the meeting with Ryan Howard. “Not that Ryan Howard”
I liked it, but what happened to the Creed’s hello? They made such a big deal with redoing the promo, and it wasn’t even there… or did I just miss it.
Happy to see Pam happy about the documentary with JAM moments, despite public or private.
“He is butt” – HA!
I feel like some important stuff was left edited out. I didn’t get why Pam was so angry at Brian about a lack of privacy and then was fine about it in the next scene?
The footage making Pam wistful was from the Client where they had the rooftop date but also where they read the funny Dwight script, but now away from Pam and DM it’s not funny anymore, it’s just lame. I think that’s some nice storytelling.
@69 That’s a fantastic point. Brian seems to be the prototypical man for Pam in the sense of her interests, but she’s just so awesome with Jim that her and Brian could never be together.
I thought Promos was fantastic. So many callbacks, so many awesome moments. Jenna was incredible as always. Clark and Dwight’s storyline was mediocre, but Clark was absolutely hilarious. By the way, what happened to Pete?! It’s been a few episodes since we’ve seen him.
LOL @ “God Bless The USA” playing on the boombox in the stairwell with Angela & Oscar.
I’ve been pretty critical of Andy these last few seasons, but I was really impressed with him here.
@69. I thought she just talked about having a house with a flowerbox outside the window. I don’t remember it being a terrace, but could be wrong.
@73. I think what freaked Pam out at the end was the realization that Brian, as part of the crew, had been following her around when she didn’t know, and had developed feelings for her. Kind of stalker-ish. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to watch the good times with Jim.
Great episode. Stanley and the pretzel was great. Great to see them putting stuff like that in for the long-time diehard fans to pick up on.
This was a very good episode. The show has kicked it up a notch. I loved Andy getting into the “twitter” war and the awkward phone call from Oscar and Angela. One thing that kind of caught me, especially when they showed Michael was that how were the private moments getting caught, and who authorized them? Michael perhaps didn’t read the fine print. This should be very funny going forward and I can’t wait to see how this ends.
Did the movie Ryan Howard wrote sound like a terrible cheesy rip-off of the film The Meteor Man to anyone else? lol Loved this episode overall.
@78 – Nope, it was definitely a terrace. Rewatched the episode recently.
And I don’t know…I thought the exact opposite, I definitely thought her reaction was bizarre. To me it was really obvious that there was something she said that she didn’t want aired, or something. Maybe talking about her marital problems with Jim? Maybe the fact that she just asked Brian about Jim changing and it was filmed?
So glad we got a classic Andy “Freaking”! Was such an awesome episode.
Wasn’t Stanley saying something like, ‘We’ve all changed,’ while eating his pretzel? That could have been coincidental, but I thought it played ironic. Instead of waiting in line all day, he’s just sitting in the kitchen with one.
Terrific episode! When they showed Michael, and Phyllis was like “Awh, Michael. I miss him”, I got teary-eyed. The whole episode was fun and it had a little bit of drama, just like I like it!
Also @ #83- it was an ironic comment. Pam was saying how you look at the documentary, and some of the workers have changed. Stanley was saying that over the course of 9 years, everyone has changed, and yet, he was sitting at the table with a crossword and a pretzel, with a little bit of sarcasm, giving off the appearance that he hasn’t changed one bit.
I think calling Brian’s apartment balcony a terrace is stretching things a little bit.
Jenna deserves the Emmy for her performance this year, but unfortunately it will go to someone from Modern Family regardless of quality.
@81 it may be as simple as Pam remembering the time her and Jim fooled around in the supply room and is scared they filmed that? Or she doesn’t want the memories/feelings of Casino night broadcast to everyone?
@85 – Yes! Jenna has had so many great scenes throughout all the seasons. She really is a great actress. Emmy caliber, no doubt!
Been a fan since season 2, first time I comment at this awesome site, before the office ends :( For me it was a great episode, Michael’s footage in the doc seems kind of new to me, was he playing a character? Also for a second I thought that Brian was the Scranton Strangler, he’s creepy. Will there be no more storylines about the strangler in the series? No Michael and now no Jim in the office really makes me miss that old office cast and days.
@81
I feel like Pam was so upset because her so called friend had basically been spying on her and everyone at work for ten years. For example every time her and Jim were in the stairwell having a “private” conversation.
I think this was a good episode. It was definitely a neat concept. However, I wish Brian would just go away, and that Jim and Pam would get back to normal. I really never liked the whole tantalizing thing, wondering if Jim and Pam would split up; I think it wasn’t really great to do that to such a great couple!
@89: Yeah, but…how would they not know that that was going on by now?? Remember the episode where they filmed Pam/Jim kissing in the car when they first became a couple and then showed it to them? They weren’t angry then.
I’m telling you, her reaction was weird. I think she’s hiding something — I don’t think she’s cheating or anything, but I think there’s something there that she wouldn’t want Jim to see or hear.
I really enjoyed the episode- this is how a clip show should work. One thing I wasn’t sure about- was Nellie leaving the messages insulting Andy under various pseudonyms? And I really liked Nellie’s explanation for her own character change.
She specifically was referring to sound, not video. She understood that they could have been filming at anytime but she thought they had some privacy when they turned off their mics. While I do agree that her reaction made it seem like she may have been hiding something, her last talking head redeemed her. She was mad at the invasion of privacy but also glad that they captured her and Jim falling in love.
Hmm, just realized something else…if they have parabolic mics that can pick up sound from yards away, how come when Michael took off his mic at the airport, we instantly couldn’t hear him? Were there no parabolic mics there? Or did all the background noise drown him out? Weird. #minorcanonglitches
@Lin Beifunk
Good point, but the loud factor of the airport was probably the problem. The mic pics up everything which probably drowned Mike out.
I wonder if the Dirty Berty line was a reference to the original show…
Might have been the best episode of the season. Obviously the references to past seasons were nice, but this was genuinely a solid episode from basically start to finish. Lots of laughs. My goodness, that camera guy just won’t go away will he? I suppose he’s supposed to be the last antagonist of the show or something, but geez, every moment he’s on camera is painful.
