The Office: Sabre
February 6, 2010 by Michael Pantozzi
Filed under Television
It’s frightening to think that this is the 115th episode of the American version of The Office. The permutations of what can be done with the basic premise of this show continue to seem endless.
This episode also reminded me that no matter what kind of show (or movie) you’re watching, you never know when Kathy Bates is going to show up.
The core storyline of the episode is that a larger corporation (run by a satisfyingly ridiculous Bates, and endorsed in cheesy promotional videos by Christian Slater, playing himself) has taken over various branches of Dunder Mifflin (including the Scranton branch). They send a representative to the Scranton Branch to institute new policies of office decorum, which conflict with boss Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell, of course) lackadaisical, perennially slack-tastic habits.
Meanwhile Jim and Pam investigate a day care center, as their child will soon be born, and since they both work, they’ll need one. But first, they must impress the admissions officer (played by New York stage stalwart Joey Slotnick, who I recognized from Ethan Coen’s one-act plays at the Atlantic Theater Company a couple of years ago). The whole scenario is as awesomely awkward as any you’d expect from this show.
Also, Andy and Erin each seem to believe that the next “move” towards their potential dating situation lies with the responsibility of the other.
The episode wraps up with Scott’s confused attempts to enlist the advice of an old superior (David Wallace) as to what to do about Sabre’s encroachment on his way of doing things at Dunder Mifflin. He finds Wallace to be a bit distracted and changed from the way he remembers him. Absurdity ensues.
The Office, in my estimation, rarely disappoints those who have always had a strong understanding and appreciation of its style and humor, and this episode is no different, so if you’re one of those people, catch it if you missed it.
Season 6, Episode 15: Sabre (originally aired February 4, 2010)
For more on The Office, click here.
Thursdays, 9/8C on NBC
Photographs courtesy of NBC, Chris Haston
