Because I am currently bored and killing time I tried looking it up… seems we each half right: it was TSO but not Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24, rather Carol of the Bells as you said (as mentioned here and here).
I’ve been pretty critical of Andy in his role as head of the office, mainly because he doesn’t seem to react much to events around him (other than that creepy, screwed-on smile). Last night’s episode corrected that problem somewhat, and Ed Helms played it perfectly as a guy letting his mask slip. I’m actually looking forward to the Jessica-Andy-Erin triangle. Both Erin and Andy have heavily invested in the just-friends ruse–Andy even more so given his efforts at creating a no-conflict persona. It will be fun to see how this plays out in the upcoming months.
However, I also think some of the reactions Andy has are little more than warmed-over Michael Scott. Playing Santa is exactly what MS did at every previous Xmas party, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the “Hard-Ass” hat was a leftover from the MS regime (didn’t it seem exactly like something Scott would do?). But most of all it’s that veneer of puppy-dog stupidity. It invites comarison to Carrell’s performance–and no matter what Michael Scott is going to be hard to top.
I will say though that the lack of center in Andy has allowed some of the peripheral characters to shine. I’ve already mentioned Erin, but I think Darrel became an interesting character this season even before his budding romance (previously just the bemused and intimidating straightman for Michael’s antics, he’s really come into his own by letting his flaws show). And Stanley’s Louis Black rant at the open was spot on.
I’ve been hearing that song during the Trans-siberian orchestra commercials down here for a while now, so i knew exactly who they were without ever having heard them before.
I was just excited to see the girl I’ve had a crush on for two years from the Suburu “Lost Sunglasses” commercial as Jessica. It was weird hearing her talk, though - never seen that before.
hangs head I also was thinking Mannheim Steamroller…
Now, when Dwight started, you knew Creed was gonna join in, & the little geeky guy from Warehouse, but Gabe jumping in at the end was icing on the cake.