This matchup features episode 4.2 "Dunder Mifflin Infinity" and episode 5.5 "Employee Transfer".
4.2 "Dunder Mifflin Infinity"
Cold Open
Although this particular Cold Open was very funny, it confirmed to the rest of the office that Jim and Pam are a couple. The main joke surrounding this open, Toby complaining of Jim and Pam's PDA, wasn't very funny, but was impactful nonetheless. +1 Star
Story
This two part episode centers on Ryan's return to the office as an executive. Ryan brings news of a new website, along with a lot of other new technology that will make business more efficient, which intimidates and threatens Michael. Michael first threatens Ryan with an "ageism" law suit to prevent Ryan from implementing these new technologies. After a visit from company founder Robert Dunder is highly ineffective in dissuading Ryan, Michael decides to take to the road to win back clients that had left Dunder Mifflin by offering them gift baskets. When the clients inform Michael that they prefer business efficiency in the form of a website over the gift baskets, Michael goes into a fit of rage and attempts to take back the baskets. Michael, by the advice of his GPS, drives his rental car into a lake. Michael then concludes that business is about human interaction and that technology is about trying to murder you in a lake.
Dwight's relationship with Angela is the secondary element to this episode. Angela agreed to go out with Dwight on a date after Dwight killed her cat, but found she was unable to forgive him. Dwight then became very depressed, which didn't help Michael pitch the company to the old clients, since Dwight went with him.
Jim and Pam's relationship was the "C" story, and had little relevance in the episode other than the first public acknowledgement of their relationship. Jim is seen openly proud of himself after Pam explains to Ryan that she cannot have dinner with him because she is dating Jim.
I liked the progression of the series in this episode. Mr. Dunder gave a lot of interesting background information during his short speech. Also, I was happily surprised when Ryan gave a subtle look of worry after Michael used the word "illegal" to describe Ryan's website project. This could have been foreshadowing for the eventual scandal involving Ryan's website. Also, Jim and Pam coming out as a public couple is a big moment for The Office.
In all, I was pleased with the story. I wish Jim and Pam would have had a more active role, which weakens the overall episode somewhat. Also, it did not help that Andy was not involved in any of the three plotlines presented in this episode. However, one cannot argue that the episode set the tone for much of the season, and the fact that Jim and Pam officially came out as a couple makes for a really strong episode. + 3 Stars
Jokes
This episode was actually very funny. In the beginning of the episode Jim shows us the current Dunder Mifflin website, which states that it plans to launch in "2002", several years earlier. After Ryan describes the "new" technologies he will be implementing, Creed dyes his hair black in an attempt to look younger and avoid being fired. There are some other funny moments that culminated with Michael screaming "WHERE ARE THE TURTLES?!?" at the top of his lungs at a law firm. Creed's black hair put the humor above average for me. + 4 Stars
Mistakes- Though it is possible he found them in the time elapsed between shots, Dwight loses his glasses in the crash but is wearing them in the next shot. Also, Michael used the expression "a date that will live in infamy" correctly in this episode, but incorrectly in an episode in season 7. This, however, would not be a mistake for this episode.
Best Quote- "WHERE ARE THE TURTLES?!?" - Michael
Overall Score
8 Stars
5.5 "Employee Transfer"
Cold Open
The Cold Open was actually very good. It is obviously Halloween and the staff is all dressed up in costumes. Kevin gets upset when his "Joker" costume is upstaged by Creed's. At the end of the Cold Open Dwight is seen entering the office in yet another "Joker" costume and gives a very good impersonation of Heath Ledger. Creed's impersonation of Ledger, with Oscar's reaction, won me over. It was a little disappointing that the Cold Open had nothing to do with the episode, and that Michael was not present. +1 Star
Story
The main plot deals with Michael helping Holly move, with Darryl's help, to Nashua. As the trip to Nashua becomes clearly farther away than their relationship can last, Michael and Holly share some extremely awkward moments while Darryl looks on. Michael, insisting that the two can remain a couple, goes to desperate measures to persuade Holly to stay with him. After finally realizing that their relationship is doomed, Michael sings the blues with Darryl on their way back to Scranton. This is an impactful plot, being that Michael is now officially single and we all expected Holly to "be the one" for Michael.
The "B" story surrounded Dwight and Andy. Dwight, in a successful attempt to annoy Andy, claimed to be interested in applying to Cornell. Visually upset after Dwight decorated his desk in Cornell accessories, Andy called the admissions office at Cornell and requested permission to conduct Dwight's application interview. Andy and Dwight then engaged in a hilarious interview which culminated with the two pulling at the desk in order to seem more authoritative. Andy gets back at Dwight by pretending to be a beet farmer, which closed the episode. No real story progression here, but a LOT of comedy!
The "C" story put Jim in New York to celebrate his engagement to Pam. After meeting Jim's brothers, Pam became the goat of a prank gone wrong. Pam is bashed by the brothers for being an artist, which ends up hurting her feelings. Jim defended Pam, and the brothers ultimately notified Jim that they approved of Pam. Although we met Jim's brothers for the first time, there was little progression in the story in this plotline. Not only was this plotline weak and not funny, it wasted two of the biggest characters. It wasn't for me.
As far as story progression, we learned that Michael and Holly are officially broken up. This is a big moment in season 5, as many people probably assumed that Michael and Holly would end up getting married. I felt engaged in the episode, though some of the dialogue was frustrating and seemed unneccesary. + 3 Stars
Jokes
This episode was VERY funny, much funnier than Dunder Mifflin Infinity. Michael waking up screaming in the truck made me laugh out loud, and Dwight and Andy's rivalry was classic. A very solid "that's what she said" lightened the mood during an intense moment between Michael and Holly. When Andy and Dwight went at each other during Dwight's interview is one of the funniest scenes of the entire season. The closing scene with Andy dressed as a beet farmer was also a great touch for the end of the episode. The only problem was that there were no funny moments in Jim and Pam's plotline. It was not a good idea for Jim's brothers to dominate the dialogue. Jim was hardly even in this episode. + 4 Stars
Mistakes
Dwight explains how Andy "barely outsells Phyllis", though in future episodes it is known that Andy and Pam are the worst salesmen in the office...although sales numbers could have changed as time progressed. This wouldn't be an error in this episode because no previous episode mentions the performance of the sales staff. Also, Michael packed an overnight bag to stay with Holly but then decides to go back with Darryl after the break up. The problem is, how did Michael plan on returning to Scranton? All three of them traveled in the truck, Michael would have no ride back. It is possible that Holly was planning to drive him back, but that doesn't make much sense. - 1 Star
Best Quote
Holly: Don't make this harder than it has to be.
Michael: That's what she said.
Overall Score
7 Stars
THE VERDICT
I admit that Dunder Mifflin Infinity had an advantage over Employee Transfer from the start because DMI is a two part episode early in a season. DMI left the door open for Employee Transfer to win this match up after it failed to use Andy, Jim or Pam effectively. Employee Tranfer was very hilarious, but lacked a certain element as far as story progression. A better plotline for Jim and Pam would have won it for Employee Transfer, but because it failed to establish a good story surrounding the two, I have to say that...
DUNDER MIFFLIN INFINITY is the better episode and will advance by the score of 8-7.
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