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I've said it before, and I'll say it again: NBC really needs to make "The Office" into an hourlong show. Letting the episodes breathe a little, letting the editors leave in all the weird awkward moments, letting the show find itself -- all these are very good things.
So last night was the Roy/Jim showdown -- or the showdown that wasn't, thanks to the ever-vigilant Dwight and his pepper spray. I had read a spoiler, I think on YouTube or the NBC site, that said Dwight (Rainn Wilson) would step in at the last minute and save Jim (John Krasinski) from Roy (David Denman) with pepper spray, but I really had no idea what to expect. And Dwight's "talking head" immediately afterward, in which he's obivously suffering the effects of the spray himself but so proud of himself for having had the foresight to bring his weapons (nunchuks, throwing stars and all) to work -- genius.
Once again, props to the writers on the show for keeping it real ... and really funny. I laughed so hard at so many lines and situations in last night's eppie, I actually missed dialogue. No matter, though, 'cause I'm sure I'll be watching it again soon.
My one beef is with Pam (Jenna Fischer). When Roy came up afterward and asked if he could talk to her, both of us here at home waved our hands at the TV and said, "No, Pam -- don't!" But she did. And then she hugged him goodbye? Come on! Pam! I mean, I understand. They were together for years, engaged for three. There are feelings there. Complicated ones. But if Jim's prediction is true -- "I'm sure you'll find your way back to one another someday" ... well, barf. This isn't a criticism of the writing; in fact, it's the opposite. It's what would probably really happen, and I respect the writers for going in that direction. Pam, though? As a character? Not so much.
Incidentally, super-sizing "30 Rock" did very good things for that little show, too. Keep it up, NBC.