The Office: Niagara

Posted by: Lawrence Lee  •  October 9, 2009 @ 10:31am

Filed under: Recaps & Reviews

The series' main storyline reaches its conclusion, in the episode where Pam and Jim finally get married. This episode had a very romantic comedy feel to it, that included everything that could possibly go wrong, and more: a torn scrotum, self-centered family members, one-night stands, a torn veil, and a pregnancy. It is in the scene where Jim fumbles his words in front of the ultraconservative grandmother, that it becomes safe to assume that Michael will unintentionally worsen the situation. This episode is no exception, as Michael attempts to mitigate the pregnancy with his infamous words, "They are having lots of consensual sex." The man is just completely and hopelessly relentless in all of the wrong ways.

Sadly, Michael was not the only problem at the wedding. After the series of bad events has taken enough of a toll on Pam, she is reminded that the wedding is about her and Jim. It is in this realization, that Pam and Jim conclude that their love is something that is between the two of them, for them to decide, and is not to be determined by anybody else. They are not there to make an impression on the people in attendance, as Jim symbolically conveys by cuting his own tie in half.

It is in the following scenes that we see the two halves to the wedding. On one hand, it is the private, and intimate wedding that Jim and Pam want. On the other hand, is the the wedding spoof that Pam did not want, but it didn't matter to her or Jim. They were so happy from their own private wedding, that nothing could ruin their day for them. It almost seems like nothing, no matter how severe, can ruin the happiness between the couple. But as the main storyline comes to a conclusion, a new and disturbing plot commences, as Michael and Mrs. Beesley retreat to the latter's hotel room.

Tags: The Office, Niagara, Jam, Michael Scott, Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, wedding, season 6, sitcom

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Original Comments Posted (6)

metal2000 says...

I admit it. I teared up.

Going off to the "Maid of the Mist" to get married, only to come back to the craziness they knew they would have to endure, was totally in character for Jim & Pam, and unbelievably sweet. They were able to keep their friends and family happy -- and let them feel like a part of the wedding -- but still have the intimate and meaningful moment they wanted and deserved.

And besides the light sobbing at the end (I teared up during the Christmas Special of the UK Office, too, because apparently I'm a little girl!), it was a pretty damn funny episode. Kevin was on fire the whole episode, and everyone was able to have some time to shine.

Good job, Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling (who co-wrote this episode). It likely couldn't have been more perfect.

Oct 9, 2009 11:10am

ariana says...

I don't know, I loved parts of it, and I hated parts of it. The YouTube dance felt so contrived... yet I don't really know why. I don't want to be overly critical--I love this show, and I love Jim and Pam together, and I'm so glad they finally made it to this point--but in some ways it felt like an anti-climactic and messy episode... maybe a bit like the wedding itself?

Oct 9, 2009 12:43pm

joalberts says...

Okay, I haven't seen this episode yet, but from your description of it, it sounds a lot like Marshall and Lily's wedding in How I Met Your Mother. Especially the 2-part wedding thing. Anyone else?

Oct 9, 2009 5:45pm

metal2000 says...

Totally forgot about that, but yeah, I guess you're right. Except this one (to me, anyway) didn't at all seem "sitcom-y" like HIMYM did (that's not a knock on that great show -- it IS a sitcom, after all, and the wedding episode was hilarious and sweet).

As Ariana said, the wedding and the episode were both messy, but everything that happened seemed very true to the characters and the world of The Office.

Oct 9, 2009 7:32pm

joalberts says...

Now that I've SEEN the episode, I agree with you Paul.This episodereminded me of the HIMYM wedding, but was it's own crazy thing as well. And Ariana, I didn't like the YouTube dance either.

I love that Jim had the boat tickets WAY before the wedding. He just knew. :)

Oct 13, 2009 4:14pm

sarahm says...

Ok but seriously, how cool would it be if the Office spoofed your wedding video? I'm just saying.

I started tearing up at Jim's toast and then he went and spoiled the surprise...haha! Sappy but not too sappy.

Oct 14, 2009 1:00am

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