With the laugh vortex that was Deangelo Vickers finally gone from the show, 'The Office' was allowed to show us exactly what a Carell-less show would look like on a week to week basis (assuming, of course, that someone already on the show got the manager job). This week, it was Rainn Wilson's turn to shine, complete with his own clip at the end of the title sequence.
And boy, did he shine.
The idea of Dwight being the manager isn't a new concept to 'The Office'. In 2007's Season 3 finale 'The Job', we had Dwight taking over from Michael (albeit temporarily) after Michael left for the job at corporate, only to have it snatched away soon after by Michael returning to his old job. The idea didn't feel re-hashed though - in 'The Job', Dwight assumed he had the job all to himself, and was thus free to reign as he desired. In this episode, long-windedly titled 'Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager', Dwight had to prove that he was capable of running the branch as the position wasn't his yet, so it allowed us to see a version of Schrute rule that was a bit more toned down and likely than black painted walls and 'Schrute Bucks' (and Stanley Nickels). It was certainly a more believable version - and just as funny. Mose instantly knowing what Dwight meant by 'You'll never guess where I am!' was hilarious, as was the very Dwight-ish punchcard machine, the pledge of allegiance, the segregated lunchtimes and the individual 23 digit copy codes. It was a regime, but a regime that you could see someone like Dwight getting away with.
And though there were times where Rainn Wilson felt like he was imitating Steve Carell, those feelings went away quickly when Dwight fired the gun, or when he realised how silly the conference room character was - something his former boss would have scolded him for doing. I think any boss, whoever they are, will have to be a bit buffoonish, otherwise it'll turn the casual viewer off, but Dwight was his own buffoon, and one that at all times felt like the writers were being true to the characters. I was particularly impressed with how Dwight dealt with the aftermath of the gun firing incident, and how that was written. We know that Dwight is desperate for the manager job, but we also know that he honours loyalty and truth more than anything, so I'm glad he didn't try and worm his way out of the situation like Michael/Deangelo/Andy might have done.
All of this allowed for a much needed revitalising of the Jim/Dwight relationship. Jim now has almost free reign to tease Dwight, being his subordinate. But I also feel like there's now a level of mutual respect here - Dwight has what he wants, and he's willing to put up with Jim's pratting around if it means having his dream job. I loved 'The Fist', particularly Jim using 'The Fist' to Darryl, who unassumingly goes along with it. And we got a nice moment at the end where Jim acknowledges, even as Creed (Creed!) sits down in the manager's chair, that Dwight ran a tight ship, and that maybe his proficiency as a manager maybe balances out the crazy behaviour.(*) John Krasinski and Rainn Wilson have such a good comic rapport that if Dwight did become the manager, and there's every good chance he might, then I look forward to the refreshed rivalry between them. The only let-down was that we didn't get to see Dwight perform his three obligatory 'Shagadelic, Baby!' inserts, but at least we got a jazz hands in there.
(*)I think this is the biggest difference between Michael and Dwight - Michael was probably the best salesman that Dunder Mifflin ever had, which explained why he was able to keep his position as manager for so long, while Dwight is much better at, well, managing.
Elsewhere, I didn't really care for the Andy/Erin/Gabe subplot, as I haven't for a long time now, but I thought it was cool seeing Ed Helms be the straight man to Zach Woods for once. Helms does a good Jim face. Gabe's behaviour just makes me feel uncomfortable, but not in a David Brent way where it's written to make you feel embarrassed for the guy. I can see what they're doing with the character and I don't like it, and that's why it gives me the willies. Ellie Kemper is also much better utilised when she's not involved in this triangle too, so I hope Erin does keep away from dating as she intends.
A couple of other thoughts on 'DKS,(A)M', as it shall forever be known:
- It's nice to have Toby back. I love Holly as much as the next guy, but Toby being giddy about getting to use his Weapons in the Workplace folder? Paul Lieberstein killed it.
- I had a long running bet with my brother that Kevin would, against all odds, wind up as manager, my reasoning being that somebody in the supporting cast would get it for a joke. Turns out, I was half right, as Creed got the job for the time being. I dread to think what DM-S will look like by next week. My God.
- Speaking of Kevin, Brian Baumgartner is my MVP this season when it comes to making me laugh. Kevin's reaction to the Piranha in the toilet was priceless, the tag at the end with Kevin and the copier code was brilliant, and I could probably pick out 20-odd Kevin moments that have made me laugh harder than anything else on the show this year.
- You can join 'The Fist', on Facebook. Just search for it. NBC are really good with Social Marketing.
So next week's episode is a double finale, featuring a host of guest stars (who I won't spoil in case you're the one person who still doesn't know) who I do worry a little will steal the limelight in the same way Will Ferrell did for his awful stint. If that's the case, I'll be a disappointed, but at least 'DKS,(A)M' (see, I told you) gives me hope that if the promotion does come from within the branch, the writers at least have an idea of how to make it work. Because this? This was excellent.
What did everyone else think?
