Office Recap, "Business Trip"

Back in Scranton and it feels so good! More on that later, though.
First, a few tips from advice about international business customs.
In Japan, if you humiliate yourself, you must commit suicide. If you're Meredith in Abu Dabi, you should cover your face with a coat. (Her "Helloooo!" absolutely killed me.) If you ever go to Italy, remember that it's polite to wash your hands after you go to the bathroom.
But what about when you're in Canada, eh hoser? Okay, I'll leave the Canada jokes to How I Met Your Mother.

Jim's got a spring in his step and a song in his heart. Pam returns in 6.5 days! Everyone seems to be more involved with the relationship than ever before and it's a little disconcerting. Especially Creed's shoulder rub and Stanley's "Heh heh." shudder

And then it all falls apart. With a waver in her voice, Pam calls Jim because she's failing her supposedly 12-week program. Didn't she go in June? Yeah, it's now mid-November, but the writers seemed to have overlooked that. Anyhow, the professors switched to Acrobat when she was just getting the hang of Quark and she has to re-take the program. Jim's a good sport about it, but you can tell he's crushed. Pam can barely hold in her tears so she fakes that her battery is dying. Raise your hand if you've been there!

Ever since Holly got transferred, Michael's been feeling a little down. David Wallace decides to send him to Winnipeg for a sales call as some sort of weird consolation. This episode brings together the combination of Michael, Andy, and Oscar, which I don't believe we've ever seen before. Andy comes because of his Ivy League French classes and Oscar tags along for the numbers. It's a short trip up to Canada, but Andy and Oscar are prepared with a personal dvd player (where would we be without those for vacations?) and egg salad sandwiches. I agree with Michael--gross. "Do you also have a bag of baby poop?" It disturbed me that Michael referred to his sleep mask as a blindfold. Jan Levinson really took a toll on this guy.

They are staying in some fancy schmancy hotel with a concierge. Ooh la la! Marie is the name of the Canadian Geisha and if my sources are correct, she was also in Reno 911. Later that night, the boys practically stalk her at her after-work joint, where Michael grills her about holiday dry cleaning. Oddly enough, this works for Marie and they make out. That is good for Michael, who needs a rebound. Remember his last rebound, the Japanese waitresses that he couldn't tell apart? Good times...

We've seen a number of the Office characters when they're soundly soused, but Drunk Andy and Drunk Oscar take home the Dundie for being the funniest drunks. Oscar can't see what Andy sees in Angela. Underneath that ice queen exterior, there's a tiny bit of jelly. If that weren't such a weird description, it'd actually be sweet. Since I've never been drunk, I can't explain the logic behind calling your exes or significant others, but Oscar convinces Andy to give Ang a ring and I do mean on the phone, Santa Baby. What I like about Oscar is that he cuts straight to the chase. "Why won't you do Andy?" Andy says they will discuss it later...naked. Maybe it was completely inappropriate, but I laughed hardest at that scene more than any of the other scenes this season.

Andy and Oscar come to an understanding the next morning. The phone call, by the way, was totally not a dream. Poor guy--he's now back to first base. Oscar gets that it's different with his fellow accountant, so he asks what constitutes first base with Angela. A kiss on the forehead, which begs the question of what the other bases are. Try not to think about it too much. Also, how adorable is Ed Helms? Wikipedia tells me that he's still single and an accomplished banjoist. Seriously, I would date him in real life. Call me, Ed!

In the category of "still funny but losing my interest unless they keep eating each other's faces" are Ryan and Kelly. Now that they're both sequestered back in the annex once more, how can Kelly resist? As it turns out, she can't resist the push-ups and Ryan's still got a thing for a little junk in the trunk. Ryan composes a very well-written text message to Darryl for Kelly and they push "send" together. Those two are precious, aren't they? It's all cool with Darryl, who proceeds to strut out to his truck. Ryan is slowly beginning to fall back to his old ways/lack of enthusiasm and Kelly couldn't be happier! These situations are sad when it happens to your friends, but kind of awesome in tv land.

Since he really is a great salesman, Michael lands a two-year sale with the Canadian clients. He's dissatified with David Wallace, however, and spills out all of his anger about the Holly situation. It really was a sucky thing to do. Or, if you're Jennifer Aniston, it was very uncool of Angelina David Wallace to do that.

In Office lore, the parking lot has special meaning and not just because Pam portrayed it incorrectly in her painting. No, the parking lot has been the home of confessions, broken dreams, and failed proposals. So when Jim walks out and sees Ms. Beesly waiting for him, it is almost enough to make up for all the heartache. (Almost.) Regardless, the scene is perfect. The background is bathed in light--a stark contrast from the darkness of the other scenes. Pam explains that she doesn't even like graphic design and that she missed Scranton and that she didn't come back solely for Jim. Jim walks straight to her with a ridiculously happy grin on his face and he kisses his newly returned petit fiancee. Everyone, say it with me. Squee!


Oh, and Dwight would like those five copies first thing in the morning.