Shareholders Meeting

  By Just Jammy

So Michael was up to his old tricks again in “Shareholders Meeting.” That is to say, he was hogging the spotlight, sticking his foot in his mouth, and generally being unaware of what a moron he is. Typical Michael behavior … funny, as always, but honestly, not such a good time. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I didn’t feel like I’d already seen this ten times this season. Literally. It’s almost as if every episode is designed simply in order to answer the question, “What new place can Michael make an ass of himself?” Granted, that always has been, and always will be a central focus of the show. But it just seems to have been taken to extremes this season. Every episode not only centers around Michael and his idiotic behavior to the exclusion of almost all else, but it’s practically the same idiotic behavior from one week to the next. I know … that’s really nothing new, but I think the problem that I’m having is the same one I’ve been having all season. And that is simply that there seems to be a problem striking the appropriate balance. Having said that, though, I will say that, oddly enough, “Shareholders Meeting” seemed like a step toward getting things back in equilibrium. Because while there was still, in my opinion, too much time spent focused on Michael’s inanity in an ultimately pointless situation, the rest of the episode, from the green week-inspired cold open to the b-story were funny and entertaining and helped to counter-balance the cringe-worthy effect of Michael Scott’s usual antics.

This episode was a bit of an enigma to me, though. While it seemed as though not much was happening for much of the time, it did seem to go by very quickly – quicker than most weeks. And although I wasn’t exactly excited about the next bit of buffoonery we would see at the shareholders meeting, I can’t claim to have been bored either. Still, Michael acting inappropriately and getting himself in hot water with the bosses, and the bosses in hotter water with the shareholders wasn’t the most uproariously funny storyline they’ve ever come up with. But it did feature David Wallace. And I do love me some David Wallace. So generally speaking, I’m in favor of anything that gives Dunder Mifflin’s CFO some screen time. But mostly I found myself wanting to hurry along the scenes at the big meeting so that we could get back to the storyline that I was really interested in back at the actual office. It’s funny that this season was supposedly going to stick close to home (i.e. the office) and yet almost every week sees someone or other off gallivanting to places hither and yon. Of course, it also wasn’t supposed to be featuring much on the romantic front either and already Michael has embarked on one ill-advised romance, Dwight’s hooked up with an unfortunate bridesmaid, it’s been made clear that Kelly and Ryan on in an ‘on-again’ phase of their on-again, off-again whatever, and Andy and Erin are being set up as the next big office romance. So when Paul Lieberstein said that there would be less romance and more focus on the office, he was clearly only talking about Jim and Pam. Oh, I see …. grrr. *Stabs voodoo doll labeled ‘Uncle Pauly‘ … repeatedly*

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, that storyline taking place back in the office while Michael was off doing what he does. The b-story, for me, was far more interesting than anything we would see (same sh-beep, different day) at the shareholders’ meeting (save for David Wallace, of course.) Granted, it still wasn’t what I really want to see (Jim and Pam fuzzy cuteness), but it was at least new and interesting. Since so much of this season has been devoted to telling us repeatedly that Jim is now a co-manager (I got it at ‘co-manager,’ thanks) it’s nice that we finally got to see him acting the part … in relation to something other than trying to reign in Michael’s insanity. Because Jim didn’t need to be promoted to co-manager to do that. In fact, that’s pretty much been Jim’s major function from day one, even before he was assistant (to the) regional manager or Michael’s #2 or whatever other title he held before becoming Michael’s official baby-sitter … I mean, co-manager. So anyway, since it’s been established over and over again that Jim is now also the head mother trucker in charge, it was nice to see it play out with his actual minions. Who, predictably enough, show him little to no respect. At least in regards to his authority around the office. After all, this isn’t the first time he’s been in charge … and ever other time that he’s attempted to act the part of a manager, things have not gone well. He tries so hard, and yet ever time he fails to remember that he’s making decisions that seem good, smart and rational … to normal people, but his co-workers are not normal or rational. They don’t want combined birthdays so that maybe some more work could done around the place, and while they might have all been up for staying late to get their extra work done and not have to work on Saturday, they were still quick to throw Jim under the bus for neglecting to remember something they all forgot about too. So really, Jim suggesting that people get their work done at work, or God forbid listen to him and follow the directions that he gives as their boss, is clearly not going to fly. You can put on a suit and get your grandma to comb your hair, but you know damn well that you’re still the kid who puts people’s stuff in jell-o to them. Which is why Jim needed to take a stand. Since that office is apparently not prison (according to Prison Mike, anyway) acting crazy and beating someone with a chair was clearly out as an option. So what’s the next best thing? Oh yeah, make your workers … work … at work. Crazy. Really, Jim? You ask the temp to do actual work instead of just wandering around taking nudey pics for his creepy perv photo album? How dare you? Using common sense is for … well, people who don’t work at Dunder Mifflin Scranton, obviously.

