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Joining Together in the Fight to Cure Rabies!
The Dunder Mifflin crew does its part to fight rabies. Angela Kinsey, Bobby Ray Shafer, Phyllis Smith and Steve Carell by Mitch Haddad/NBC
Episode Recap: "Fun Run"
How’s that for starting the episode with a shock: Michael leaves his apartment for another day at work (one of the rare moments in the series where we’re allowed to venture beyond the office and see the characters’ personal lives), gets caught up in talking to the camera, and hits Meredith with his car. Always ready to go into damage control mode rather than act responsibly, Michael tells his coworkers that she was injured and that he took her to the hospital, before finally adding, “I was able to get on the scene so quickly because I was in the car that hit her.” Way to build up your heroics beforehand.
I thought this was one of the funniest episodes of The Office in a while, not to mention one of the most satisfying. After three seasons of flirting, Jim and Pam finally get together, although they’re both insisting that they’re only good friends and single by choice at first. Not that anyone in the office is buying it though. Kevin’s response to the camera — “Are you kidding me?” — could stand in for the audience, potentially angry that the two still didn’t get together after another season finale that promised to change everything. Thankfully, the writers aren’t jerking us around anymore, and the pair are finally busted when Jim hops a ride home with Pam after work.
In fact, that shot of Jim getting into the car while Pam talks in voice-over about how she’s happy to be single really reminded me of one of the great moments from the original British version of The Office: Jim’s U.K. counterpart Tim Canterbury removes his microphone just before confessing his love to secretary Dawn Tinsley, and we see his speech but all we hear is silence. Both of these are great examples of the shows taking advantage of their documentary format instead of just playing it as a straight-forward sitcom.
Meanwhile, Dwight and Angela’s relationship hit the skids, thanks to Dwight’s decision to euthanize her beloved cat Sprinkles, denying her a shot at entering “cat heaven” in the process. And his choice for a final resting place for Sprinkles wasn’t the most sensitive either, as he had to solemnly tell Angela, “She’s in a better place. Actually, the place that’s she in is the freezer, because of the odor.” I laughed out loud at that one; I think Dwight is at his best when he’s trying to force himself to act like a normal, compassionate human being, only to realize that it’s like banging a square peg into a round hole.
Meredith’s injury and Sprinkles’ not-so-untimely death motivate Michael to coming up with one of his most insane ideas yet — holding a "fun run" to raise money for a cure for rabies, a disease that, we’re told, kills as many as four people a year. I liked the way that everyone’s reaction to the fun run perfectly captures their personality: Jim and Pam wander off into a garage sale, Dwight is ordered to give Toby Ex-Lax but screws it up, Andy takes the contest way too seriously, Michael fails miserably, and the trio of Stanley, Creed and Oscar care so little that they take the nearest taxi to a restaurant. That all sounds about right.
Other tid-bits: We learn that Karen left the office in a fit of rage after being dumped by Jim, although I wouldn’t be surprised if she comes back for a guest appearance later on and creates havoc for his relationship with Pam. Also, Ryan is now Michael’s boss, and his promotion apparently came with a new all-black wardrobe and a constant five-o-clock shadow.
Since there was so much great stuff thanks to the hour-long episode, I think I’m going to hand out my own personal Dundies and reward this show for its finest moments:
Best Facial Reaction by Jim: His grossed-out look when Michael informs Pam, “You don’t know me — you’ve just seen my penis.” You know that’s a mental image Jim would do anything to erase.
Best Creed-is-a-Creepy-Old-Man Moment: The encyclopedic knowledge of painkillers that he demonstrates at Meredith’s hospital bed.
Best Insensitive Michael Moment: His reaction when everyone moans about how Meredith looks at the hospital: “She’s always looked like that! That’s not my fault!”
Best Disconnected-from-Reality Dwight Moment: His assertion that it’s a waste of electricity keeping Meredith alive when that much power could make a fan run for two days! (I laughed just typing that one).
Funniest Moment Overall: Michael presenting an oversized check — which cost most of the money the office had raised — made out to “Science,” to a stripper dressed as a nurse. And Michael recognizes her.
Join me next week as we find out more about the Jim-Pam relationship, whether Dwight is back to being dateless, and whether or not they’ll ever update the credits. Oh, and why do I have the sudden urge to go to a Nissan dealership and test drive a Rogue?
Be sure to check out our online video guide to find clips and episodes of The Office, including “How the Office Spent Their Summer Vacation!”
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Sep 27, 2007 11:25 PM
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Great recap, I hope you have a best list each week.
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Sep 27, 2007 11:28 PM
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It's so great to have The Office back! This was a terrific episode that had me laughing out loud many times. And it's so cute to Pam and Jim all smiley. I also loved Pam's departure from button down oxford shirts and giving Angela a hard time about not planning the hospital visit to see Meredith.
Can't wait for next week!
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Sep 27, 2007 11:51 PM
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Amazing.
Jim and Pam are adorable. It was just enough...I'm so happy they are together but they weren't sickeningly sweet, they didn't monopolize camera time, and you just can't help but root for them and get a big smile on your face when they are together.
If only I could find someone to beam as brightly at me as Jim and Pam do at each other 
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Sep 28, 2007 12:34 AM
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Also loved Creed's revelation that he belongs to "many cults, some as leader and some as a follower"
The balloon pulling out the IV was classic.
Kevin actualy ran the whole race! Wonder why Kelly got to just sit at the finish line?
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Sep 28, 2007 12:55 AM
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I think Toby more than Andy took the race too seriously. When he got the water from Jan and threw it at her to so he could keep going. And then at the end when he was excited to be the first one. But it was good to see Toby win for a change. 
This episode was full of great moments. Like when Jan confronted Pam about walking in on Michael.
And that wasn't just any stripper. That was the stripper from Bob Vance's (of Vance refrigeration) bachelor party. Nice!
That's my favorite part of this show is the way they pay attention to detail. Bringing back the IT guy from an earlier episode.
Oh and the part where Pam paid to see a celebrity sex tape and saying it happened so fast!!
Man that was a long four months. I missed the heck out this show!
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Sep 28, 2007 2:03 AM
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I couldn't stop laughing at the scene where Jim was talking about Karen. She said she worked hard on her career and that she wasn't going anywhere, then the next day she's gone. That shot of her empty desk killed me.
Loved Kevin needing to fist bump Meredith when everyone left the hospital.
Michael's misuse of the term "double jeopardy" and then trying to fix it by saying "What is we are fine."
I'm glad we are past the sad Pam of last season. Happy Pam is so much more fun to watch. The scene where the film crew followed Pam's trip to pick up Jim was pretty creepy.
When Michael was going through his list of animals to worship, I had a flashback to that old cartoon show "The Wuzzles."
Only Michael would organize an event to raise awareness to the fact that there is a cure for rabies. He even got Phyllis to make a rabies quilt. I can't believe how much I've missed this show.
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Sep 28, 2007 3:34 AM
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In retrospect, I really wish I'd taped this as it was on, because there was too much to absorb.
Michael being only a littlestitious instead of superstitious.
Pam Beasley & Jim = PB&J...a definite shout-out to the JAM 'shippers out there.
Michael accusing Toby of digging up an indian burial ground.
Michael referencing a golden calf...I'm sure God was thrilled.
The curse monster having the body of a walrus, and the head of a sea-lion (how would you tell!?). I'm a bit surprised that they didn't mention the flying spaghetti monster.
Dwight's expression as Angela explained all of the medical procedures that Sprinkles needed. I wonder how old that cat was.
Creed talking about how it was more fun to be a cult member, but there was more money in being a cult leader.
Kevin hiding in the back of his car to spy on PB&J.
Ryan placing a call to the Scranton office and hearing the voicemail message about the fun-run.
