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Episode Recap: Did I Stutter?
I just bought a car last week, and I’m already wishing I had used some of Dwight’s psychological tactics to negotiate a better price. After several weeks of watching Dwight act beaten down by life as a result of Andy and Angela’s relationship - even to the point of groveling to Michael to get invited to his exclusive dinner party – we finally see the return of a Dwight hungry for power. First there’s his flow chart which neatly summarizes the office politics of Dunder-Mifflin, complete with a plastic overlay that provides an emergency back-up plan in which Dwight is put in charge of everything and everyone (and apparently several people are now trapped in cages). Then he humiliates Andy by buying his car for cheap and cleaning it up in order to sell it for a profit. If he can’t win Angela back, he’ll at least try to take his romantic rival down a peg or two.
But the real character development this episode involved Stanley’s confrontation with Michael. I think the important detail in this “clash of the titans” (to borrow Kevin’s description) isn’t that Stanley yelled at Michael in the middle of a meeting, but that he refused to even consider apologizing later. Michael is used to dealing with people who insult him to his face, only to turn around and take those words back later when they realize how pathetic Michael is and how he’s unable to handle any suggestion that someone doesn’t like him.
But Stanley isn’t having any of that. He’s a stubborn man who apparently isn’t even willing to compromise with his own wife (hence his divorce and remarriage), and when Michael breaks down in tears in front of him he’s still unmoved. It’s interesting that Michael realizes he isn’t going to convince Stanley to respect him, so he actually makes the best practical decision and reminds Stanley that, at bare minimum, he must refrain from openly insulting him in the office. Stanley agrees. This represents a rare moment of intelligence from Michael, who understands he has to make the best possible decision under the circumstances and move on rather than pretend to be Mr. Popular. His nervous babbling at the end is clearly the act of a man trying to hide how badly his nerves have been rattled.
My co-worker Matt is always telling me how much he dislikes Toby and I’ve been defending Dunder-Mifflin’s HR employee – up until now. Toby’s infatuation with Pam has reduced him to complaining about Jim’s poor job performance to Ryan, and Jim looked genuinely scared for a moment that he might be fired. He’s fallen quite a ways from last year’s finale, when his track record at the company was good enough to be considered for a position at corporate. Just check out his reaction shot after Michael fake-fires Stanley: he turns to face the camera, only he isn’t smiling. I think Jim is actually worrying about his job security now, and maybe he’ll start wondering soon if there’s any kind of a long-term future for him at Dunder-Mifflin. He’s got the girl of his dreams; maybe it’s time to start looking for a better job to go along with her.
Oh yeah, and Darryl continues to be the man. I loved his list of gangs he’s belonged to and his description of the “Fluffy Fingers” conflict resolution technique (to say nothing of Michael’s assumption that Darryl had been in a gang to begin with).
Ladies and gentlemen, the Dundies:
Best Dwight Getting Drunk on Power Moment: The alternate power structure within the office in which he’s put in charge.
Best Jim and Pam Moment: His offer to hold her hand and lead her out of the office when the Clash of the Titans begins. Runner-up: Pam forgetting her contact lenses at a “friend’s” apartment.
Best Creed is a Dirty Old Man Moment: “I’d also like to see (Pam) topless.”
Best Stanley Isn’t Always Mellow Moment: His speech about how every one of Michael’s ideas is stupider than the last.
Best Andy Gets Owned Moment: Dwight convinces him to sell his car for cheap because all it’s good for is to “drive it off a cliff” or “sell it to someone you want to die.”
Best Overall Moment: The rough gang Darryl was a part of? The Newsies.
Check out full length episodes of The Office and more at our online video guide.
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May 1, 2008 11:06 PM
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When Ryan showed up I thought it was to tell Michael and Dwight "It never happened" - or at least to see if he could spin them to back him up. It just didn't seem like a good time for him to be throwing his weight around.
So maybe Jim's new job will be the OFfice spin off.
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May 1, 2008 11:50 PM
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This episode was quite fun being that it was set entirely in the office.
okay... so I totally agree I now hate Toby and Ryan. What jerks. (I know Micheal's stupid but at least he comes up with new ideas instead of spending his time plotting against those who have better ones). I hated seeing Jim's worried face that he could actually lose his job because Ryan's a baby and Toby's a perv. Moving on... How could you not mention the tiny conversion when Jim pretends to propose to Pam during Micheal's meeting (I mean how perfect was that). As a side... how cute were Pam horrible glasses and the fact Jim didn't seem to care at all? I just want them to be happy is that too much to ask.
