Don't let the high rating for this episode fool you into believing that The Office without Michael Scott is a good thing. The first time the episode aired, coming off the emotional high of Goodbye, Michael, it was just a huge letdown. There was an obvious hole left to fill and the episode just felt off. So, what about now? As in previous episodes, I have had a year of getting "use to no Michael Scott" and can be more objective in my assessment of this episode without being subjected to the sting of Steve Carell being gone.

I think The Inner Circle does play better a year removed from it's initial airing. This one was all about kissing up to the new Boss man that is  Deangelo, with the exception of Dwight, which made his scenes so much funnier. He is now doing the complete opposite of what he has done for the the entire series toward Michael. There really isn't much of a 'plot' here other than kissing ass. But its the little scenes where Deangelo is trying to fake his way through it all to garner his employee's 'respect', but it does the opposite. I thought the juggling scene was hilarious and the Basketball Dunking Contest and subsequent hospital trip was just as funny. The episode was indeed better the second time around for me, but in the end, there is still a massive hole that no one could conceivably fill or would ever be able to fill. Just look at the mess that is Season 8 for proof of that.

Check out the final scene to see John Krasinski (Jim) break character by trying to keep from laughing at Will Ferrell.