The Office – Recap & Review – Todd Packer

photo: nbc

The Office
Todd Packer

Original Air Date: Feb 24, 2011

Shannon – Associate Editor
shannon@thetwocentscorp.com

Cold open: Dwight has to eat all his canned disaster rations that are about to expire so he’s shoveling in pickled okra out of tins and 8 year old canned tomatoes.  It grosses out the staff, naturally. Then Jim messes with him and it’s really not funny and just sad.

Michael is talking with Todd Packer who wants to come back to the Scranton branch. Holly meets with Todd Packer and hires him back as a permanent office staff member and Michael asks the staff to welcome him back. The staff is less than thrilled. They all know what a huge jerk he is and how Michael idolizes him.

Pam got Erin a new computer for reception. Now everyone wants a new computer. Erin gives her new computer to Andy for some reason. Pam kind of flips out about it. She admits to Andy that she can only replace his computer if it breaks. Andy feeds his CD drive baloney with mustard. It wanted a snack. Pam gets him a new computer but they have to act like they found it in a remote corner of the warehouse. Darryl’s sure he saw some sick days lying around the warehouse that he’ll gladly take in return for his silence. Pam goes along with it and is pleased to be corrupt.

Michael asks Dwight to move and give Todd Packer his desk. The staff goes to Holly. She says they can’t not hire someone because no one likes him. She says that Todd’s always been nice to her. Meredith says that’s how he gets you to take off your panties. Todd is behaving in his usual manner and Holly is having second thoughts. She admits to Michael that she thinks Packer is a jerk and not at all funny. Michael is incredulous.  Michael confronts Packer on his behavior and advises him to dial it back. Todd Packer “apologizes” to the staff but they aren’t buying it.

Dwight tries to get Packer to drink laxative laced hot chocolate. Jim wants to team up with Dwight on pranking Packer. They pose as corporate drones and feed him a line about corporate hiring him. They invite him to just hop on over the fence of Jo Bennett’s compound and make himself comfortable at the pool. Michael catches them. When Packer insults Holly to Michael’s face, he decides not to tell him Florida is a sham.

In the shadow of last week’s awesome episode this one is…not so good. I found it very boring but then I’ve never been a Todd Packer fan. I don’t think he’s funny and I find Michael’s hero worship of him to be both annoying and sad. I’m glad Holly has the good sense not to be entranced by him. What did you think? Leave a comment!