So naturally, Jim, being a rational person and an all-around nice guy, struggled to get the temp to agree with his point-of-view. Jim’s point-of-view being that the temp should do some of the work that he’s presumably being paid to do. So he starts off asking nicely for Ryan to do the job that’s been assigned to him. Of course, Ryan isn’t anxious to comply and instead argues the point with Jim. And then Phyllis strolls in from her two hour lunch with Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration “a little tipsy” and doesn’t think it matters that Jim, HER BOSS, finds that inappropriate. And hey, I can’t say as I blame him … what with all the extreme care that he and Pam have taken to act professional in the office, to the point that they barely exchange three words much less engage in any playful banter or sweet moments (and seriously, this HAS to end or someone -me- is going to die), I can’t blame him for expecting his employees to make an effort to at least pretend to be professional. Instead they flaunt their transgressions right in front of Jim. Why? Because of course they don’t think he’s their real boss. Of course they don’t. I’m glad it’s finally out there, because we knew all along that’s what they were thinking and something was bound to happen to bring it all to a head. In this case, it was helped along by the temp, aka world class douche bag, naturally, telling everyone that Jim doesn’t have the same authority as Michael. Hell, even Pam struggled to remember, maybe even believe, that Jim wields as much power as Michael. (Let it be noted that at this point I’m refraining from making a joke involving iPods … but feel free to insert your own. That’s what she said.) But at least she’s going to give him her unwavering support … as soon as she remembers to raise her hand. And she doesn’t participate in spreading the rumors, either.

Well, this is progress … not that Pam is supportive of Jim, but that it was actually mentioned in the show. You know, it was a somewhat veiled reference to the fact that they are married now, eternally linked and such. (Supposedly, I wouldn’t know, I surely didn’t hear any vows.) And it’s good to remind us of that fact once in a while … otherwise a newcomer to the show wouldn’t know that Jim and Pam have a relationship beyond boss and co-worker. I mean, in the majority of these episodes, someone watching for the first time would have to take a wild guess as to who is the father of that baby. And something just isn’t right about that. But Pam’s steadfast support was certainly right. That little scene, short and sweet though it may have been, made the episode for me, really. I loved her asking Jim if he could, in fact, fire people and Jim admitting to Pam what he wouldn’t admit to the others – that he doesn’t really know. And then Pam teasing Jim that she’s never heard him yell (like that’s a bad thing) segueing into a cute little story about apple picking day felt like the old Jim and Pamness that has been so sorely lacking lately. Of course, it would be better if they would see fit to actually show us apple picking day. Or anything, really, other than Professional Jim and Professional Pam acting all mature and grown-up in the office. I mean, I’m all for personal growth and now with a baby (that we never hear about) on the way, I would expect them to show a more mature side. But not all the time. Screw that – put something in jell-o already … or send Dwight on a mission for NASA or something. Or, at the very least, they could take a moment out to show us Jim and Pam being all cute and adorable and Jim and Pam OUTSIDE the office. Seriously, this has to change because it’s making me crazy. Still, this little moment in the kitchen, with Pam even touching Jim’s arm in a reassuring pat, was at least a start, and definitely did make the episode for me. Sad, but true. I mean, sad that it was so short and that something so mundane could make me so excited. It’s not sad that Jim and Pam made the episode for me. They always do.

Of course, Jim manning up and shoving the temp in the closet made the episode for me, too. It’s about time someone showed that little punk who’s boss. And how sweet it is now that the turntables have … oh yeah, turned and Jim is the one in charge of Ryan. It seemed inevitable that a confrontation, of sorts, would have to happen between these two sooner or later. There’s long been something of a one-sided rivalry there and after the whole dust up with Ryan trying to get Jim fired just before his little punk ass got hauled off to jail, well, it just seemed bound to happen now that Jim is his boss. And that’s part of what made this storyline so interesting … seeing who would ultimately win the power struggle. And how delicious that Jim came out the victor. I mean, he certainly needed to win this one. He’s the boss and everyone needs to know that he’s in charge, and he’s not gonna take their crap. How better to do that than to shove the temp in a closet? Really, someone should have shoved the temp in a closet a long time ago. But that it was Jim that finally got to do it was perfect. Especially because we all know that he’s a smart guy, able to come up with ingenious pranks at the drop of a hat, and so I was thrilled that he came up with a clever solution the Ryan problem that actually used the smug little jerk’s own words against him and had the added bonus of showing everyone else that co-manager Jim is not messing around. The looks on everyone’s faces when Jim put Ryan in the mother of all time outs was priceless.