Now for Dwight. How great was his hierarchy plan and the fact he actually had people in cages is genius (personally I hope one of those cages is for Toby -- the smallest). However, I did think his treatment of Andy was a little mean; it's still good to have power hunger Dwight back.
So Micheal stayed in the office all day, didn't ask for girls' numbers, or continually talk of his need to get laid and was yelled at. Stanley had an pre-anger management Andy like temper in this episode. (I think his going through male menopause or something). Anyway... I loved the moment of Micheal's intelligence at the end of the episode; he redeems himself in my eyes during those moment of humanity and thought (like during Pam's art show or the client).
I really enjoyed the episode and I'm looking forward to golf and the job fair next weekend and the final. But most of all Toby leaving; I'm with Micheal a huge celebration is needed. And *fingers crossed* a proposal and acceptance from Jim and Pam. Yay the office.
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May 2, 2008 1:19 AM
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Loved how Dwight bullied Andy in selling him his X-terra, but when he tried it on Michael he was shot down. I also loved how he put himself slightly higher than Jim on the chart.
I think the writers are blowing it with the Toby story line. The creepy infatuation he has over Pam is well creepy. I liked the Toby who most of the time can't cut a break. But everyone once in a while he wins. Like the hot girl he met at the gym or when he won the pizza contest.
The way I see Ryan is the more he acts like a jerk, the sweeter it will be to see him fall!
Oh and Darryl needs to be in more episodes! He always has the best lines.
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May 2, 2008 1:43 AM
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As mch as Toby's intentions were wrong, he does have a valid point. Jim is a screwball and doesn't do his job.
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May 2, 2008 4:09 AM
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My favorite moment had a personal connection with me. My husband bought a new car about a year and a half ago - a Nissan Xterra. About 3 months into ownership, we had this conversation about how its 'girl car" and all he sees are girls driving other Xterras. I tried in my best wifely -way to convince him that it was fine - it was NOT a chick car.
so there we were last night, sitting on the couch, and Andy begins to describe how its a chick magnet...mostly because other chicks drive them. I literally had to pause it so I could laugh!!!
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May 2, 2008 8:22 AM
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As mch as Toby's intentions were wrong, he does have a valid point. Jim is a screwball and doesn't do his job.
What are you talking about? Jim is their best salesman. That's how he got the transfer to Stamford and became assistant regional manager. They show him goofing around a lot, all the way back to episode one, but he's always done good work.
I used to feel sympathy for Toby, but no more. He's an underhanded dirtbag and he'll get what's coming to him soon enough.
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May 2, 2008 9:36 AM
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I love how on Dwight's plastic overlay of the corporate hierarchy, there is a radioactive symbol next to his name on top!
I really thought Michael was going to tickle Stanley during their confrontation. I loved Darryl telling him about the "fluffy fingers" and he was members of Blood, Crypts, Latin Kings, etc. Cause you know Scranton has a gang problem.
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May 2, 2008 10:07 AM
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This was the funniest episode since they came back, I think.
I.Am.Obsessed.With.Darryl. I was chuckling as he named off all the gang names, but when he said "Newsies", I just lost it. And the fluffy fingers and how "pretty soon, you forget all about it. And then you go to church together and get an ice cream cone." I love him, so much. He always provides the BEST "Screw with Michael" moment.
I personally am still waiting for "Fluffy Fingers" to come into play at some point. I was kind of disappointed he didn't try it with Stanley, but I'm sure it will come up again, someday.
I always felt Toby was one of my favorites...until last night, when he complained to Ryan. Um, hi Ryan, Jim would have had YOUR job if he didn't decide to stay in Scranton, you little twit. I want to see him fall. I'm sure we will. And I hate/love how Ryan always turns everything into a positive thing...talking about the Eagles before giving a formal warning, the whole, "No Jim, I ALWAYS appreciate constructive criticism. I thrive on it." What a DBag. And Toby...come on, you were always the nice guy who just couldn't get a break...now you're just a jerk who can't get a break so you whine about it.
Michael's humility tonight... interesting. I'm glad the writers took that route instead of him just being stupid. Still love Stanley, though: "Did I stutter??" And Phyllis at the end: "That the dumbest thing I ever heard." "Okay, everyone out except Phyllis."
