It's impossible to feel complete without a brand-new episode of The Office on Thursday nights, so until now I feel like I've been walking around missing some crucial piece of myself.

I have to say, I thought that last night's episode of The Office ("The Negotiation") was well worth the wait. Sure, I had caught about 20 minutes or so of this week's installment about a month ago at the Paley Fest, but those wily producers had managed to cut out all of the Jim/Pam/Roy storyline to keep us guessing.

The Altercation. I'm actually glad that things nearly came to blows with Roy and Jim. The resentment Roy has for Jim has been bubbling up as of late and came to a head when Pam came clean about the fact that she and Jim had kissed before their cancelled wedding. That said, I am glad Roy's punch didn't actually connect with Jim's face (messy, messy) and that the "attack" was averted by an always vigilant Dwight, armed with his pepper spray. That he managed to spray Roy, Pam, and himself in the process made the entire affair that much more hysterical/painful to watch. Good to see that his days as a volunteer deputy really paid off, though Dwight sort of lost his crime-fighting cred when he pepper sprayed Andy to boot. Harsh.

The Kiss. Jim is finally aware of Dwight and Angela's long-standing affair, and his gift to Dwight (for, you know, saving his life) is to remain silent about what he saw. And when you think about it, isn't that the absolute perfect gift for Jim to give to Dwight? I loved how Angela was getting all tingly listening to stories of Dwight's heroics and kept demanding to hear the story from everyone's POV (well, except for Creed, who came up with a truly bizarre and out there -- not to mention completely wrong -- version of events). When will the producers realize we love Angela and bump actress Angela Kinsey to a full cast member already?

Miss Terious. I loved the fact that Michael "accidentally cross-dressed" on the same day as he prepares (using Wikipedia) to use some mind-game tactics on Darryl, who is seeking a raise now that Roy has been fired (and yes, David Denman fans, what I am hearing is that last night's episode will likely be his last appearance on the series). I seriously loved every single element of the scene and thought the wardrobe department did an amazing job in preparing Michael's feminine suit, from the buttons "on the wrong side" to the magenta lining of the jacket, and the fact that the pants did not, as Pam astutely noticed, have any pockets. Additionally, the shot of Michael wearing the same suit as the woman sitting next to him in the Dunder-Mifflin offices was priceless. It's the small moments like these that give the show its punch.

Darryl. I'll just say it now. Craig Robinson is a genius. I thought the scenes between him and Steve Carell rank up there with some of the funniest of the season, as Michael attempts to use Wikipedia mind tricks against Darryl, as he casually, effortlessly gains the upper hand against "Mike." And snapping those pics with his cell phone of Michael's women's suit and paycheck were the comedic icing on the cake.

Roy and Pam. Was anyone else heartbroken by the scene between Pam and Roy at the end of the episode? In an episode filled with blink-and-you'll-miss-them moments (like when Oscar protectively stood up with Angela to hand Roy his last paycheck), this was the piece de resistance of quiet, understated emotion, as Roy apologized to Pam for everything he'd done and Pam admitted that the kiss between her and Jim wasn't the only reason they called off the wedding. It was a beautifully shot, tenderly acted scene, and I will admit that the big lug made me care for him a little bit more when he incredulously asked why Pam wasn't even going to try to date Jim.

Would someone shake some sense into Pam already? I am sure that the producers are setting up some big reveal at the end of the season in which Pam and Jim finally get together (sadly, I'm sure, leading to the demise of the Jim/Karen romance), but Pam seriously needs a wake-up call. If Roy nearly killing Jim wasn't it, I don't know what will snap her out of her complacency.

Who do you want Jim to end up with? Are you on Team Karen or Team Pam?

Next week on The Office ("Safety Training"), Andy Bernard returns to work at Dunder-Mifflin following the completion of his anger-management classes, while Michael and Dwight attempt to illustrate the dangers of the workplace.

* * *

Jace is an LA-based television development and acquisitions junior exec who watches way too much television for his own good and would love a TiVo for every room in the house. (He’s halfway there.) His blog, Televisionary, can be found at televisionary.blogspot.com.

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