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A Tale Of Two Bosses
By Just Jammy

So this week on The Office, a few things changed. Dwight was angry, Oscar was snarky, Stanley was sarcastic, Angela was judgmental, Michael acted like a child, Jim got frustrated, and Pam just wanted cash. Oh wait, that’s a pretty standard day at Dunder Mifflin Scranton. But there was a specific reason for the usual petty bitchiness and immature behavior this week; it seems there’s a new boss in town, and his name is Jimothy. That sounds weird. Good thing he’s fine with being called Jim. “The Promotion” dealt with, not surprisingly, the fallout from Jim’s promotion. And this was our first chance to see the newly restructured Scranton branch with its two co-managers. As Oscar so sardonically points out, it is somewhat unusual to have a power structure headed by two people. No, we don’t have two Presidents, and there aren’t two Popes, but if ever there was a place that needs to two leaders, it’s Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Because in this case, after all, what they really will have is one leader and … Michael. That’s not entirely fair. Michael is really good at some things. Like taking constructive criticism well. Oh, wait … he’s not known for that. But he is good at … napping. Obviously Michael does have some strengths, aside from his ability to act childish at every turn, or he wouldn’t have been the boss this long. He is good with clients, the consummate salesman. And he’s got experience. And no one has died on his watch. Except maybe Tom. Still, there’s room for improvement in the Scranton branch leadership. And Jim sets out to prove it. Unfortunately for Jim, he seems to have forgotten the troops he’s attempting to lead. These are not people known for the rationality. They’re not known for their open-mindedness or generosity. What they are known for is being generally self-serving and somewhat rancorous. So when Jim came out swinging, attempting to take a firm stance on a tough decision, he should have known it was going to be ugly. Poor Jim learned the hard was that it’s not always easy being the boss.

It starts out pretty much the way you might expect. Although Jim and Michael have, in theory, separate responsibilities, there’s definitely some rivalry going on. Mostly on Michael’s end. Understandable, since he’s now forced to share the job that used to be all his, and he’s not really enjoying it. In typical Michael fashion, he attempts to keep control of the employees via his usual stunts, like conference room meetings that go on for hours and are about absolutely nothing. When Jim suggests, not for the first time, that maybe these long meetings about nothing aren’t really the best use of time, Michael doesn’t exactly agree. And even when he pretends to agree, he finds away to still monopolize a group of employees. A multi-cultural group of employees, as he’s quick to point out. He “got one of each” for a clandestine, pointless meeting in his office beecause Michael Scott isn’t the kind to take orders, or even suggestions, easily. But the fun part is seeing how much time and effort Michael will spend to avoid following the rules, doing what he’s promised to do, or, above all, get any work done. So it’s business as usual at Michael’s end — but this time, it also includes wanting to show up, or at least defy, Jim. Jim, naturally, is taking a different approach to being the boss. He, crazily enough, would like people to actually be able to get their work done. And when a problem arises or a decision needs to be made, he wants to use his brain to think about the problem and come up with a solution. Silly Jim. That’s no way to manage an office, Skippy. And, of course, it’s this inevitable clash of … let’s be generous and call it ‘management styles’ that makes things entertaining. The two different management styles? One style is actually managing the employees and the operations of the office, and the other style is the usual chaotic free-for-all wherein you just keep your fingers crossed that somebody gets some work done at some time.

Obviously, we have a perfect set-up for a good cop, bad cop situation. Which Michael, who’s major goal in life to be loved, should rejoice in. However, Michael hasn’t initially quite figured out the advantages of playing good cop to Jim’s bad cop. Which makes sense, since, as Jim’s points out with a nifty, crayolaed pie chart that he’s created, Michal spends the majority of his time procrastinating, followed closely by distracting others, and devotes just a miniscule portion of the day to actual critical thinking. So exercising his brain clearly isn’t Michael’s first priority. In fact, Michael would prefer Jim use his brain less. It makes him nerdy. As does the calculator in his pants? Really, Michael? Wow. So bizarre. And yet, so funny. And as Jim sits and tries to figure out how to solve the problem of not enough money to give everyone the raises they are expecting, Michael taunts and jeers and generally bullies Jim into action. And so Jim makes his decision, with no help from Michael, whom Jim knows will not make a difficult or unpopular decision. And then Jim announces his decision. To the immediate criticism of almost everyone. It’s not surprising that when Oscar, Angela and Meredith hear they aren’t getting a raise, that they should be up in arms. But naturally, Dwight, so upset that Jim has the job he thinks should have been his that he wants to put Jim in a headlock and smash him into the ground, also throws his support to the disgruntled. Even though he is in the group that is going to be getting the raise under Jim’s plan. So there Jim is, opposition mounting, and Michael, always true to form, jumps in to try to make himself look good. And he can’t even manage to do that. It probably all would have been a lot funnier if I hadn’t felt so bad for Jim. I mean, it was still funny, but I did feel for poor Jim … acting like a normal boss. But he should have known better. He tried this before and got nowhere. These people don’t know what it’s like to have a normal boss. And they tend to be ungrateful biatches the moment they don’t get their way anyhow. So poor Jim is probably stuck in his bad cop role for a long time. At least until his kids get old enough to need to be scolded for wasting valuable company time discussing toilet paper and planets. At that point, I have no doubt that he will willing turn over the bad cop reins to Pam, who we know can handle them — we’ve seen her in action before … subtle, but scary.

