Michael Scott may have a small mind, but he certainly has big dreams.
In “Local Ad,” Corporate gives Dunder Mifflin Scranton the opportunity to shoot a five second tag for the national ad so customers can put a few faces with the name. Easy enough. I bet the kids over in Utica didn’t have too much trouble getting the job done.
But, one thing Scranton has that other branches don’t — Michael Scott.
Michael’s creative wheels started turning. I imagine his dream began with something from Norma Rae, and ended with Steve Carell’s acceptance speech from the Golden Globes.
The only thing Michael doesn’t like about creativity is when it comes from someone else. Michael hated everything the “people person’s paper people” came up with. It was great to see this odd bunch work together and show off some talent. They had great ideas, and seemed really inspired by the task. Michael, of course, crushed their inspiration like a child playing Godzilla … but they at least they were inspired for a short amount of time.
I loved seeing Pam so motivated by her animation project. It’s great that the writers made a point to show it even though Pam is in a new relationship; she is still working to grow as an individual.
I also think it is great they made Jim seem slightly annoyed by it at first. He loves Pam, and wants what is best for her, but I think it is natural that after all this time of wanting her; he might be a little worried that she could outgrow him.
He got over it and brought her breakfast. Super cute. In a good relationship, the other person makes you feel like you can do anything. I think Pam feels that with Jim. And, it might be time for Jim to share some of the things he wants with Pam. He may not have it anymore, but we remember that Jim had a guitar perched on a stand in his bedroom in Season 2. It’s sad that he possibly had the guitar for years without ever getting the motivation or courage to take lessons.
Pam would encourage Jim to follow his dreams; whether it was to be a sports writer, or just know how to play a few songs on guitar. She loves him. Why else would she go out of her way every morning to give him a ride to work —
What’s that?
Oh.
Really.
Well … that’s a damn good reason too.
Dwight may not be getting rides to work from Angela anymore, but he has enough encouragement not to transport himself permanently to second Second Life. Angela still loves him. It grosses me out to picture Angela Martin moaning “Oh … D,” but I’ll push through the pain because it made our resident weirdo smile for the first time in weeks.
Corporate, of course, rejected Michael’s 1:30 commercial, but his hard work wasn’t lost. The Scranton bunch bonded over the experience, and that means more than a commercial. Well, not to Michael, but to most people.
Michael’s commercial wasn’t all that original, it didn’t really even make sense, and it included “Chariots of Fire,” but you know what? It wasn’t as terrible as I thought it would be. It was more than just him, it was them. Stanley was a stereotype, Dwight was an unwanted son, and Andy overcame nipple chaffing to bring home the win.
That’s the Dunder Mifflin we love.
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Tori Weber is a Web Producer and writer for a television news station in Orlando, FL. Writing keeps her sane, and ice cream makes her happy. Dogs are good too. Visit her here.
The ad made TOTAL sense! ;)
A poignant and accurate review, as usual.
I really enjoy your insights, Tori!
Tori, you rock beyond belief.
It’s a testament to how amazing Pam is that I don’t hate her for getting to…give Jim a ride to work.
Why else would she go out of her way every morning to give him a ride to work –
What’s that?
Oh.
Really.
Well … that’s a damn good reason too.
Am I the only one confused by this? So, are they living in sin?
I liked Michael’s commercial a lot. I thought it made sense. To me it showed how paper connects the world and people and how often it’s used. And the people presented in the commercial are the people that will supply you paper. I thought it was way more creative than the other ad. If I saw them on TV I’d take notice of Michael’s ad and laugh at the company produced ad.
I don’t understand the part after she explains how Pam gives Jim rides to work. Someone please explain?!
Great review – you touched on everything I could’ve ever said about the episode. I love your writing, too, in general – gives me further inspiration to chase my goal to be a sports writer. Thanks. :)
the ad was great. also, your review is pretty great. i love still seeing the office in china
Tori-
It was a good joke. I got it.
Just like nv said in comment #3, Jim is so cool that I’m not super jealous of him getting to get out of the same bed as Pam in the morning… hence sharing a ride to work in the morning. =)
Great review!
The part about Jim and Pam was a joke – obviously not a good one – that I was naive to think Pam was really driving to Jim’s house in the morning to pick him up instead of staying over the night before.
Most people seem to feel that Jim is threatened by Pam working late, working on her dream, etc etc. I felt like it was more that she forgot about him needing a ride and him not wanting to complain about that to her…she sort of ditched him, didn’t she?
But he forgot about it quickly enough.
I totally thought Jim was pissed because he had to get a ride home with MEREDITH.
I’d be upset too, if I were him.
I loved the witty review, as usual! Tori I checked out your blog – you give me hope that I can get a job in writing/broadcasting one day!
Yes! I thought it was great how the office came together to make the commercial and then watch it. I thought the commercial was actually pretty good although, as noted, long.
My hypothesis is that Jim must play the guitar to some extent – I cite “Take Your Daughter to Work Day”, where Jim asks Pam why Michael would own a guitar if he can’t play it (and she responds with something like, “Maybe he thought his ukelele skills would transfer.”). I’ve been waiting for them to find a situation for Jim to play ever since! I think John plays some – didn’t he go on stage with Death Cab for Cutie?
Loved the review, commentary, whatevs, Tori. Your column and the deleted scenes are my favorite parts of the between-episode intervals. Keep up the good work.