Friday, January 28, 2011

Money vs. Baby Shower

This matchup pits two early-season episodes of season 4 and season 5 against each other. Both episodes, surprisingly, have a strong emphasis on Michael's relationship with Jan, though the episodes have completely different contexts because Michael is in a relationship with Jan in one of the episodes, and not in the other.

4.4 "Money"

Cold Open
Michael, because he is currently watching The Devil Wears Prada in his free time, treated Pam poorly by behaving like Meryl Streep's character does in the film. After Michael discovered that Maryl Streep was the "bad guy" in the movie, he apologized to Pam and made a subtle reference towards the movie Million Dollar Baby. Pam, realizing that Michael will probably begin behaving like the characters in that film, acknowledges the possibility that Michael may try to murder her. It really was played out too long, and wasn't really that funny. To make it worse, it had absolutely nothing to do with the episode.

Story
"Money" is yet another two-part episode that is centered around the debt that Jan is causing Michael by making a large number of expensive, unnecessary purchases. The "B" story deals with Jim and Pam visiting Dwight's beet farm, discovering that he is depressed over his break up with Angela, and ultimately helping him get over his depression. Darryl and Kelly's relationship, as well Andy attempting to court Angela, fill the rest of the episode.

In the very beginning of the episode it is made blatantly obvious that Michael is having a hard time controlling Jan spending his money. Jan explained some very unnecessary purchases she was planning on making, and then scolded Michael when he suggested not making them. Instead of confronting Jan and explaining her spending problems, Michael decided to take on another job at a call center selling diet pills. Much like the office he works at during the day, many of the employees get along great, including Michael, but dislike their manager. To make matters worse, Jan insisted in trading in both of their cars in order to purchase a Porsche, which was well out of Michael's price range. After working a long night at the call center, Michael showed up restless and blew off a presentation he was supposed to have prepared for Ryan. After Ryan found out that Michael didn't do the presentation because he was too tired, he forced Michael to quit his job at the call center. Now without the additional income, Michael became desperate and began asking his employees for advice. After a sit down with Oscar, Michael finally confronted Jan, who ultimately blamed Michael for the debt. In response to Jan's outburst, Michael ran out of the office and hoped onto a motionless train. Jan rushed to Michael's side and finally came to her senses and agreed to help work things out. The couple left the train station holding hands.

At the beginning of the episode, Jim overheard a phone conversation Dwight was having with a potential guest at his bed and breakfast. Convinced that this was a good chance to mock him, Jim and Pam booked a night at Dwight's bed and breakfast. Upon arrival, Jim and Pam noticed that Dwight's beet farm was more impressive than they had originally thought. Dwight explained and demonstrated the many faces of beet farming, and we got to see an extensive view of Dwight's home. Late at night, however, Jim woke up to the sound of Dwight crying in his room while holding a small statue he had stolen from Angela. The next day at work, Jim and Pam tried to cheer Dwight up by writing an overly positive review of his beet farm on TripAdvisor.com, which Dwight claimed was the "life blood of agrotourism". After this failed to cheer Dwight up, Jim followed Dwight into the stairway, where they shared a very touching moment. Jim compared Dwight's situation to his with Pam in the past, and this brought Dwight to tears. Dwight leaned over to hug Jim, but then realized that Jim had walked away after giving his speech. Dwight, inspired by Jim's speech, returned to the office good as new.

Darryl and Kelly also had a minor role in this episode. Kelly invited Darryl to Ryan's presentation in order to get Ryan jealous. Realizing that Kelly is only with him to make Ryan jealous, Darryl informed Kelly that perhaps their relationship is over.

Also, Andy was being very open about wanting to ask Angela on a date. Andy asked Pam to hook them up, and after Pam was indifferent, Andy decided to take matters into his own hands by capturing a cat to give to Angela as a gift. Ironically, the cat Andy caught for Angela is most likely the same cat that Dwight had captured for her earlier in the series. Andy claimed that he found the cat in about the same area Dwight had found his cat earlier in the series. Also, the cat looked strikingly similar to the cat Dwight had offered Angela.