But it’s this new dynamic between our two bosses that is at the heart of this episode. For me, even though there were plenty of funny moments, this one was more about character development, and Jim and Michael’s relationship, than the humor. And I really enjoyed seeing how things are changing. Both between Jim and Michael, and for each of them individually. And this is a big transition for both of them. Jim’s spent years being unable to do much about Michael’s nuttiness, other than try and keep it at bay and repair the damage when he’s unable to. And now he finally has the authority to at least try and reel Michael in. Not that Michael is terribly receptive to it. But at least Jim can have some say in how things work at the office now. The big change here is that Jim actually cares. For years Jim has had no choice but to sit idly by while Michael acted like … Michael. And for all that time, even though he sometimes grew exasperated with Michael’s antics, he didn’t really care how much time Michael wasted or the amount of distraction that went on at work. Jim wasn’t invested in his job or the company. But Jim went and grew up on us somewhere along the line. Funny how having a family changes things. Suddenly Jim would like to invest some time and effort in this company, and try to do his best to keep it afloat. As, we can assume, he’d rather not be jobless with a wife and baby to take care of. It’s quite the turn around from that guy we met in the pilot. Michael’s transformations haven’t been quite as obvious or as major. But he does learn and grow. It just takes him awhile. But even Michael, so reluctant to embrace this new reality and resentful of Jim’s authority, not to mention hurt at still feeling like Jim went over his head talking to Wallace in the first place (conveniently forgetting that Jim was trying not to stage a coup but to get Michael a promotion as well,) comes to realize that there is big bonus to having a co-manager. Not just someone to throw under the bus, although he tries to do that repeatedly, but also to have someone to help shoulder the responsibility. Michael finally figures out that in getting a co-manager, he’s also getting what he always wants … a partner, a teammate … someone on his side. And we get to see his acceptance of the situation, and of Jim as an equal, in what was a sweet, funny, and oddly touching moment when Michael presented Jim with one of his coveted “World’s Best Boss” mugs, welcoming him to the management team. And hiding out with him from the rest of the world … or at least the rest of the office.

Because, of course, they are all still ticked off about something. Accounting and quality control are ticked off that Jim wanted to give the sales department the raise. Sales is ticked off because now they’re not getting the raise. Pam’s mad because she doesn’t have any beans on her face, and Jim used a really old, frizzy-haired picture of her. Kevin’s mad because no one will explain it to him what a bean means. And good old Dwight is still mad that Jim got the job in the first place. It should have been Dwight. Never mind that he didn’t think to call the meeting with Wallace and make the suggestions that lead to the new position in the first place. And never mind that Wallace would likely never have given him the job. It should have been Dwight’s job. And he’s prepared to rally the troops and storm Jim’s castle to get it. Because Dunder Mifflin is really medieval England. As it turns out, Dwight is probably the most angry … as no one really wants to storm Jim’s castle besides Dwight. Not even Pam. Personally, I was hoping Pam would at least storm into Jim’s office and give him a piece of her mind for him being so worried about appearing impartial that he became totally biased in the opposite direction, not nominating her for any points in the raise game that he and Michael were playing. A game which, by the way, sounds good in theory, but never would have worked in practice. Am I the only one who thinks that they should have just given everyone the smaller, but equal raise and been done with it? Sure, everyone would be mad … but obviously they all ended up mad anyway. And at least that way, it would have been fair and equal and impartial. And everyone would have been the exact same amount of mad. Except Dwight. He would have still been outraged.

