(S05E20) I've always said, if you're going to assemble a "Dream Team" for your new company, you need: 1) a super-hot redhead in a business suit, 2) an incompetent man-child, 3) a bowling-shoe-stealing sociopath, and 4) a surgeon-turned-telemarketer named Vikram. I mean, it's just common sense.

The Dream Team in question applies to the four new cornerstones of The Michael Scott Paper Company, an enterprise built on such shaky ground that even Michael's grandmother doesn't believe it has a shot to make it.

But, after a generous dose of Pam's tears (is there any better motivation for a stupid man than a crying woman?), it seems like Michael is starting to believe he has a shot. Pam, too. And you know what? Sign me up. I believe in the Michael Scott Paper Company ...

While Michael was putting the pieces of his Dream Team together, Dwight was manipulating newly-minted suck-up Jim into playing soccer with Charles Minor. While the outcome was predictable (you just knew somebody was getting hurt, right?), it was an interesting shift in roles. It was nice to see Dwight taking advantage of Jim, instead of the other way around.

That's why I'm loving this set of episodes so much: the writers have found a way to shake thing up very organically. Nothing feels forced, and yet everything is different. I guess that goes to show you how far sitcoms have come in the last twenty years: if this were 1989, Pam and Jim would have had a kid at the end of the 4th season who would be a toddler this year (for some reason).

Other stuff:

-- I love when The Office nails the little things, like the desperate scramble to find common ground with a particularly demanding boss. I imagine this sort of thing happens a lot at offices. (And, thank goodness I left the corporate world for show business where sucking up to people never happens. Er...)

-- Speaking of desperately trying to find common ground, did any of you hear this interview with Billy Bob Thorton on Canadian radio? I was reminded of it every time Jim tried to talk to Charles Minor tonight.

-- "Oh, he goes. He goes."

-- Was tonight the moment that Michael's man-crush on Ryan went from cute to creepy? Or was it always creepy? It's hard to tell.

-- I love Pam and Michael's business relationship (do we need a portmanteau for this: Pamchael?). There have been several wonderful pairings on The Office: Pam and Michael, Jim and Dwight (working together version), Andy and Oscar, etc. What's your vote for best?

-- Was anybody else disappointed that Vikram left as quickly as he did? I kind of liked the idea of him being there for the long haul. Michael needs someone who is willing to yell at him in an Indian accent.

-- Shoe Bitch was my nickname, too.

As always, your comments are like ads for Parks and Recreation: overwhelming, but oddly ingratiating.