This matchup features episode 2.14 "The Carpet" and episode 6.13 "The Banker". Both episodes are mid-season episodes, but from two completely different eras in The Office.
2.14 "The Carpet"
Cold Open
The Cold Open is funny. Ryan covered for Pam while she was away on vacation. Because Ryan was sitting where Pam normally sat, Jim frequently looked up from his desk, only to see Ryan. Ryan was creeped out by both Jim (for looking at him so often) and by Michael, who stood inside his office creepily staring at Ryan. This Cold Open not only drove home Jim's desire for Pam to return, but also Michael's infatuation with Ryan. No other character was included, or needed. + 2 Stars
Story
This story has two basic plotlines. The first is Michael finding a pile of poop on his office floor. At first, Michael was dumbfounded and couldn't imagine how the poop could have gotten there. As a result of the odor, Michael decides to sit at Jim's desk for the day. Michael, in an attempt to relive his days as a salesman, annoyed his workers to the point of knocking over papers and supplies as part of a "raid". In order to boost morale, Michael offered $83 for the salesman that had the most sales that day. After seeing two of his workers laugh about the poop, Michael finally realized that someone had deliberately pooped on his carpet. Infuriated, Michael takes back the $83 and puts the entire office in a "timeout". Michael then met with his former boss, Ed Truck, who told him that he couldn't expect to be friends with everyone. Michael, put off by Ed's advice, returned to the office depressed. Shortly after that, Michael received a call from Packer, who admitted to taking the dump on the floor. Michael was filled with joy to find out that the act was done out of "love" and discounted everything Ed had said to him, leaving him happy and fulfilled.
Jim, as a result of Michael moving to his desk, was forced to move into the annex and sit next to Kelly. This annoyed Jim because he was looking forward to spending time with Pam, who had just returned from vacation with her fiance, Roy. Back at the annex, Ryan made up an excuse to visit Jim in order for Kelly to notice him. After Kelly expressed romantic interest in Ryan, Jim agreed to talk to Ryan for her. While Jim worked on fixing up Ryan and Kelly, he was visibly distrought over not seeing Pam for the entire day. Jim noticed Pam leaving for the day, but was upset when Pam left without saying goodbye to him. Miserable and alone, Jim's spirits were turned upside down when it was revealed that Pam had been sending Jim several voicemails throughout the day. One of the voicemails explained that Pam had left early due to an opportunity of not being noticed, and apologized for not seeing him. Jim then walked to his car, happy as a clam, and drove home for the day.
I am very happy with this story. Not only does the Kelly/Ryan fiasco start up, but the entire episode is classic material. Jim's struggles courting Pam hit home for so many viewers on so many levels. Michael's distorted grip on reality is undemanding to see, which is the source of a lot of the comedy in this episode. In all, this episode made another slow progression toward Jim overcoming Roy and winning over Pam, which was played out very slowly in this season. Michael and the others made almost no progression in story. I was disappointed that Dwight was not involved in either of the plotlines. + 3 Stars
Jokes
Obviously, an episode that involves someone taking a dump on the floor is going to be funny. The fact that the cleaning lady made it worse was even better. Dwight had some funny quotes early in the episode, but was not seen in the second half. A picture of Michael Scott with a mullet was the comedic highlight of this episode.
The episode was really split into two plotlines; one humourous and one serious. The episode was effective, but I would have liked to see more from Dwight and Creed. Michael was very good, but there needed to be more to warrant an above average score. + 3 Stars
Mistakes
No mistakes found.
Best Quote
Michael: I am the victim of a hate crime!
Stanley: That's not what a hate crime is.
Michael: Well I hated it! ...A LOT!
Overall Score
8 Stars
6.13 "The Banker"
Cold Open
The Cold Open was dull and boring. It was explained that Dunder Mifflin had been sold, but not in a funny way. Michael compared Lady Gage to a drag queen, but it just wasn't funny. Normally I add a star if the Cold Open has anything to do with the episode, but this Open was so bland that I am going to make an exception.
Story
Michael explained that Dunder Mifflin has been sold, which meant that people like Charles Miner and David Wallace were now out of the picture, and a banker is coming to evaluate Dunder Mifflin. Michael used silly props and gadgets to give off the impression that Dunder Mifflin is way more technologically advanced than it really is, which only confused the banker. The banker explained that he is only there to meet with Toby, and to take inventory of supplies. During his interview with Toby, the banker asked questions that were difficult for Toby to answer. Toby's thoughts eventually opened up into a clip show. Random clips from all six of the previous seasons were shown as Toby stumbled with his thoughts. The clips didn't make sense for Toby to be thinking them, since several of the clips were personal moments that Toby would not have ever known about. The clip show highlighted at an emotional look at the progression of Jim and Pam's relationship through the first six seasons, culminating with clips from their wedding. This was a touching moment, almost feeling like a series finale. After the banker left, Michael then asked how the banker would evaluate his employees, which also was a touching moment as we got a look at all of the employees of Dunder Mifflin.
In my eyes, this should have been the last episode of The Office. If you look at all episodes past The Banker, none are anywhere near as good as in previous seasons. As we got closer to the end of the clip show, there was true potential to put the series to rest if the episode had been a two-parter. The Office could have been sold, which would have dismissed the camera crew, and Michael and the gang could have lived happily ever after. It could have been established that Dwight and Angela ended up together, Ryan and Kelly married and divorced twice, Andy and Erin ended up together, and that Michael is currently "happily married with children". Alas, this is not the case. + 2 Stars
Jokes
The only original joke in the entire episode that was funny was the "fake Stanley" gag. Michael had hired a black model to sit in Stanley's chair in order to impress the banker. Other than that, there was no original footage that was funny. + 1 Star
Mistakes
There is no way that Toby could have "remembered" some of the clips he did because some of the clips happened in locations where Toby was not present. There is no evidence that the camera crew ever showed the staff the tapes (except in one case when Jim and Pam were caught kissing), so it is nearly impossible for Toby to have remembered these instances. - 1 Star
Best Quote
"I feel very sorry for that banker because he has to evaluate what we are worth. He has to decide what we're capable of, and how do you do that? What is Jim capable of? Or Pam? Or Kevin?...I don't care if he goes and files a report that says we're nothing special, because I think our future is very bright. We have only just begun." - Michael (This should have been the last quote in the series)
Overall Score
2 Stars
THE VERDICT
It is weird to say this, but The Banker had the potential to be the greatest episode of The Office ever, but will actually be better known as the worst. I feel that this episode could have added a few final scenes to give closure on a few loose ends, and then end the series with the staff all working together for a long time under a new company and everyone ending up happy. Instead, the show went on. The last 4-6 minutes of this episode, in my opinion, are the greatest 5 minutes in the shows entirety. The way it disappointed me taints it forever, however. The Carpet, on the other hand, was very solid all the way around, which is why I determined....
THE CARPET is the better episode and will move on in the tournament by the score of 8-2.
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