The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS - Page 2

Broccoli · April 26 2009, 05:16 AM

It was a satisfying conclusion to the story arc, but, personally, outside of Pam becoming a salesperson, the arc seemed very throwaway.

I was getting really sick of the "Crap on Jim" that Charles kept doing. It seemed very childish of Charles to keep belittling Jim continuously (although, I admit, Jim did stumble into it at times). I did like how Jim finally was able to shine as David likes Jim (a fact I am glad the writers didn't forget).

Also, I don't get why David Wallace always gives Michael the benefit of the doubt and constantly puts up with Micheal's antics. I know that, apparently/somehow, Michael is a good sales person (and, by proxy, manager), but I cannot see any CEO giving what he gave to Michael so easily, regardless on how "good" he is.

Also, what was the exact settlement? The 60 thousand and their jobs back? Or one or the other. Also, was Charles fired outright or is he simply going to be transferred? They were never clear on that.

Charles is suppose to reappear in the season ender. I wonder how that will play.

Mr Light · April 26 2009, 02:47 PM

I understood they got their jobs back but no money payout, and that Charles was transferred (why would they fire him?). I just thought of another side-story that was completely lost in this arc; Kevin as the secretary! Would have liked to have seen more of that!

David cgc · April 27 2009, 03:31 AM

^ Charles wasn't transferred, he just went back to doing his job as Jan (and Ryan's) replacement in New York. He was just subbing in as manager at Scranton until someone new could be hired. Wallace mentioned that he was still living in a hotel, after all.

Broccoli wrote:

Also, I don't get why David Wallace always gives Michael the benefit of the doubt and constantly puts up with Micheal's antics. I know that, apparently/somehow, Michael is a good sales person (and, by proxy, manager), but I cannot see any CEO giving what he gave to Michael so easily, regardless on how "good" he is.

Well, it was in Wallace's best interest to make the Michael Scott Paper Company go away as quickly as possible, since the Scranton Branch was starting to crap up under Charles on its own, and MSPC was leaching away their business. While they couldn't do it forever, they could definitely make it to the next earnings report, when, as Michael pointed out, all the investors would be very curious as to why DM's best-performing branch had suddenly taken a nosedive, and then things would snowball from there as investors started bailing out and going for the more consistently performing office-supply companies.

Getting Michael and his bizarre, controlled-chaos voodoo-savant management back was an added bonus, but the main reason Wallace caved was that they needed to reabsorb the customers Michael had poached.

I am a little curious if Michael is still going to answer to Charles or if they'll just make him directly accountable to Wallace to shut him up. Considering that none of this would've happened without Charles' attempts at micromanaging Michael (ignoring the rule about not fixing what isn't broken), it'd be the smart thing to do.

Harvey · April 27 2009, 03:47 AM

I'm more curious to see if the show will be able to retain Idris Elba, who was credited as a "Special Guest Star," and is starting to break into the mainstream after cult popularity on "The Wire." He may be mostly an off-screen presence now.

Captain Craig · April 27 2009, 04:28 AM

EXCELLENT

I echo so many others, best episode of the season. This season has had more than its share of mediocre episodes but this latest arc had the show back in top form.

I'm glad to see some character growth finally. Pam as a salesman and not the receptionist. Very few characters have actually grown professionally in the 5yrs of the show. Jim leaped Dwight in the 'nonexistent' position of #2 and Ryan's promotion/fall are the only two that happened.

Curious to see how long this new receptionist sticks around? The cynic in me feels like with a few eps to go in this season that they will find a way to reset status quo to Pam as receptionist.

shivkala · April 27 2009, 10:12 AM

^
Well seeing as how Pam's sales experience largely amounts to handing out fliers with the pancakes and answering the phone first when the client was calling, maybe she'll totally bomb the sales job.

Not that I want her to, but you're right, it's kind of inevitable.

Jayson · April 27 2009, 11:05 AM

I actually think Ryan or Jan will be the receptionist next season. Possibly the new girl but i'm not sure they will keep her around that long. I added Jan to the list because I read she will be back next season. I think that means she might get that job or I could even seeing her get her old job back. Having Ryan as a receptionist sort of makes sense as well. It's a way for Dunder Mifflin to keep him employed as they agreed to hire him back but keeps him from doing anything that might cause bad PR or any other problems.

Jason

Mr Light · April 27 2009, 03:49 PM

Oh wow I forgot all about Jan. Has she even appeared since showing up with the baby at the start of this season?

Broccoli · April 29 2009, 03:36 AM

^ No, she hasn't. Apparently, they want her for next season, but much of it depends on if the actress has a regular gig on another series (she's currently shooting a pilot).

Mr Light · April 29 2009, 04:26 AM

I always thought it was funny how shooting a pilot keeps a person out of an entire season or half of another show. A pilot is just a 22 minute show after all, they don't film the rest of it until after they pick it to go to series in May which is after the regular season finishes shooting.

Dave.Bowman · April 29 2009, 03:27 PM

[SIZE=2]I'm hoping for a battle royale between all of the sales staff now that Pam is entering into their circle. I'll bet she holds her own and Andy becomes the weakest link, eventually being transferred to the receptionist position - now that would be hilarious having him answer the phone in silly voices, singing greetings to everyone who enters the office and generally being a bigger annoyance than he is now.
[/SIZE]

Brikar99 · April 29 2009, 05:39 PM

Dave.Bowman wrote:

[SIZE=2]I'm hoping for a battle royale between all of the sales staff now that Pam is entering into their circle. I'll bet she holds her own and Andy becomes the weakest link, eventually being transferred to the receptionist position - now that would be hilarious having him answer the phone in silly voices, singing greetings to everyone who enters the office and generally being a bigger annoyance than he is now.
[/SIZE]

Oh my god, Andy as the receptionist would be hilarious! I don't think that would ever happen (or if it did, it would be because Michael ordered him to fill in while the actual receptionist was out or something) but my god, I can only imagine...