@94, 95 – I thought about this too… To console myself I simply told myself that they wouldn’t have taken everything to film to the airport with them. I think the episode would have been more exciting if we didn’t hear what everyone was saying when they turned off their mics! As if they were creating some sort of plot to get back at the film crew. Would have been an awesome way to wrap things up, but alas!
I’ve been following this site for a couple of years and I always read the comments but this is my first time commenting on here. Hands down the best show I’ve ever seen on television for so many reasons and I think “Promos” was the best episode of the season so far. I’m wondering though if anyone else thinks that the Pam walking out on Brian was because they possibly had an unrevealed brief fling at some point? Maybe when Jim was in Stamford or right when he came back? There has to be a reason he is still around and it’s looking more and more like this will be an ongoing storyline going forward.
I’m amazed by jenna’s performance, so much heart. Truly touched.
am i The only One who doesn’t think brian is a villain? Jim is the one who has been negligent with his family. It’s not like he made a move with Pam or anything. Their marriage problems is their own fault. I’m getting annoyed that they didn’t Work things out yet. Are they gonna do this just in the final episode? I really hate this.
Great episode, andy has been great in The last episodes. And i’m not a huge andy fan.
Does anybody know the song in the promo?
I really liked this episode because it included the whole ensemble, including call backs with Michael. To answer the question about the terrace, it was referenced in Episode 2 (Boys & Girls). Pam always dreamed of a HOUSE with a terrace to plant flowers. She read about a house like that in a book when she was a girl. Not an apartment with a balcony like where Brian lives.
I hope that there will soon be some JAM before the final episode. Maybe Jim will find a house in Philly with a terrace. It’s too hard to see Jim and Pam so uncomfortable with each other. Please, I hope the final episode will not be so sad. This is a Comedy.
Ah, this episode was incredibly disappointing to me. In years past, The Office had writers that had worked with shows like Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, and classic renditions of Saturday Night Live. I suppose it makes sense that the show has not been up to that standard as of late, Double digit IQ Kevin has been sucking the funny out of every scene in which he contributes, Jim’s storyline in this episode had no resolution, and the cold open was juvenile, gross, and far beneath the standards of The Office. However, Pam’s decision to venture to Brian’s house was cheap, contrived and revitalized the most reviled story-arc in the series. Seriously, Pam could not have called or met Brian in a public place? It was an inappropriate and completely unrealistic move by the writers to have Pam (a married women, mind you) visit Brian’s home. I apologize, I suppose I just wish that the final season of my favorite series of all time was handled with more care.
yes, it was a HOUSE with a TERRACE, BUT looking back, i think that was also presented as somewhat of a metaphor for what she COULDN’T have with roy. at this point, i think she just wants jim back. what about the episode in season 8 where jim talked about opening a BIKE shop? athlead is a far cry from a bike shop and jim’s character doesn’t fit well. time to get back to the office basics which is what made it so great in the first place. i agree with others who heard pam’s statement (at the end) when she said she hoped the camera crew got everything and she wanted a DVD (as many of us would like one ONLY of the jim and pam story!)
With the exception of Clark, who’s the bright spot in most of these last episodes, this was a disappointing show. The authenticity is just plain gone. JIm wanting a better career makes a lot of sense. What doesn’t ring true is how sleek and professional his new office has become in just a few months. It looks as if he’s got about 40 people bustling around this new space. In this economic climate, with companies struggling to stay alive and new businesses failing everyday, how do you explain the amazing growth of this new venture. It would make more sense if they had a small, dumpy facility while they tried to amass their new client roster. Jim has all of a sudden developed this “player” persona that was never evident before. His new office reminds me of Hollywood’s idea of sitcom NYC apartments rented by unemployed characters which in reality would go for $10.000 a month. I actually get distracted by how ridiculous his new circumstances are. I don’t hold out much hope for the few remaining episodes.
When the documentary airs, Jim will watch it and then realize how much he loves and misses both Pam and DM.
The doc will have a similar effect on everyone else at DM too. In spite of dirty laundry and embarrassing revelations, the doc will show them just how much they have truly cared about one another over the years.
I’m going to be fairly disappointed if the show decides that Jim returns to Dunder Mifflin because Pam doesn’t want to move two hours away or because she likes her made up office manager job so much. Families make sacrifices like this all the time. It’s not as if he’s never home right now and if the new company works out it will be a significant improvement in both his job satisfaction and income. To abandon that because he likes his wacky co-workers so much or that Pam just refuses to invest in the idea would be a wrong turn for me.
@ 108 – Well, I’ll be fairly disappointed if Pam decides to go to Philadelphia if she really doesn’t want to. Their whole lives have been in Scranton. Pam likes her life. She’s designing a mural for the city, she likes her job and her family. She’s content, and there’s nothing really wrong with that. You’re right, family is about sacrifices: remember when Jim gave up his fancy job in NY just to have the chance to be with Pam? I understand why he wants to switch jobs, but I don’t understand why he’s putting his job over his family. I mean, seriously, a bachelor pad with Darryl? And then he complains about missing out on Cece’s recital? I mean, I think both Jim and Pam are at fault for their problems, but I’m siding with Pam more.
Oops, that was supposed to be @107. Also, my DVR cut off Pam’s talking head at the end — I just watched it. I’m glad she’s okay with them recording her romance with Jim, and I feel like she’s going to show it to him so that he understands how he’s changed.
Not a great episode, but enjoyable enough. It was a little messy, especially during the whole Athlead story, but I did appreciate the callback. I think it was a mistake having this episode be written by a first time office writer. Is this his first season with the show? Wasn’t he a writer on Up All Night last year?
why do people think jim will return to DM? (scranton, maybe, but not DM). i can’t be the only one that doesn’t see DM surviving as the show ends (down-sizing/closing from episode 1!)…and why jim would WANT to return to it after stating throughout the years that was NOT what he wanted (other than the “friendships”) for a career/life. that being said, i don’t see him at athlead either. the development of his character lacks some continuity. jim himself said “i’m a douche now” in the moving on episode. lately, i might agree. (which absolutely kills me to say because i LOVE the actor, the character, and the love story.)
