I thought this was one of the better episodes this season, especially the B story. The Hillary Swank debate was this show at its best. I especially liked Oscar’s and Stanley’s speeches, Oscar’s carefuly prepared and analytical presentation followed by Stanley’s impassioned appeal to emotion.
Michale and Dwight’s dog and pony show at the rival paper company wasn’t bad either. It looks like they might be hinting at Michael being considered for a New York job.
“Hot is a temperature, people.”
I liked the Hillary Swank part of the episode too.
Michael’s story was ok, but I think they went too far in trying making the audience,(and Michael), feel sympathetic for the Mom-and-Pop paper shop owners. The extreme kindness of these people, and the cute little kid… they just laid it on too thick for my tastes. I wanted to feel Michael’s struggle at the end, but I didn’t have much sympathy because the owners seemed almost like caricatures of do-gooder’s.
I thought Michael was actually not a buffoon in this episode. He handled himself quite competently during his espionage mission, whereas Dwight was a nightmare. This may be the first episode where Michael did nothing to make me cringe, and was mostly a normal person. It was nice, for a change.
I loved this episode. It had a lot of nice little touches.
Anyone else think/hope that the family’s “client list” is something they give everyone who they think is trying to take their business?
I was definitely waiting for that to be the stinger. But Michael’s musings about bittersweet chocolate turned out to be far more awesome. 
I was expecting that whole storefront to be some kind of staged fake-out or sting. If the family is really that naive and trusting then Dwight was right – if Dunder-Mifflin didn’t devour them, someone else would have.
Can’t say one way or the other, but I’m hoping they don’t drop this thread but have another ep or two that deals with this small company and the front office’s interest in Michael’s “skills”.
I just saw it again. I still think they laid it on too thick, with the “World’s Best Father/Son” mugs, and the little girl having her own name plate. You’re right though, about Michael’s bittersweet chocolate speech. He just gave up trying to deffend it. It wasn’t a bad episode.
One thing I thought odd was the idea that Andy, Dwight and Angela were still working together, despite the events of last week.
I did like Michael’s evident conflict over the idea of screwing that little company. It was definitely an unethical thing to do.
“Live and Let Live?!”
“It’s a James Bond…nevermind.”
Another thing. The red wire prank was funny.
Dwight chasing Michael all over the building and the parking lot was funny. Doesn’t Michael know where they keep the shredder?
“have you ever seen a raccoon devour a squirrel?”
“My heart has gone down the wrong path many, many times. Jan… Ryan.”
I thought Michael was heading to the bathroom to flush the list, but he couldn’t whether to decide to go to the men’s or the ladies’.
Soooooo…
Hillary Swank, hot or not?
Not.
In what I percieve as being “hot”, Hillary Swank is not.
“Hot” isn’t always ideal though. Pam for instance is “cute”, not “hot”, but I wound’t change her. In fact, I found her to be even more attractive when she looked a little more modest.
Ginger May have been the “hot” one, but Mary Ann was “cute”, and more attractive imo than Ginger. I think “cute” women tend to age better too.
I agree, but Kevin was adamant that hot was not the same as pretty or cute or whatever.
It’s in your gut.
She looks like Matt Damon in drag.
lol
“Just show us a picture Jim… He’s making it all fancy and… It’s a gut thing!”
My vote is for not.