Especially Pam’s. I’m pretty sure she was thinking the same thing I was thinking, “Wow, he’s gonna be the BEST dad.” Because he’ll routinely lock their kids in the closet. Or, you know, just because he’ll come up with clever, inventive ways to dole out discipline when need be. That little smile on Pam’s face showed that she realized more than ever that she’d picked the right baby daddy. Might have been nice to have a talking head of her saying so, though. Ha! Sometimes I say crazy things. And then there was that little pleased-with-himself smile of Jim’s. I guess it didn’t really require an audible explanation, but there is just entirely too much stuff with Jim and Pam taking place in utter silence. At this point, like Pam in season three getting really good at reading the back of Jim’s neck, I feel like, by necessity, I’ve become really good at interpreting both Jim and Pam’s thoughts and feelings this season from the smallest of gestures and expressions. What other choice do I have? But seriously, writers, stop being so lazy and actually write out the words that we keep having to think for ourselves. Just because I know what the looks mean or can guess the motivations behind Jim’s sudden ambition, for example, doesn’t mean I don’t want it spelled out for me. God. If I wanted to imagine the whole show, I wouldn’t have to bother tuning in, right? I guess I shouldn’t complain too much, though, at least not in this “Shareholders Meeting” review, since this episode did finally see the return of the double talking head. And shock of shocks, Pam mentioned the baby. Not in a particularly sweet or poignant way, of course … more in a sarcastic, joking way. Well, she was being sarcastic about Recyclops, but possibly the sentiment about wanting their child (oh, that’s right, Pam’s pregnant) to be born in a different (possibly better?) world where you can be anything you want to be (even a recyclops) was genuine. I’m going to go ahead assume that it was genuine because it’s all we’ve gotten so far. And Pam did sound truly fond of the child and concerned for its well-being. And she’s spent a lot of time lately resting her hands on her baby bump, so maybe she likes the baby after all. Just like with the whole actuality of their marriage thing, it’s kinda tough to tell for sure when you don’t hear anything about it … and see very little. I mean, I assume they are married because I see Jim proudly sporting, not to mention playing with, his wedding ring every week. Which, by the way, is perhaps the most adorable thing ever … at least until that baby gets here. And I’m just going to extrapolate from what we saw in “Company Picnic” and the few little moments this season with the sonogram picture and … with the sonogram picture, and assume that they are ecstatic about the baby, but just keeping their happiness and excitement under wraps from their co-workers. Still doesn’t explain why WE don’t get to see it (hello, sneaky cam) but whatever. At least there was a little glimmer in that cold open … “God bless you, Recyclops.” Amen, Jimothy.

Speaking of Recyclops … it definitely provided one of my favorite cold opens so far. I mean, how much more Dwight can you get? Well, I guess Recyclops could have been fashioned out of beets or looked like a giant beet or fought off Polluticorn with beet juice or something. But still, how incredibly Dwight to develop a character that gets more and more … elaborate (ridonkulous) every year until finally it morphs into some sort of cross between the Terminator and Darth Vader, attempting to save the earth by ransacking the office and filling the air with aerosol hair spray. And the reactions of Dwight’s/Recyclops’/Termivader’s co-workers was right on the money. Jim was amused, Pam was somewhere between fake excitement and genuine enthusiasm, Stanley was bored, Andy was taking it far too seriously … yep, sounds like just what I would expect. And that short little trip down memory lane with Pam at reception with her not-so-fancy, old Beesly look and Jim with his beloved Jimmed-up hair hanging around reception to the temp behind the desk to Ronnie filling in for Pam was pretty awesome with its nostalgic quality and its attention to detail. Of course, my first though was “Really, they can get Ronnie back for a two second shot, but they can’t show us Jim and Pam’s vows or a single talking head about that baby? REALLY?” Still, it was a pretty awesome talking head with Jim narrating the whole thing, and he and Pam, of course, seeing the funny in the situation. Ah, one more way that I know that they are going to be great parents … because even when Dwight is destroying the office for no reason whatsoever and its probably going to inconvenience them in some way, they can still find the fun in the situation. Of course, there’s some of that extrapolation again. At least I’m good at it.

