25 Great TV ‘I Love You’s

It’s gets me every time, too. As does the last 5 minutes of “The Job”.

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 206: The Fight

When reading Jim’s palm, Pam says he’s has bad fortune: -1
But she complements his teeth, and Jim smiles: +2
Jim has a hard time convincing Pam to help set up a fight between Dwight and Michael: -1
But she agrees when he says he’ll buy her chips: +2
And she does a great job provoking Michael: +1
Jim teases Pam by reading her gloved palm: +1
She teases him back by lightly hitting him, and play fighting him: +3
Though she’s laughing when Jim picks her up, Pam asks him to put her down: -1
Then when Meredith sees them, Pam demands Jim puts her down, and walk away annoyed: -5
Pam avoids looking at Jim the rest of the day: -2
Jim starts to write Pam an email: +2
But then erases it when he sees the camera zooming in: -1
Pam doesn’t look at Jim when he says goodbye to her: -1
But she notices he bought her chips, and glances over at him: +2

Final Score, +1: While this episode ended with things lukewarm at best between Jim and Pam, there are are positives to draw from their “fight”. It wasn’t Jim’s “play-fighting” that upset Pam, it was that Meredith saw them being so close and flirty. Pam wouldn’t care about that if she wasn’t harboring feelings for Jim. Of course, we are seeing that Pam’s way’s of dealing with problems is avoidance, so what will she do when there’s something that she can’t avoid?

Next Round, The Client

“The Fight”
Season 2 Episode 3
Air Date: November 1, 2005
Writer: Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg
Summary:

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net

2. Quick Recap
“Where is my desk?”: Dwight walks in to find his desk is missing. Jim gives him clues by saying “Warmer” and “Colder”, and Dwight finds his desk . . . in the men’s bathroom. However when Jim calls to ask about prices, Dwight immediately gets back to work.
“He’s a purple belt, that’s really high”: Dwight has recently become a purple belt in karate. Michael claims he can still kick Dwight’s ass, so with some prodding from Jim and Pam, Michael decides to have a match with Dwight at Dwight’s dojo. The whole office comes to witness Michael fighting dirty and embarrassing Dwight.
The Perfect Storm: Michael has to sign time card, purchase orders, and expense reports by the end of the day. Problem is, he tends to put off anything that’s actual work. Even after Pam repeated tries to get Michael to sign them, the forms are still unsigned by the end of the day. The staff resorts to forging his signature.
“Bring it, Beesly”: At Dwight’s dojo, Pam and Jim have a little “fight” that results in Jim playfully wrestling with Pam and picking her up off the ground. Pam is laughing until she notices her coworker’s watching and insists Jim let’s her go. She avoids Jim for the rest of the day. When Jim leaves, he sets a bag of chips on the counter as a peace offering.
Assistant Regional Manager: After their fight, Dwight avoids Michael. Michael decides to make it up to Dwight by promoting him from “Assistant to the Regional Manager” to “Assistant Regional Manager”, Dwight thanks Michael Japanese style, then immediately heads to his desk to white out the “to the”s on his business cards.
Michael’s Words of Wisdom: Michael: I told Dwight that there is honor in losing. Which, as we all know, is completely ridiculous, but there is, however, honor in making a loser feel better which is what I just did for Dwight. Would I rather be feared or loved? Um, easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. And I think I proved that today at the dojo.

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “Totally worth it” Award: Who knows how much time it took Jim to get Dwight’s entire desk (with everything on it) into the men’s room, but the payoff was worth it.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Dwight: Where is my desk?
Jim: That is weird.
Dwight: This is not funny. This is totally unprofessional.
Jim: Ok, well, you’re the one who lost the desk.
Dwight: I didn’t lose my desk.
Jim: Okay, calm down. Where was the last place you saw it?
Dwight: Okay, who moved my desk?
Jim: I think you should retrace your steps.

Dwight: [on phone] Yes, I just had a ques-… Yes Sensei. Arigatou gozaimashita. Hai.
Jim: Was that your mom?
Dwight: No, that was my Sensei.
Jim: Oh, I thought it was your mom.
Dwight: I am now Sempai, which is Assistant Sensei.
Jim: Assistant to the Sensei, that’s pretty cool.
Dwight: Assistant Sensei.
Jim: Ok.

Michael: [singing and tapping on his coffee mug] I don’t want to work, I just want to bang on this mug all day.
Ryan: Did you ask me here for any specific reason?

Pam: [Reading Jim's palm] You’re major and minor lines cross at a ridge – that sucks.
Jim: You making this up as you go along, aren’t you?
Pam: I am just following the website.
Jim: Well, at least I don’t have cavities.
Pam: Yes, you have very nice teeth.
Jim: Thanks.

Michael: I’m friends with everybody in this office. We’re all best friends – I love everybody here. But sometimes your best friends start coming into work late, and start having dentist appointments that aren’t dentist appointments. And that’s when it is nice to let them know that you can beat them up.

Michael: Just hit me. You’ll see.
Jim: I can’t. I just got a manicure.
Michael: Oh, queer… eye. Queer eye. That’s a good show. Important show. Go ahead. Do it.
Jim: Just have Dwight punch you.
Michael: Oh yeah, that would be kind of worthless because I know a ton of fourteen year old girls who can kick his ass.
Jim: You know a ton of fourteen year old girls?
Dwight: What belt are they?

Dwight: I come from a long line of fighters. My maternal grandfather was the toughest guy I ever knew. World War II veteran. Killed 20 men then spent the rest of the war in an Allied Prison Camp. My father battled blood pressure and obesity all his life. Different kind of fight.

Jim: Um, well, we are all getting excited to see this fight. The Albany branch is working right through lunch to prevent downsizing, but Michael, he decided to extend our lunch by an hour so we could all go down to the dojo and watch him fight Dwight. Fight… Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight…

Dwight: I need to change my emergency contact information from Michael Scott.
Ryan: Ok, to what?
Dwight: Just put “The Hospital.” Contact number: just put 9-1-1. [Dwight leaves]
Michael: He is such a sore loser. You heard, obviously, that I mopped the floor with him this afternoon. You know what, um, do yourself a favor and just keep me as his contact and I will call the hospital. Cut out the middle man.

Michael: I have been testing you the entire day. Did you know that?
Dwight: Of course.
Michael: And I am happy to say that you have passed. So effective immediately I am promoting you from Assistant to the Regional Manager to Assistant Regional Manager.
Dwight: Michael, I don’t know…
Michael: I know, I know, I know, I wouldn’t be offering it if I didn’t think you could handle it.
Dwight: I can handle it. I can. Wow. So I guess this will just be my office.
Michael: No, no, title change only.
Dwight: I’ll have Pam send out a memo.
Michael: No, no. Three month probationary period. Let’s not tell anybody about this right now.
Dwight: Just a formality.
Michael: Absolutely but not really.

