The Office – Michael Scott Paper Company vs. Dunder-Mifflin

by Jason Hughes

After the new “Michael Scott Paper Company” intro sequence for the second episode last week, we got the traditional The Office intro this week. I hate to say it, but I was a little disappointed. It made me think it was almost inevitable that Michael’s little side venture would somehow either fail or get rolled back into Dunder-Mifflen and things would go back to the status quo before too long.

Now maybe it’s just me, but I love change on shows. This new paper company creates just endless opportunities for new story directions and relationship dynamics. It’s something that could run for a year or more before getting stale, I think. And the gang back at Dunder-Mifflin is strong enough that things remain just as interesting without Pam and Michael. Particularly with Charles hovering around as the boss from hell. And Ryan, well he’s a trainwreck waiting to happen no matter where he is.

Dwight’s blind support and adoration of Michael were really put to the test when Charles Miner started complimenting him. Here’s a guy who actually has it together saying good things. But I think Dwight was genuinely torn about his loyalties until Michael went after his biggest client, Harper-Collins.

I will admit I could have done without Dwight dropping trou’ to prove that he wasn’t wearing a wire. But then when he robbed the Michael Scott Paper Company, the new dynamic of their relationship was firmly established, and I felt bad for Michael. Not only did Dwight tell Harper that Michael had a nervous breakdown, but he took Michael’s rolodex. Michael kicks it old school and has tons of personal data on client’s in the rolodex.

While it didn’t look good on Dwight, this battle brought out the great salesman that we all know is in Michael but so rarely get to see. It was nice seeing him in his element, and I found myself rooting for him and his new upstart to succeed. Even Ryan wasn’t as big of a douchebag as usual, granted that’s because he didn’t do much at all. I don’t know how long these inter-company battles will be going on, but it’s made the show more exciting than it’s been in a long time.