Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews

• The Writer – Mindy Kaling
• Director – Randall Einhorn
• A brief synopsis – Phyllis’ wedding is fast approaching and since the women are holding a shower for her, Bob Packer convinces Michael to hire “separate but equal” strippers.  Dwight hires the woman stripper and Jim hires a real educational historical impersonator of Ben Franklin.  Michael gets spooked by his stripper and eventually, after consulting Ben Franklin and the stripper, confides to Jan.  Pam and Karen exchange some awkward words about Pam and Jim’s history.  Ben Franklin, who is just as perplexed as the women, thinks Pam is hitting on him and hits back.  Jim hears this and teases Pam, then she tells Ryan she is ready to go on a blind date with one of his business woman friends.
• The best line – Michael: Hello everyone! As you know, we are six days away from Phyllis’ wedding. [Applause] So get your suits to the dry cleaner and get your hair did. And Karen, um, you might want to invest in a dress or a skirt of some kind if you don’t already have one. This may be Phyllis’ only wedding ever. It is my job to ensure that none of you look like ragamuffins. So I am instituting prima nocta.
  Jim: Prima nocta, I believe from the movie Braveheart, and confirmed on wikipedia, is when the king got to deflower every new bride on her wedding night. So…
  Michael:
  I’m sorry. I had a very different understanding as to what prima nocta meant.
• The best moment – Jim hiring Ben Franklin provided many moments.
• The best storyline – Going to go with Ben Franklin again here.
• Notable guest appearance – Packer! Ben Franklin and the stripper.
• Would Michael have been reprimanded? – I am pretty sure that he would have been fired.
• Grade – B-

Kaling’s only weak episode to date.  Pushes forward the Pam and Jim train wreck and shows Jim in his prime.  Ben Franklin actually convincing Dwight he is the real historical person is one thing.  Actually getting a stripper to the premises without corporate firing Michael is beyond the limit.  Extra points for Packer.  Always extra for Packer.  Love Bob Packer.  And I am not queer.