I already had my review for this week picked out, but then something so momentous happened that I needed to write about it, instead.  One of the best shows currently on television had a crossover with my favorite show of all-time.  I am speaking, of course, about this past week’s episode of The Office.

For several years now, there have been rumors about a possible cameo or two by characters from the original BBC version of The Office.  So many promises have been made that, when I heard that Ricky Gervais might be reprising his role as David Brent, I had dismissed it as just another false rumor.

Well, I was wrong, because this week Steve Carell’s Michael Scott met David Brent in a chance encounter.  It was short but sweet, and it was worth the wait.

It was pretty obvious that Ricky Gervais had complete control over how the cameo would be approached.  Instead of it being some sort of ridiculously inane plot revolving around a guest appearance a la Chris Martin on When the Whistle Blows, it was an unexplained, coincidental crossing of paths.

It felt very rewarding as a fan of both shows to see a bridge between the two.  It was as if Gervais gave the official stamp of approval, as if to say that he validated the show and its fans.

I would have liked to see more of David Brent; however, I always respect when a performer can leave me wanting more.  It is much more appealing than when an audience wishes there had been less.

My only real complaint is that, as great as the rest of the episode was, it paled in comparison to its first few minutes.  After such an ostentatious opening, I was unable to give the rest of the episode my full attention, as I was still processing what I had just seen.