@108 Tay PLEASE reference where Pam gives us ONE reason why she wants to stay. She has never really given a reason, yet prefers to knock down Jim’s real honest true attempt to make something for himself and his family.
@112 Um, it’s just common sense to me. She said “I liked our lives in Scranton”. I think for Pam, it’s home. She fell in love with Jim there and lived her life there. The writers on the show have made it clear that even though this is Jim’s “dream job”, it isn’t everything he thought it’d be. The douchey people who didn’t invest as much as him. The fact that he missed Cece’s recital and is losing his relationship with Pam over a job and even leading her to turn to a new “friend” for advice/help when that was always him. I don’t understand why everyone is putting Pam at fault when Jim deserves his share of the blame. He has never put a job over his relationships, and now he is. *shrugs* I just hope they can both compromise, that’s all.
@100…how has Jim neglected his family? Jim is working to start a successful company, that is hard and requires support. Do people forget how Pam was in college for months and even when she had to repeat a class, Jim supported her and said they would make work? Pam decided to just go back, but, the point is Jim supports her. Pam seems selfish this season and the Brian story arc is old and played out. Are they insinuating that something private was filmed about Pam that she doesn’t want Jim to know about?
@113
There is no real reason they should be losing their relationship or that Pam should be turning to another man for comfort. Sure, Jim being away is a strain, but not to the level they are portraying it. If their relationship can’t take a few months of part-time separation then it wasn’t that strong to begin with which isn’t what we know of them from the past 8 1/2 seasons. Plus, we’ve had two episodes end where it appeared that they were going to hash out their differences (Couples Discount and Moving On) and it still looks like nothing has happened. It’s starting to approach S3 levels of artificial angst and it’s casting a pall over the show for me.
The whole point of their storyline this season is that Jim and Pam are both at fault for the problems they’re having, and they’re both being selfish. For the first time ever in their relationship they want different things and they’re both afraid to tell the other how they’re really feeling, with the result being that neither of them really understands what the other person wants. That being said, I think people should cut Pam a little bit of slack. Her whole world was turned upside down overnight. Her loving, supportive, adoring husband took a job in another city without telling her. He’s away all week, leaving her to look after the kids on her own. He’s suddenly consumed by his job, and is behaving differently and seems distant from her for the first time. She’s terrified that she’s losing him and she wants to stay in Scranton because she wants Jim and their lives to stay the same. She’s reaching out to Brian purely because she wants to understand Jim. She asks him “What am I doing wrong?” and if he thinks Jim has changed. Brian is after all, an observer and documenter of Jim and Pam’s life – to her, he’s the natural person to ask.
Bottom line is that you don’t take a job in another city two hours away from home without telling your wife, no matter how bored and miserable you are with your current job. This is a huge step, and you don’t make this decision on your own. He put her in a dificult position. I think Pam would be more secure if jim wasn’t this distant. The most annoying thing is that they had two opportunities to work things out and things are just the same.
@115 – I totally agree with what Jessie (116) said. That’s basically how I feel too. And neither Pam nor Brian have pursued a romantic relationship — other than some implications from the show to bring on interest in what’s going on, so why shouldn’t Pam be able to talk to someone else about what’s going on in her life? And it’s not just separation, it’s that Pam is left alone raising two very young kids while Jim is off in a bachelor pad with Darryl and his dream job. There needs to be more give and take between them right now.
And angst is all a part of television — it has honestly needed some angst since the last few years of the show have been a real disappointment. I’m personally glad they’re giving Jim and Pam the spotlight they deserve, I just hope it turns out so that there’s a compromise.
@118 I am totally agreeing that Jim is at fault here but I really don’t think he has changed, he is just distracted with his new job right now.
Also regarding Pam and Brian, it’s very clear that Brian is interested in her and his answers are trying to reinforce Pam’s doubts about Jim. After his “confession” in vandalism and then his sudden split with his wife, Pam has to have some idea that he likes her. He is definitely not the right person to ask about her relationship.
All that aside I’m just glad that Pam stormed on creepy Brian after he confessed to basically stalking her for the last ten years and we can watch Jim and Pam deal with this without this totally random character that’s “in love” with Pam meddling around.
#119: …Yes, I think Brian might have a little crush on her, but it’s obviously not a huge threat to the Jam relationship so I don’t understand why everyone is so worked up over it. And I don’t think he’s been ‘creepy’ or has any ill intent. I think he’s just a nice guy who’s trying to help, like Jim was circa S1-2. I mean, jeez, he hasn’t even had more than a few lines on the show. Yeah, he broke up with his wife, but again…believing he has any intentions would be making an assumption. I don’t really see him as a villain here. And he hasn’t been stalking her…he worked on a documentary. With lots of other people. For years. Which everyone in the Office knew about.
*shrug* The J/P relationship has been SO stale for the past 3 seasons that I’m just really happy they’re spending time on it. If Brian is necessary for this last chapter of their story, I’m on board.
Hang on, I’m still very confused about this. If what we have been watching for the last nine years is the documentary, then what exactly are the promos promoting? It looks like something completely new.
@121 – We’ve been watching them film the documentary, the promos are for the actual documentary that will air in their fictional world. You see, it’s like what we’ve been seeing is everything the crew has filmed, now the crew has edited down into a real documentary. What would be great is if they actually put together a 9 part documentary as a DVD extra or something.
Maybe the reason that we see Jim differently is that he’s been away from the office so much, which means he’s been away from Dwight a lot. Maybe one of the best parts of Jim was his dynamic with Dwight.
I don’t understand why Pam was so surprised that the crew had been filming them secretly. In the earlier seasons didn’t the crew “out” her and Jim’s relationship by showing them the secret footage of them meeting up and kissing in the car? She didn’t seem so miffed about it then.
Sounds perfect! Can’t wait
That sounds like a wonderful episode! Really the beginning of the home stretch. I love the way they teased it with the ad on Oscar’s computer in “Moving On.”