4. Trivia

• This episode was originally intended to air after “The Client.”
• Rainn Wilson (Dwight) is a yellow belt in karate.
• One of the girl in Dwight’s karate class was actually a black belt, but was asked to wear a white one in this episode (and apparently wasn’t happy about it).
• B.J. Novak’s MySpace page is on Ryan’s computer screen in one of the shots.
• It’s revealed there is a Dunder-Mifflin branch in Albany, New York. The regional manager, Craig, is introduced in Valentine’s Day.
• Michael Misquote: He says Al Pacino said “You talkin’ to me?” in the movie Raging Bull. This is actually a famous Robert DeNiro quote from Taxi Driver.
• Jim makes several reference to West Side Story.
• The text of Jim’s email to Pam (whose email is pam@dundermifflin.com) before he deleted it was:
  “PAM -
  Hey, if that was weird today, I just want toa t”.

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 205: Halloween

Jim is at Pam’s desk when Dwight makes his dumb “3-hole-PUNCH” joke: +1
And they immediately team up for a brilliant prank on Dwight: +2
Plus Jim takes advantage of being behind the desk with Pam, leaning over her the whole time: +2
Pam smiles at Jim the whole time he’s impersonating Michael: +1
And they share an air five: +1
Pam thinks Jim is very talented and deserving of a better job: +1
But Jim takes her encouragement as a sign that she doesn’t want or need him around and is visibly upset as he leaves her desk: -7
Pam is extremely worried when Jim is called into Michael’s office: +2
She runs up and grabs his hand when he leaves Michael’s office: +3
But Jim is short with Pam and walks away: -3
Pam pulls Jim aside to apologize: +1
Jim is not very responsive to Pam’s apology: -2
But after she joking says she would “blow her brains out” if he left, he chuckles and motions for her to come along: +1
And the camera’s catch him break into a big smile: +2
Jim tells the camera’s if Pam ever left, he would probably look for another job: -1

Final score, +4: Things were going swimmingly for Pam and Jim, but Jim’s reaction to Pam’s job suggestion set the Pam Pong score back to zero and Pam spent the rest of the day trying to get back in Jim’s good graces. She managed to pull it off in the last couple minutes, but some concerns still remain. We see in this episode that even the slightest rejection from Pam hurts Jim very much. Since Pam’s engaged, we can only brace ourselves for the inevitable rejections Jim will suffer. But on the plus side, Pam recognized Jim’s hurt and did everything she could to make it better.

Next Round: The Fight

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode.

2. Quick Recap
Very Scary Stuff: It’s Halloween at Dunder Mifflin, and everyone is all dress up. It’s also the end of the month, and Michael is suppose to let an employee go. One problem: He has no idea who. He agonizes about this decision for most of the day, and even tries to get Pam, Dwight, Jim, and the accounting department to recommend someone to fire.
“I’m going wherever they value loyalty the most”: After Dwight insults his costume, Jim decides to post a resume for Dwight online, hoping Dwight will get an offer and leave Dunder Mifflin. With Pam’s help, he write a resume, and pretends to be Michael when a potential employer calls for a reference. Later, Cumberland Mills calls Dwight about a job, though Dwight is concerned that the resume they have is not his official resume (complete with martial arts skills).
“You should go for that job”: Pam encouraged Jim to go for the Cumberland Mills job. Jim, clearly hurt that his crush would suggest leaving Dunder Mifflin, halfheartedly agrees and sulks off. Jim avoids Pam for the rest of the day, until Pam pulls Jim aside and tells him her job would drive her crazy if he ever actually left.
“I just hope that you and I can remain friends.” It’s getting to be the end of the day, and Michael is forced to bit the bullet and fired someone. He calls Creed into his office, but Creed basically refuses to be fired, and suggests that Devon is the one who should be fired. Michael succumbs and calls Devon into his office. Devon is furious as he leaves the office, asking most of the office to come have a drink, and telling Dwight, Angela, Michael, and Creed to “go to Hell”.

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “Can’t please everyone” award: If there’s anything Michael hates, it’s having to be responsible for the tough, unpopular decisions, and that fact is in full display in this episode.
The “Homemade Costume” award: If anything, this episode provides a lot of low-cost costume ideas. 3 round pieces of paper taped to a shirt: BAM, 3-hole-punch you!

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Sherri: [on phone] Jan Levinson’s office.
Michael: Hey, Sherri. Michael Scott returning.
Sherri: Oh, she’s in a meeting. Uh, she just wanted the name of the employee you let go.
Michael: Well, I’m gonna wait till the end of the day. Because the book said it’s best to wait till the end of the day.
Sherri: I just need the name of who you’re planning to let go.
Michael: I don’t know… yet. I will have to call her back.
Sherri: I know she wanted the name.
Michael: Okay… Sherri?
Sherri: Yeah?
Michael: If you were getting fired, how would you wanna be told so you could still be friends with the person firing you?
Sherri: Jan wants the name as soon as possible, Michael.
Michael: Thanks.
Sherri: Mm-Hmm.
Michael: I’ll call her back. [talks softy, to himself] Wish I could fire Sherri.
Sherri: Hey, I’m still here.

Michael: Um, Pam, I have to let somebody go today. This is, uh, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
Pam: Why did you put it off until Halloween?
Michael: Because it’s very scary stuff.
Pam: I think it’s gonna put a damper on the party a little.
Michael: You’re worried about the party? There’s a man’s life at stake here.
Pam: So it’s a man?
Michael: No. Or a woman. A human life.

Jim: I’m a three hole punch version of Jim. ‘Cause you can have me either way. Plain White Jim, or Three-hole Punch.

Michael: Mmm-hm-hmm. Interesting take on Dorothy. I love it. Hey, you know what would even be better? Soccer ball and cleats.
Kelly: Why is that?
Michael: “Bend It Like Beckham.”
Kelly: Oh, like … the movie about the Indian girl who plays soccer?
Michael: [laughs] Yeah. That would be perfect.
Kelly: Yeah, I mean, I guess I could do that. I don’t really play soccer or anything.
Michael: Well, I don’t really have two heads. So…

Jim: We’re really interested most in jobs that take Dwight out of state. Um, preferably Alaska… or India.

Angela: Well, I looked through all the budgets. And there is one department…
Oscar: Yes?
Angela: … that has three people … doing the work that could be done by two.
Oscar: This is great. [Angela shakes her head] Oh.
Kevin: Yeah. Oh.

Pam: I’m guessing Angela’s the one in the neighborhood who gives the trick-or-treaters some toothbrushes. Pennies. Walnuts.

Jim: Michael Scott here. Yes, I am regional manager of this orifice. Dwight Schrute is amazing. Yeah. No, he is actually the single greatest employee of his generation. You know what? I’m gonna tell you what. You hire Dwight K. Schrute, and if he does not meet, nay, exceed every one of your wildest expectations, well then, you can hold me, Michael Gary Scott, personally and financially responsible. Okay. Okay. Okay-kay-kay-kay-kay. Okay.

Dwight: I’m just not sure that it’s my official resume or if it’s something that maybe a satisfied customer posted online. What does it say under martial arts training? Oh. Okay, I’m gonna have to supplement that.

Dwight: What do you mean? Of course martial arts training is relevant. Oh, excuse me! I know about a billion Asians that would beg to differ.

Creed: Let’s fight it.
Michael: Hmm?
Creed: Let’s call Jan and fight this thing together like the old days.
Michael: What old days? What are you talking about?

