Thankfully, the episode is more than just the trip to Benihana. The episode would have had the same effect had they just picked up two waitresses from Chili’s.
The cringe-worthy humor is masterful but it’s also problematic (The Asian women Michael and Andy bring back to “The Office” from Benihana aren’t the same actresses from the restaurant). Andy gets the bright idea to take Michael to Benihana to cheer him up because it’s the Asian Hooters. Steve Carell takes it and runs with it (The “she’s not your ho no mo’” and playing of James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover” stand out, in particular). It’s an insane thing to do, but not shocking given what Michael is capable of. The episode begins with Michael’s girlfriend Carol dumping him after he photoshops his head on the body of Carol’s former husband in a family photo. This is the peak of “The Office” Christmas episodes by a good margin.
