“The Meeting”

The Office was decidedly different this season.  Some said it went downhill.  I say it became darker and purposefully ambivalent and definitely more interesting.  This turn resulted in a style in which the episodes ran together, and few particularly stood out, as they did in seasons past.  Those that did were typified by a consistent comedy style that is more or less the show’s traditional style.  “The Meeting” fit this model with Dwight getting involved in a crazy scheme (and teaming up with Toby, of all people) and Michael causing more harm than he can imagine with his meddling shenanigans.  The laugh-out-loud, belly laugh, and chuckle moments were in steady supply, including the cheese-cart sneak entrance, Michael feeling “partially responsible” for Jim not getting the promotion, Darrell’s sister, Michael texting David Wallace while he and Jim were on the phone with him, and Toby depressed by paperwork.  While I am fascinated by the recession-inspired storylines, I like to know that the traditional laughs of The Office can still be pulled off.

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