I don't know how I feel about this episode. For a two-part episode, there wasn't really a whole lot of story progression. Michael and Jan's debt was the focal point of the episode, and nothing ever got resolved. All we know from watching this episode is that Jan agrees to work with Michael on the debt. As far as Dwight's relationship with Angela, the only progress we made was that Dwight is beginning to get over Angela. The only story progression that would warrant a "show me more" feeling is Angela agreeing to a date with Andy, which is hardly worth a two-part episode. Two-part episodes, in my opinion, should be saved for weddings, finales, holidays and other SIGNIFICANT moments. I just don't see how any of this was meaningful enough for the writers to make it twice as long. I feel like this was a two-part episode for the sake of being longer, which takes away the significance of other, more meaningful, two-part episodes. + 2 Stars


Jokes
Another reason I was less than impressed with this episode was its lack of genuinely funny jokes. There was really no moments that stood out. Although I enjoyed the beet farm sequences, I felt that there were so many missed opportunities for humor. Jim and Pam stay overnight at Dwight's farm and all you have for me is Mose throwing poop on Dwight? Also, I am always disappointed when Creed doesn't get a small bit. The comedic highlight of the episode, unfortunately, was the discussion the staff had concerning the words "who" and "whom" and when each word is used. It was finally discovered that only Pam and Toby actually knew how to use each word, and Ryan ending the conversation by determining that he didn't care. It really wasn't a very funny episode. Michael screaming the word "bankruptcy" wasn't too bad, either. + 2 Stars

Mistakes
When Jim and Pam arrived at Dwight's farm, Dwight explained that the farm was "wireless", meaning there was no power in the building, but a lamp was on in the living room during the initial check-in, which obviously contradicted Dwight's claim. Although this is an obvious mistake, it is not a mistake in writing, but a mistake in stage props. No deductions.

Best Quote
Jim: What do you got goin' on tonight?
Michael: You wouldn't understand. It's a secret.
Jim: I wouldn't understand, or it's a secret?
Pam: You wouldn't understand, Jim. It's a secret.

"The best way to start is to hit start, and up comes the tool bar...that's what she said"  -Michael

"I declare BANKRUPTCY!"  -Michael

Overall Score
4 Stars


5.3 "Baby Shower"

Cold Open
Wow, where to start! First, this Cold Open was hilarious! Dwight carried a watermelon around under his shirt and pretended to be Jan going into labor to help Michael practice for the occasion. When Dwight started to go into "labor", Michael verbally went through how he would handle the situation. After Dwight advised Michael to "mark" the new born with a sharpie, Dwight delivered the watermelon, which slipped right through Michael's hands and smashed on the floor. The watermelon slipped so easily because Dwight had coated it with butter, to make it more comparable to a new born baby. After this was over, Michael was eating the smashed watermelon. This is what I am talking about! A FUNNY Cold Open that actually has to do with the episode! Bravo! One of the best Cold Opens of the ENTIRE SERIES! + 2 Stars

Story
The centerpiece of this episode is the baby shower that Michael and the PPC are planning for Jan's baby. The "B" story shows us the frustrations Jim and Pam are having while Pam is away in New York at art school. Also, Dwight "tests" Jan's $1,200 stroller for durability.

