I don't want to comment your whole essay, because I didn't like the Dewey part of that episode. It was really poor, not interesting at all, neither cute nor amusing. And what the hell was that "joke" about the never-worn pants? Should that be funny?
Anyway, there is something in your post I can totally NOT agree with:
Dewey said:
Watching the Baby
I say “would have been ironic” as these scenes were based around cheap laughs. I mean, chasing a man around a supermarket to the audio pain of Phil Collins was at best mediocre and uninspired.
This is one of my favourite Hal scenes. If I should discribe the character Hal in just one scene, I would pick that one. This totally childish, senseless behaviour just fits to his person. (And it was totally funny when that guy fell from the ladder when he tried to climb into Craigs office.
)
I know that stuff like the kooky sussussudio scene isn't everyones business, but sometimes you just have to enjoy clownishly jokes.
PS: Dewey, are you sure you aren't appanah?
He always tried to force a deeper meaning into episodes too.