Last week’s opener really got my hopes up for another stellar season of The Office. I was doubly looking forward to actually watching a full season from start to finish instead of sporadically catching episodes as I have done for the last two seasons. Unfortunately, this week’s episode, “The Convention,” failed to live up to my expectations. Oh, certainly I’ll keep watching, but my dream of a perfect season has already died.
It starts off with a whiz-bang, having Michael come in talking of adopting a child after having watched Angelina Jolie on Oprah. He quickly gives up the idea after learning the application process could cost upwards of $1,000 and the waiting list is a good eight month.
“I don’t even know if I’ll want a baby in eight months.”
After a bit of bartering, Pam and Michael agree to have a child together if both remain childless in thirty years.
“If I haven’t had a baby in ten years then you and I...”
“No Michael.”
“In twenty years?”
“No Michael.”
“In thirty years?”
“Okay.”
The rest of the episode centers around a paper convention, pitting the Scranton office against the Stamford one, at least in Michael’s eyes. He is immediately jealous of the relationship Jim has developed with Josh, the manager of the Stamford office, or as Michael says, “the poor man’s Michael Scott as he is known around my condo.”
Josh does get off a line that he would let Michael work as a salesman if his office absorbs the Scranton one. An interesting, if mostly innocuous, remark that may serve as a means to get Jim back into the company with the rest of the cast.
This is also one way to solve the whole two office dilemma. By holding a convention, they can merge the two offices, making a more cohesive storyline than trying to keep up with multiple settings, although certainly they can’t keep holding conventions and it still created two settings having a side plot involving Pam.
Article comments
1 - handyguy
I didn't know how to take Jim being nice to Michael. (Try to imagine the Jim-equivalent in the BBC series being nice to Ricky Gervais!) They lost me there. I thought Angela got most of the best comedy bits in this episode.
2 - Mat Brewster
It was a very strange moment, especially when Jim went as far as calling Michael a great boss. My wife let out a yelp at that one.
3 - Chris Beaumont
I think Jim is sort of regretting his move....
Dwight continues to crack me up, I know someone just like him.
I did notice a couple of times you mention Jan, when I believe you meant Pam, in relation to the blind date.
4 - Mat Brewster
D'oh! Thanks for the heads up on the dumb mistake.
I've known many people like Dwight, unfortunately. That could be an interesting theory, Jim schmoozes Michael over and over to make a move back to Scranton.
5 - Baronius
Jim has always been supportive of Michael. Whether it's the Dundies or the karaoke at Jim's party, Jim helps out Michael when he's floundering. Of course, Jim also gets his shots in at Michael, but most of those go over his head. Handyguy, excuse my snippiness, but this isn't The Office UK.
6 - Chris Beaumont
My pleasure Mat.
Jim knows that with Michael as his boss, as long as he produces, and he does, he can get away with just about anything. It may not be the same case in Stanford. So he looks to how he would crack on Michael, but support him as his manager. It is actually a pretty interesting relationship.