Let's talk for a second about Phyllis.  Phyllis Vance, wife of Bob Vance, is a punching bag on The Office.  She is treated horribly by Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute on a routine basis, but she doesn't raise a stink.  There's a reason for this: Phyllis might be the happiest person in the office (well, at least she was until Jim and Pam got together).  She has a loving husband Bob, and manages to have a quiet confidence about her.  A life of ridicule has allowed Phyllis to wipe away criticism like it's nothing.  On top of all that, Phyllis is a good person, who understands that being good doesn't always inspire goodness. On tonight's episode of The Office, Phyllis Vance was repaid for her decency, in a way.  It was nice to see, after witnessing years of undue scorn.

Michael and Holly are having sex.  It's becoming increasingly clear that Holly is a female Michael.  She adores him in all of his Michael-ness, which is a rare, rare thing.  They have sex (supposedly) in the office late at night, and forget to lock up after they leave.  Consequently, the office is robbed.  In an attempt to recoup their losses, Michael decides to hold an auction (called “Crime Aid”).  The big item is a pair of tickets to see Bruce Springsteen that Michael says he has acquired.  In fact, they do not exist.  A Hug from Phyllis, however, manages to bring in $1000.  Losses recouped!

In other news, Dwight starts freaking out when Andy gives him his Save the Date letter for Andy and Angela's wedding.  Dwight enlists the help of Phyllis, who suggests giving Angela an ultimatum.  This does not end well.  Roy is back, but only briefly.  He runs into Jim and the warehouse guys at a bar, and plants seeds of doubt in Jim's brain regarding Pam.  In the end, Jim doesn't take the bait. 

I'm going to chalk this up as a very good episode of The Office.  A lot of laugh-out loud moments, and good character work for Michael, Holly, Dwight, Phyllis and Jim.  Holly will be missed, but I like how they've made the character fairly extreme, knowing that she's not going to be around for much longer.  It's going to be sad seeing Michael find his perfect girl (which Holly is, undoubtedly) and then lose her so quickly.  The depths of his sadness could cross into dark areas come the middle of The Office's season.

The Andy-Dwight-Angela plot is a good one, despite some wheels being spun recently.  The writers have not tipped their hand here, and I have little idea how it will all play out.  I don't want Andy to leave the show, but it's going to be difficult to have the plot line completely play out without one of the three triangle members leaving Scranton. 

Finally, I think it's time to bring Pam back to Scranton.  Enough of this New York nonsense. 


Top 7 Quotes of the Episode

If she starts having sex with me, I'll know for sure.

You're making a knife with a knife?

Oscar, I'm now going to be prone to surges. 

You're always safe with me.  I'm a very good screamer. 

The last person to do this disappeared.  His name? Creed Bratton. 

Instead of farmers fighting against aids, it's us fighting against our own poverty.

We'll auction off people, like in the olden days.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of NBC)