I wonder if they’re going to show Michael Scott in the promos in this episode. He was in the majority of the documentary so it would make sense to show him. I hope so :D
There are now TV promos for the Office within its own fictional universe, and Jim gets to meet the real Ryan Howard. Things are getting really meta.
I really hope they mention that, up to this season, there was another Ryan Howard involved with the office!
I always found it funny that BJ’s character shared his name with Ryan Howard the baseball player and no joke or reference was ever made. Strange since he plays for Philadelphia. I predict Dwight and Angela get back together at some point, however.
I love the fact that “Ryan Howard” will be guest starring as himself on a show that had a character named Ryan Howard for 8 years. I sure hope they mention that fact at some point (and I really, really hope I’m not the only person who’s noticed this).
Oh wow, I’m so excited! #officetallyrules
I wonder if the brussel sprout farmer is Esther from the last episode? Also curious if they’re going to mention the “Ryan Howard” thing. I can’t wait until we see promos for “Promos” haha!!
Ryan Howard was playing minor league ball in Scranton when the series was being developed. BJ’s character was named after him.
ryan howard used to play for the lakewood blue claws, i worked at the staidum. Really nice guy, i saw big things in his future, can’t believe he is going to be on one of my favorite shows… Yes!
Definite awkwardness imminent with Ryan Howard the baseball player.
I hope they don’t wipe all trace of Michael from the promos. He was a huge part of “The Office” (in-universe or not), and it will seem pretty cheap if they do.
I’m ready for a promo of “Promos” ha! It would definitely take my mind off the fact that the cast and crew have finished filming the finale. It’s getting too real for my liking!
sounds amazing! I just wish jim spent more time at the office. I miss him there :( i can’t belive that soon all this expectation and excitement for a new episode will be over :((((
Just a random observation that I didn’t know where to post. Does Jim know about Pam’s mural yet?
@#16 – yes, jim knows about the mural, which added to the fight on the valentine’s day episode.
just read some updates and hints for the remainder of the season…and can’t stand the thought that jim/pam will split. i realize it happens SOMETIMES in real life, but NOT all the time. PLEASE stop all the strain within this beautiful, epic (albeit fictional) love story!! it can be “real” (which is how the writers have been claiming to keep it) while allowing the happily ever after to happen. PLEASE GIVE US OUR HAPPY ENDING!!! (
(to continue with #17)………(that’s what she/he/we said!!)
@17 Thank you! I kinda wish we saw Jim’s reaction to it, though. Would have liked to see a, “Beesly!” if there was any at all
Yeah! A new Office episode! Can’t wait!
@16 You mean the new one that the City of Scranton commissioned Pam to paint?
@21 Yes I do
heard/saw jenna mention that “brian the boom guy” would be making another appearance. for all of us freaking out about pam and jim — let’s say BRIAN was the romantic in his broken relationship and doesn’t want to see jim and pam’s relationship strained (since he was with them for so long) so he’s made a special DVD for them from his footage and…we’ll get to watch the montage on an upcoming episode (along with jim and pam… sort of therapy for ALL of us filled with anxiety about this season so far).
@19 DAVE….. hahahaha yes, i wish we could have heard jim’s exclamation of “beesly!”, too. i LOVE when jim does that!
Of course Jim and Pam will end up together. Jenna said she took Pam’s wedding ring home with her the last day of filming because the “Props” guy was not there to collect it. So she will still be wearing her wedding ring at least on the last episode.
oh wow! jenna deserves an emmy just for keeping a straight face during this “talking head” for promos. i can’t stop laughing!!
I’ve always wondered if the jewelry is real. I’ve heard other actresses say that they’ve kept their rings too.
Does anyone know if Pam’s ring is a real diamond?
@22 I don’t think that he does. Do you?
@27 – In her interview on Leno, it sounds like Jenna doesn’t think that it’s real, or worth anything except sentimental value for her.
One thing I do hope is that when The Office are watching these promos, they will realise that they should have been a bit nicer to Michael. I know Michael did some stupid/silly things, but I still don’t think The Office treated him fairly.
Just saw this is the one Jennifer C. directed. So happy and extra excited now.
Not a happy episode so far… let’s see how this ends.
This is a funny episode so far, but wouldn’t everyone in the documentary had to have signed some kind of release form before filming began…?
Wow…what an amazing episode.
Apart from the kind of meandering Dwight and Jim subplots, this episode was a clear standout. Hilarious moments related to the actual promos, but some legitimate emotions in the Pam scene…We’re in the home stretch, guys, and you’re off to a great start.
Really liked this episode just wish jim had seen the promos to see how he reacted. They are probably holding that till later tho!! Excited for the last 5 episodes!!
Yay Pam will hopefully fight even harder for her relationship with Jim now!!!
I’m going to be totally honest here, I think this was either the best or second best (behind “The Target”) episode of the season. I loved the self-referential feeling of the Dunder Mifflin cast knowing they were being filmed. The drama about the employees being mad with secret moments being filmed — none of it felt shoehorned in, it all felt like genuine drama. I thought that Phyllis’s reaction to the water splash was a big highlight, as it may be one of the only times she’s ever yelled on the show. Like someone else mentioned, I also liked the mass glimpse at the camera.
Loved the episode, seeing them watching the old footage was definitely interesting. The cold open was one of the best.
Really starting to hate Kevin. No adult could be that stupid, and it takes away from the small bit of realism The Office has left. The writers are getting really lazy with him. Decent episode though 8/10
wish they’d kept the full talking head clip that was shown here last week. MUCH funnier than tonight’s cut. definitely one of the better episodes lately (1/2 hour is TOO SHORT though!). still not lovin’ that pam/jim tension, but tonight provided hope (and clues). pam’s reaction was sooo sweet. hope jim watches the promos and feels the same way pam does.
i liked the throwback of the script reading (season 2?) … although it was just as wacky a script as ‘threat level midnight’.
Loved this episode! Couple of callbacks: Andy saying, “I’m about to lose my freaking mind” (didn’t he say that just before punching the hole in the wall?”, and Jim involved with the table reading of a badly written movie.
