Let’s Burn Utica to the Ground!
Jim is dreading a reunion with Karen. John Krasinski by Ron Tom/NBC.
Episode Recap: Branch Wars (November 1, 2007)
Jim has spent the past few weeks punch drunk happy over finally getting together with Pam. So it figures that karma is ready to pay him back by putting him through hell tonight. First he gets manipulated into taking the worst car ride I've ever seen on
The Office (and considering how many times Michael Scott has gone on a long journey while annoying the bejeezus out of his passengers, that's really saying something). And by the end of the half-hour he's face to face with his ex-girlfriend and you can almost hear him praying that he could just disappear.
The last time
Joss Whedon directed an episode of
The Office it was, ironically, the one where Dwight fought a vampire bat. (Whedon swore that was just a coincidence and that the episode was written before he came in to direct). But in some ways this episode (written by Mindy Kaling, who also plays Kelly) is an even better fit for Whedon's talents: he's a master at turning on a dime from laugh out loud humor to real emotion. It was hilariously pathetic to watch Karen stare down Dwight and Michael, whose only response to losing Stanley was to threaten to burn the Utica offices to the ground.
But when Karen was left alone with Jim, we get to chance to see how she's really feeling and it's no joke. She's still angry over Jim dumping her for Pam, and when she realizes that he's truly happier now it looks like her heart is being broken all over again. It's telling that Karen acts confidently when she's in the process of humiliating Jim for his part in Michael's bungled prank, but is almost beside herself with rage when she no longer has the power in the conversation. Karen's still in the stage of the break-up when she hasn't moved on and has to see Jim uncomfortable or miserable in order to deal with talking to him.
And thankfully Michael and Dwight's prank didn't get off the ground. (And it was even funnier to hear them attempting to steal the copier machine over the walkie-talkie than it would have been to see it.) Why are they so eager to hurt another branch of Dunder-Mifflin in the first place? It's still their company! You'd think Karen had done something to them personally, what with their trunk full of homemade stink bombs.
And back at the Scranton office, we get a glimpse of the long-running "Finer Things Club." I liked that Andy's reaction to being rejected from the club is so perfectly suited to his character. He's desperate to be included simply
because it's exclusive, even if he probably has no real desire to discuss books. Like Dwight's Second Life addiction, I hope this plotline is brought back in the future, since it's too promising for comedic material to just throw away.
And now, tonight's Dundies:
Best Jim Facial Expression: His oh-my-god-I'm-going-to-be-arrested look of horror when he sees what's in the trunk of Michael's car.
Best Disconnected from Reality Dwight Moment: his attempts to piss during the car ride, ending with the line: "I think I cut my penis on the lid!" (runner-up: his debate about how to subdue a security guard with the jumbo chalk.)
Best Pam and Jim Moment: Jim's attempts to prove that he actually read
Angela's Ashes, and Pam whispering "sorry" in response to Oscar and Toby.
Best Insensitive Michael Moment: Telling Jim to distract Karen: "Just climb on top of her and think about Stanley!"
Best Overall Moment: I can't decide this one. The copier prank going horribly wrong over the walkie-talkie? Karen's confrontation with Jim? It depends on whether or you liked the drama or comedy best from tonight's episode.
Was it just my imagination or should this episode have been one of the hour-longs? It felt a bit rushed now that I think about it. Discuss whether or not I'm just being picky and I'll see you next week.
In the meantime, check out clips from The Office
and all your favorite shows at our online video guide.
