Except again, laziness is not the same thing as the “Michael Scott Method of Management.” Yes, both Jim and Michael are lazy when it comes to their assigned paperwork, but that’s where the similarity ends. Despite his pranks, Jim also consistently put a lot of effort into creating a positive work environment (the Office Olympics probably being the best example of this), something at which Michael is completely incapable due to his aforementioned childishness and egocentrism.
One trait Michael and Jim have always shared is their tendency to use humor as a way of coping with stress or trying to make others happy. The difference is that Michael is terrible at this – at best he’s tediously repeating the same tired jokes (always lifted from someplace else), and at worst he’s outright offensive.
There’s no way for Jim to realistically become as bad as Michael in that way, but on a couple of occasions recently he’s been reduced to using Michael-esque wacky voices, etc. I think the problem is that Jim can’t really use subversive humor anymore and he’s not sure what else to do. It’s one thing to make wisecracks about crazy situations at the office when you’re just another peon, but he’s supposed to be in charge now.
Didn’t Jim fall back on a stupid movie quote this episode? “Its aaaalll good…” or something like that. Sounds like a Michael Scottism to me.
Hey…Andy stayed!
Has no one here seen a friend promoted from “the ranks” to suddenly be in the position of authority they used to mock? I’ve seen it happen with several friends–and there’s definitely a weird period of adjustment as they realize that they have to start “behaving” and “projecting leadership” and claptrap like that. I think that Jim’s responses are realistic–especially given the background level of insanity that is Dunder-Mifflin.
Yeah, I was thinking about that in particular. I missed the beginning of the episode so I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to be a reference to, but that’s the kind of thing Michael does to relieve tension. Only with Michael he’ll drag out the gag until everyone is even more uncomfortable.
Here’s a pretty good deleted scene from The Promotion talking about the differences between Michael and Jim when it comes to management:
http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/clips/the-promotion-clip-three/1162639/?__cid=nbceditorial
I thought Jim’s comic timing was perfect in the scene where Pam and Michael are arguing in the kitchen, and she storms out and…
Jim: “Hey-”
Pam: “Shove it!”
Jim: “O… K…”
I can’t believe this thread’s lasted this long. I still love this episode and think it’s one of the ‘classics’.
I think there’s been some parallels made between Jim and Mike for a while; but not exactly having to do with ant characteristics they share. There was one earlier episode where both Michael and Jim were have separate problems with the opposite sex. I’m not sure they were aware of each other’s specific problems, but at the end of the episode, from his desk, Jim glances at Michael in his office.
They don’t say a word but you can tell each one knows the other’s thinking, like; “The things we go though…”, or, “Women.” I love those little touches.
MyFootsZZZ, yeah, there was something similar in a syndicated episode on yesterday, the one where Jim tries to change the birthday party procedure. Michael was out on his wilderness adventure. When he got back to the office (too exhausted to be “Michael”), he and Jim quietly commiserated about how hard it was to make everyone happy. It was nice. Made me wish Michael could be tired more often.
I agree. I’m not all that interested in seeing a season-long arc showing this character development either. It was funny enough as a side-plot idea (as in the birthday cake episode), but I’m not interested in seeing some external justification for Michael’s behavior. Michael doesn’t act the way he does because the DM employees are insane and require it.
Also, I think I am alone in that I did not like this episode much. It is frustrating to see Pam put in such a crappy situation, particularly since she has been more patient and more kind to Michael than anyone else. And the mallard sub-plot did not seem to go anywhere satisfying.
Jim puts a lot of effort into entertaining himself. It has nothing to do with a positive office environment.
And, obviously, laziness and Michael’s ways are not the same. Who said they were? I said that Jim’s desire to not make a huge effort could reasonably lead him to act in a way that will cause the least disruption. He knows that Michael is terrible as a leader, but the people there are used to it. To do things differently would be more effort for him than he is willing to put in.
Yeah, that’s true and I do think they are forcing the Jim bit a little too much, but it is interesting to see that he may not be doing as good of a job as he thought he was going to.
Still though, he’s just a smarter and more normal character than Michael so I hope this doesn’t stick around too long
The big “surprise ending” of the mallard subplot was just too damn obvious. Of course Dwight had a secondary plan - he’s crazy but he’s not stupid. What “The Office” used to be great at was setting up a plot twist, getting the audience to smile and nod and expect it, and then pulling off an even better surprise instead.
In this case, the story would have been better if it had ended with the reveal that Jim had known about Dwight’s pen the whole time. In other words, after Dwight’s proud speech about the pen and how he outsmarted everybody, we hear the recording of Jim saying something like “six hundred reams of heavy white… okay, Mr. Donovan, we’ll have that shipped out to you shortly. Dwight, can you handle the paperwork? This is a big order. Thanks.” Brief shot of Dwight’s disbelieving face, cut to black.
In fact, Michael commented that he had tried the same idea about birthdays years before, and that it hadn’t worked. I think that gave Jim some insight into why Michael acts the way he does.
Right, that would have been a satisfying wrap-up to the side-plot. Instead it seems like they might keep the mic alive for future episodes. I guess that would be OK, but I found the I-caught-you-now-wash-my-car to be anti-climatic.
I liked Dwight washing Jim’s car. Dwight seems to live by this bizarre code, accepting punishment when he’s caught doing something underhanded. Like when he did Michael’s laundry. Have there been other instances like this? It’s odd and unrealistic but it fits his personality.
I don’t think that would have been better. I liked the real ending better than what you’ve described. With the real ending, Dwight believes he’s won…but has really lost, because the recording consists of hours of ordinary, boring work-related stuff. Have fun listening to that, Dwight.