The Office's Super-Sized Casino Night

It's Casino Night at Dunder-Mifflin and Steve Carell wrote this episode all by his lonesome... which I will admit had me worried. Sure he's funny, she's he's witty, sure we know he did the Daily Show but could he pull off an entire episode of The Office let alone their super-sized Season 2 Finale? Worried, that is until this...


Pam: "It's a nice tux."
Dwight: "I know, it belonged to my grandfather. He was buried in it. It's a family heirloom."

Jim and Pam just stare into space taking that in. I almost died! I laughed so hard because they didn't play into the camera or each other they both just sat there in shock that Dwight may have actually dug up his dead grandfather.

So many quotes so let's just get to them, shall we?

Michael (to Jan on the phone): "You are the Eva Peron to my Caesar Chavez"
Michael: "I'm playing for Comic Relief"
Jim: "Well, that doesn't exist anymore"
Michael: "Comedy is very much alive - so are the homeless people..."

Toby: "Actually I didn't think it was appropriate to invite children since it's a you know... there's gambling, alcohol, and in our dangerous warehouse, and it's a school night, and Hooter's iis catering... is that enough? Should I go on?"
Michael: "Why are you the way that you are? I mean, honestly every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it... NOT that way. I HATE so much about the things you choose to be. "

*This is my all time favorite:

Michael: "I am going to donate to Afghanistanies with AIDS"
Jim: "Nope I think you mean the Aid to Afghanistan."
Michael: "No, I mean Afghanistanies with AIDS"
Phyllis: "Afghani"
Michael: "What?"
Phyllis: "Afghani"
Michael: "That's a dog!"
Pam: "No, that's Afghan"
Michael: "That's a shawl"
Dwight: "Wait, Canine AIDS?"
Michael: "Humans with AIDS"
Creed: "Who has AIDS?"
Jim: "The Afghanistannannies"
Michael: "You know what? No... No. AIDS is not funny... believe me, I've tried."



Then there were just the really funny other scenes and gags. I loved how scarred and also energized Michael got by having not one but two dates to Casino Night.

I love that he had a whole cheesy Caesar's Palace-esque Magic Opening Statements with faulty (and fake) pyrotechnics and raver glowsticks.


I absolutely loved that Bob Vance from Vance Refrigeration and the Handicap Guy from the office park were both there! I think they're just as funny as Bob Packer (except when Packer's leaving presents for Michael)!


Darryl's continued teachings of interracial conversations and gestures have paid off! Not only did Michael learn some new terms, we did! "Thinkin Flicka", "Fleece it out!" (is this like "Hug It Out?" "Let's Fleece It Out Bitch?"), "Going Mach 5." Darryl's still got a long way to go though because Michael came out with this doozies a couple minutes later... "Two Queens on Casino Night. I'm gonna drop a deuce on everybody!" I almost deuced my pants! It was genius. God when he's good, he's good!

At first I didn't think the "Paper Biz Kiss" was that funny. Sure the awkward double cheek kiss has been done and it was kinda funny to cover up Michael's forwardness but, eh. Then later, Dwight comes running up and before even speaking to Michael kisses him on both cheeks. Good god I love Dwight K. Schrute! He is after all Michael's "Wingman!"

I don't know what was up with Creed stealing but it made me laugh, numerous times. When he reached across Angela and stole the chips next to her and she just rolls her eyes in disgust... good times. That Angela's a hoot! And looking smokin' hot last night with her long hair and black dress. Who knew? Can you blame Dwight for kissing his Lady Luck after his big win? Well, she can. She hauls off and slaps the shit out of Dwight then rushes away blushing and beaming with the biggest grin... until she notices the camera crew on her and she goes stone cold!

Oh and Dwight folding every time Jim coughed? High-sterical! It was just Dwight's paranoia and after Jim's mind tricks earlier, who can blame him? He's better than that douche David Blaine. Let's see David Blaine move a coat rack from across a fluorescent lit office. Would Fiona Apple have caned that rack like Pam did for Jim? Doubtful.

And now, Jim and Pam... what to say? I guess firstly that John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer were never better in their chemistry and comedy together than they were last night! Incredibly funny, knowing, and longing at the same time. Well that was until the parking lot confession.

Jim: "I'm in love with you."
Pam: "What?"

It was so awkward and tense. He really had to say it to her, a last ditch effort to see if she would reciprocate before he made his decision to transfer to the other branch. He had to! Unfortunately, this is where The Office brought tears not only to my eyes, hello I was a mess, but also to my poor Jim! How amazing was it? Pam says: "I'm sorry if you misinterpreted our friendship." Camera back on Jim and his eyes are so glassy and then a tear just drops down his left cheek (our right)! Flawless, heartbreaking, and amazing!

So, I'm torn on the kiss at the end. It was so great to see Pam calling her Mom and confessing that Jim was her best friend but I don't know that I love the kiss! I'm a huge fan of the way the British version played out their Tim and Dawn relationship and I firmly believe that the US version needs to follow that path! If I had some kind of assurance that they weren't going to ruin it all I may feel better about the kiss. It's just a kiss then Pam will go back to Roy! I'm assuming she will somehow postpone the wedding but stay with Roy which will lead to some tense and awkward weeks with Jim and Pam in the fall but that is what needs to happen folks! They must not get together until the very last second. It's preordained. Ricky Gervais said so.

*Head on over to givememyremote if you'd like to see a great video clip. She also added some of the amazing rooftop scene from Veronica Mars' finale tuesday night! Check it, don't wreck it yo!