| Cross-posted from my LJ and the Office board
Okay, this was no 'Beach Games' but I just loved it and I am SO excited for next week! I'm half-dead from exhaustion right now and yet, I'm totally keyed up from this episode. That hasn't happened in a long, long time.
Oh, where to start?! First, I love that Michael is branching out in his jeans collection to include hip, baggy ones. Fabulous! The unlikely team of Darryl, Oscar, Pam and Michael totally cracked me up, though I was expecting more out of Darryl. His "Fluffy Fingers" bit last week just got me primed for Darryl awesomeness.
I totally called the end of Jim's TH as he was doing it. I really, really loved it though because it confirmed what I've been saying for the last few days. Jim needs money to pay for a wedding and he'll do anything he has to do it. We also got a little more insight into Jim's conception of his relationship with Pam, which I find really fascinating. I was always worried that he had put Pam on a pedestal and that would make it hard for them. But instead it seems like he's demanding perfection from himself or at least, he doesn't want to fail Pam, fail to provide for her. Which on one hand is adorable, but on the other hand I really want him to be confident enough to say to Pam, "hey, yeah, it's not going as well as I would have hoped, but I'm going to keep at it" so she can say, "I know you can do it and I love you." However, the phone convo they DID have was adorable and made me smile till my cheeks hurt. Jim saying "I like you" ranks up there on my favorite Jim sayings now.
I was really hoping for more Dwight/Angela action when everyone else in the office left. In fact, as it went to commercial, I thought that the Pam jumping around scene was her coming back to the office for more paper and seeing them together. Even when they left, I was holding out hope for something - a touch, a hug, a kiss, a something - but nada. As Stanley would say, "women say more in their pauses," so perhaps there is more there than meets the eye at first. I'm still holding out hope.
Andy on the golf course made me laugh so hard! It was all the Andy-isms all in one place - the Dartmouth shirt, the blisters from trying too hard, the racing so he could win something and then crashing the golf cart in the sand trap. Loved it! I know why Jim brought him, but he's really good in small doses and Jim should know better. Kevin was fantastic as well! Him betting was the icing on a fabulous cake - memories of Safety Training B plot (which I LOVED!) and it was amazing.
I completely LOVED Jim FINALLY, FINALLY, never giving up, not letting life beat him down and getting what he needs to make his dreams come true. Sure enough, he's doing it to sell paper, but really he's doing it to marry Pam and that just makes me smile. I loved that stood in front of the guy's car and got the deal. Good job Jim!
I was screaming at the TV when Michael started to make a move for the microphone. Michael + mic = always disaster! Except this time it didn't seem so bad. It was hard to see him defeated like that - to see him sorta realize how other people see his job. I really loved his last TH at the end where he was inspired by Jim a bit. That line about Jim being able to do anything he wanted, but being there to sell paper really tugged at my heart a bit.
And really, there are no words for how happy that last Jim/Pam scene made me! I love how happy she is for him and how she doesn't even think to hide it until after the fact. Their handshake was precious, but I'm glad Jim just grabbed her back and kissed the hell out of her. Michael's smile warmed my heart because it seemed almost paternal. At the end of a really crappy day, he can look at Jim and Pam and know that maybe it's all worth it. Of course, then it got creepy, but I'll just ignore that part. I didn't get an "I love you" out of Pam, but that was a pretty good "Pam moment" nonetheless.
And the tag! Oh, Pam, I'm so excited for her - that she's even thinking in that direction. I really hope this goes somewhere and isn't used to be a catalyst to shove her and Jim apart. I hope the hug in the promo is her acceptance to one of those programs in Philly or NYC - because Jim would follow her anywhere. I hope she knows that. |