TV Review: The Office 5.6 – Employee Transfer

Posted by Adam Sweeney (adam@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 1, 2008

The Office, NBC, Airs Thursdays 9/8c

Episode: “Employee Transfer” (Season 5, Episode 6)

Synopsis: Holly (Amy Ryan) and Michael (Steve Carell) take the long trip to Nashua after they get some shocking news from corporate.

Review: Okay, let’s start by saying that Creed (Creed Bratton) makes a bad ass Joker. Dwight, (Rainn Wilson) on the other hand, reminds me way too much of this creepy kid I went to college with. There’s a fine line we walk when imitating Heath Ledger, something to consider when dressing up for Halloween, Rejects.

“Employee Transfer” taught us many lessons that we probably could have figured out on our own, but are much funnier having an image to go with them. For example, a 7 hour car ride with Michael Scott is as infuriating as watching Tyra Banks in Halloween Resurrection, Andy( Ed Helms) is a complete ass, and the only difference physically between Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler is a hat. “It’s the little things,” I always say.

The strength of the episode came, not surprisingly, in the road trip Michael, Holly, and Craig (Darryl Philbin) took to move Holly following her transfer. There is nothing more entertaining than a man that is desperate not to lose his girlfriend. We haven’t seen this much crying since Heidi dumped Spencer in season one of The Hill … I mean … did anybody watch porn last night in honor of Porn Week, our tribute to the release of Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Give me a second, I have to check how many chest hairs I have. I’m just that manly. Okay, now that I have compensated for my MTV reality show addiction, it was sad to see Holly and Michael break up. But on the bright side it makes us perfect so far on our The Office dating gambling pool. Another one bites the dust. Hmm, who to replace them? Michael and Craig did mention they hadn’t broken up yet …

I know I am going to hear some differing thoughts, which I always enjoy, but Andy and Dwight’s showdowns aren’t nearly as hilarious as the ones that exist between Dwight and Jim. It’s like watching Rocky fight Thunderlips after going toe-to-toe with Apollo Creed. Their hearts don’t seem to be in it as much, although I never usually pass on a chance to see a guy named Thunderlips fight. Now, let’s pair him up with Donkeylips from the Nickelodeon classic “Salute Your Shorts”. You’re probably saying, “where is he going with this tangent?” The point is that if I get so bored with one of the show’s relationships that I start making Hulk Hogan in feather boa references, then it is time for the show to go back to the drawing board.

If we’re not going to continue some sort of conflict between Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (Jonathan Krasinski) it is better to just bring her back to Scranton. My friends and I are trying to figure out why they made her leave to begin with. it hasn’t really propelled the story in any way. One of my friends speculated that Jenna Fischer was pregnant but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Maybe B.J. Novak just wanted some face time? I have no clue but it’s time to make something happen with that part of the story.

Overall, “Employee Transfer” may have been the weakest episode of season five. It’s a testament to the fact that the show is better when all the characters are contained in the confines of Dunder Mifflin. To paraphrase a commercial, “what’s funny in Dunder Mifflin stays in Dunder Mifflin.”

Up Next Week: Dwight and Jim are shocked when they receive the results of an annual customer survey report. Pam and Jim decide they want to spend every minute together using their blue tooth phones. Meanwhile, Angela and Andy pick an unusual location for their wedding.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you see the The Office this week? If so, what did you think?

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ilryn

"life is a highway...i want to ride it all night long."

Ben

This show should no longer be considered a comedy. Its comedic life has followed that of friends. THe first three plus seasons were very funny. And actually night out from season 4 is one of my all time favorite michael/dwight moments.

But wow. This season is just not funny. I watched the Employee Transfer and did not crack a smile. Not once. If I wanted to watch a soap opera I would. I thought I watched the office for comedy, but it is no longer there.

Season 2 of ths show was really funny. I wish the comedy could get back to that.

Drew

Review of the review of the office episode (see above):

The resume wasn't quite on track, but did show some understanding of what Adam
Sweeney understood, when he 'wasn't' jerking off....Porn week: a sorry excuse to blow a
load.

The rest of the review was blank. Simply a way of expressing Adam's manly hood.
(Probably a grotesque dude). There was way to much use of metaphores which were tried
to be turned into jokes. C'mon Adam - seriously, enough with the "smartass" humor that
you are trying to get across.

In all:

C -

Try harder Adam.

JRock

After watching this episode, I was kinda disappointed. The joker Creed was awesome and the fight between Dwight and Andy was pretty funny. Its good to see that Dwight isn't going to let Andy just have Angelia.

The most disappointing part that made me even considering writing a review was the drive to Nashua. I give kudos to the writers for definitely keeping episode real. On the other hand, everyone just feels like "when are the going to give Michael any hope of a real relationship?". The touching childhood cameo in the t.v. show, Jane, then Jane's pregnancy during his relationship. Really?

Then he finds his Miss Perfect and it seems like it only last a few episodes. WTF. I know a lot of you felt that the series has gone away from its comical roots, but that was nothing of any surprise after Jim's confession to Pam of his love with the transfer, meant only more serious(dramatic) tones to follow. I wish that it was more humorous but unless Michael is in a good relationship or no relationships at all then that won't be accomplished.

I feel that will probably be the ending of the series once Michael gets married but maybe this series needs a plan foreclosure to it to be able to keep it from destroying what is has already built so well.

Adam Sweeney

@ Drew
Let's try and talk about the show and not your weak assessment of me, okay? It's always fun to flame someone but we try to be a little bit more thoughtful here. ;) Let's not turn your thoughts into a post-modern criticism. You may not like the review but your review of a review is a wasted chance for you to comment on the show. Having said that, thanks for checking out the review and next time I hope you chime in with thoughts on why you like or dislike "The Office" and spend less time talking about a "grotesque" figure like myself. ;) Now it's time to go jerk off to pictures of Steve Carell, because you know me SO WELL. Haha.

Drew

Alright Adam.
Your right, it was a waste of time. A fun time though.
I'm just playing around. I read the office reviews every week, and i feel content after every
one.

CHeerio pal.

Brian Rodden

Cornell sucks...hahahaha

Mladen

This episode was just depressing.

Good point with Pam, I'm not sure where the whole art-school thing is going. The previous week's moment with Jim's jealousy (and realising he doesn't want to be THAT guy), seemed to be the high-point of that storyline.

Overall, I'd like to see a little more of the extended cast again. We never did get to see how Kevin dealt with the realisation that Holly thought he was retarded.

Also, any thoughts on Holly's replacement? Toby returns? Or somebody else?

Cole Abaius

Here's the thing about Pam and art school - they aren't really showing her that much now. Give it time. She just got started.

I'm imagining that she'll either have a major struggle to overcome with it or she'll find a ton of really natural success since her teacher thinks she has talent. That would be awesome - seeing her gain success through the school and be able to achieve her dreams.

But I do agree with the comedy element - they need a lot more of it. Be funny for 21 minutes and then be sweet for 1 at the end. That's what works best.

TV Review: The Office 5.6 – Employee Transfer

The Office, NBC, Airs Thursdays 9/8c

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