This matchup includes episodes from the 2nd and 6th seasons. Two complete different seasons...should be fun to break down.
2.21 "Conflict Resolution"
Cold Open
Pam was organizing her wedding with Roy and Jim gave a confessional that proved he was less than happy with her making her wedding plans so public. Pam carried on with Phyllis in the break room, where it was discovered that Angela had not yet received her invitation. Being that Pam hated Angela at this point, Pam admitted that Angela was not invited to the wedding. This Open wasn't funny, but it does give foreshadowing for the episode, because it is Jim that complained about Pam. + 1 Star
Story
Conflict Resolution started with the staff having to take pictures for new security badges. Michael was in his office when he heard Oscar screaming. Upon investigation, he discovered that Oscar was complaining to Toby about a poster Angela was displaying at her desk. Toby instructed Michael that, typically, the disgruntled employee will just vent their anger, and the issue will eventually blow over. Obviously unhappy with this option, Michael decided to mediate their issue. Angela and Oscar exchanged unhappy words, but Michael eventually mediated the conflict successfully. Seeing how rewarding this was, Michael then physically obtained the rest of the complaints that Toby had recorded. Michael decided to read the complaints out loud, which caused even more conflict for the staff. Pam, who had reluctantly invited Angela to her wedding after she complained of not receiving an invitation in the cold open, was shocked to discover that someone (most likely Angela) complained that Pam used work time to plan her wedding. During the attempted mediating Michael was conducting, Dwight discovered that Toby had not sent his many complaints about Jim to corporate like he said he would. This drove Dwight to give Michael an ultimatum: either fire Jim, or Dwight would quit. Dwight, most likely to mock Jim, informed him that there was a sales opening in Stamford. Jim, being distraught over Pam's wedding and realizing how much of his life and time was being wasted in Scranton, actually considered the idea of a transfer. By the end of the episode, Pam was so mad at Angela that she was about to rescind her invitation. Jim, knowing the truth, intervened right as Pam was about to talk to Angela, and admitted to the complaint. Pam was visibly upset with Jim, and the closing scene showed us Jim at the corporate office applying for the position in Stamford.
This episode was very interesting. I didn't like the idea of security badges being the bridge to the conflict resolution plotline mainly because the badges were never worn in future episodes! The series progression was pretty pivotal, as "Conflict Resolution" sits right at the end of season two, which was when the PB&J love drama was at its highest. Finding out that Jim was considering a transfer, especially with a finale to follow, was also huge news. In all, the episode was very sub-par until the news of the possible transfer. Jim is really starting to get fed up with Pam and Roy's relationship, which would make this finale VERY anticipated! Just like "Beach Games", "Conflict Resolution" is a set-up episode that left us with some big cliffhangers. Will Pam marry Roy? Will Jim move to Stamford? These answers could, and will, change the entire series. I didn't like where it started, but loved where it finished. + 4 Stars
Jokes
This episode wasn't the funniest, as its main purpose was to build anticipation for the finale. The problem was that there was a lot of time at the beginning of the episode where there was room for some nice comedy. We did get more Creed than we usually do, which is awesome. Creed's "mug shot", his distaste for the "racist bathroom", and his distinct old man smell was all very entertaining. Michael had his usual moments of comical nonsense, but nothing that really stood out. There was a "that's what she said" moment that was pretty funny, but nothing to record in the history books. In all, it was very average. I suppose Dwight's mug shot bit was enough to save the comedy score. + 3 Stars
Mistakes
The first 7-10 minutes of the episode was focused on the ID badges. This is disappointing because the badges are NEVER worn again!
Oscar agreed to make the poster into a shirt, and then wear the shirt...he never did either.
Best Quote
"What do you know about conflict resolution? Your answer to everything is 'get divorced'" -Michael to Toby
Angela: You already did me.
Michael: That's what she said.