4. Trivia

• One of the producers posted a resume for Dwight Schrute on Monster.com a month before the episode aired.
• Jan’s assistant answers the phone “Jan Levinson” implying she is already divorced from “Gould.”
• Michael’s middle name is revealed to be “Gary”
• According to commentaries and various interviews, this episode was intended to air after The Client and Performance Review.
• Though they’ve been in the background, this is the first time we hear Creed and Devon speak.
• possible continuity error: in “The Alliance” it’s mentioned Meredith is an accountant, but in this episode it’s stated there’s only three accountants: Angela, Kevin and Oscar.
• The characters Halloween costumes were:
  Michael: Two-Headed Man
  Dwight: Sith Lord
  Jim: Three-Hole-Punch Jim
  Pam: Black Cat
  Kevin: Dunder Mifflin Superhero (Mr. Incredible style)
  Toby: Hugh Hefner
  Angela: White Cat
  Oscar: Woman
  Phyllis: Leopard
  Meredith: Person With Bloody Head
  Kelly: Dorothy
  Creed: Count Dracula
  Devon: Hobo
  Ryan and Stanley did not wear costumes
• foreshadowing to future episodes: Michael’s comments about Oscar “showing his true colors” by dressing as a woman could be considered the first reference to Oscar being gay.
• foreshadowing to future episodes: Michael’s paper mache head is seen again in Diwali (since Michael thought the Indian holiday was like Halloween).
• foreshadowing to future episodes: In Fun Run, Angela shows the camera a picture of her and her cat, Sprinkles, on Halloween with Angela wearing the white cat costume she wore in this episode.

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 204: The Fire

Pam answers a call from Katy: -1
She “talks really loud” as she talks about Katy and Jim going out: +1
Jim is very flirtatious as he talks to Katy: -2
Pam tells Jim he should give Katy his extension number (so she doesn’t have to talk to her): -1
Pam and Jim have fun during the “Desert Island” game (and goofing on their coworkers choices): +2
Jim is adorably awkward as he comes to Pam’s defense by trying to change the “Who would you do” rules: +1
They also have fun “cheering up” a depressed Dwight: +2
Roy wants to hang out with the office folks: -2
But it’s not long before he shows his somewhat insensitive nature: +1
Pam is interested when Jim is asked who he would do: +1
But when asked who she would do, Pam answers Oscar or Toby: -1
Jim and Katy are quite flirty and cute with each other: -2
But Jim is far from smitten with Katy: +1
Pam laughs at Katy when she says she would bring “Legally Blond” to a desert island: -1
Pam is a little too (read: fake) sweet as she talks about Katy and Jim: -0.5
She also grabs and kisses Roy right in front of Jim and everyone: -3
Katy comments Roy and Pam are “so cute”: -0.5

Final score: -4, Jim and Pam just couldn’t get ahead as every step forward seemed to be immediately countered by a step backward. Jim is all smiles with Katy, but when she’s not around, it’s “out of sight, out of mind” and he’s back to flirting with Pam. Pam’s obvious jealousy of Katy is actually quite promising, as it makes her well-suppressed feelings for Jim bubble up to the surface a bit. But it also makes her act in a rather immature way as she laughs at Katy’s movie choice and plants a kiss on Roy, knowing full-well Jim would probably see.

Next Round: Halloween

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode

2. Quick Recap
Cold Opener; “How’d you get this number?”: Pam answers the phone, and transfer it to Jim. It’s Katy, the purse girl, and Pam (awkwardly) tells the camera that Katy and Jim are dating. When Jim hangs up, Pam suggests Jim give Katy his extension number.
Not a drill: The fire alarm goes off, and everyone (slowly) evacuates to the parking lot. While most of the office workers engage in games to pass the time, Michael is “mentoring” Ryan the Temp in all things business. But as Ryan is in business school, it’s turning out he has more to teach Michael.
Desert Island: After a mediocre round of “Desert Island Books”, Jim changes the game to “Desert Island Movies”. It doesn’t go much better as people seem to list “guilty pleasure” movies. Things get even worse when the staff starts playing “Who would you do?” Jim is uncomfortable when several men say they’d do Pam, but not as uncomfortable as Ryan gets when Michael’s says he would do him.
“They are so cute”: Katy arrives to pick Jim up for lunch, and Jim tells her to think of some movies for the “Desert Island” game. When Katy reveals one of her top movies to be “Legally Blond”, Pam laughs, and Jim sheepishly suggests he and Katy just head to lunch. Jim glances at Pam before getting in the car, catching her giving a kiss to Roy.
The Fire Guy: Dwight is jealous of the extra attention Ryan is getting from Michael. When Michael insults Dwight, Dwight sulks off, kicking things and listening to sad music. Later, when Michael thinks he left his phone in the office, Dwight rushes inside the smoky building to retrieve it. Dwight then emerges with a burnt disk; a cheesy pita that Ryan put in the toaster oven on the wrong setting, thus setting off the fire alarm. Now Ryan, who didn’t want to be at Dunder Mifflin long enough to earn a nickname, is now “The Fire Guy.”

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “Getting to know you” Award: Though they work in the same office all day, it takes a fire drill to get the office staff to talk and learn about each other.
The “Hey Jealousy” Award: Jim’s jealousy of Roy and Pam’s jealousy of Katy are to be expected, but the green eyed monster is also present with Dwight, who is very envious when Michael gets chummy with Ryan.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Pam: Katy and Jim met in the office. And now I guess they’re like going out, or dating, or something. And, uh… I don’t know! You know? They’re just… She calls him, and they… You know, I’m sorry. I feel like I’m talking really loud. Am I talking really loud?

Dwight: Michael and I have a very special connection. He’s like Batman, I’m like Robin. He’s like the Lone Ranger, and I’m like Tonto. And it’s not like there was the Lone Ranger, and Tonto, and Bonto.

Dwight: This is not a test! Can you leave?!
Phyllis: Oh, you say that every time.
Dwight: Do you want to die?!
Phyllis: Oh, boy…
Dwight: Do you want to die? OUT!!
Angela: Alright, let’s go, let’s go.
Dwight: Stanley! Have you ever seen a burn victim?!

Michael: Yes, I was the first one out. And, yes, I’ve heard women and children first. But, we do not employ children. We are not a sweat shop. Thankfully. And, uh, women are equal in the workplace by law. So, I let them out first, I have a lawsuit on my hands.

Ryan: I don’t want to be like “a guy” here. You know? Like, Stanley is the “crossword puzzle guy”. And Angela has cats. I don’t want to have a thing… here. You know, I don’t want to be the “something guy”.

Jim: Okay, so… three books on a desert island? Angela.
Angela: The Bible.
Stanley: That’s one book. You’ve got two others.
Angela: A Purpose Driven Life.
Jim: Nice. Third book?
Angela: No.
Jim: Okay. Phyllis.
Phyllis: Um, The DaVinci Code.
Angela: The DaVinci Code! I would take The DaVinci Code… so I could burn The DaVinci Code.
Dwight: Okay. Great, that’s going to keep you warm for like 7 seconds. Question: is there fire wood on the island?
Jim: I guess.
Dwight: Then I would bring an axe, no books.
Jim: Uh, it has to be a book, Dwight.
Dwight: Fine. Physician’s Desk Reference.
Jim: Nice. Smart.
Dwight: …hollowed out, inside: waterproof matches, iodine tablets, beet seeds, protein bars, NASA blanket, and, in case I get bored, Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone. No, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Question: did my shoes come off in the plane crash?

