Maybe this two-parter should have been the post-Super Bowl episode. Sure I’ve only seen half of it, but damn was this a fine episode of The Office. IMDB tells me that our very own Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling) wrote this one so hats off to her.
We had the lecture circuit itself with Pam and Michael touring the local Dunder-Mifflin offices so Michael can give a lecture to the branches about what makes good sales. Apparently, David Wallace didn’t learn much when he had Michael come into corporate to try and explain his wizardry in leading the sales leader for the company. Instead, what we got was a funny lecture, but even more importantly a truly sweet and emotionally mature experience between Pam and Karen (remember her!) and then Pam and Michael.
I don’t know if this is how soon we’re going to be seeing Holly’s return to the series, but I’m all for it. I love Pam for convincing Michael to blow off the second lecture and take off for the office Holly’s at so he can get some closure, as well. Pam got hers when she found out that Karen doesn’t hate her for stealing Jim any more. In fact, Karen is happily married and expecting!
Surprisingly, Michael had a mostly respectful and mature relationship with Pam throughout the entire episode. Sure, he asked her to basically slut up her wardrobe a bit and made her carry all the luggage, but he really talked to her. And even more surprising, he listened.
When that ‘To Be Continued’ came up on the screen, I was genuinely upset. The half hour just went by so fast. Isn’t it weird that when The Office was doing hour-long episodes last year, some of them kind of drag, and then they go and do a two-parter and it’s brilliant throughout (the first half).
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Feb 06, 2009 @ 17:06 EST5EDT
