Jay G.

Starting watching this last night, and when they got to the Die Hard quotes, my wife turns to me and says, "why don't we watch Die Hard, like right now." So we stopped the DVR and watched Die Hard.

Finished the episode afterwards, and overall I enjoyed it, like I've been enjoying this season more than the last one.

I do agree that Andy's departure and his treatment of Erin has been off this season. Does anyone know if Ed Helms requested time off for a film or something? I do think they're just ignoring the boss void, as while having either Dwight or Nellie fight for at least temporary rule would be in character, it's also a bit played out.

I don't think Jim and Pam encouraging Dwight's Christmas part is out of character for them. In the past they've been shown to occasionally take delight in Dwight's offbeat antics (e.g. Recyclops). It seems from this episode that both of them were bored with the concept of a traditional Christmas party (remember when Jim tried to combine all the birthday parties into one?), and while Dwight's party would likely be terrible in some ways, it'd at least be interesting and new.

As for the documentary crew references, those have existed throughout the show, and were even more prominent in the first few seasons. Somewhere midway through the show they could go something like half a season without explicitly referencing the documentary crew, but it's always been a part of the show.

Deftones

Andy's "time off" is so Ed Helms can film The Hangover 3.

madcougar

That would be hilarious! But I think that Toby IS the Strangler.

whotony

They could do him as the strangler.

Last ep reveals it and a quick cut away to Michael saying, "I knew it."

Bill Needle

Kory

I watched this on NBC.com and I don't remember there being any opening credits, or even a "cold open." The first segment of the show was over 7 minutes long. Am I crazy?