SlyCardie · April 29 2009, 05:46 PM

Dave.Bowman wrote:

[SIZE=2]I'm hoping for a battle royale between all of the sales staff now that Pam is entering into their circle. I'll bet she holds her own and Andy becomes the weakest link, eventually being transferred to the receptionist position - now that would be hilarious having him answer the phone in silly voices, singing greetings to everyone who enters the office and generally being a bigger annoyance than he is now.
[/SIZE]

I think there's going to be some sort of contest to see who keeps their job, and of course with Michael it won't be about actual sales either.

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April 26 2009, 05:16 AM	#16
Broccoli Vice Admiral Location: Broccoli	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS It was a satisfying conclusion to the story arc, but, personally, outside of Pam becoming a salesperson, the arc seemed very throwaway. I was getting really sick of the "Crap on Jim" that Charles kept doing. It seemed very childish of Charles to keep belittling Jim continuously (although, I admit, Jim did stumble into it at times). I did like how Jim finally was able to shine as David likes Jim (a fact I am glad the writers didn't forget). Also, I don't get why David Wallace always gives Michael the benefit of the doubt and constantly puts up with Micheal's antics. I know that, apparently/somehow, Michael is a good sales person (and, by proxy, manager), but I cannot see any CEO giving what he gave to Michael so easily, regardless on how "good" he is. Also, what was the exact settlement? The 60 thousand and their jobs back? Or one or the other. Also, was Charles fired outright or is he simply going to be transferred? They were never clear on that. Charles is suppose to reappear in the season ender. I wonder how that will play. __________________ "That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." -- Christopher Hitchens

April 26 2009, 02:47 PM	#17
Mr Light Admiral Location: Pennsylvania	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS I understood they got their jobs back but no money payout, and that Charles was transferred (why would they fire him?). I just thought of another side-story that was completely lost in this arc; Kevin as the secretary! Would have liked to have seen more of that! __________________

April 27 2009, 03:47 AM	#19
Harvey Admiral	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS I'm more curious to see if the show will be able to retain Idris Elba, who was credited as a "Special Guest Star," and is starting to break into the mainstream after cult popularity on "The Wire." He may be mostly an off-screen presence now. __________________ "What do you hear, Starbuck?" "Nothing but the rain, sir." "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat."

April 27 2009, 04:28 AM	#20
Captain Craig Vice Admiral Location: Nashville,TN	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS EXCELLENT I echo so many others, best episode of the season. This season has had more than its share of mediocre episodes but this latest arc had the show back in top form. I'm glad to see some character growth finally. Pam as a salesman and not the receptionist. Very few characters have actually grown professionally in the 5yrs of the show. Jim leaped Dwight in the 'nonexistent' position of #2 and Ryan's promotion/fall are the only two that happened. Curious to see how long this new receptionist sticks around? The cynic in me feels like with a few eps to go in this season that they will find a way to reset status quo to Pam as receptionist. __________________ "Picard never hit me." Q-Less(DS9) "Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings" Optimus Prime Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/CaptainCraig1

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April 27 2009, 10:12 AM	#21
shivkala Rear Admiral Location: Patrolling Sector 2814	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS ^ Well seeing as how Pam's sales experience largely amounts to handing out fliers with the pancakes and answering the phone first when the client was calling, maybe she'll totally bomb the sales job. Not that I want her to, but you're right, it's kind of inevitable. __________________ "When I reach for the edge of the universe, I do it knowing that along some paths of cosmic discovery, there are times when, at least for now, one must be content to love the questions themselves." --Neil deGrasse Tyson

April 27 2009, 11:05 AM	#22
Jayson Vice Admiral Location: Oklahoma	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS I actually think Ryan or Jan will be the receptionist next season. Possibly the new girl but i'm not sure they will keep her around that long. I added Jan to the list because I read she will be back next season. I think that means she might get that job or I could even seeing her get her old job back. Having Ryan as a receptionist sort of makes sense as well. It's a way for Dunder Mifflin to keep him employed as they agreed to hire him back but keeps him from doing anything that might cause bad PR or any other problems. Jason

April 27 2009, 03:49 PM	#23
Mr Light Admiral Location: Pennsylvania	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS Oh wow I forgot all about Jan. Has she even appeared since showing up with the baby at the start of this season? __________________

April 29 2009, 03:36 AM	#24
Broccoli Vice Admiral Location: Broccoli	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS ^ No, she hasn't. Apparently, they want her for next season, but much of it depends on if the actress has a regular gig on another series (she's currently shooting a pilot). __________________ "That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." -- Christopher Hitchens

April 29 2009, 04:26 AM	#25
Mr Light Admiral Location: Pennsylvania	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS I always thought it was funny how shooting a pilot keeps a person out of an entire season or half of another show. A pilot is just a 22 minute show after all, they don't film the rest of it until after they pick it to go to series in May which is after the regular season finishes shooting. __________________

April 29 2009, 03:27 PM	#26
Dave.Bowman Ensign Location: So Cal: The Land of High Unemployment, Higher Taxes & OctoMom	Re: The Office 5x22 'Broke' Discuss & Grade SPOILERS [SIZE=2]I'm hoping for a battle royale between all of the sales staff now that Pam is entering into their circle. I'll bet she holds her own and Andy becomes the weakest link, eventually being transferred to the receptionist position - now that would be hilarious having him answer the phone in silly voices, singing greetings to everyone who enters the office and generally being a bigger annoyance than he is now. [/SIZE] __________________ Open the pod bay doors please, HAL.