Although the Cold Open is one of the best, the episode really went downhill from there. It's main focus is on the baby shower Michael is planning for Jan. Before Jan arrived, Michael explained to Holly that he was going to be especially mean to her because Jan was so fat (being pregnant) and that Holly was the most beautiful woman in the office. Holly was pleased that Michael acknowledged her beauty, but grew uneasy as Michael became meaner and meaner. When Jan arrived, it was surprising to see that her baby had already been born. This upset Michael, who know had second thoughts on how much he cared about Jan's baby. Michael explained to the cameras that he didn't feel a strong connection with Jan's baby, which led him to believe that it wasn't his place to be the father figure in Astrid's life. After asking Darryl's advice, Michael realized once and for all that Astrid was not his daughter. Jan, a smart woman who saw right through Michael, realized that he was obviously interested in Holly and requested that he refrain from dating her as she left the office. Michael was stunned by this, and walked back into the office and gave Holly a huge hug and asked her out to dinner. Michael later explained that while he did not feel a connection between himself and Astrid, he did feel one between himself and Holly. This marks the first official "ask out" in Michael and Holly's relationship.

In other news, Jim and Pam were having difficulty staying in touch while Pam was away in New York. Jim and Pam exchanged phone calls that led to early hang ups because the other was busy with a task. In the end, Jim and Pam left each other similar voicemails detailing their days and assuring the other that the day was just another day and that everything would be alright. They both ended their voicemails with "I miss you".

On a more hilarious note, Dwight decided to test Jan's expensive stroller. Dwight threw the stroller into a fence, down into a ditch, and even ran it over with his car. Dwight decided to test out the stroller after learning of its high price. Dwight, obviously knowing that the stroller is ruined, placed the stroller in Jan's trunk as she was leaving to avoid scrutiny from Jan.

I don't really know what to think about this. I mean, there was interesting story progression, but the entire Jim and Pam plotline was just so boring. I think it would have been a much better move to have just not had Pam in the episode, or maybe just cut all the footage except for the final voicemails. Jim could have been used in this episode in so many different ways, particularly in Dwight's plotline with the stroller. It was significant, however, that Jan finally had her baby. Also, it was ever more significant that Michael and Holly are now officially going on a date. This doesn't have the same magical feel as when Jim and Pam had their first special moments, but the fact that this is Michael's first romantic gesture towards who we assume is his soul mate makes the episode significant. Dwight's plotline was funny but pretty pointless. I can't say how bored I was with Jim and Pam's plot. + 3 Stars

Jokes
This episode wasn't very funny at all. The comedic highlight was Dwight running over the stroller with his car. The only problem is that I felt like this was too over-the-top, even for Dwight. It was funny, but mindless. Michael had a good joke in thinking that the babies name was pronounced "ass-turd", and Angela's baby picture explained a lot about how she acts, but other than that there wasn't really anything to brag about. Of course, I was again upset that Creed didn't have his usual 45-second bit. A Creed moment is essential in a high humor score. No Creed, no stars is what I always say! Any episode that focuses a lot on Jan probably won't be very funny. Jan is a very weak and unlikeable character who doesn't bring a lot to the table...and this episode was no exception. I was very disappointing after such a strong start with the Cold Open. + 1 Star

Mistakes
While Michael is holding Astrid, it is obvious that Astrid is a doll and not a real baby. While it is probably a good idea to not use a real baby for safety, the camera angles could have done a better job of hiding the plastic doll.

Best Quote
"We all came into this room and gave you a golden shower, well ya know what, where's my golden shower, Phyllis?"   -Michael

Overall Score
7 Stars


THE VERDICT

I will admit that neither of these episodes were outstanding. One of the episodes, however, did have a very significant piece of Office history. Michael's first romantic moment with Holly will be remembered as the most significant moment of Michael's life thus far in the series. To me, "Money" was a mess. Too much time was spent on an episode that didn't tell us anything. "Baby Shower" wasn't exactly great, either. Like I said many times before, I pretty much wanted to fast forward the DVD when Jim or Pam were speaking, which is extremely unusual. This is one of those matchups where the winner will only move on because its opponent was especially weak. There are episodes that have already been eliminated that would easily defeat these two episodes ("Employee Transfer" and "Beach Games" come to mind). Oh well, it isn't a perfect system. I do predict, however, that the winning episode will be swiftly eliminated in the next round. With that said...

BABY SHOWER is the better episode and will move on in the tournament by the score of 7-4.

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