The phone call with Jim & Pam had some really good acting by John & Jenna. Before they even got to the awkward silences you could see and hear that things were strained. It almost reminded me of Series 1 & 2 conversations between them.
“specimens in a human zoo” The Office is finally back to normal! I love this episode!
Oh – and one more thing. While watching Jim dealing with the self-absorbed athlete, I started to wonder if he will begin to understand that his whole life will be dealing with these jerks. Sometimes when you realize your dream you discover that it isn’t all you thought it would be. Maybe that, combined with watching the promos, will send him back to Pam, Scranton & Dunder Mifflin satisfied that he tried living his dream and found he missed his real life more than he expected.
I cringed when I saw Brian take Pam on his balcony. Pam and Jim are fighters, I hope these promos and the documentary save them!
Jenna was so great in the scene at Brian’s house that I had to watch it twice! I was a little worried when she acted freaked out about not having privacy, like, “what is she hiding?!” But the scene at the end made me think she was just upset about the Jim situation. I can’t wait to see where all this goes. Also, Kevin had some AMAZING lines tonight!
Mass glimpse to the camera. :) I am in Office heaven.
Oh wow!!! Loved this episode! One of my favorites: Angela collapsing onto the table after she and Oscar called the Senator. :-)
my dvr cut the episode short, what was the final translation?
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@gary, it was ‘lovers’. :o)
Was it me, or did Angela seem a lot more chipper than we’ve seen her since…. ever?
loved the callback with Andy,I’m gonna lose my freakin mind. He said that when Jim first pranked him in Stamford by putting his calculator in Jello and kicked a garbage can in frustration.
I’m Glad that Pam got mad at Brian for invading everyone’s privacy for ten years. I was fine with Pam having a friend on the film crew, it would be inevitable after ten years, but I don’t understand why they had to make him “in love” with her(so soap opera-like). Hopefully that’s the last we see of him. Good to see that Pam is a “Jam fan”.
I really like the Clark/Dwight dynamic however their story wasn’t very interesting.
@bad idea jeans. The last time Angela was that chipper I remember was when she got Princess Lady in Lecture Circuit part 2.
I don’t think Jim’s “changed”. I think “changed” is too big of a word. I believe that he’s matured, possibly? He’s become more work-based, in that he finally cares about his career. But I wouldn’t say “changed”.
I do however feel sympathetic towards Pam and her longing for her earlier days with Jim:( But it’ll be okay, I know it will. They’ve just been so completely in sync with everything so far, and now because of a sudden jolt in their relationship, they’re being tested. So it’s okay Pam!! We’re all here for you!! It’ll work out!!
That was an episode meant for those who’ve been watching this show since the beginning.
Honestly, one of my favourite all-time episodes. Brought back so many memories of the last 9 years. Also liked how they kept “The Farm” running concurrently with the show as well – be interesting to see where that goes, although I anticipate Dwight and Angela will ultimately end up together by the end of the season.
@Mike, you’re absolutely right. But, at that time, she was happy because she had a new (nearly-famous, very expensive) cat. What’s the cause this time? I was confused by it!
Loved the callbacks in tonight’s episode! “I’m gonna lose my freakin’ mind!” and Stanley’s pretzel cracked me up!!!
It was nice to see Michael in the promo. I was worried they would cut him out
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I loved Pam’s reaction to the doc scenes of her and Jim. There was so much love in her eyes, and I think the documentary is going to bring Jim and Pam back together. They’re still a little lost — and hopefully that’s the end of Brian.
Loved Angela and Oscar, loved Andy and Nellie, loved Clark and Dwight, loved the cold open. I didn’t much care for Jim’s storyline but hey ho. Wasn’t The Office’s wrap party sponsored by Subway? “Eat fresh” indeed.
And what’s all this business with Dwight and Esther? Dwangela for ever!
Grrrrr -_- I though I’d never have to see “Brian” again… but I’m sooo relieved that nothing happened that would cause future problems.
I seriously hate that attractive guy…
There were four or five hilarious stories going on at once and it was a terrific episode! Ryan Howard (“Eat Fresh”) was hysterical I loved the whole script bit. Andy losing his mind in a YouTube comment war and Nellie’s hand in it was hilarious. Oscar and Angela’s phone call to the senator was so disastrous and I can’t wait to see what becomes of it. Loved Dwight and Clark – their discussion about picking up a couple fours, etc. was so great. It was very cute when Pam kept playing the scenes of her and Jim in the promo clip over and over. I was bummed that the cold open didn’t include more of Pam’s comments about the book – her comic timing was so impeccable and it was sad that the scene was cut down to one line apiece for her and Clark.
Great episode! I loved all of the callbacks.. like Stanley eating a pretzel, Andy getting angry and of course getting to see Michael in the promos. Also, like @BuyMeACoke noticed, how Jim was involved in a table read of a badly written movie. Loved it. I could’ve done without the Jim/Darryl sub-plot but I loved everything else so much that I didn’t even care. I can’t wait to see Jim & Pam get back on track.
If Jenna Fischer doesn’t win an emmy this year, it will be a shame. She deserves it simply for the heart-breaking moment with Jim a couple of months ago on the phone and now this episode – Wow.
For me, though, the best line of this episode was Clark’s “I don’t even know what a f*@in auger is!”
AND the airing of this episode bumped up another ~1500 signatures :)
The episode was a mixed bag, which is a huge step up lately. Phyllis, Andy, Dwight, and especially Angela were really great last night. (Why can’t they just write Andy this way every week?)
Unfortunately we saw docu guy again last night just waiting to make an ill-advised play on Pam. And if Ryan Howard wanted to parody himself, he should have called 30 Rock before that show ended.
As many have said, the throwbacks were great in this episode. I watched it twice, cuz you always catch something the 2nd time around that you didn’t the first time. Jenna Fischer is the greatest ever, and I just want some JAM in the same darn city scenes soon:) Fantastic episode all around. Had goosebumps when they were watching themselves, and I am not a big Superhero guy, but I am a big fan of DUMPSTERMAN!
