Weight Loss

Season 5, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

The summer activities of the Dunder Mifflin staff are highlighted, including an interbranch weight loss competition and following Pam at the Pratt Art School.
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Fan Episode Reviews (20)

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  • "It's kind of a good news, bad news situation."

    2.0
    "Terrible"
    By sportsnightfan, Aug 18, 2011 Report Abuse
    "It's kind of a good news, bad news situation."

    "Weight Loss" Episode Summary
    "The Office"
    Season Five, Episode One

    Dunder-Mifflin Scranton's newest Human Resources Representative Holly Flax described the status of the weight loss competition within the office this way: "It's kind of a good news, bad news situation." However, this is also the best way to describe in its entirety, the season five premiere of "The Office".
    Most importantly, the good news is that the writers brought "The Office" cast back to THE OFFICE. Unlike the inaugural season, and the couple to follow, the majority of episodes were being set outside of the office. Also, season five began with an episode that for the first time chronicled the summer months in the office for an eight week period. This further reinforced the documentary style of the show which unfortunately had been lacking from previous episodes. Also, though Pam leaves midway through the show for a three-month design program at the Pratt Institute in New York, she did not get written out of the remainder of the episode.
    Additionally, there was a moment that I felt had been a long time coming and also a very sweet moment involving Kelly; a character that I feel really hasn't gotten her due from this show. In the season five premiere, Ryan returns to the office, once again a temp. In the episode, Ryan asks Kelly to have drinks with him later but she very promptly puts him in his place, letting him know that she is still with Darryl and that they are "like crazy in love". The sweetest moment in the show came when during one of the office meetings, Michael tells Kelly: "I want you to know. Kelly, look at me! I want you to know that you are beautiful. You are truly, truly beautiful." This after Kelly's unhealthy dieting methods came to light. Probably the funniest moment in the episode was when Andy used a little "creative license" with the song "Umbrella" by Rihanna using Angela's name. Equally, the exchange between Ryan and Jim after Ryan's "apology" to him was quite humorous.
    However, for as much "good news" as there was in this episode, there was even more "bad news" to be found. The worst of the "bad news" is that Ryan has returned to the office. I will first preface this by saying even from the pilot of this show I have never been a fan of B.J. Novak's character. I have always found Ryan to be quite cocky and without any justification for such behavior. There is however a much bigger problem that I have with the fact that Ryan has returned to the office. In the season four finale, Ryan was arrested at the Dunder Mifflin corporate offices for fraud. Although, was he formally charged and convicted for this crime? If he was, how are we to now believe that Dunder-Mifflin would once again have him under their employ even as a temp? Something else that bothered me with this particular episode has to do with the relationship (if you will) that exists between Michael and Holly. Since the finale of season four, it seems Michael has given up quite a bit of himself for the sake of Holly not being put off by him. Despite his best attempts though, they seem to be in vain, because Holly seems to be enough like Michael that she would not be put off by him anyways. It is however Holly's similarity to him that I am disturbed by. To be somewhat like Michael could add a lot to the show, but her character as of now is just too obvious. One scene in particular that I didn't really care for was the one that found Michael and Holly rapping together.
    Another issue that I had with this episode is how quickly a few of the loose ends from the season four finale were tied up. The first of these is when Holly found out that Kevin was that she was lied to about Kevin being mentally challenged. Secondly, there was Jim's proposal to Pam. Then of course, there was the return of Ryan which I have already discussed. These are all plot twists that could have been carried out for at least a couple more episodes and one that could have been left out of the show completely. So, this episode, much like Michael as he fell down the stairs in his attempt to catch Pam before she traveled to New York fell flat on its face.moreless

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    0 6

  • Not a good start.

    3.0
    "Bad"
    By thefanof, Oct 06, 2010 Report Abuse
    The Office from seasons one through three was a very entertaining show. It was original (well the predecessor United Kingdom program was original at least) and it featured a type of comedy not seen on TV. Now shows like Extras (when it was on), Flight of the Conchords and 30 Rock have mastered the art of dry comedy and just surpassed The Office by miles. The show will never win the Emmy again with the rate at its going through.

    One of the only funny lines of the entire hour was Dwight suggesting that Kevin, Stanley and Phyllis get lyposutcion. The bit about writing up for not working was also mildly clever. John Krasinki continues to be irritating and his sarcastic "humor" is just not funny at all. Jenna Fischer has no acting ability whatsoever so taking her out of the main environment and having her on her own was a colossal mistake.