Jim: Okay. Thought people read more books. DVDs! Five movies. What would you bring to the island? Yes! Meredith?
Meredith: Legends of the Fall, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Legally Blond, Bridges of Madison County…
[cut to talking head with Jim and Pam]
Jim: Wow.
Pam: Legends of the Fall?
Jim: Wow. Bridges of Madison County, Legally Blond, these movies are just… .
Pam: Well, I kind of liked Legally…
Jim: Wait, wait, wait. Pam. No. Do you understand? The… the game is Desert Island Movies, not guilty pleasure movies. Desert Island Movies are the movies you’re going to watch for the rest of your life! Forever! Unforgivable.
Pam: I take it back.
Jim: Unforgivable.
Pam: I take it back!
Jim: Good.

[The women are playing "Who would you do?"]
Meredith: Jim.
Phyllis: Definitely Jim.
Kelly: Definitely, definitely, Jim. How about you Pam?
Pam: Um… Oscar’s kind of cute.
Phyllis: Yeah, I like Oscar.
Pam: Ooh, Toby!

Michael: Jim? You’re next. Who would you do?
Jim: Um… Kevin, hands down. Yeah. He’s really got that teddy bear thing going on, and afterwards, we could just watch bowling.
Michael: Well, I would definitely have sex with Ryan. ‘Cause he is going to own his own business.
Roy: [laughing] You’re all gay.

Dwight: [coughing] Everyone, okay? Uh, I have an announcement. Apparently, in business school, they don’t teach you how to operate a toaster oven. Because some smart, sexy temp left his cheese pita on oven instead of timing it for the toaster thing.

Michael: Hey! I know what’ll impress everybody, I’ll start a fire. Oh, man. Bad idea. Bad idea jeans.

4. Trivia

• The firefighters that appeared in the episode were real firefighters. However, Scranton firefighters wear black, while in this episode they wore tan.
• Ryan confuses Michael’s Yoda impression with Fozzy Bear, who are both voiced by Frank Oz.
• The cast was told to “not look hot” though they were filming in 100 degree weather.
• references in future episodes: Ryan’s role in starting the fire is mentioned later in Email Surveillance and Business School.
• During the “Who would you do?” game, Oscar picked Pam, though in later episodes he’s revealed to be gay.
• This was the first episode filmed of Season 2, and was suppose to be the origin of Michael’s man-crush on Ryan.

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 203: Office Olympics

Mild flirting occurs when Jim “dies” and Pam has to entertain him: +1
They worked together to create the Office Olympic Games: +1
Roy doesn’t make an appearance, nor is there any mention of him: +1
Pam tells the camera how Jim does a great job when he’s excited about something: +1
But counters that since he works at Dunder Mifflin, Jim rarely gets excited about things: -1
Angela indicates that she thinks Jim and Pam are more-than-friendly with each other: -2
Pam is also quick to deny she and Jim are anything more than friends: -3
Jim compliments Pam’s doves, and high-fives her: +1
But then Pam sees Angela checking off on her “Pam Pong” card: -1
Pam helps Jim with the closing ceremonies despite all her messages: +2
And Jim and Pam exchange smiles during the “Closing Ceremonies”: +1

Final Score: +2 This episode showcases how well Jim and Pam work as a team, and how they can bring the best out in each other. However, it also shows Pam being a bit in denial about her feelings for Jim, and gets extremely uncomfortable with other people thinking she and Jim are more than friends.

Next Round: The Fire

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode

2. Quick Recap
Cold Open; I have Worms: Michael is at the office very early, and Ryan comes in with breakfast. when Ryan asks what Michael needed so early, Michael admits he only called in Ryan for breakfast.
“Today, I become a homeowner”: Michael leaves the office to close on his condo, taking Dwight with him. They learn the good points of the condo (Gay Friendly!) and the bad points (Michael can hear every word the neighbor says through the shared wall)
Eternal Burning of Competition: Jim is especially bore today, so he starts asking others how they fend off boredom during the day. Pam throw things into Dwight’s mug from her desk when Dwight’s not around. The Accountants play paper football. The Annex plays “Dunderball”. Jim decided to combine these games, as well as new games, into the Office Olympics, where the winners get gold yogurt lids as medals.
“You’ll be paying this off in your mid-70s”: On the verge of signing his mortgage papers, Michael, who thinks it’s only a 10 year mortgage, finds out it’s actually a 30-year mortgage. Michael suddenly gets cold feet, and demands a price reduction. But when his realtor, Carol, tells him he has to sign the papers or lose several thousand dollars, Michael signs.
“Those are the Doves”: The Office games come to an abrupt stop when Michael and Dwight return to the office. Jim, who wants to keep playing, asks Pam to help him arrange a closing ceremonies. They give Michael a “gold medal” for closing on his condo, and play the national anthem. Everyone claps, and Michael is so moves, he has a tear in his eye.

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “Money Beet” Award: This is the first time we hear about Dwight’s beet farm that he runs with his cousin, Mose.
The “Gold Yogurt Lid”: A gold yogurt lid will make an appearance in the Season 3 finale, and it’s pretty awesome.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Michael: I’m an early bird, and I’m a night owl. So I’m wise, and I have worms.

Dwight: I have been Michael’s #2 guy for about 5 years. And we make a great team. We’re like one of those classic famous teams. He’s like Mozart, and I’m like Mozart’s friend. No. I’m like Butch Cassidy, and Michael is like Mozart. You try and hurt Mozart; you’re going to get a bullet in your head courtesy of Butch Cassidy.

Jim: Hey, do you guys have any other games?
Kevin: Sometimes we play “Who can put the most M&M’s in their mouth?”
Angela: You play that.

Dwight: Actually, I do own property. My grandfather left me a 60 acre working beet farm. I run it with my cousin, Mose. We sell beets to local stores and restaurants. It’s a nice little farm. Sometimes teenagers use it for sex.

Dwight: A thirty year mortgage at Michael’s age essentially means that he’s buying a coffin. If I were buying my coffin, I would get one with thicker walls so you couldn’t hear the other dead people.

Pam: The thing about Jim, is when he’s excited about something, like the Office Olympics, he gets really into it and he does a really great job. But the problem with Jim is that he works here, so that hardly ever happens.

Jim: Phyllis by a nose. Gold medal in Flernenton.
Pam: Flonkerton.
Jim: Thank you, delegate from Iceland.

[Michael asks Dwight if he's like to rent the 3rd bedroom]
Dwight: Question. Where can I put my terrarium?
Michael: What the hell is a terrarium?
Dwight: It’s a fish tank for snakes and lizards.
Michael: Oh, so an aquarium. Ah, that will not come into this place.
Dwight: Question. My grandparents left me a large number of armoires…

Pam: Are you sure you don’t want to play?
Angela: I’m sure.
Pam: Come on Angela, don’t you have a game?
Angela: I have one, yes.
Pam: Well, let’s play, what is it?
Angela: I call it Pam Pong. I count how many times Jim gets up from his desk and goes to reception to talk to you.
Pam: We’re friends.
Angela: Apparently.
[across the room]
Jim: Very nicely done. I think that’s H-O-R for Stanley, and H-O for Phyllis.
Phyllis: Are you calling me a ho?
Jim: Oh my god. Phyllis, coming alive. I like it.