Michael carbing up on FETTUCINI ALFREDO...DEAR LORD MAN!
Michael giving up on the run, about 30 feet short of the finish line. Then smiling with vomit running down his chin.
Andy screaming at Kevin to be careful of his nipples....plus Andy walking out of the bathroom with his taped up chest, I wonder how many takes it took for them to stop laughing at that.
Also, apparently Jan Levinson-ex-Goulde is more of a psycho than previously indicated. Having Michael show the camera the bed where she was sprawled all the way across the entire mattress was bad enough, but then she went after Pam before the race. Melora Hardin is -so- gorgeous, I hope we get a lot more of her during the course of the season.
I'm glad to see that her accident over the summer didn't do any serious damage to Jenna Fischer, but I'll bet she's not really up to doing a lot of running, and that's a big part of why Pam and Jim walked the whole 5k (which is NOT 5000 miles).
I'm leaving so much great stuff out. Definitely one of the best episodes of the entire series.
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Sep 28, 2007 4:53 AM
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Definitely one of the best episodes I've ever watched. I was a little worried about how they would fill a whole hour, but I was laughing so hard the whole time. The Jeopardy line - classic Michael and I giggled on that one for ten minutes. I loved Andy's bloody nipples. So funny. And then Dwight putting Immodium AD in Toby's coffee instead of Ex-Lax, followed by Toby saying he usually has to go to the bathroom halfway through a run. And of course, the Jim and Pam moments were so sweet. Not overdone, played just right.
Welcome back Dunder Mifflin!!!
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Sep 28, 2007 7:26 AM
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Great recap Jack.
I really have missed this show. I echo a previous sentiment that I wish I had recorded it. I thought almost the whole show was perfect...except maybe Dwight and the cat thing. I thought that was a little over the top. I guess they needed something pretty big to cause a rift with him and Angela. I thought it was so Kelly to sit at the finish line doing nothing but text messaging.
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Sep 28, 2007 8:24 AM
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 I can't believe that Dwight killed Angela's cat!! Also, I think that Ryan isn't going to last to long in corporate. By ignoring Michael's antics may cost him his promotion, at least Jan tried to curtail Michael antics when she was in charge. I got a vibe from Kelly & Toby, maybe a couple in the making??? I did notice that Stanley and the others had challenged Michael more on this episode than in the past. Stanley use to do the eyeroll thing, but this time there was a little backtalk. Did anyone catch the promo for the office featuring Ryan? I got a good chuckle when he said, "I think I may have dated a black chick". My Thursdays will be complete when 30 Rock comes back!!
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Sep 28, 2007 8:37 AM
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Pam's hair looked great! Glad she finally let it down. I kept thinking how cute she looked the whole episode. Of course, that was partly due to all the smiles between her and Jim. So great that they're together!
Tons of funny moments; I'm thrilled that this show is back on.
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Sep 28, 2007 9:27 AM
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HOORAY FOR JAM (or PB&J)!
What a great episode! I missed this show so much!! I laughed so hard last night. So glad my "friends" are back!
Angela's cat story(just 2 kittens out on the town!)
Michael forcing himself on Meredith for a hug at the hospital.
PB&J and Michael and Dwight going over how much $ was raised, minues the big check, and giving it to the rabies doctor/nurse, etc.
Jim handing Michael the garage sale lamp at the finish line.
And hooray for Toby for winning - not that anybody noticed!
Oh, and I think Ryan looks hot with the 5:00 shadow!
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Sep 28, 2007 9:31 AM
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Great recap. I also love that Ryan, with his new look and newfound corporate 'power', seems to be channeling Peter Petrelli
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Sep 28, 2007 9:42 AM
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Funniest moment last night: Michael starts believing that the office is jinxed but says he's not superstitious. "Maybe a little stitious, though." My wife doesn't watch but when I told her that line she almost choked on her shrimp lo mein! Glad to have the show back!
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Sep 28, 2007 9:46 AM
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