Did anyone think it was odd that Brian had a house with a terrace? Didn’t Pam say way back in the episode with Jan and the women of the office about how she wanted to paint and live in a house with a terrace?
My favorite quote came from the conversation between Jim and Pam when they were talking about the meeting with Ryan Howard. “Not that Ryan Howard”
I liked it, but what happened to the Creed’s hello? They made such a big deal with redoing the promo, and it wasn’t even there… or did I just miss it.
Happy to see Pam happy about the documentary with JAM moments, despite public or private.
“He is butt” – HA!
I feel like some important stuff was left edited out. I didn’t get why Pam was so angry at Brian about a lack of privacy and then was fine about it in the next scene?
The footage making Pam wistful was from the Client where they had the rooftop date but also where they read the funny Dwight script, but now away from Pam and DM it’s not funny anymore, it’s just lame. I think that’s some nice storytelling.
@69 That’s a fantastic point. Brian seems to be the prototypical man for Pam in the sense of her interests, but she’s just so awesome with Jim that her and Brian could never be together.
I thought Promos was fantastic. So many callbacks, so many awesome moments. Jenna was incredible as always. Clark and Dwight’s storyline was mediocre, but Clark was absolutely hilarious. By the way, what happened to Pete?! It’s been a few episodes since we’ve seen him.
LOL @ “God Bless The USA” playing on the boombox in the stairwell with Angela & Oscar.
I’ve been pretty critical of Andy these last few seasons, but I was really impressed with him here.
@69. I thought she just talked about having a house with a flowerbox outside the window. I don’t remember it being a terrace, but could be wrong.
@73. I think what freaked Pam out at the end was the realization that Brian, as part of the crew, had been following her around when she didn’t know, and had developed feelings for her. Kind of stalker-ish. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to watch the good times with Jim.
Great episode. Stanley and the pretzel was great. Great to see them putting stuff like that in for the long-time diehard fans to pick up on.
This was a very good episode. The show has kicked it up a notch. I loved Andy getting into the “twitter” war and the awkward phone call from Oscar and Angela. One thing that kind of caught me, especially when they showed Michael was that how were the private moments getting caught, and who authorized them? Michael perhaps didn’t read the fine print. This should be very funny going forward and I can’t wait to see how this ends.
Did the movie Ryan Howard wrote sound like a terrible cheesy rip-off of the film The Meteor Man to anyone else? lol Loved this episode overall.
@78 – Nope, it was definitely a terrace. Rewatched the episode recently.
And I don’t know…I thought the exact opposite, I definitely thought her reaction was bizarre. To me it was really obvious that there was something she said that she didn’t want aired, or something. Maybe talking about her marital problems with Jim? Maybe the fact that she just asked Brian about Jim changing and it was filmed?
So glad we got a classic Andy “Freaking”! Was such an awesome episode.
Wasn’t Stanley saying something like, ‘We’ve all changed,’ while eating his pretzel? That could have been coincidental, but I thought it played ironic. Instead of waiting in line all day, he’s just sitting in the kitchen with one.
Terrific episode! When they showed Michael, and Phyllis was like “Awh, Michael. I miss him”, I got teary-eyed. The whole episode was fun and it had a little bit of drama, just like I like it!
Also @ #83- it was an ironic comment. Pam was saying how you look at the documentary, and some of the workers have changed. Stanley was saying that over the course of 9 years, everyone has changed, and yet, he was sitting at the table with a crossword and a pretzel, with a little bit of sarcasm, giving off the appearance that he hasn’t changed one bit.
I think calling Brian’s apartment balcony a terrace is stretching things a little bit.
Jenna deserves the Emmy for her performance this year, but unfortunately it will go to someone from Modern Family regardless of quality.
@81 it may be as simple as Pam remembering the time her and Jim fooled around in the supply room and is scared they filmed that? Or she doesn’t want the memories/feelings of Casino night broadcast to everyone?
@85 – Yes! Jenna has had so many great scenes throughout all the seasons. She really is a great actress. Emmy caliber, no doubt!
Been a fan since season 2, first time I comment at this awesome site, before the office ends :( For me it was a great episode, Michael’s footage in the doc seems kind of new to me, was he playing a character? Also for a second I thought that Brian was the Scranton Strangler, he’s creepy. Will there be no more storylines about the strangler in the series? No Michael and now no Jim in the office really makes me miss that old office cast and days.
@81
I feel like Pam was so upset because her so called friend had basically been spying on her and everyone at work for ten years. For example every time her and Jim were in the stairwell having a “private” conversation.
I think this was a good episode. It was definitely a neat concept. However, I wish Brian would just go away, and that Jim and Pam would get back to normal. I really never liked the whole tantalizing thing, wondering if Jim and Pam would split up; I think it wasn’t really great to do that to such a great couple!
@89: Yeah, but…how would they not know that that was going on by now?? Remember the episode where they filmed Pam/Jim kissing in the car when they first became a couple and then showed it to them? They weren’t angry then.
I’m telling you, her reaction was weird. I think she’s hiding something — I don’t think she’s cheating or anything, but I think there’s something there that she wouldn’t want Jim to see or hear.
I really enjoyed the episode- this is how a clip show should work. One thing I wasn’t sure about- was Nellie leaving the messages insulting Andy under various pseudonyms? And I really liked Nellie’s explanation for her own character change.
She specifically was referring to sound, not video. She understood that they could have been filming at anytime but she thought they had some privacy when they turned off their mics. While I do agree that her reaction made it seem like she may have been hiding something, her last talking head redeemed her. She was mad at the invasion of privacy but also glad that they captured her and Jim falling in love.
Hmm, just realized something else…if they have parabolic mics that can pick up sound from yards away, how come when Michael took off his mic at the airport, we instantly couldn’t hear him? Were there no parabolic mics there? Or did all the background noise drown him out? Weird. #minorcanonglitches
@Lin Beifunk
Good point, but the loud factor of the airport was probably the problem. The mic pics up everything which probably drowned Mike out.