Dwight: It was nice of him to offer, but I live in a nine bedroom farm house. I have my own crossbow range. It’s a perfect situation for me. Although two bathrooms would have been nice, we just have the one. And it’s under the porch.

Dwight: You know you can always refinance your mortgage. We had a 15 year on our beet farm. We paid it off early.
Michael: Yeah, well, you know what? Nobody cares about your stupid beet farm. Beets are the worst.
Dwight: People love beets.
Michael: Nobody likes beets.
Dwight: Everybody loves beets.
Michael: Nobody likes beets, Dwight. Why don’t you grow something that everybody does like? You should grow candy. [mutters] I’d love a piece of candy right now.

4. Trivia

• This is the first episode with a “Cold Opener,” (the segment that plays before the credits). However, the cold opener was clearly filmed for The Dundies: Michael has the same tie, and when the camera pans to Ryan, all the Dundie statuettes are visible on Michael’s desk.
• Starting with this episode, the footage playing during Steve Carell’s part of the opening credits was changed from a clip in Diversity Day to a clip from Sexual Harassment.
• Carol, Michael’s real estate agent, is played by Nancy Walls, Steve Carell’s wife.
• Vance Refrigeration is first mentioned in this episode.
• Possible continuity error: In “The Pilot”, Michael claimed Dunder Mifflin occupied the whole floor, but in this episode it’s revealed Vance Refrigeration is on the same floor as Dunder-Mifflin.
• The office games played in this episode are:
  Hate Ball: paper football game
  Who can put the most M&Ms in their mouth?: exactly how it sounds
  Dunderball: Volleying a ball across a cubicle partition.
  Flonkerton: paper-box snowshoeing
  Paper Horse: same as the basketball game, but with paper.
  Guess who’s on the elevator
  Coffee Mug Racing
  Other games not officially part of the competition:
  Work hard so my kids can go to college Stanley’s boring game
  Pam Pong: where Angela gives herself a point every time Jim goes to Pam’s desk.
• During the national anthem at the end, everyone has their right hand over their heart, but Kevin has the wrong hand over the wrong side of his chest.
• This is the 2nd reference to Kevin’s unfortunate ability to stink up the bathroom. In “The Dundies” (2.01) Kevin won an awards for stinking up the bathroom, then in “The Fight” (2.06) we see Kevin coming out of the the stall with the candle Jim found in this episode.
• A mystery woman is visible during the coffee mug racing and the closing ceremonies. Read more about this mystery woman (Suspect #7).
• reference to future episodes: In “The Job”, Jim finds a note from Pam with a gold yogurt lid “medal” attached to it in his sales report folder.

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 202: Sexual Harassment

Jim is looking forward to meeting Pam’s mom: +2
When Jim talks about his “office relationship” for a second it sounds like he’s talking about Pam (but it was the doll): +1
Roy walks in right when Jim’s about to introduce himself to Pam’s mom: -2
Pam’s mom acts really friendly towards Roy: -2
Plus Roy is actually acting like a nice, funny guy: -3
However, as soon as Roy leaves, Pam’s mom asks “Which one is Jim?”: +5
Pam is embarrassed, but also a little giggly at her mom’s question: +2
And of course, it probably made Jim’s day: +2

Final Score: +5, There wasn’t a terrible amount of interaction between Jim and Pam in the episode, but the “Which one is Jim?” moment was extremely promising. Pam’s mom whispered the question, and Pam reacted like a schoolgirl with a crush. It’s clear Pam has talked about Jim with her mom, and not just in a co-worker capacity.

Next Round: Office Olympics

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode

2. Quick Recap
“Better get the bleep button ready”: The CFO recently quit due to sexual harassment allegations, and corporate is reviewing sexual harassment policies. However, Michael’s forwarding of inappropriate emails, plus a visit from the ever-vulgar Todd Packer means things are in always in danger of “crossing the line.”
“This is what’s at stake”: During Toby’s sexual harassment presentation, Michael walks in with an inflatable doll, trying to argue that the office shouldn’t give up “humor” for being appropriate. A lecture, video, and meeting with Jan has no impact on Michael, as he’s still using lines like “That’s what she said”. He even hires a lawyer to protect his free speech, until Jan reminds him corporate has a lawyer that works specifically for management.
Human Resources vs human anatomy: Taking Toby up on his offer to answer any questions, Dwight comes to him and asks questions about, ah-hem, female anatomy. Toby is rather uncomfortable, telling the camera he’s “sad the public school system failed him so badly.”
MILF: Pam’s mother is on her way to visit the office, and Pam (and Jim) is pretty excited. Pam’s mom finally arrives, and Jim is ready to introduce herself when Roy walks in. Jim pretends to be hard at work as Roy, Pam, and Pam’s Mom discuss dinner plans. But as soon as Roy leaves, Pam’s mom asks about Jim, and Jim can’t help but break into a smile.
“That crosses the line”: Todd Packer spends the day making inappropriate jokes. But when he and Kevin indirectly refers to Phyllis as unattractive, Michael steps in and says that’s over the line. He thinks he’s helping, but when he makes a strange comment to “getting a boner”, the office mood is as awkward as ever.
Michael’s Words of Wisdom: Times have changed a little. And even though we’re still a family here at Dunder-Mifflin, families grow. And at some point, the daddy can’t take a bath with the kids anymore. I am Upper Management. And it would be inappropriate for me to take a bath with Pam. As much as I might want to.

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “That’s what she said” Award: This is the first time we hear Michael’s favorite retort, but certainly not the last.
The “Adult Content” Award: This episode aired with an “adult content” disclaimer, supposedly for Michael’s use of the word “boner”.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Michael: I am king of forwards. It’s how I like to do business, everybody joking around. We’re like ‘Friends’. I am Chandler and Joey and, uh, Pam is Rachel. And Dwight is Kramer.

Michael: Ah! Man. That Todd Packer can do anything.
Jim: Except pass that breathalyzer.

[Ryan notices Todd Packer's license plate says "WLHUNG"]
Ryan: You a big William Hung fan?
Todd Packer: Why does everyone ask me that? Who the hell is that?

Michael: Toby is in HR which technically means he works for Corporate. So he’s really not a part of our family. Also he’s divorced so he’s really not a part of his family.

Michael: A guy goes to a five dollar… lady of the night and he gets crabs. So, the next day he goes back to complain. And the woman says “Hey. It was only five dollars. What did you expect? Lobster?” This is what’s at stake.

Jim: I’m in an office relationship. It’s special. Um… she’s nice. She’s shy. She’s actually here. You want to meet her? Hold on one second. [pulls over inflatable doll] Oh, my God! Put on a shirt! Put on a… . I told you that you’d be on camera. I’m sorry, she’s European. No, I told you that you’d be on camera. Stop it.

Michael: When I said before that I was king of forwards, you got to understand that I don’t come up with this stuff. I just forward it along. You wouldn’t arrest a guy who’s just delivering drugs from one guy to another.