And if Pam wasn’t going to go give Jim a piece of her mind in anger, how about, maybe she could have gone to his office earlier when he was obviously having a difficult time, and given him a few words of encouragement? Because, if I recall correctly, Jim and Pam are getting married. And having a baby. And yet … they don’t seem to speak anymore. At least not at work. At least not in conversations that are more than three sentences long. And it’s getting a little old. I know, the wedding is next week (NEXT WEEK!!) and they will certainly make up for a lack of Jim-and-Pam screen time there. And that may even be why we have a complete lack of interaction between them so far this season. But still. I’m not suggesting every episode be devoted to Jim and Pam exclusively, I’d just like to see them speak to each other. I miss the cute banter at reception. And now that they aren’t even on the same desk clump island anymore … couldn’t Pam go visit Jim’s office the way he used to visit reception? Pardon me, but I think that ought to be one of the perks of sleeping with the boss, getting to hang out with him in his office. And, oh my God, Jim has his own office, how awesome is that? And seriously, I can’t even remember what used to be in that corner. But I like that corner as Jim’s office better than I liked it as the corner. Too bad it’s so far away from Pam. But all the more reason for her to have to get up and go over there and visit him. She really needs to. After all, there are going to be kicks for him to feel soon … RIGHT, UNCLE PAULY? These are the things I want to see. I can be patient now because I know that wedding is practically upon us … but still, do we always have to wait for a major life event from now on before Jim and Pam are allowed to have a scene together, just the two of them? That seems wrong somehow. I’m just asking for a little balance here, that’s all. And I’m not talking about Pam’s boobs. I’m just suggesting that it might make sense that a soon-to-be married couple, who used to spend all of their time talking about random crap, might once in awhile have a discussion. That’s all. And while I’m on the subject … for a season, the beginning of which was supposed to be all about Jim and Pam’s wedding and their impending bundle of joy, I think we’ve heard relatively little about the baby. Or even the pregnancy, really … aside from a few jokes or random comments about Pam’s breasts (or breast milk, a little early there Michael) or Pam herself using it as a justification to eat a doughnut, or another reason for the temp to be his usual douche bag self. (Really Pam, pregnancy is no reason to gain weight. You should lose weight, in fact. The temp said so, so it must be true.) Furthermore, the only one to utter the words “the baby” so far … is Michael. Strange. He’s said it twice in fact … although once he was just talking about how it’s going to come out a liar. Still, I’d just like to hear Jim and Pam talk about the baby. You know, like it’s actually real to them, as I’m sure it must be by now. And yet, they’ve barely mentioned it. I’m sure that will change as time goes on, though. Maybe after the wedding. And again, I’m not advocating that the baby be the focus of every episode, but I know I speak for more than just myself when I say that we waited all summer, after that awesome finale ending, to get some “Oh my God, we’re having a baby!” cuteness. And we’d like it now, thanks.

But aside from feeling chagrined that Pam didn’t find the time to go reassure, or even yell at, Jim, I did enjoy her discussions with her co-workers regarding her preferred wedding gift … cash. But I don’t understand why it’s such an issue. Plenty of people just organize a money tree. Most people tend to get quite a few cash gifts. And generally speaking, people are aware that giving cash for a wedding gift is acceptable and often preferable. Especially when the bride and groom have been shacking up for a year, and the bride’s halfway through a pregnancy. And even Kevin really ought to realize that cash is perfectly acceptable. Not that Pammy shouldn’t be uncomfortable telling people outright that she prefers cash, but she shouldn’t have to feel so guilty and ashamed for it. Still, I loved the look on Pam’s face when she realized the check was made out to “Mrs. Pam Halpert.” How awesome that she was all choked up and excited to see her soon-to-be name in writing (other than in her diary) for the first time. It won’t be long now until she’s Mrs. Halpert. Which is convenient, with her being knocked up by some guy and all. Also, in a few days she’ll be the proud owner of birdhouse mailbox, courtesy of the Vances. I thought Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration was loaded … and Phyllis gives out birdhouse mailboxes made by her cousin? Of course she does. Also, is it a birdhouse or a mailbox? Because at first I thought she meant a mailbox that looks like a birdhouse. But then she asked Pam if she was registered for a birdhouse. Confusion. Maybe we’ll find out at the wedding. And I, for one, hope that we also find out something else at the wedding … a little more about that Creedith revelation perhaps? Some of us have been waiting years for the Creed and Meredith hook up. Maybe not eagerly anticipating it, but more a long the lines of just thinking it was an inevitability. But one that had some potential. It’s potentially gross and disturbing, but also potentially funny. So the revelation that there was a hook up in their past, not terribly shocking. But funny in it’s total offhandedness. And a rekindling of that … uh, flame, I guess … would be kinda fun. And you know how romantic weddings can be. Of course, I think that the seemingly random mention of some long ago hook-up, apropos of nothing, must have been for some reason … right?

But back to “The Promotion.” I really liked it. But then I really like most episodes. That’s what being a crazy superfan is all about. I have to admit, this one’s probably not gonna make my top ten of overall episodes. Nor would I categorize it as one of the funniest episodes ever. But it gave us something that we don’t always get from the funniest of the episodes. A little plot advancement, and a lot of character development. And as always, a lot of humor along the way. Along with, of course, our favorite pettiness and irate behavior from perhaps one of the most immature groups of people to ever be assembled. Which is why we love them. But it was, for me, the drama that stood out in this episode. Not drama as in drama, but as in the conflict between two characters that are struggling to make a new and unfamiliar situation work, all the while rewriting their own interpersonal relationship. That they manage to infuse this drama with humor, and the antics that we’ve come to expect, is what makes this episode exceptional to me. And that’s also what makes this show consistently entertaining and engaging. Finding the drama in the comedy, and then providing comic relief to break up that drama is what makes it feel real and relatable. So this might not have been the funniest episode ever, but it gave us something us else just as important … character development, storyline development, and some good old-fashioned conflict. And the show’s ability to be more than just a slapstick comedy is what makes it so much more than just your ordinary sitcom, and elevates it to that higher place known as ‘quality television.’ And what else can you ask for, really?

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