Recap: "The Lover"

We called it! We totally called it! A certain someone’s mother gets mentioned in this episode…and then the shit hits the fan. Spoilers and secrets revealed after the jump.

Recap

When the Halperts return to the office after their honeymoon, Dwight pretends to make amends with Jim by giving him a wiretapped wooden duck (which Jim eventually discovers). Michael reveals that he is dating Pam’s mother, which causes Pam to unleash her bitch potential (whoa, Pam, is that really you?). Soon, despite Jim’s best efforts, the entire office is in on the news.

Best Michael-is-an-Oblivious-Jerk Moment

“That could have gone one of two ways. But I never expected her to get upset.” (After Pam runs out of the room screaming, “Nooooooo!” in response to hearing that her mother is having an affair with Michael.)

Best Michael-is-a-Real-Jerk Moment

Michael befriends—and even hugs—Toby! Oh, wait. He’s just faking it so that Toby will help him deal with Pam. Low blow.

Best Wow-That-Was-Awkward Moment

Oscar: Pam, just for the record I think you're over-reacting a little bit. Your mom's old enough to make her own decisions.

Pam: Oh, well, thanks Oscar. I was just wondering, how would you feel if Michael was sleeping with your mom.

Oscar: My mother's in a wheelchair.

Pam: Well he could still... I'm sorry about that….Oh could I just get you to sign this second page.

Pam just doesn’t do angry very well—she sounds forced when she yells. And doesn’t her outburst seem really out of character?

Dwightisms of the Day

“You know, I really would've appreciated a heads up that you were into dating mothers. I would've introduced you to mine.”

Uhh…we’ve seen what Dwight’s brother looks like. Do we really want to know what his mother looks like? (Although that would actually be kind of hilarious.)

Also, it was really creepy/funny when Dwight offers to give Michael “the chills” with a bizarre back massage and this chant:

“There’s an egg on your head and the yolk is running down… There is a knife in your back and the blood is gushing down…”

Office Gossip

Kelly + Ryan = abusive relationship. Jim + Pam = still cute. Michael + Pam’s mom = what now?

Also, what is the deal with Erin? Is she really as friendly/dumb as she acts? Or is it all just an act…?

Overall: Lots of shouting and high-strung emotions in this episode. We’re not quite buying Pam’s reaction, but everything else is pretty funny. Plus, in classic Office fashion, Michael even gets his redeeming moment of humanity when he demands to know why he’s such a bad guy. (Well, it’s not like it seems that difficult to answer…but no, he isn’t that bad. And that’s why we love The Office.) Overall episode rating: Satisfactory.