(se05ep01) “Weight Loss”

Tonight we got a chance to see just exactly where “The Office” was going after the excellent season finale “Goodbye Toby”.

We caught up with our favorite office workers just a few weeks after the end of Season 4 and followed through an 8 week long summer that saw them trying to lose weight to win an HR sponsored contest.

During this time Pam left for school, and Jim began to learn what life was going to be like without here there. Andy and Angela continued to discuss their wedding, with Angela trying to stave it off at every turn – all the while meeting Dwight down in the warehouse whenever she felt like it. Phyllis is now the head of the party planning committee, and hasn’t said a word about catching Angela and Dwight. Ryan returned to the office as well – this time as an employee of the temp agency. He is now answering phones in Pam’s place. Holly is still trying to get Michael’s attention – and Michael seems to be trying to her attention as well…but he’s just terrible at it. Holly also discovers that Kevin is, in fact, not mentally challenged. Finally, we found out what happened to Toby.

Let’s address all of these interesting developments one by one –

Angela and Andy – We get a hint that this relationship may end up broken up because of Andy’s acapella group not being allowed to perform at the ceremony. Frankly, the sooner the better. Angela running around behind his back seems sinister in a way that completely compromises the convictions that her character has established (and yes – I realize that is probably the point), but it almost makes she and Dwight seem like villains who are taking advantage of “poor Andy”. I’m sure there will be differing view points on that statement – but that’s what I was left feeling after watching it. Dwight and Angela having an affair is fine – but let’s get Andy out of the mix. Making that guy into the most pathetic guy in the office isn’t helping anything.

Ryan – The fact that Ryan is back in the office is really hard to swallow. There is no possible way that a company would allow a former employee that committed fraud against the company to work in one of their branches in any capacity. It just wouldn’t happen. There are a lot of things in this show that one has to just sort of ignore (like the fact that Michael hasn’t been fired yet) but Ryan being back in the office is a bit much.

Pam and Jim – The road that they’ve set up for Pam and Jim this season looks like its going to be filled with pot holes. Jim seems miserable and unhappy at work without Pam, and she seems to be having a much better time than he is while she’s at school. Jim’s attitude went straight in the crapper as the episode continued, until it finally ended with him not being able to wait and proposing to Pam at a rest stop in the rain.

Not exactly the “perfect moment” he’d hoped for. I’d be willing to be that scene is a foreshadowing of the season to come. Jim is going to find himself in the Roy role with Pam’s “friend” trying to work his way into Pam’s heart. I’m betting Jim will say something about it – and Pam will be offended, hurt, and might even call off the engagement over it. Not because she likes the other guy – but because Jim doesn’t trust her.

It’s pretty clear that there are going to be trying times ahead for these two…and I’m not excited about that at all.

Holly and Michael – The story of Holly and Michael is one that I sincerely hope lasts longer than the 5 episodes that Holly is currently scheduled to appear in. If it doesn’t it will be a shame. There interest in one another is the brightest spot in the show right now, and I’d really like to see it develop over time. We’ll just have to wait and see what the ultimate plan is.

Toby – Costa Rica didn’t go so well for Toby and now he finds himself in a hospital with a broken neck. If Holly truly is only going to be around for 5 episodes – expect Toby to make his way back to Scranton. I couldn’t help but smile at his pain – while at the same time feeling bad that the poor guy can’t catch a break.

With all of that out of the way – how was the episode? Not bad. The weight loss angle with Kelly was not surprising for her character, but kind of twisted. Something seemed really “off” about Dwight too. I’m not sure I can put my finger on what, exactly, but something just felt wrong.

Overall the show had some laughs, and certainly set up the season well. The real question now is will this be an enjoyable ride? I’m not sure – but I will definitely be here to find out.