Can you un-jump the shark?

For the past 5 years, The Office has constantly and consistently been one of my favorite shows.  It's awkward, it's funny, it's romantic, and it's a show Jack actually likes to watch (since he was the one who got me into it in the first place).  Not only that, but it's one of my favorite shows to watch WITH Jack.  As I've said before, I'm an active TV watcher (aka I talk to the screen quite a bit), and watching The Office with Jack can be interactive.  I think he still has shoulder issues for all the times I'm smacked him for claiming to be "Team Karen."  I've even pitched a mini-fit that I wouldn't get home in time to watch the 3rd season finale because my friend's food was taking too long to come out at a restaurant.  (The story ends happily, with Miguel getting his burger, making it home just a few minutes late, and Miguel seeing it for the first time and becoming a mega-fan like me.)

However, this past season has been pretty weak, especially in the portrayal of some of my favorite characters.  There is only so many awkward story lines you can write for them before they become caricatures of the characters.  This kind of thing happens frequently on TV (most memorably for me on Friends, the last season of Gilmore Girls, and more recently How I Met Your Mother which is depressing me!), and I didn't want to see my once-beloved show turn into The Office Variety Hour.  I could see fins looming and getting closer, and Fonz started to strap on the skis.


Then, last night happened.  Holy crap, I haven't laughed so hard at that show in... well, probably a year at least.  So many classic throw-away moments, my favorite being teeny Angela accidentally sneaking up on Dwight and causing him to flinch and curse.  I don't want to call it too early, but... is The Office back?  More episodes like this, and I'm calling off the lifeguards.