Overall Score
8 Stars
6.6 "The Lover"
Cold Open
Jim and Pam return from their honeymoon and find that the office is exactly as they left it. Michael showed off his new character for improv class, which was incredibly dull, and Meredith complained that nothing was brought back for them as a present. This was out of her character, and not funny. Not funny at all.
Story
There were two main plotlines in this episode. The first was Jim and Pam dealing with the realization that Michael was now dating Pam's mother. The second was Dwight attempting to spy on Jim, which only persuaded Jim to prank Dwight. The first plotline was neither strong nor weak. The plotline is necessary, since we had to assume that Pam would eventually find out that Michael was dating her mother.
Expecting that there is nothing new to report, Jim was shocked when he found out that Michael was sleeping with Pam's mom. Jim pleaded with Michael to not tell Pam and to immediately break off the relationship. After a short conversation, Michael agreed to break it off. Unfortunately for her, Pam overheard a conversation between Michael and Erin regarding reservations for two at a nice restaurant. Pam asked Michael who the date was with, and was then horrified. Pam became insubordinate towards Michael and threw a tantrum in a meeting, which outed Michael's relationship with Pam's mother to the entire office. Although most of the staff sided with Pam, the general feeling was that Pam had overreacted. Believing that he had been a victim of a hostile work environment, Michael confided in Toby, which eventually led to them embracing. The term "conflict resolution" was ironically mentioned! Toby then attempted to mediate the situation, which ended in failure. Michael, fed up with Pam's insubordination, claimed that he was going to keep dating Pam's mom despite her. The plotline concludes with Pam calming down, and Michael on his way over to see Pam's mother for their date.
At the beginning of the episode, Dwight congratulated Jim on his promotion by giving him a wooden mallard to keep on his desk. Jim immediately discovered that the mallard was actually a recording device that Dwight had planted to spy on him. Jim took the opportunity, despite Pam's dilemma, to prank Dwight. Jim made Dwight anxious after he played very loud opera music, rendering his listening device useless, during a private conversation with Andy. Eventually, Jim confronted Dwight and had him wash his car as a punishment. Dwight accepted the punishment, then revealed that the real listening device was in Jim's pen, which Dwight had cleverly planted earlier in the episode. Dwight then sat at Jim's desk to listen to all of Jim's conversations, leading us to believe that Dwight was about to spend 8 additional hours in the office.
This episode, though sort of weak, was not that bad. I liked the story progression, and the "B" story had glimpses of past greatness. Dwight and Jim going at each other is classic, though the material was a little shallow. I liked the way Jim started acting more and more like Michael as he assumed more responsibilities. As crazy as it sounds, I would say Michael's bit with Toby was the most unrealistic part of the whole episode. In all, I wouldn't say that I loved it, but I didn't hate it. + 3 Stars
Jokes
The comedy in this episode was not that bad. Jim, now a manager, has taken on some of Michael's qualities. Jim often changed his voice during an awkward situation, obviously a trait he picked up from Michael. Jim even yelled at Toby during a crisis situation. Pam had a pretty funny reaction to the news that Michael was now dating her mother, and the entire scene in the conference room was pretty funny. The final scene with Dwight listening to 8 hours of paper sales was also pretty funny. Creed was able to bring a smile to my face without even having a line, as he cried during the opera music. In all, it was forgettable, but not bad. + 2 Stars
Mistakes
No mistakes found.
Best Quote
"Don't call my mother your lover!" -Pam to Michael
Overall Score
5 Stars
THE VERDICT
I had a feeling going into this one that this wouldn't even be close. I was surprised, however, that "The Lover" kept the competition as close as it did. The unfortunate thing for the later episodes is that there is a lot of points to be won, and lost, in the "story" category. I feel that "necessary" episodes are way more worthy of high point scores than episodes that don't really drive the series. The later episodes, thus, are at a disadvantage because there are so few avenues left to explore. The Lover put up a good fight, but...
CONFLICT RESOLUTION is the better episode and will move on in the tournament by the score of 8-5
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