I wonder if the Dirty Berty line was a reference to the original show…
Might have been the best episode of the season. Obviously the references to past seasons were nice, but this was genuinely a solid episode from basically start to finish. Lots of laughs. My goodness, that camera guy just won’t go away will he? I suppose he’s supposed to be the last antagonist of the show or something, but geez, every moment he’s on camera is painful.
@94, 95 – I thought about this too… To console myself I simply told myself that they wouldn’t have taken everything to film to the airport with them. I think the episode would have been more exciting if we didn’t hear what everyone was saying when they turned off their mics! As if they were creating some sort of plot to get back at the film crew. Would have been an awesome way to wrap things up, but alas!
I’ve been following this site for a couple of years and I always read the comments but this is my first time commenting on here. Hands down the best show I’ve ever seen on television for so many reasons and I think “Promos” was the best episode of the season so far. I’m wondering though if anyone else thinks that the Pam walking out on Brian was because they possibly had an unrevealed brief fling at some point? Maybe when Jim was in Stamford or right when he came back? There has to be a reason he is still around and it’s looking more and more like this will be an ongoing storyline going forward.
I’m amazed by jenna’s performance, so much heart. Truly touched.
am i The only One who doesn’t think brian is a villain? Jim is the one who has been negligent with his family. It’s not like he made a move with Pam or anything. Their marriage problems is their own fault. I’m getting annoyed that they didn’t Work things out yet. Are they gonna do this just in the final episode? I really hate this.
Great episode, andy has been great in The last episodes. And i’m not a huge andy fan.
Does anybody know the song in the promo?
I really liked this episode because it included the whole ensemble, including call backs with Michael. To answer the question about the terrace, it was referenced in Episode 2 (Boys & Girls). Pam always dreamed of a HOUSE with a terrace to plant flowers. She read about a house like that in a book when she was a girl. Not an apartment with a balcony like where Brian lives.
I hope that there will soon be some JAM before the final episode. Maybe Jim will find a house in Philly with a terrace. It’s too hard to see Jim and Pam so uncomfortable with each other. Please, I hope the final episode will not be so sad. This is a Comedy.
Ah, this episode was incredibly disappointing to me. In years past, The Office had writers that had worked with shows like Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, and classic renditions of Saturday Night Live. I suppose it makes sense that the show has not been up to that standard as of late, Double digit IQ Kevin has been sucking the funny out of every scene in which he contributes, Jim’s storyline in this episode had no resolution, and the cold open was juvenile, gross, and far beneath the standards of The Office. However, Pam’s decision to venture to Brian’s house was cheap, contrived and revitalized the most reviled story-arc in the series. Seriously, Pam could not have called or met Brian in a public place? It was an inappropriate and completely unrealistic move by the writers to have Pam (a married women, mind you) visit Brian’s home. I apologize, I suppose I just wish that the final season of my favorite series of all time was handled with more care.
yes, it was a HOUSE with a TERRACE, BUT looking back, i think that was also presented as somewhat of a metaphor for what she COULDN’T have with roy. at this point, i think she just wants jim back. what about the episode in season 8 where jim talked about opening a BIKE shop? athlead is a far cry from a bike shop and jim’s character doesn’t fit well. time to get back to the office basics which is what made it so great in the first place. i agree with others who heard pam’s statement (at the end) when she said she hoped the camera crew got everything and she wanted a DVD (as many of us would like one ONLY of the jim and pam story!)
With the exception of Clark, who’s the bright spot in most of these last episodes, this was a disappointing show. The authenticity is just plain gone. JIm wanting a better career makes a lot of sense. What doesn’t ring true is how sleek and professional his new office has become in just a few months. It looks as if he’s got about 40 people bustling around this new space. In this economic climate, with companies struggling to stay alive and new businesses failing everyday, how do you explain the amazing growth of this new venture. It would make more sense if they had a small, dumpy facility while they tried to amass their new client roster. Jim has all of a sudden developed this “player” persona that was never evident before. His new office reminds me of Hollywood’s idea of sitcom NYC apartments rented by unemployed characters which in reality would go for $10.000 a month. I actually get distracted by how ridiculous his new circumstances are. I don’t hold out much hope for the few remaining episodes.
When the documentary airs, Jim will watch it and then realize how much he loves and misses both Pam and DM.
The doc will have a similar effect on everyone else at DM too. In spite of dirty laundry and embarrassing revelations, the doc will show them just how much they have truly cared about one another over the years.
I’m going to be fairly disappointed if the show decides that Jim returns to Dunder Mifflin because Pam doesn’t want to move two hours away or because she likes her made up office manager job so much. Families make sacrifices like this all the time. It’s not as if he’s never home right now and if the new company works out it will be a significant improvement in both his job satisfaction and income. To abandon that because he likes his wacky co-workers so much or that Pam just refuses to invest in the idea would be a wrong turn for me.
@ 108 – Well, I’ll be fairly disappointed if Pam decides to go to Philadelphia if she really doesn’t want to. Their whole lives have been in Scranton. Pam likes her life. She’s designing a mural for the city, she likes her job and her family. She’s content, and there’s nothing really wrong with that. You’re right, family is about sacrifices: remember when Jim gave up his fancy job in NY just to have the chance to be with Pam? I understand why he wants to switch jobs, but I don’t understand why he’s putting his job over his family. I mean, seriously, a bachelor pad with Darryl? And then he complains about missing out on Cece’s recital? I mean, I think both Jim and Pam are at fault for their problems, but I’m siding with Pam more.
Oops, that was supposed to be @107. Also, my DVR cut off Pam’s talking head at the end — I just watched it. I’m glad she’s okay with them recording her romance with Jim, and I feel like she’s going to show it to him so that he understands how he’s changed.
Not a great episode, but enjoyable enough. It was a little messy, especially during the whole Athlead story, but I did appreciate the callback. I think it was a mistake having this episode be written by a first time office writer. Is this his first season with the show? Wasn’t he a writer on Up All Night last year?
why do people think jim will return to DM? (scranton, maybe, but not DM). i can’t be the only one that doesn’t see DM surviving as the show ends (down-sizing/closing from episode 1!)…and why jim would WANT to return to it after stating throughout the years that was NOT what he wanted (other than the “friendships”) for a career/life. that being said, i don’t see him at athlead either. the development of his character lacks some continuity. jim himself said “i’m a douche now” in the moving on episode. lately, i might agree. (which absolutely kills me to say because i LOVE the actor, the character, and the love story.)
