Our take
The first half of the show's last Christmas with its original boss is built around a homecoming, a cancelled party and a snowball fight that gets out of hand. The return of the boss's old flame gives the party a romantic charge, the snowball war gives the office's most zealous salesman one of his most ferocious runs, and Pam's cancelled party is a neat bit of office politics. Rainn Wilson directs it with real energy, and it leaves you wanting the second half straight away.
What happens
As office administrator, Pam has disbanded the Party Planning Committee and organised a Christmas party that everyone is looking forward to. Then Toby is called up for jury duty in the trial of the Scranton Strangler, and corporate sends Holly back to Scranton to cover for him. Michael, thrilled, makes Pam cancel the party she has planned and put on a second, classier one on the day Holly returns, down to swapping the artificial tree for a real one. Meanwhile Jim lightly agrees to a snowball fight with Dwight and soon regrets it, as Dwight turns it into a relentless campaign. Darryl is excited about spending Christmas with his daughter. Holly arrives, but Michael's hopes are complicated when he learns she is still with her boyfriend, A.J.
Can the kids watch it?
Rated 12 on the UK DVD (both parts together) for moderate sex references; best for teenagers.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Steve Carell
- Rainn Wilson
- John Krasinski
- Jenna Fischer
- Ed Helms
- B. J. Novak
- Craig Robinson
Guest stars
- Amy Ryan
Writer
- Mindy Kaling
Director
- Rainn Wilson