Michael: Attention, everyone! Hello! Ah, yes! I just want you to know that, uh, this is not my decision, but from here on out… we can no longer be friends. And when we talk about things here we must only discuss work-associated things. And, uh, you can consider this my retirement from comedy. And in the future, if I want to say something funny or witty or do an impression, I will no longer, ever, do any of those things.
Jim: Does that include ‘That’s What She Said’?
Michael: Mmmhmm. Yes.
Jim: Wow! That is really hard. You really think you can go all day long? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling, so…
Michael: THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!
Jan: Michael. MICHAEL!

Michael: I am so used to being the bad boy. I am so used to fighting Corporate that I forget that I am Corporate. Upper management. They hooked me up with an attorney. To protect me. You can’t be too careful about what you say. Mo’ money, mo’ problems.

Roy: Okay, I’m going to go wait in the parking lot. And what kind of tunes you want for the ride? Little, uh, classical? Or oldies?
Pam’s Mom: Oh, anything is fine.
Roy: All right, I’ll see ya.
[Roy leaves, Pam's mom turns to Pam and whispers]
Pam’s Mom: So which one is Jim?
Pam: Mom!
Pam’s Mom: I just wanted to know.
[Pam acts flustered, while the camera catches Jim smiling]

Michael: You know what? You just crossed the line. Okay? There’s a line and you went over it. And you must be punished. So go to your corner.
Kevin: You mean where my desk is?
Michael: Yes, your corner. Go.
Kevin: Okay. I have a lot of work to do anyway.

4. Trivia

• This episode aired with an adult content disclaimer, a station in Kentucky refused to air this episode.
• This is the first appearance of Michael’s “BFF” Todd Packer, though he has been heard on the phone.
• Todd Packer’s plate reads “WLHUNG,” Ryan misreads it to stand for William Hung, a popular American Idol reject.
• In Oscar’s e-mail inbox, Pam’s last name is misspelled as “Beasly”
• This is the first appearance of Pam’s mother
• reference to future episode: We won’t see Pam’s mother again until Season 6, and she’s played by a different actress due to scheduling conflicts.

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 201: The Dundies

It’s not long before we get a reminder Pam’s still engaged: -2
But we’re also reminded there’s still no date set: +1
Jim comes to Pam’s defense by trying to change her Dundie: +2
Pam initially has trouble standing up to Roy when they leave Chili’s: -1
But then she tells him she’s staying: +2
And she sat at Jim’s table: +1
Pam gets drunk, allowing her to flirt with Jim, and him to flirt back: +1
Pam kisses Jim: +4
But she was drunk: -3
It certainly made Jim’s night, though: +2
Pam wants to “ask Jim a question”: +2
But she chickens out: -2
Still, it was a “great year for the Dundies: +1

Final Score: +8, Between the early departure of Roy, and alcohol allowing Pam act a little less inhibited, this certainly was the “Best Dundies” ever for both Jim and Pam. However, since Pam was so drunk, it’s hard to read too much into her actions, and her inhibitions were already returning by the end of the episode.

Next Round: Sexual Harassment

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode

2. Quick Recap
“The Dundies are like a car wreck”: It’s time for the annual office awards, the “Dundies”. It’s when everyone meets at Chili’s, Michael sings parodies of various songs, and hands out awards like the “Show me the money” award. The only good point is that dinner is usually paid for, but this year, because of Michael’s frivolous party throwing, corporate is not paying.
World’s Longest Engagement: Pam especially is dreading the Dundie awards, where Michael has a running gag of giving her the “World’s Longest Engagement” award to her and Roy. Jim asks Michael to change the award, but Michael claims “it’s the best one”.
Why are you in the ladies room?: Dwight get’s wind that someone has written something about Michael in the ladies room. He tries to sneak in there, but is caught by Phyllis. Dwight then threatens to take away bathroom privileges, but no one really listens to him.
Best Dundies Ever: The Dundies are underway at Chili’s, and it’s going as it always does, with Michael’s singing, making bad jokes and impersonations, and giving away awards like “Hottest in the Office”, “Bushiest Busiest Beaver”, and “Spicy Curry”. Michael eventually gets discouraged when other Chili’s customers start to heckle him, but the office employees rally around him insisting he finish giving out his awards.
“I feel God in this Chili’s”: Roy and Darryl leave to go to a bar, but Pam decides to stay. She starts finishing other people’s drinks and is pleasantly surprised when Michael awards her the “Whitest Sneakers” Dundie. The more she drinks, the more giggly and flirty she gets with Jim, until she falls off a stool. Dwight thinks Pam is hurt and causes a scene, and the Chili’s manager bans Pam for excessive drinking. The drunken Pam is blissfully unaware, though, proclaiming that “This was the best Dundies ever!”

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “New Direction” Award: This Season 2 premiere definitely has a brighter look and more upbeat feel than Season 1 (which borrowed heavily from the  darker and more cynical UK Office). Michael Scott feels much more like his own unique character, rather than an American David Brent.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Michael: Tonight is the Dundies, the annual employee awards night here at Dunder Mifflin. And this is everybody’s favorite day. Everybody looks forward to it, because, you know, a lot of the people here don’t get trophies, very often. Like Meredith or Kevin, I mean, who’s gonna give Kevin an award? Dunkin’ Donuts?

Michael: So why don’t I take you on a tour of past Dundie winners. We got Fat Jim Halpert here. Jim, why don’t you show of your Dundies to the camera?
Jim: Oh, I can’t because I keep them hidden. I don’t want to look at them and get cocky.
Michael: Oh, that’s a good idea.
Dwight: Mine are at home in a display case above my bed.
Michael: Gyaaah. T.M.I. T.M.I my friends.
Michael talking head: T.M.I.? Too much information. Ah, it’s just easier to say T.M.I. I used to say “Don’t go there” but that’s… lame.

[Jan tells Michael corporate isn't paying for the Dundies]
Michael: You’re dropping an A-Bomb on me here.
Jan: Really? I’m dropping an atomic bomb on you?
Michael: Well, yeah, I mean, what is…
Jan: You already had a party on May 5th for no reason.
Michael: No reason?! It was the 05 05 05 party. It happens once every billion years.
Jan: And a tsunami relief fundraiser which somehow lost a lot of money.
Michael: Okay, no, that was a FUN raiser. I think I made that very clear in the fliers, fun, F-U-N.
Jan: Okay, well, I don’t understand why anyone would have a tsunami FUN raiser, Michael. I mean, that doesn’t even make sense.
Michael: Well, I think a lot of people were very affected by the footage.

Dwight: Excuse me, everyone, could I have your attention please. I just wanted to say that the women in this office are terrible. Especially the ones who wrote that stuff about Michael on the bathroom wall. Having a bathroom is a privilege. It is called a ladies room for a reason. And if you cannot behave like ladies, well then you are not going to have a bathroom.
Pam: You’re taking away our bathroom?
Dwight: We are going to have two men’s rooms.
Phyllis: But where would we…go?
Dwight: Be prepared to hold folks

Michael: Okay, look, I know there have been a lot of rumors flying around about the Dundies this year. How there is no money, and how there is no food, and how the jokes are really bad, but what the hell everybody!? I mean, God. The Dundies are about the best, in every, one of us.

