Spike Lee labels his films as “A Spike Lee Joint”.
Yeah, Spike Lee credits himself as director with “A Spike Lee Joint.”
I loved Meredith’s look of death at Phyllis. I also liked us seeing the lime and tonic go in her big gulp cup, leaving the inference to us. I thought passing out at her desk was a bit much - I feel like they’re really flogging the “Meredith’s a drunk” thing too much.
Loved Ryan grabbing his hair in frustration/despair in the confessional.
Hubby and I were dying all during Michael’s public relations commercial. And I was cringing, thinking that was his entire presentation. Then the writers got me once again, when Michael had all the relevant information, neatly organized and ready to hand out. It’s one of the things that makes this show so great.
Speaking of Michael’s surprising moments of competence, I think I detect a certain pattern. When he’s in a situation with clearly defined roles and relationships (as he perceives it), he’s “on,” and can be really effective. However, he has zero capability to just be himself, and when he’s in what he perceives as social situations, he brings new meaning to the term “trying too hard,” and his general cluelessness plus his desperation to make people like him create the idiot we all know and love.
Oh, and I’d say he had another moment of normalcy and intelligence at the end of the booze cruise, when he was talking to Jim about Pam, and then when he brought Dwight down about the steering wheel.
Absolutely first-rate episode, I can’t believe how much better this show gets every week.
Dwight:
“I’m the bobble-head!” and the look on his face when he said that! So sublimely stupid!
Oh and I called Jan going for Michael again as soon as they showed the scene with him taking the fall. I said to my wife “Every time he’s competent she kisses him”
I see that Gervais and Merchant are going to write a US episode.
It showed briefly here and was taken off. I had thought that it looked very promising. Now they will butcher it by treating it like Scrubs and Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm and It’s Garry Shandling’s Show - an irregular regular late night spot occassionally pre-empted for toad racing highlights.
Great moments:
The look on Jan’s face when Michael’s film started, and the look on her face when she saw the camera after the kiss.
Dwight and the bobble-head, and Angela smiling to herself at Dwight’s reaction to the bobble-head.
Oscar claiming that his Valentine’s gift came from his mother.
Michael saying that going to the Empire State Building is too touristy, so instead he goes to Times Square (named for the great times you have there).
Michael’s favorite New York pizza place is a Sbarro.
Michael turning around on the subway steps because “someone’s pooping in a cardboard box down there”.
“This is the famous Rockefeller Center. Founded by Theodore Rockefeller. I think the Rangers practice here sometimes.”
Pam’s mounting frustration at Phyllis’s gifts, and the way she just tossed the box of chocoloates onto Phyliss’s desk.
I liked when Michael followed the fake Tina Fey, and at the same time Conan O’Brien walked by and the camera followed him walking to the NBC building. Then when the cameraman evidently told Michael, Michael was so upset and disappointed.
A lot of times I watch this show and I think “How the hell does this guy still have his job?” I guess that’s why. He must actually get the job done, he’s just a social moron when he tries too hard.
Well, you are in Australia. 
I thought this one was a little slow to get started but ended up really strong, and I also lost it at “A Michael Scott Joint.” Also, there’s actually something kind of sweet about the way they play Dwight and Angela’s horribly dysfunctional relationship – her smile when she unwrapped the key was really well played.
–Cliffy
OK. OK. I take back my lame advancing the plot comment.
I do like the way they show Michael’s occasional bits of competence from time to time. The British version of Michael was a total buffoon but you can actually see in the US version why he was promoted at one time.
I knew the Sbarro thing was supposed to be funny but I didn’t know why. They don’t have those out here.
Michael also commented on all the other great restaurants in New York, besides Sbarro: Bubba Gump Shrimp and Red Lobster.
haj, I initially thought this was one of the weaker eps, too. I rewatched it, though, and retracted my first opinion.
This was my first time seeing Michael ‘turn it on’, so to speak. I was quite impressed.
My husband and I HATE Kelly. We hate her so much. We do, though, just start launching into, ‘Beyonce, pink the color, Pink the person, basically anything that is awesome, hot dogs (I think). . .’ After that, we lapse into a fit giggles, but we’re silly like that.
Sbarro is a large chain in at least the north east, and often times found in amll food courts. And we all know that mall food courts are the bset place to get real, authentic, NY pizza. 
It’s the equivilant of going to New Mexico or Texas, and saying that yor favourite tex-mex place is a Taco Bell.
I’m guessing that Kelly goes to the poker party, stays late, gets drunk and sleeps with Jim.
The way Michael confidently proclaims. . .“this is either the Hudson River or the East River” as if he knows where he is.
I liked the episode. Whether Michael is competent or not, you tend to get the impression that the Scranton office makes sales. That’s all corporate needs to know, right?
Can someone explain what is so good about getting a key for valentine’s day?
I assumed it was a key to his place.
Definitely a cunning ploy to snare Angela with the key to his apartment
Well, it wasn’t really a cunning ploy.
He was telling her, “I trust you and want to take this to the next level”.
He needed to get her a gift, and that was a thoughtful one. He pulled the emergency gift off perfectly.
Better than a ham, anyway