The madlib at the beginning ("It's a man eating cat food!"), Jim's proposal fakeout ("If you propose to me during a Michael meeting I WILL say no.")...it was all a classic episode, and I could not have loved it more. Yay Office!
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May 2, 2008 10:30 AM
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Michael's reaction to Pam's glasses was hysterical - telling her she was going the wrong way in hotness. I think Pam must have also forgot her shampoo b/c her hair looked a little flat last night! (haven't we all been there?)
I too thought Michael was gonna resort to the "fluffy fingers" on Stanley. I don't know how Darryl kept a straight face on that one. When he told Michael how busy he was and didn't have time for him as he's doing the Rubik's cube was also pretty good.
I also don't like the Toby as a jerk storyline. He's always been the pathetic underdog and this just doesn't sit well with me. I want him to leave for Costa Rica on a good note.
Furthermore, if he was dating Pam he would totally be hanging out at reception too!
Dwight was absolutely fabulous last night- he totally owned the episode for me - it was good to see the old Dwight back again.
And Stanley - you rock! I hope you don't make it to the next wife. After dealing with Michael for so many years, no wonder you spend your nights in the tub drinking your wine!
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May 2, 2008 11:36 AM
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The scene with Ryan shows how far he's slipping. He looked like he had just come from a night of partying. Of course, I don't think that's why he took Toby's complaints seriously - remember, he also hit on Pam, so he would have a reason to get Jim out of the picture. But he's coked up half the time, so who knows what he does, or how much it affects the whole branch. Will be interesting to see.
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May 2, 2008 11:47 AM
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Wow, Andy's anger management class must have really worked because I would have had to punch Dwight when he was in his face saying, "Do it, do it, do it". And I've never punched anyone. 
I didn't think Toby was the one who instigated the whole thing with Jim. I thought Ryan was getting back with him for going over his head and complaining about the website. I thought Toby was just there because he is in HR and then he reveled in it, which is crummy, but not as bad as tattling on Jim.
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May 2, 2008 12:04 PM
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I'm not sure -- cuz they didn't say -- how much Toby had to do with Jim's issue. It's possible that Ryan, looking for some way to get back at Jim, called up Toby and asked for any kind of problems. Now, if Toby told him there were some, he's a jerk, but I don't know if he initiated it. Jim's guess about why it happened is probably right. Jim made suggestions about the site to Ryan's boss. He may not like that Jim went over his head, but if Ryan heard about it, is was probably from his boss. Ryan's not in the best state of mind anyway, but now he sees Jim as a threat... Wow. I think that's why I love this show. I can spend all that time analyzing it. The stuff that they leave out on this show is as important as what they show us.
I want to add that while I always sort of sympathized with Stanley's point of view, not wanting to just accept his incompetence, it seems to me that Stanley's really is a bit of a jerk. Sure, the "pretend he's fired" bit would make anyone angry, but he was merciless with Michael. What's funny is, all Michael had to do to deal with it was to say what he did at the end. That the people who work for him just can't talk to him like that. That would've solved everything. Though I think Michael's need to be liked has reached therapy-level proportions.
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May 2, 2008 12:05 PM
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As a fan of the Office since the 1st episode, I have so say I've been really disappointed in the episodes since the writers' strike. Before the strike, they had tons of momentum with the Fun Run episode and the Launch Party episode. But it seems like they've made a conscious decision to show the worst side of everybody. Ryan has a drug problem? Stanley is a lifetime divorcer with no respect for anybody else? Jim getting put on final warning after Ryan brings him in the office under false pretenses? An HR rep who would rat out an employee because he was jealous of his girlfriend? And an entire episode was based around the premise that a security guard would lock the gate to a parking lot that's FULL OF CARS!!!!!??????!!!!
And before you say, 'well that's what life is really like sometimes', let me ask you when the office has EVER been about real life people or experiences in the past? Like you will ever meet anybody like Michael Scott or Dwight. The strength of this show has always been showing the goofy and the ridiculous (a 5K fun-run to cure Rabies! Survivorman! Diwali!), and it's never been anything remotely like real life. Like Jim, this show should be on final written warning...
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May 2, 2008 12:50 PM
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Maybe Pam will file sexual harassment charges against Toby for his lingering hand last episode! I know she was aware that Jim got in trouble based on her solemn look when he sat back at his desk. You stand by your man, Pam! 
I loved it when Michael kept ripping Pam about her glasses and finally said "she's not even trying anymore!"
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May 2, 2008 12:53 PM
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