Michael: And now… to someone who quietly goes about their job, but always seems to land the biggest accounts…the “Busiest Beaver” award goes to Phyllis Lapin. Yeah, way to go Phyllis. Nice work, per usual.
Phyllis: This says “Bushiest Beaver”.
Michael: What? I told them busiest…idiots.
Phyllis: It’s, it’s fine.
Michael: Well, we’ll fix it up. You don’t have to display that.

Michael: This next award goes to somebody, who really, lights up the office. Somebody, who I think a lot of us, cannot keep, from checking out. The “Hottest in the Office” award goes to…Ryan the temp! Yeah. [singing to music] “Hidy ho, you sexy thang. You sexy thang you.” Here you go.
Ryan talking head: What am I going to do with the award? Nothing. I-I don’t know what I’m going to do. That’s the least of my…concerns right now.

[Pam is sipping an empty glass]
Jim: I think those might be empty.
Pam: No, no. ‘Cause the ice melts and then it’s like second drink!
Jim: Second drink?

Michael: It’s so freakin’ hot in there. Now I know what Bob Hope was going through when he performed in Saudi Arabia. Man! I got Dwight sucking the funny out of the room, but you do what you can do.

Michael: And this next award is going out to our own little Pam Beesly…I think we all know what award Pam is going to be getting this year. It is the “Whitest Sneakers” award! Because she always has the whitest tennis shoes on! Get on down here! Pam Beesly ladies and gentlemen!
Pam: I have so many people to thank for this award! Okay, first off, my Keds. Because I couldn’t have done it without them. [people clap] Thank you. Let’s give Michael a round of applause for MC-ing tonight because [people start clapping again] this is a lot harder than it looks. And also because of Dwight too. Um, so, finally, I want to thank God. Because God gave me this Dundie. And, I feel God in this Chili’s tonight. WHOOOOOOOO!!!!

Jim: What a great year for the Dundies. We got to see Ping. And we learned of Michael’s true feelings for Ryan. Which was touching. And, we heard Michael change the lyrics to a number of classic songs. Which for me, has ruined them for life. [looks at Pam, who is staring at him, nodding] What?
Pam: Nothing.
Jim: Okay.
Pam: [smiles] What?
Jim: I don’t know, what?
[Pam starts laughing, then falls off the bar stool]
Jim: Oh my God! You are so drunk! [to camera] Did you get that? Please tell me you got that.

Michael: Was this year’s Dundies a success? Well, let’s see, I made Pam laugh so hard, that she fell out of her chair, and she almost broke her neck. So I killed, almost.

4. Trivia

• The gold statuette that Michael is straightening out in the credits is a “Dundie”
• There actually isn’t a Chili’s restaurant in Scranton. The closest Chili’s is located in Wilkes-Barre, a half hour drive from downtown Scranton.
• The Dundie Awards were first mentioned in “The Alliance” (1.04)
• The extras in the episode were real Chili’s employees.
• Jenna Fischer (Pam) is not a big drinker, so BJ Novak (Ryan) took her out drinking one night for “research.” She was not drunk during filming.
• The script originally called for Pam to vomit, but Chili’s didn’t approve, claiming they have a strict policy to not over serve alcohol. As a compromise, the script was rewritten so Pam fell off a stool after sneaking other people’s drinks.
• The 2005 Dundie Award and Recipients are:
  Phyllis – Busiest Beaver Award (not Bushiest)
  Ryan – Hottest in the Office Award
  Angela - Tight Ass Award
  Kelly - Spicy Curry Award
  Kevin - Don’t Go In There After Me Award
  Stanley - Fine Work Award
  Pam - Whitest Sneakers Award
• foreshadowing to future episodes: This is the first reference to Kevin’s unfortunate ability to stink up the bathroom. In “Office Olympics” Jim finds a scented candle in the bathroom, then in “The Fight” we see Kevin coming out of the the stall with said candle.
• reference in future episodes: John Mayer let the show use “Your Body is a Wonderland” in Season 3 on one condition; he be awarded a Dundie. The show makers obliged and awarded him the “Tallest Music Dude” Dundie.

5. Grade this episode

Ahead, episode summaries, and vote for your favorite (and least favorite) episodes

2.01 The Dundies
Aired: 9/20/2005, Writer: Mindy Kaling
It’s time for the Dundie awards, and Michael couldn’t be more excited, while his staff braces for the annual humiliation fest. Pam is not sure if she can handle winning the “World’s Longest Engagement” Dundie yet again.

2.02 Sexual Harassment
Aired: 9/27/2005, Writer: BJ Novak
Explicit emails, lewd jokes, and Todd Packer run a muck at Dunder-Mifflin, forcing corporate to intervene. Pam (and Jim) eagerly awaits a visit from her mother.

2.03 Office Olympics
Aired: 10/4/2005, Writer: Michael Schur
While Michael takes Dwight with him to close on his condo, Jim learns about the games staffers play during their “down time”, and initiates Office Games.

2.04 The Fire
Aired: 10/11/2005, Writer: BJ Novak
The staff evacuates to the parking lot after a fire starts in the kitchen. Dwight can’t hide his jealously over Michael’s interest in Ryan, while the rest of the staff engages in games such as “Desert Island Movies” and “Who would you do?”

2.05 Halloween
Aired: 10/18/2005, Writer: Greg Daniels
While the office celebrates Halloween, Michael tries to avoid the fact that he has to fire someone by the end of the day (and has no idea who!). Jim and Pam secretly post Dwight’s resume online.

2.06 The Fight
Aired: 11/1/2005, Writers: Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg
Jim helps orchestrate a karate showdown between Michael and Dwight, however Pam and Jim have a “fight” of their own.

2.07 The Client
Aired: 11/8/2005, Writer: Paul Lieberstein
While Michael and Jan are at a meeting with a potential client, the staff has a reading of an action movie screenplay Pam discovers in Michael’s desk.

2.08 Performance Reviews
Aired: 11/15/2005, Writer: Larry Wilmore
Summary: It’s time for Michael yearly evaluation of the staff, too bad he’s preoccupied with recent events with Jan. Jim and Pam work to kept Dwight thinking it’s the wrong day.

2.09 E-mail Surveillance
Aired: 11/22/2005, Writer: Jennifer Celotta
After Michael sets up e-mail surveillance in the office, he discovers Jim is having a party, and he was not invited. The camera crew catches wind of an office romance (and it’s not Jim and Pam).

2.10 Christmas Party
Aired: 12/6/2005, Writer: Michael Schur
In the middle of yet another underwhelming office Christmas party and gift exchange, Michael spices thing up with “Yankee Swap,” vodka, and a way too expensive gift. Jim is discouraged when Pam “trades-up” his sentimental gift.

2.11 Booze Cruise
Aired: 1/5/2006, Writer: Greg Daniels
This year’s staff retreat is a Booze Cruise…in Pennsylvania…in January. Michael struggles to not be out-done by the cruise’s charismatic captain, but a surprise announcement out-does them both.

2.12 The Injury
Aired: 1/12/2006, Writer: Mindy Kaling
After burning his foot on a George Forman Grill, Michael tries to entice sympathy from the staff for his “disability.” Meanwhile, Jim and Pam are suspicious of Dwight as he acts stranger than usual.

2.13 The Secret
Aired: 1/19/2006, Writers: Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky
Michael spills the beans about Jim’s crush on Pam, which invites unwanted attention from the other employees and forces Jim to tell Pam about it directly. Meanwhile, Dwight investigates after Oscar calls in sick.

