The Office: “Business Trip” (recap)

By Emily Hochberg
Fancast.com

Bonjour! The Office is going international as Michael preps for a business trip abroad. Now, before you get all excited imagining him interacting with Europeans, he’s only going to Canada. I know, disappointing, right? I got all excited over the idea of Michael traveling Europe as the stereotypical American tourist that gives us all a bad name. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Jim is singing a happy tune too. He’s whistling and smiling because he’s a mere week away from Pam’s return and the whole office is counting down with him. Including Creed who offers courtesy back rubs. I feel just as dirty watching that as Jim appears to feel receiving it.

Corporate head David Wallace assigned Michael to the trip to smooth over any bad feelings from transferring Holly. He’s excited nonetheless and packs three suitcases. Well, one really, the other two are for souvenirs. Because Winnipeg is known for its tourist appeal. Michael isn’t traveling alone either; Oscar and Andy are going too, with Andy also serving as Michael’s French translator complete in a red beret. Ooh la la!
Ryan checks out his new desk next to Kelly since Pam will be resuming her spot and eggs her on for attention by doing push-ups. Kelly maintains her relationship with Darryl and swears she’ll never go back to Ryan. Cut to five seconds later where they’re making out. Way to make him sweat it, Kel.

Michael, Andy, and Oscar arrive at their posh hotel and ask the concierge about local hot spots. Michael’s never had one before and equates her to a geisha. Yes, Michael, it’s exactly the same thing.

Pam calls Jim and is broken up over the fact that she failed a computer class. It would be no big deal except it means she has to stay and re-take it for another 12 weeks. Jim is nothing less than 100% supportive and when they hang up he looks like he just got sucker punched and she starts crying. Hey, I’d cry too if someone told me I had to wait another 12 weeks to see Jim!

The guys head out to a bar in Winnipeg and run into the concierge, Marie. Michael immediately starts hits on her, because he’s going to die one day so why not be with people you like okay, than die alone and away from your one true love. That’s the most depressing thing I’ve ever heard. Meanwhile, Andy takes it upon himself to become Oscar’s wingman, and buys drinks for two guys he’s trying to pick up for Oscar. They get shot down but we did get to hear the return of Andy’s trademark “Beer Me” phrase. Yes! A few drinks in and Oscar is asking Andy how in the hell he stands Angela. Andy’s response? She makes him a better person and can’t wait to have sex with her.

Bombshell! Angela is getting it on – but not with her fiancé. Poor guy. Oscar doesn’t understand what’s wrong with Angela and convinces Andy to ask her that, plain and simple. So the two then proceed to drunk dial Angela. Now, who doesn’t love a good drunk dial? They’re funny and harmless. Well, something tells me Angela Martin would NOT appreciate them. Also, can I have a shout out for drunk Oscar? Hilarious! Andy calls Angela and drunkenly demands to know why they aren’t sleeping together and to see her naked. She is outraged and in the background we hear a soft voice calling her “monkey.” Oh no she didn’t! When the mouse is away the cat will play! And yes, I reversed that on purpose. During this, Michael and Marie slip out of the bar and retreat to her room to do the same thing as Angela, only Marie promptly kicks him out afterwards and he looks like he might cry. Why don’t they just play the sad Charlie Brown music while they’re at it?

News spreads fast that Pam failed her class and everyone looks at Jim with sad faces. Except Dwight who uses this as the time to bash her work. Knock him when he’s down, why don’t you.

The next morning Oscar thanks Andy for trying to hook him up and is still in disbelief over their drunk dial. The drunk dial Andy doesn’t remember. Now he looks like he may throw-up and he wasn’t even hung over. Back at the office Ryan persuades Kelly to dump Darryl via text but his passion seems to quickly fade when Darryl couldn’t care less.

At the airport Andy tells Oscar he’s been downgraded by Angela to first base, meaning he can kiss her forehead, but seems unfazed thanks to his new BFF in Oscar. Or, actually, WMFL – Wing Man for Life, yo. Michael calls David Wallace and tells him that even though he made a big sale the trip sucked and lays into him for sending Holly away. Jim succeeds in his first day of the new Pam countdown and walks to his car to find her waiting. She insists she’s not doing it because of him but because she hates graphic design, but the smile on his face is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, and so is their kiss, until it’s interrupted by Dwight asking for copies. Looks like its FINALLY getting back to normal! For now anyway.

When is one half hour ever enough Office? Well, it isn’t. So watch more full episodes here!