automaticable

A few weeks ago I wrote a post outlining predictions for the season 4 finale of The Office. After last night’s AMAZING hour long show, I wanted to revisit those predictions to see how I did, what I missed, and maybe make a few predictions for season 5. I don’t want to spoil the season finale for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to watch it yet, so I’ll put the rest of this post behind a break. For those of you who didn’t catch the hour long episode, you can still watch it online, legal and free, at both Hulu and NBC.

So how did I do with my season 4 predictions? Pretty well if you ask me! I’ll go through and outline what I predicted, what happened, and what this means for the future of The Office in season 5.

• Prediction 1: Ryan will get fired from corporate. Right on! And boy did he go down in a blaze of glory. The latter part of my prediction about him coming back and working for the Scranton branch is probably a bit off though, since I don’t think someone convicted of fraud is going to be allowed to work there any more. This for sure is not the last we see of Ryan though. Season 5 prediction: Ryan is paroled instead of imprisoned, and Michael Scott runs into him working at some retail or food chain making minimum wage. Oh the irony!
• Prediction 2: Jim and Pam will NOT get engaged. I think this one spoke for itself, but it did end up being pretty dramatic. I was completely on edge as Jim pulled out the ring, and now I absolutely hate Andy for stealing the show. I do like the idea of Pam going away to art school for a while, as that will allow the engagement storyline to draw out through all of season 5. What I do not like, however, is how unhappy Pam seemed when she wasn’t proposed to. It almost seemed like she was second guessing her feelings for Jim. I hope rough times aren’t ahead for PB&J, but it seems inevitable. Season 5 prediction: Pam meets some cute young art student, feels the temptation, but when things start getting heated she will realize how perfect Jim is for her.
• Prediction 3: Michael will get back together with Jan. Again, right on! Michael ditched his new love interest as soon as Jan came back, and he is even going to help her raise the baby. How about that pregnancy though? I did not expect that! I am not really happy about Jan going to a sperm bank, but I guess I can see why the writers wouldn’t want Michael to be the father…if he was, he would be obligated to father the child forever, meaning Jan and Michael would probably be an item forever. And come on, Michael can’t really father a child! Season 5 prediction: Jan has the baby, Michael goes through crazy emotional stages, from super excited to absolutely terrified, and by the end he will somehow separate himself from fatherhood.
• Prediction 4: The love triangle will escalate (Dwight/Angela/Andy). Another obvious choice, but again, right on. I would never have guessed Andy would propose to Angela, or that she would say yes (or, rather, “Ok”). I have never concurrently felt so excited and disgusted at the same time as during the last scene with Dwight & Angela. Dwight is a freaking pimp, I swear. That man’s weirdness is just a ploy to get to the freaks! Season 5 prediction: We already know that Angela is pregnant in real life (head shots only for the last 3 or 4 episodes!), so this will definitely come into play in season 5. What is nice is that her pregnancy will play a major role in getting out of the engagement with Andy. Dwight is back in with Angela, and will stay there throughout season 5. Also, Dwight will be a really good father.
• Prediction 5: Roy will come back. Ok, nobody is perfect. I definitely got this wrong. I still think he disappeared from the story too quickly though, and we have not seen the last of him. Season 5 prediction: This is a hard call. Unless Roy is in New York for some reason, I don’t see him showing up without Pam in Scranton. Wait for season 6 for the reintroduction of Roy.
• Prediction 6: Secondary characters make a comeback. YES! FINALLY! Everyone played a roll in this final episode. Kevin made this episode especially hilarious. He didn’t even have to change his character to fit the roll of being “slow.” Season 5 prediction: No prediction here. We know how important these characters are, so they will be up to the same old antics in Season 5.

There you go. 5 out of 6 ain’t bad, right? So automaticable, what did you think of the season 4 finale of The Office? Have any predictions for season 5? Share your thoughts!