{alltv} 'The Office': Which one's 'Glee'?

This episode of "The Office" was organized around "Glee," but as usually happens it ended up being about other things -- Michael's need to be liked, Gabe's desire to belong, Dwight's freakish ability to calm babies -- and after last week's interesting but not very funny episode, the comedy came back some too.

"Viewing Party" had some vintage Bad Michael behavior in it, but as the show has been doing this season, it also gave him a redemptive moment (and left out the tantrum that has so often accompanied a situation like this). Dwight's torment of Jim was very funny, as were a couple of the specific "Glee"-related moments in the episode. Maybe I'm just feeling charitable, but it worked.

Michael getting upset at Kevin offhandedly calling Gabe "the boss" and then doing everything he could to undermine the party is a beat we've seen numerous times in the past. (Cutting off Gabe's cable, though? Not cool.) Some of the specifics made it amusing on its own -- like Michael talking about how, unlike Gabe, he doesn't "cook in an oven" -- but what saved it was the moment between him and Erin when she discovered his sabotage.

It's been tough to get a read on why Erin cares about Michael, but that one moment made it pretty darn clear: She views him as a father figure, and Michael, to his credit, realizes pretty quickly that his "I'm not your father" remark really wounds her. He recovers by then completely giving himself over to a dad role, pulling out every stern-father cliche he can think of in making Erin feel better and at least implicitly saying he's OK with her and Gabe dating.

Gabe didn't really help his own cause by being his usual priggish self for the most part (although the pizza bar is a great idea), trying to keep the volume down on the soundscapes. But as Zach Woods told us about this episode, he's basically just a really lonely guy who's maybe trying a little too hard to fit in.

And oh, Dwight and Jim. We haven't had a good Jim-Dwight dustup in a while, and putting Pam (and Cece) in the middle of it was a brilliant stroke. Jim on some level has to know what Cece's reverse cycling is doing to his wife, so he (very) reluctantly swallows his pride to become Dwight's serving boy. "Beer me, Jim" is going to haunt my dreams for a while.

Other thoughts on "Viewing Party":

Looks like Kelly is with us in wanting "Glee" to straighten up: "And what was with Jesse's sudden turn on Rachel between 'Dream On' and 'Funk'? Where the heck did that come from? Honestly, that show -- it's just ... irresponsible." Yet (also like us) she's glued to every word.
By the way, the "Glee" episode they were watching was "Duets," which aired before Halloween and therefore messes up the "Office" timeline and ... yeah, probably overthinking that just a little bit.
Erin shows off Gabe's apartment: "Look how big those wine glasses are. ... Those posters? Used to be real French ads."
And no, Oscar, Dianna Agron has never been on "Friday Night Lights." "Heroes" and "Veronica Mars," yes, but not "FNL."
We will never turn down a chance to watch Ed Helms do physical comedy. Andy high on ground-up seahorse gave us that.
Funniest line of the night goes to Darryl, telling Andy what he needs to hear: "If I was a girl and I had to choose between a tall dude who loved Asia and a you-lookin' dude who loved sweaters, and wearing sweaters, I'd choose you. ... And I would blow your mind."
Weirdest moment: Kevin experiencing eating a pig in a blanket while in a blanket.

Did you enjoy the "Viewing Party"?