The Office Has Much to Resolve in Fifth Season Premiere

This week, TV shows all over the major networks are finally coming back. Heroes, Dancing with the Stars, Criminal Minds and other major shows have already had their highly anticipated premieres. Tonight, the most noteworthy season premiere comes from the comedy circuit, as NBC's The Office comes back. The unlikely smash hit remake debuts its fifth season, as The Office tries to get another round of madness at Dunder Mifflin off to a soaring start. For The Office, there is much to resolve, much to set up and much to do to get back on track.

It has become customary for every Office season premiere to resolve major cliffhangers and major events from their season finales. Season Three's first episode came after the famous Jim/Pam events of "Casino Night." Season Four's premiere followed up on the promise of Jim and Pam finally getting together. But for this Office season premiere, there is less to resolve on the Jim/Pam front.

In last season's Office finale "Goodbye, Toby" Jim was finally ready to propose until Andy Bernard stole his thunder, proposing to new girlfriend- and Dwight Schrute's secret ex- Angela. As Season Five starts, it appears that Jim and Pam will be having a long distance relationship, as Pam is in art school in New York.

But the major cliffhangers for The Office involve other characters for once. Michael Scott is embarking on his life long dream of fatherhood, albeit with often unstable ex-girlfriend Jan, who's having a sperm baby that isn't Michael's. But Michael will carry on as if it was.

Further complicating matters is Michael's new attraction to his arch-nemesis Toby's replacement in HR. Oscar nominee Amy Ryan joins The Office for an extended guest star spot as Holly Flax, the new HR rep who seems to share Michael's sense of humor- as frightening as that is.

The final big thing for The Office to get back to is the love triangle between Dwight, Angela and Andy. The final scene of last season had Angela's party-planning rival Phyllis discover Dwight and Angela having sex, minutes after Andy's proposal.