Smirking smugly: “I’ve got eight hours of this.”
It’s always been subtly hinted at (sometimes even verbalized) that Michael used to basically be Jim. And now we see that coming true because Jim is becoming Michael.
The reaction to Tobey was amazing.
I don’t see how making fun of fat people is comparable to racism, and I don’t remember him doing much of that anyway.
He also doesn’t bash gay people. He’s just really clumsy about trying NOT to offend Oscar.
As for introducing a little person, the formula for the show is that Michael would mcall a meeting to make a big production about how nobody should mention the new person’s size or treat him any differently, peppering his speech with numerous idiotic remarks and stereotypical assumptions along the way. He never intends to bully or abuse people, though…except for Toby.
There was another episode a couple of year ago where Jim was in charge of the office for a day, and we saw some nascent little Michael-isms, including the first few seeds of Toby annoyance in a TH where he was talking about how “Toby is a bit much.”
I think the trend of Jim finding himself turning more and more into Michael is one of the better ideas the show has had, especially if it begins to include more and more irrational hatred of Toby.
I wonder if he’ll eventually have a revelation about it.
The only reason Michael even knows Oscar is gay is because Oscar complained about Michael calling him a fag. To his credit Michael does not seem to hate gay people at all, but he does think it’s funny to insult people by calling them gay.
Not if they really ARE gay.
“I’m not crazy.”
And Jim was going to use the mic to send Dwight on a National Treasure style hunt. We didn’t see him do that at all. Therefore, Jim has already guessed that Dwight has another mic and this will be a multi-week plot.
Forgot to mention one of the things I thought was particularly cool about this episode: I think this is the first time we’ve ever seen Jim totally lose it. We may have seen him genuinely upset before, but this time he completely dropped his customary facade of cool, ironic detachment and just fucking panicked.
And how he wouldn’t tell anyone where he got it…
FWIW, put me in the camp that Pam overreacted, but understandably.
I get mine at Byrnie Utz. 
I sat alone in high school. When Michael said one of his best friends in High School was the lunch lady, it made me think about how much of my free time I spent with the adult librarian in the school. Now I’m a pothead, but would probably prefer to still sit alone if I had to do it over.
I was friendly, and occasionally visited many groups of people just to say ‘Hi’. Since it was almost as much my choice to sit on my own, I didn’t want people to think I wasn’t friendly. I just liked to “people watch”… And I didn’t get too many ‘invites’ to chill with a particular crowd.
I don’t think Michael’s a “nerd” either. He, (like me), is more of your; “dork” or “geek” variety.
But Archie Bunker had plenty of character flaws, (with arguably more intent, and less remorse), people still had a certain affection for him.
I also thought it was interesting to see both Pam and Jim lose it. They’ve both witnessed plenty of crazy stuff at work before, but even when it annoyed or hurt them they’ve always been able to remain fairly cool-headed about it. When Dwight stole Jim’s biggest commission, Jim’s attitude was more disappointment/resignation than anger. Heck, even when he’s been in physical danger (Roy coming after him) Jim has kept it together pretty well. And Pam has quietly tolerated a variety of insults and indignities at work. So it was interesting to see both of them pushed beyond what their normal defense mechanisms could handle.
Archie Bunker was the product of his generation – his behavior wasn’t that unusual, for a man of his age and background. I feel some sympathy for Michael because I can see how much he wants to be liked, but I don’t like him.
I don’t know that it necessarily “hurts” her. But it certainly would make me uncomfortible if my boss, who I found at best annoying and irritating, started dating my mom. Especially since he already shows little regard for personal boundaries. And think about how much crap Jim and Pam got when they started dating.
Anyhow, I found her hysterical screaming and swearing somewhat jarring and out of character.
Ryan and his stupid hat had some good moments.
Pam: How would you like it if he was sleeping with all of your Moms?!
Ryan: Hey! That’s my Mom you’re talking about!
Kelly: If you try to take [the mallard] I’ll scream!
Dwight: Fine. Here’s $5.
Ryan: Make it $20
Dwight: $10
Ryan: Done (keeps the money himself)
Kelly: You’re so cool.
Ryan: That reminds me. I need the $3 you owe me for gas.
Ryan: I’d rather not say where I got it.
I guess that’s the question, are what people saying about how big an ass he his to try fully realize Pam’s reaction, or are they people who are expecting/wanting him not to succeed through out the show?
Holly seemed to mature him, even if she may have re-enforced some of his annoying characteristics. I think sometimes I would like sto find a girl to balance me out. I think women have a great effect on men when they’re truely in love. But I’m not nearly as bad as he is!!
Edit: Yeah he was a product of his generation, but prehaps, Michael’s a product of… somthing, too.
Yeah, Ryan was stellar this week, putting the Hat in Asshat.
I’d be happy to see Michael find Ms. Right, but if I were Pam I wouldn’t want Ms. Right to be my mom. I don’t think I’d actually start screaming, but I’d probably want to.
We also haven’t seen enough of Pam’s mom to know if she’s actually a reasonable match for Michael. It’s possible that Pam was correct and this is just a rebound fling that Helene will soon realize could never work out long term. (And if that happens, Pam is sure to get dragged into the ugly aftermath of the breakup.) Alternately, Helene may turn out to be the type of woman who’d take advantage of Michael’s pathetic need to please others. Since we know that Michael wants to have kids, that could also be a big problem in their relationship – Helene must be in her 50s and has two grown daughters already.
I agree.
Yeah, don’t be afraid to say you hope nothing good happen to him, I don’t personalize myself with him that much. I’ve often complained Michael’s gone too far, and is often “Homerized”. I just don’t think most the die-hard fans would be satisfied with the show ending with Michael in the same place as when it began.
Myself included, but I’m rational enough to understand why people hate Michael. As I said here and the wedding episode, I don’t even understand how the all happened after Michael prophylactic speech, and his disgust of the apricot snack he was offered.
The show’s obviously not immune to stretching things beyond the realm of real-life absurdity, not just in the characters actions, but the circumstances they’re presented with. This, I believe accounts for some of Michael’s worst offences. But if there’s anyone looking for him to go out on a low-note, I would prepare myself to be MOSTLY disappointed, (I’m sure there will be some self-inflicted drama [or kinks] if anything good were to happen him).
It’s been so long, how did David Brent go out? (I would use spoilers as it’s running on ‘Adult Swim’ or PM me). I’m not sure American audiences would be interest in seeing anything but lollipops and rainbows for everyone. That’s why I come here. I lurked other boards when Charles was introduced… and all the, (empty) threats about never watching the show again if he appears for more than an “X” number of episodes. It was as if they were bracing themselves for Jim to be killed off.