I'll admit it. I've been looking forward to Phyllis' wedding for some time now. Especially as I just knew in my heart of hearts that Michael would find a way to make Phyllis' day all about him.I wasn't disappointed.
Last night's episode of The Office ("Phyllis' Wedding") presented a hilarious excursion outside of the confines of Dunder-Mifflin as the employees of everyone's favorite paper company gathered to attend the Scranton wedding of the year as Phyllis Lappin and Bob Vance (say it with me: "Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration") exchanged vows.
I loved that Michael managed to get into the wedding party (his assignment: to push Phyllis' elderly, wheelchair-bound father down the aisle) not because of some pestering from Michael, but because Phyllis correctly deduced that it would be the only way she'd be able to get six weeks off for her honeymoon. Clever girl.
Though she certainly got more than she bargained for as Michael tried to squeeze into every photo op, kept referring to himself as the "employer of the bride," and attempted to make a 40-minute wedding toast in which he mistook the definition of "welding" with that of "wedding." Ouch.
But the icing on the cake had to be his tantrum over Phyllis' dad stealing his thunder when he miraculously rose from his wheelchair (pushed halfway down the aisle by Michael) and stood to a round of amazed applause as he walked, giving his daughter away and leaving poor Michael in the dust. (At least he didn't wet his pants at this wedding, unlike his mother's and step-dad Jeff's.) How hilarious was the sight of Michael attempting to push the now-vacant wheelchair down the aisle and insert himself into the assemblage? (Even worse: his introduction of the bride and groom... before they had finished exchanging vows.)
Loved that Kelly wore white to the wedding, not because she didn't realize it was in poor taste, but because she had "an emergency," namely she knew she looked good in white. I was hoping to see more of Ryan and Kelly's reaction to the wedding, but I am hoping some of that will inevitably end up on the DVD. (Same with Dwight's eagle-eyed vigilance over wedding crashers, leading to Phyllis' dementia-suffering Uncle Al being booted from the reception.)
Meanwhile, poor Pam had to suffer the indignation of virtually attending her own wedding, as Phyllis managed to steal every single one of Pam's wedding ideas--from the flowers to the invitations to the wedding dress--and use them herself. (Loved the P&R flower arrangements; nice touch.) But it was a great opportunity for Roy to cozy up to Pam and admit some of the mistakes of the past (such as not paying attention to any of the wedding planning) and bribe the band to play their song (even if, ugh, it was Jewel's "You Were Meant for Me") before asking Pam to dance. I'm liking this softer version of Roy, but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Despite Jim being with Karen, he couldn't help telling Beesley how "cute" she'd be if she got up on the dance floor. But rather than have Jim and Pam hook up at the wedding, the writers smartly kept them apart. In fact, Pam left early with Roy (which makes me more than a little nervous that they consummated their reunion), leaving Jim--who caught the two of them sneaking out together--to issue a statement that he's happy to be with Karen, who joined Kevin's band Scrantonicity (apparently a Sting/Police cover band) on stage for some impromptu singing and booty-shaking.
I just know that Karen's gonna get left in the dust eventually, but I really am rooting for her and Jim to stay together (even if Rashida Jones doesn't seem long for the show). Can I get some Karen love over here? Is anyone else rooting for these two kids to stay together?
How amazing did Angela look in her little powder blue Jackie O. outfit (complete with pillbox hat)? (Dwight: "You look as beautiful as the Queen of England.") Even if she did tell the bride that her dress was so white it was blinding her (heh), Angela earned her dance with Dwight outside the reception hall. Who ever thought that these two, er, eccentrics would actually find true love in one another? I love how their romance--furtive or not--seems to be the one constancy in this series. Brilliant.
All in all, a fantastic episode with some genuine belly-aching laughs and unexpected emotion. Besides, any episode that has Michael telling Bob he'll kill him if he ever lays a finger on his new wife Phyllis has got to be classic. And who didn't get a little misty-eyed when Phyllis kissed Michael after he "found" the missing Uncle Al? Moments like that are why I love this show.
Next week on The Office ("Business School"), it's finally here! The episode we've all been waiting for as Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon directs The Office (a story broken in the media by yours truly). In this episode, Michael agrees to give a presentation at Ryan's business school, while back at the office, Dwight must deal with a bat that has gotten loose inside the Dunder-Mifflin offices. Joss Whedon plus a bat? I am SO there.
