“In the end, the greatest snowball isn’t a snowball at all… it’s fear. Merry Christmas.” – Dwight
My Office Christmas wish came true with the return of the superb Amy Ryan as Holly Flax in “Classy Christmas.”
The Office is not complete without her as Michael’s one true love, but her first episode back left me wanting more. Hopefully the show has more in store for the couple in the future.
As the new office administrator, Pam decided to get rid of the party planning committee because she didn’t want the politics or the drama that came along with the group. The Christmas party was all planned out without any chaos, which seemed to annoy Michael. As the party was about to get underway, Toby announced that he would be going to jury duty and Holly was coming from New Hampshire to take his place for a while. Michael got so excited that he threw out all the decorations and food that was for the party and told everybody they would have a classy Christmas party for when Holly was to arrive.
Jim and Dwight started a snowball war when Dwight made fun of Jim for getting excited about the first snow. Jim decided to pelt a snowball in Dwight’s face to get back at him. Dwight then challenged Jim to a snowball fight in the parking lot at lunch.
Classy Christmas was set with Michael as a James Bond Santa, a bassist playing music and mojitos being served for drinks. When Holly arrived, she and Michael exchanged their usually dorky banter and hugs. Holly is such a great character and match for Michael. These two really complement each other and are so awkward to watch when on screen together, but that is why I like them.
While catching up, Holly tells Michael that she and her boyfriend, AJ, live together. He got even more jealous when she told him about their love for Toy Story and she showed him the Woody doll that AJ had gotten for her. While Holly was talking to the girls about AJ, she confessed that he wouldn’t commit to her and they told her to give him an ultimatum to propose or to break-up. While she was chatting, Michael went back to her desk, threw the Woody doll in the garbage and poured coffee on him.
When Holly found the doll, she confronted the office and Michael confessed it was him. He told her it was because of a jealous rage and Holly was not happy. She told him he needed to get over the fact that she was with AJ. He didn’t understand how she didn’t want a long distance relationship with him, but would do it with AJ.
When AJ showed up to surprise Holly, Michael decided to hide his anger and cleaned the Woody doll. Michael left the party and Pam followed him out. As he broke down, she told him that Holly confessed that AJ wouldn’t commit to her. This gave Michael some hope. When he went to give Kelly her gift, Holly and AJ were at her desk talking. AJ found the Woody doll all messed up and Holly told him that she spilt dressing on him by accident. Michael overheard their conversation and was surprised that Holly didn’t rat him out.
Jim met Dwight in the parking lot for their fight and ended up with a bloody nose after Dwight popped out of a snowman to throw snowballs at him. Jim tried using a lacrosse mitt to throw one at Jim in the office, but ended up breaking a window and getting scolded by Holly. When he returned to his desk later, Dwight was dressed as Pam and threw more snowballs at Jim. By the end of the evening, Jim was terrified and thought Dwight would pop up anywhere to get him.
In other side stories, Darryl found out his daughter didn’t want to spend Christmas with him, but brought her to the office party to convince her that he is fun with Pam and Andy’s help. She finally had fun when they bought food out of the vending machine and passed it out to the employees. Angela brought her new senator boyfriend to the party with Oscar realizing that the guy is gay. He of course did not tell Angela this. Pam and Jim exchanged their gifts, with Pam making Jim a comic book about him. She was worried that he wouldn’t like it after he gave her a diamond bracelet, but of course he liked it!
I like seeing Holly back, but hope for a resolution to her and Michael by the end of the season. The side stories weren’t that interesting except for Dwight and Jim. Their classic picking on each other is great and this time it was Jim being the one that was being tortured. Dwight’s scene showing he has a disguise for everybody in the office was hilarious and the best part of the night.
For the new year, I would like to see the Holly-Michael story resolved. I would also like to see other stories for Andy besides pining for Erin and something new for Erin too besides a Gabe storyline. It will be interesting to see what happens when the show returns from winter break.
Some stats and info about The Office, “Classy Christmas”
TV SHOW – The Office
SEASON/EPISODE – Season 7, Episode 11
AIRED ON – March 9th, 2010
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – NBC
GENRE – Comedy, Office Culture
CREATED BY – Greg Daniels, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
CAST – Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenn Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, Phyllis Smith, Creed Bratton, Oscar Nunez, B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, Ed Helms, Paul Lieberstein, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper