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The Office Season 5 Episode 1

Weight Loss

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 9/25/08

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

Fan Episode Reviews (21)

Season 5 starts The Wedding proposal

9.5

By Lostindharma, Jan 28, 2013

Yes it happens. More on that later. Like with the end of season 4 a lot happened. This was the first full season since season 3. Great idea for the producers to make this episode an hour. Also like with end of season 4, I am going to break this down by the important characters.

Michael

As usual he was funny. Dunder Mifflin was doing a weight loss contest between all the branches, with the winner having all the employees in that branch getting an extra day of vacation. After Kelly faints at one of the weigh ins, Michael decides to have a meeting to address weight in general. The meeting itself was pretty funny. I really liked it when Michael decides to have Kelly stand up and Creed says her best quality is hell of an ass. You also see that Michael changes his face from shaven clean to goatee. It's because Ryan is back. Apparently he served his jail sentence. I would like to have seen the trial of Ryan. That's one of the few and minor complaints of this episode. Another reason why Michael was good in this episode was Holly.

Michael and Holly

As in the season 4 finale, they were great as a couple. Their rap was very enjoyable. Some couples work together well and find that connection and Michael and Holly are like that. Holly remained me of a female Michael Scott. Holly does have some of Michael's tendencies with uncomfortable situations with Kevin (thinking he was retarted) and Oscar (saying she was gay thinking it was funny) Michael heeding the advice of Jim plays it cool and slow. He does his best and actually does a good of it. Similar to season 4 finale, he blows a chance to date her but doesn't ruin it.

Angela, Andy and Dwight

The end of season 4 yielded not just one surprise but two with Angela hooking up with Dwight. Angela who is always on the high moral ground tries to play like she is doing something right by doing Dwight and still being engaged to Andy. I think if Dwight didn't kill Angela's cat, they would still be together. Despite a rough breakup, they always had feelings for each other.

Jim and Pam

At the start of season 3, you were left wondering what happen to Jim and Pam. You later find out due to the cameraman, you find out that they did start to date but wanted to keep it secret. Unlike this time, Jim just admits they are holding it off due to Pam being in New York for art school. It was funny when Jim mentioned the reason as a guy in her past. I enjoyed their goodbyes and Michael trying to remember the poem he had written for her. I also liked the video chat. Kids who see this, remember this was before Skype. Just when you think an innocent meeting turns out to be at least in my opinion the best or at least top 3 moments when Jim proposed. It was perfect.

Other highlights from this episode include Phyllis ordering Angela around due to her hooking with Dwight. It was nice to see Phyllis take charge. Ryan comes back and makes a list of those who wronged him and those that just make him mad. It turns out that Ryan hasn't learned much and that's fine with me. He tries to play it up like he is. It makes it better. He manipulates Kelly in getting back together and like the first time he regrets it right away. One of the best deleted scenes happen when David calls and just rips into Ryan. Ryan's reaction was priceless. This was a great season which turned out to be a great season where a lot has happened.moreless
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"It's kind of a good news, bad news situation."

2.0

By sportsnightfan, Aug 18, 2011

"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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Not a good start.

3.0

By thefanof, Oct 06, 2010

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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Season 5 Premiere

9.0

By Canogaparkcindy, Oct 06, 2010

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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What's another word for HILARIOUS.

9.5

By lexacliche, Oct 27, 2008

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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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Steve Carell	Michael Scott
Rainn Wilson	Dwight Schrute
John Krasinski	Jim Halpert
Jenna Fischer	Pam Beesly
B.J. Novak	Ryan Howard
Angela Kinsey	Angela Martin

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Rich Sommer	Alex	Guest Star
Dale Raoul	Ronni	Guest Star
Jim Petersmith	Bearded Professor	Guest Star
Amy Ryan	Holly Flax	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- 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.
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- 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.
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QUOTES (6)
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- Phyllis: I wonder what people like best about me? Probably my jugs.
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- (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?
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- 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?
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- Michael: I once went 28 years without having sex. Then I went another seven after that.
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- Michael: (rapping) I'm MJ Michael Scott, and I am hot.
  She's DJ Jazzy Flax, and she is the best.
  All the sucker branches can suck our fat.
  Holly: Wicka wicka wicka what?!
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- Angela: I have a nice comforter and several comfy pillows. I usually read a chapter of a book, and it's lights out by 8:30. That's how I sleep at night.
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NOTES (7)
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- The scale that weighs the Dunder Mifflin staff is an actual working scale, custom-created for the show by Rice Lake Weighing Systems of Rice Lake, WI.
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- The scenes at the Pratt Institute were filmed at the University Of Southern California.
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- The French episode title is "Diète forcée", meaning "Forced Diet". The Spanish title is "Concurso de adelgazamiento", meaning "Weight Loss Contest".
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- Music: "Umbrella" by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z, performed by Ed Helms; "Here You Come Again" by Dolly Parton
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- This was a one-hour long episode.
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- This episode did not have a cold open, the first not have a cold open since second season episode "Sexual Harassment".
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- International Airdates: Latin America: June 15, 2009 on Canal FX
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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