What's On Tonight
8 pm: Ghost Whisperer (CBS); 1 vs. 100 (NBC); WWE Friday Night SmackDown (CW; 8-10 pm); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Nanny 911 (FOX); Wicked Wicked Games (MyNet)
9 pm: Close to Home (CBS); Las Vegas (NBC); Brothers & Sisters (ABC); Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy (FOX); Watch Over Me (MyNet)
10 pm: NUMB3RS (CBS); Law & Order (NBC); 20/20 (ABC)
What I'll Be Watching
8 pm: Hardware on BBC America (11 pm ET).
It's the second season of Britcom Hardware, starring Martin Freeman of the original UK version of The Office, taking place at a small (you guessed it!) hardware store. On tonight's episode ("Tony Two-Ways"), when Steve seems to know a gay customer who comes into the hardware store, he's forced to prove his sexuality; meanwhile, Mike writes a DIY article for the local paper, but when it receives some complaints, Kenny attempts to write his own piece.
8:30 pm: Spaced on BBC America (11:30 pm ET).
It's the second season of one of the wackiest Britcoms ever devised. On tonight's episode ("Gone"), Tim and Daisy's night on the town turns deadly and their are forced to fight for their survival. Have I told you how much I love this show?
10 pm: Hyperdrive on BBC America (9 pm ET)
On the fourth episode of this hilarious space station-set workplace comedy ("Asteroid"), the HMS Camden Lock faces the possibility of an attack after they fail to establish a union with an alien nation. No, not the gang from the old Alien Nation series. Though that would be pretty darn funny too.
10:40 pm: Feel the Force on BBC America (9:40 pm ET)
It's the US premiere of UK cop spoof Feel the Force. On tonight's episode, Frank and Bobbins attempt to apprehend the most wanted man in Scotland. Hilarity ensues.
Comments
The one thing I've discovered about great Office episodes is that they can be just as funny when watching a second (ok, I'll admit it) or third time because there are so many characters in the foreground and background that are always up to something.
I rewound the bouquet tossing scene just to verify that Ryan did in fact swat the bouquet away from Kelly as it was headed straight towards her.
Love it!
I thought it was slow. I felt the act breaks coming, and when the show's in its groove, that's not the case. Plus, I don't think it's smart for the writers to keep Pam and Jim apart any longer - get them together and let them find out that being together maybe isn't the fantasy they thought it would be.
How's that for gutsy writing?
The Altoids lead-in had me in hysterics! Creed's stealing a wedding present was great, too.
I, too, am happy to see Jim finally appreciate the constancy that's Karen. If Pam were any more mercurial, she'd be a thermometer. Run, Jim, don't walk, away from Pam and towards Karen! If Pam were really interested, she should've/would've said something after she called off her wedding. Her "getting out of here" with Roy only serves to prove it. I've always liked Pam, but this has tipped my scale firmly towards Karen.
Sigh. I really hope they'll find a way for Rashida Jones to be in season four. She adds a nice bit of well-deserved happiness to Jim's previously angst-ridden life. But if she does leave, I hope they do it without any unpleasantness between Karen and Jim.
I have zero interest in Jim and Pam together...talk about a snooze fest. Anyone EVER seen the 10,000 other sitcoms that paired up the guy and girl and went on to be successful? That's right, they were all cancelled.
and I love Karen.
and swtiching gears...how great was Judith Light on Betty?
Look, I also enjoy the "will they won't they". For a time. After a while, it becomes insulting. He can pick Karen if he wants to. It just doesn't seem like he likes her that much, that's all.
angela is totally stealing the show this season ("i said left")
Couple comedy is currently provided by Dwight and Angela desperately trying not to let anyone know they're a couple. What will Jim and Pam's couple schtick be? I can't imagine how much fun it would be to watch them bicker, break up, get back together, break up again...sorry I fell asleep writing that.
Anonymous? Is this Joss? This is soooo Joss. Sure, Wonder Woman didn't work out, but that's no justification for lurking and posting self-critical crap. We still love you long time. It's that Marti Noxon that angrifies my blood. Grey's Anatomy (meh) can have her. Oh, I'm getting mad just thinking about her. Yellow crayons. Yellow crayons. Yellow crayons. There. I'm better.