“The principles that I’m applying to the office are the same ones that made Lady Gaga a star.”
On tonight’s first new episode since December 10, a representative of the potential buyer for Dunder Mifflin comes to Scranton. The office attempts to impress him while reminiscing about their favorite (and least favorite) times in the office.
“This is a building where friends become lovers and lovers become sexually active.”
When the investment banker arrives, Michael–now Dunder Mifflin’s highest ranking employee–greets him on a Segway and introduces him to Computron (Dwight on intercom), an omniscient robotic voice. When he meets with Toby (initially Dwight trying to pose as him), he asks several probing questions about lawsuit potential and safety risks. Toby finds several moments to reminisce about time theft (“Beach Day”), safety hazards (“Fun Run”), offensive office presentations (“Diversity Day”,”Sexual Harassment”), and several other moments including Jim and Pam’s long office romance. He finds a moral conundrum in not wanting to lie yet not wanting to tell the truth. The banker eventually leaves ambiguously, causing Michael to remark that despite the office’s ups and downs:
“I don’t care if he goes and files a report that says we’re nothing special. Our future’s bright and we’re far from done.”
As The Office‘s first clip show, “The Banker” doesn’t just kick its feet. We all know they’ll be back next week but this serves as a fair mid-season bridge from the revelation in “Secret Santa” that Dunder Mifflin is being bought and cleaned out. David Costabile (“Doug” of Flight of the Conchords), gives an excellently dry performance as the investment banker, and there are several great overwrought attempts at impressing the buyer.
If the prospect of a clip show worried you, don’t let it. This was excellently arranged and let’s consider Michael’s closing line as a reassurance that “…we’re far from done.”
