The Office (US) S1 E4 - 'The Alliance' Mini-Review



Scuttlebutt.

The Office (US) delivers another solid, if a bit unspectacular episode filled with chuckles aplenty but too few good laughs. Jim messing with Dwight through their alliance is a very amusing side story, particularly when Dwight sat in a box in the warehouse, but the main drive here was seeing Michael fail once again to connect with his employees. His party was supposed to bring the office together, but instead he repeatedly offended Meredith with some cringe-inducing jokes, before boasting about how much he accidentally gave to charity. It was another episode which felt heavily influence by the UK version of the show and again, struggles to escape its shadow. The show has been fine so far, but needs to up its comedy levels and find its own way if it hopes to grab my attention further.

BEST MOMENTS


  • Michael's heart attack! lol

    • "I think green is kind of whoreish"
    • "I don't appreciate condoning corporate fraud though"
    • Michael's awkwardness over not wanting to pay so much money to charity
    • "I don't think she'd be missed"
    • Love that it actually IS Ryan's birthday!
    • Roy starting on Jim! Beef beginning between the two rivals for Pam's heart?
    • Dwight's dyed hair reveal at the end was timed so well and served as a cracking ending to this story
    DID YOU KNOW?!*
    • In his book "The Bassoon King", Rainn Wilson said that his favorite exchange from his entire time as Dwight Schrute came in the episode "The Alliance" when Dwight offered Jim the titular deal and Jim immediately and enthusiastically accepted it
    • When the employees are singing "Happy Birthday" to Meredith, a red-haired employee can be seen in the background singing with them. She is never named or seen again
    • If Jim ended up donating $50 at $3 per mile, Oscars nephew would have to reach 16.67 miles. Which means Michael, donating $25 per mile, would end up having to pay $416.75
    • Michael jokes about Meredith's age when he is actually older/the same age. Michael - 41 years old, 08/16/62 Meredith - 40 years old, 06/10/64
    RATING: 7.8/10



    *Trivia from IMDB

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