@108 Tay PLEASE reference where Pam gives us ONE reason why she wants to stay. She has never really given a reason, yet prefers to knock down Jim’s real honest true attempt to make something for himself and his family.
@112 Um, it’s just common sense to me. She said “I liked our lives in Scranton”. I think for Pam, it’s home. She fell in love with Jim there and lived her life there. The writers on the show have made it clear that even though this is Jim’s “dream job”, it isn’t everything he thought it’d be. The douchey people who didn’t invest as much as him. The fact that he missed Cece’s recital and is losing his relationship with Pam over a job and even leading her to turn to a new “friend” for advice/help when that was always him. I don’t understand why everyone is putting Pam at fault when Jim deserves his share of the blame. He has never put a job over his relationships, and now he is. *shrugs* I just hope they can both compromise, that’s all.
@100…how has Jim neglected his family? Jim is working to start a successful company, that is hard and requires support. Do people forget how Pam was in college for months and even when she had to repeat a class, Jim supported her and said they would make work? Pam decided to just go back, but, the point is Jim supports her. Pam seems selfish this season and the Brian story arc is old and played out. Are they insinuating that something private was filmed about Pam that she doesn’t want Jim to know about?
@113
There is no real reason they should be losing their relationship or that Pam should be turning to another man for comfort. Sure, Jim being away is a strain, but not to the level they are portraying it. If their relationship can’t take a few months of part-time separation then it wasn’t that strong to begin with which isn’t what we know of them from the past 8 1/2 seasons. Plus, we’ve had two episodes end where it appeared that they were going to hash out their differences (Couples Discount and Moving On) and it still looks like nothing has happened. It’s starting to approach S3 levels of artificial angst and it’s casting a pall over the show for me.
The whole point of their storyline this season is that Jim and Pam are both at fault for the problems they’re having, and they’re both being selfish. For the first time ever in their relationship they want different things and they’re both afraid to tell the other how they’re really feeling, with the result being that neither of them really understands what the other person wants. That being said, I think people should cut Pam a little bit of slack. Her whole world was turned upside down overnight. Her loving, supportive, adoring husband took a job in another city without telling her. He’s away all week, leaving her to look after the kids on her own. He’s suddenly consumed by his job, and is behaving differently and seems distant from her for the first time. She’s terrified that she’s losing him and she wants to stay in Scranton because she wants Jim and their lives to stay the same. She’s reaching out to Brian purely because she wants to understand Jim. She asks him “What am I doing wrong?” and if he thinks Jim has changed. Brian is after all, an observer and documenter of Jim and Pam’s life – to her, he’s the natural person to ask.
Bottom line is that you don’t take a job in another city two hours away from home without telling your wife, no matter how bored and miserable you are with your current job. This is a huge step, and you don’t make this decision on your own. He put her in a dificult position. I think Pam would be more secure if jim wasn’t this distant. The most annoying thing is that they had two opportunities to work things out and things are just the same.
@115 – I totally agree with what Jessie (116) said. That’s basically how I feel too. And neither Pam nor Brian have pursued a romantic relationship — other than some implications from the show to bring on interest in what’s going on, so why shouldn’t Pam be able to talk to someone else about what’s going on in her life? And it’s not just separation, it’s that Pam is left alone raising two very young kids while Jim is off in a bachelor pad with Darryl and his dream job. There needs to be more give and take between them right now.
And angst is all a part of television — it has honestly needed some angst since the last few years of the show have been a real disappointment. I’m personally glad they’re giving Jim and Pam the spotlight they deserve, I just hope it turns out so that there’s a compromise.
@118 I am totally agreeing that Jim is at fault here but I really don’t think he has changed, he is just distracted with his new job right now.
Also regarding Pam and Brian, it’s very clear that Brian is interested in her and his answers are trying to reinforce Pam’s doubts about Jim. After his “confession” in vandalism and then his sudden split with his wife, Pam has to have some idea that he likes her. He is definitely not the right person to ask about her relationship.
All that aside I’m just glad that Pam stormed on creepy Brian after he confessed to basically stalking her for the last ten years and we can watch Jim and Pam deal with this without this totally random character that’s “in love” with Pam meddling around.
#119: …Yes, I think Brian might have a little crush on her, but it’s obviously not a huge threat to the Jam relationship so I don’t understand why everyone is so worked up over it. And I don’t think he’s been ‘creepy’ or has any ill intent. I think he’s just a nice guy who’s trying to help, like Jim was circa S1-2. I mean, jeez, he hasn’t even had more than a few lines on the show. Yeah, he broke up with his wife, but again…believing he has any intentions would be making an assumption. I don’t really see him as a villain here. And he hasn’t been stalking her…he worked on a documentary. With lots of other people. For years. Which everyone in the Office knew about.
*shrug* The J/P relationship has been SO stale for the past 3 seasons that I’m just really happy they’re spending time on it. If Brian is necessary for this last chapter of their story, I’m on board.
Hang on, I’m still very confused about this. If what we have been watching for the last nine years is the documentary, then what exactly are the promos promoting? It looks like something completely new.
@121 – We’ve been watching them film the documentary, the promos are for the actual documentary that will air in their fictional world. You see, it’s like what we’ve been seeing is everything the crew has filmed, now the crew has edited down into a real documentary. What would be great is if they actually put together a 9 part documentary as a DVD extra or something.
Maybe the reason that we see Jim differently is that he’s been away from the office so much, which means he’s been away from Dwight a lot. Maybe one of the best parts of Jim was his dynamic with Dwight.
I don’t understand why Pam was so surprised that the crew had been filming them secretly. In the earlier seasons didn’t the crew “out” her and Jim’s relationship by showing them the secret footage of them meeting up and kissing in the car? She didn’t seem so miffed about it then.