Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews

• The Writer – Matt Sohn
• Directed by – Robert Padnick
• A brief synopsis – When Robert California reveals he hates Nellie’s business plan, Jim has to work against Dwight to keep him from getting fired. Andy learns that Erin is not going to return to Scranton.  Darryl and Toby compete with each other to get the big cookie sale from Kevin.
• The best line – Irene (taking a sip of a drink given to her by Erin): Whoohoah.  What kind of tea is this?  
  Erin: Oh, I boiled some Gatorade.
• 2nd best line – Kevin (courting competition between Darryl and Toby): I actually do want you to fight over me.  I wanna be wined, dined and sixty-nined. 
  Angela (showing disgust, along with Oscar): Oh!
  Kevin: Metaphorically sixty-nined!  Ooh.  Perverts!  No offense Oscar…
• The best moment – Dwight’s Jackie Chan move.  Parkour x 10 divided by dumbass.
• 2nd best moment – Andy’s computer slowly logging off as he waits to rush off to get Erin.
• The best story line – Only Jim could save Dwight, and only Packer could take it in the shorts as a result.
• Notable guest appearance – Could this be Packer’s Waterloo?  I would love it if it were the last we see of Nellie Bertram.  Georgia Engel may be made up to look like an old woman as Erin’s new employer, Irene, but that voice is unmistakable.
• Grade – A-

Spader put to full use effectively.  His Robert California is all the sleaze and cunning that he has ever been.  He takes it about as far as it can go, here.  Jim is the white knight with the wife at home reminding him that it requires an effort to do the right thing.  Kevin has received perhaps the biggest boost, ironically, from Carrell’s departure. It seems like every other episode features him prominently, usually to its benefit.  Erin’s employment with Irene has some sweet irony to it, as exemplified by her video chat with Andy.  It was a nearly great episode.  This group has real chemistry when they have story to back the cast.