 Michael Tedder of New York called the episode " the single funniest episode of the show since Steve Carell left " and praised Brian Baumgartner 's performance for hitting " notes of sweetness , frustration , and emotional confusion that normally get written for the topliners " . He also praised the plotlines , writing that " what made this episode so great was that not only did every plot line work [ ... ] but every moment positively sang " . He gave the episode five stars , concluding that " The Office still has some surprises in it " . 