    Amy Ryan is simply awful and we need Holly out, and Toby back in as soon as possible. Creed only getting a single line was ridiculous, although "hell of an ass" was great.. What has happened to The Office?moreless

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    5 25

  • Season 5 Premiere

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Oct 06, 2010 Report Abuse
    Wow, The Office has still got it, after the fair almost mediocre fourth season (the finale saved the whole season) we get a very strong premiere which is a lot more than what I can say about the fourth season premiere. The 4th season had blown up episodes that lasted an hour but they only had material to fulfill about half an hour so it never worked, in this case it did.

    Sure, The Office is definitely not like it was in the first few seasons, but I really enjoyed this episode of The Office. We've got Phyllis holding what she knows over Angela's head, Jim proposing to Pam, Michael's stupidity in to trying to get the new HR rep, Holly.

    Pam is like a different character and ever since her & Jim got together, she has become the most uninteresting character of The Office, maybe a few episodes away will do this show good. A great concept, this episode, Kelly stole the show here with her borderline anorexia, amazing episode. Future is looking bright for the new season, unlike season 4.moreless

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    0 0

  • What's another word for HILARIOUS.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By lexacliche, Oct 27, 2008 Report Abuse
    Another hilarious installment. It is amazing how all the characters maintain their original character throughout each season. Michael is still goofy as ever and he has finally met his match; Holly, even though he always finds a way to mess that up. I thought the Holly misunderstanding with Kevin should have played out a bit longer though, when Holly found out that Kevin wasn't as 'retarded' as she was led to believe, that was incredibly funny. This show still has the ability to crack you up. Beautiful season opener. As usual I love Jim and Pam and even though they are separated, they still create so much fun together. What about Angela and Dwight? A couple I wouldn't have thought of . Was it like every time she had a conversation to her fiancee about the wedding plans, she would automatically knock on Dwight's door (Not in the literal sense) lol. There is so much that I just love about this series. The office achieves the unexpected height and is definitely in my top five this season.moreless

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    5 0

  • For the first time we see what happens over the summer at Dunder Mifflin. Pam goes to an Art program in New York, Angela continues to sleep with Dwight, Phylis blackmails Angela and the Dunder Mifflin Competes in a weight loss contest.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By codename11, Oct 08, 2008 Report Abuse
    Jim and Pam were adorable as ever! That guy at art school can go die No one messes with Jam! Phylis is one of my favorite characters especially in this episode blackmailing Angela, Dwight driving her 5 miles away so she had to walk to lose weight too funny! Holly is one of my favorite characters I hope Amy Ryan is here to stay she rocks! Way too awkward when Michael ripped up her tickets to the concert he should have asked her out to the concert! The Jan plotline will be interesting I am now wondering if Michael is the father... We'll have to wait and see! Great episode!moreless

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    2 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • During the lunch break with Jim and Holly, Michael appears without his goatee, but later on in the episode he has it back on and even asks Ryan why he shaved his. Edit
    • In a scene where Holly discovers one of Kelly's dieting methods, the camera shot briefly passes by her desk, showing a name plaque that reveals her full name: Hollis "Holly" P. Flax. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The French episode title is "Diète forcée", meaning "Forced Diet". The Spanish title is "Concurso de adelgazamiento", meaning "Weight Loss Contest". Edit
    • The scenes at the Pratt Institute were filmed at the University Of Southern California. Edit
    • Music: "Umbrella" by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z, performed by Ed Helms; "Here You Come Again" by Dolly Parton Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Phyllis: I wonder what people like best about me? Probably my jugs. Edit
    • (Angela's yelling at Kevin) Holly: NO! You do NOT talk to him like that! Angela: But he's an idiot! Kevin: Hey! Holly: He is not an idiot! Kevin: Thank you, Holly. Holly: He is mentally challenged. But he's doing a super job here. Kevin: Wait, back up. Do you think that I'm retarded? Edit
    • Ryan: Jim, I wanted to apologize for how I treated you last year. I lost sight of myself and, now that I've quit the rat race, I've realized there's so much more to life than becoming the company's youngest V.P. in history. I've even started volunteering, giving back to the community. Jim: Ah, that's great. You're talking about your court-ordered community service? Ryan: I don't need a judge to tell me to keep my community clean. Jim: But he did, right? Edit

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