Just like Michael is good at being a moronic imbecile, albeit usually with the best of intentions. Just like he was at the Shareholders Meeting. As usual, he is so desperate for approval and to be liked and in this instance, for everything to be okay, that he just says what people (mostly himself) want to hear. Which is all well and good … except for the slight problem that he’s making promises that no one can keep. Not even Oscar, who actually seems to have a good understanding of Dunder Mifflin’s problems, but is leery of sharing his thoughts with corporate bigwigs. And, of course, Michael’s problem is that he’s never had a thought he doesn’t share. And so it was the typical Michael Scott shenanigans … just in a novel location. And while I can appreciate wanting to incorporate some realism into the show, what with Dunder Mifflin’s Corporate turning out to be the same capitalist pig whores as many of the head honchos in corporate America today, I just didn’t need the whole storyline to take so much time. From Michael trying to decide on his entrance to talking at length about deciding on his entrance to the running down the stairs to the limo to all the discussion about the limo and then the scenes in the limo … well, I’m sorry, but I would think that they could have maybe used their time more wisely. I mean, seriously? Did we need all that? Excuse me, but I’m just getting a little tired of every show playing out the same way … Michal doing what he always does, for about eighteen of the twenty-two minutes allotted each week. And then we get two minutes of Andy, a minute of Dwight, a minute of Oscar or Kevin or Stanley and then if they have an extra thirty seconds, we get twenty seconds of Jim and Pam and ten seconds of Creed.

And there’s the imbalance I’m talking about. Obviously, I’m exaggerating for effect, but that’s what it feels like. I miss Jim and Pam. I miss Dwight and Angela. A lot of the time, I even miss Dwight. I don’t really understand what’s going on. I mean, I get it that Michael is the main character. And he always has been. And he’s often the focus of the episode. But up until now, it’s not been every episode. And suddenly, even though there are four (five) main characters, I feel like it’s not The Office, but The Michael Scott Show. I know there’s concern about it becoming The Jim and Pam Show, but there’s no chance in hell of that happening, obviously, since they don’t even speak … to each other certainly, but half the time to … anyone. But is there also concern about it becoming The Dwight Show? If anyone is going to take over the show, it’s obviously Andy. Not that I don’t love Andy … or Michael … I do. But the thing is, the show works best when it’s some of both cringe-inducing nonsense that is just flat out funny, and something a lot more relatable. And that’s what helps to keep it feeling fresh and new each week. If it’s just the same old thing every week with nothing to help keep the ridiculous in check, people won’t feel the same strong connection. I love the show because it’s funny and quirky, but I’m in love with the show because of the characters I identify with. Mostly, for me, that’s Jim and Pam, but it’s also Dwight and Michael and Andy and all the rest, in those moments when they are vulnerable and sweet and seem less like caricatures and more like real-life people. And without that emotional connection, without that human element, it’s just another funny show like any other funny show.

And that discrepancy was highlighted for me with “Shareholders Meeting.” It was almost like watching two different shows. There was the one show that was all about Michael’s antics, with a little bit of Dwight and Andy and Oscar’s quirks thrown in, which was funny, but nothing that special. It held my interest, but it wasn’t the storyline I was hoping to see when we came back from each commercial. It was the other show that I was watching about Jim and the temp, and a newly promoted boss’ struggle to assert his authority among people who used to be his peers, with a small (but wonderful) dose of sweetness in the form of his one true ally, his best friend and wife, backing him up no matter what. And it was watching Jim react to the temp being his most obnoxious self, and being able to cheer for our hero when he finally gets the better of the guy we all love to hate. And those are ultimately the moments that I watch the show for. Of course, I love the things that make me laugh. But I know that the show is going to be funny every week, even if they stop trying so hard, it will be funny anyway. And that’s great. But what keeps me coming back week after week, what makes me count down the days until an eagerly anticipated new episode, isn’t wandering about what hijinks Michael will up to this week, but rather it’s the hope that I will see some wonderful sweet or adorable or fun moment that will leave me, as Jim would say, satisfied and smiling. It’s those episodes that have moments that make me laugh so hard that I cry and then moments that are so sweet that they make me want to cry that are always the very best. And I think it’s more than time that we get back to episodes that can balance the funny with and heartfelt. I feel like I’ve said this before, but I’ll keep saying it until my wish comes true. I can write that here because I’m not superstitious … I’m just a little bit stitious. Also, a little bit frustrated. But at least “Shareholders Meeting,” although not a perfect episode to me, did give me hope that maybe we are getting closer to finding that all important balance. Here’s hoping.

Tags: apple picking, co-managers, David Wallace, Jim wins, limos, Reviews, Shareholders Meeting, the temp in a closet, voo doo dolls