2.14 The Carpet
Aired: 1/26/2006, Writer: Paul Lieberstein
After a mystery pranker leave a foul “gift” in his office, Michael wreaks havoc out in the main office. Meanwhile, Jim, pushed to the back room for the day, has to get through the day without Pam to distract him.

2.15 Boys and Girls
Aired 2/2/2006, Writer: BJ Novak
Not wanting to feel left out of Jan’s “Women in the Workplace” seminar, Michael leads his own “Men in the Workplace” meeting in the warehouse. Pam’s unsure what to do when a great opportunity for her arises.

2.16 Valentine’s Day
Aired: 2/9/2006, Writer: Michael Schur
Michael joins other regional managers in New York to meet the new CFO. Back in Scranton, some employees are lavished with Valentine’s Day gifts, while others feel left out.

2.17 Dwight’s Speech
Aired: 3/2/2006, Writer: Paul Lieberstein
After being named Salesman of the Year, Dwight has to give a speech at a convention. Michael tries to coach the nervous Dwight, but Dwight gets his best advice from a surprising source. Pam plans her wedding, and Jim plans a trip.

2.18 Take Your Daughter to Work Day
Aired: 3/16/2006, Writer: Mindy Kaling
The tension is than usual at Dunder Mifflin with kids running around the office. Pam works on getting past her awkwardness with children, and Michael befriends the daughter of his rival, Toby.

2.19 Michael’s Birthday
Aired: 3/30/2006, Writers: Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg
Michael is dismayed when he finds his birthday celebrations overshadowed by the staff’s concern for Kevin’s medical condition. Pam and Jim go on a shopping trip.

2.20 “Drug Testing”
April 27, 2006, Writer: Jennifer Celotta
Dwight starts a full blown investigation when he finds a joint in the parking lot. Michael is worried about the drug testing, and Pam teases Jim when he is put under a “jinx” that doesn’t allow him to talk.

2.21 Conflict Resolution
Aired: 5/4/2006, Writer: Greg Daniels
Michael hopes to clear the air when he takes over conflict resolution duties, but in reality the tension only rises. Pam suspects Angela when she learns someone filed a complain about her. Dwight is upset to learn his complaints against Jim have been ignored.

2.22 Casino Night
Aired: 5/11/2006, Writer: Steve Carell
Summary: When Dunder Mifflin hosts a casino night in the warehouse, big gambles, big wins and big loses occur. Michael finds himself juggling two dates; his mortgage broker Carol, and Jan. And a surprise confession may just changed everything for a certain salesman and receptionist.

Polls! Vote for your favorite (and least favorite) episodes. Multiple answers are turned on, so you can select up to 3 episodes in each poll.

(also anyone have any idea how to get these polls side by side? You’ll get a million Schrute bucks if you can tell me how)

Ahead, episode synopsis and go to the bottom to vote for your favorite (and least favorite) episode.

1.01 The Pilot
Aired 3/24/2005, Writer: Greg Daniels
A documentary crew arrives at Dunder-Mifflin Paper Inc in Scranton, Pennsylvania to begin filming the misadventures of Michael Scott. Among Michael’s employ are Dwight the eternally loyal Assistant (to the) Regional Manager, Ryan the bewildered temp, Jim the friendly but bored salesman, and Pam the plain, lonely receptionist.

1.02 Diversity Day
Aired 3/29/2005, Writer: BJ Novak
After the company sends a “sensitivity” trainer for a diversity seminar, Michael creates his own seminar complete with his special brand of insensitive sensitivity. Jim is constantly interrupted while trying to close his biggest sale of the year.

1.03 Health Care
Aired 4/5/2005, Writer: Paul Lieberstein
Michael puts Dwight in charge of picking a new (read: striped down) health care plan; a responsibility that quickly goes to Dwight’s head. Meanwhile, Michael struggles to arrange a “surprise” to hopefully offset the staff’s disappointment about the reduced health care benefits

1.04 The Alliance
Aired 4/12/2005, Writer: Michael Schur
A golden opportunity for Jim and Pam to prank Dwight arises when Dwight asks Jim to form an “alliance” to find out about downsizing rumors. Meanwhile, in order to boost moral, Michael puts together a surprise (and very early) birthday party for Meredith.

1.05 Basketball
Aired 4/19/2005, Writer: Greg Daniels
After discovering the warehouse has a basketball hoop, Michael initiate a basketball game between the office and warehouse staffs. Rivalry escalates when it’s decided the losing team will have to come in on Saturday.

1.06 Hot Girl
Aired 4/26/2005, Writer: Mindy Kaling
When an attractive purse saleswoman comes to Dunder-Mifflin, the office men vie for her attention, and Pam finds herself jealous.

Polls! Vote for your Favorite (and Least Favorite) Episodes

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 106: Hot Girl
At first, Jim has no interest in Katy the purse girl: +2
He also can’t help but glance at Pam when asked what his “type” is: +2
Roy makes a belittling remark about his engagement with Pam: +1
Jim rushes to Pam to share in the spectacle of Dwight talking to Katy: +1
Pam comes straight to Jim with Michael gossip: +1
Pam initially rejects Roy’s apology: +1
But then starts giggling as Roy tickles her, right next to Jim: -4
Jim decided to make a move on Katy: -2
Things are deciding awkward between Jim and Pam after the tickling/Jim talking to Katy: -2
Pam watches Jim and Katy with a rather sad expression as she and Roy drive away: +2

Final score: +2, though on the surface it seems like there’s no Jim and Pam progress, there actually are a couple positive things to derive from this episode. We get a real glimpse of Roy’s insensitivity, and how tired Pam is becoming of it. We also see Jim’s crush isn’t entirely one sided; Pam is quite jealous of Katy, and we actually see her giving Jim a bit of a longing look at the end.

Next Round: The Dundies

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode

2. Quick Recap
New Incentives: Corporate has started a new incentive program where the top salesmen of the month gets a $1000 gift. Michael is trying to decide what the best incentive is when a purse saleswoman comes to the office. Michael’s “No Vendors” policy is thrown out the window when he sees the attractive Katy.
Pam 6.0: Nearly all the office men vie for Katy’s attention, including Dwight. Jim coaches Dwight on how to approach Katy, saying Dwight should buy a purse since they’re “mini-briefcases”. Michael also tries to impress the purse girl by using the $1000 from corporate to buy an espresso machine, and offering her a ride home. Dwight and Michael’s advances fail, though.
What is your type, Halpert?: Roy tells Jim he should go for Katy, saying he’d “be all over that” if he wasn’t with Pam. Though he has little interest in her at first, Jim does eventually talk to Katy, and after work they go out for a drinks, much to Michael’s (and Pam’s) dismay.
Michael’s Words of Wisdom: I think in order to be a ladies man, it’s imperative that people don’t know you’re a ladies man, so I kind of play that close to the chest. I don’t know, what can I say? Women are attracted to power. And I think other people have told me that I have a very symmetrical face. I don’t know. I don’t know. Maybe they’re right? I don’t know.

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “Weak Finale” Award: This season 1 finale had mixed reviews and low ratings, and our beloved show was nearly not picked up for a 2nd season.
The “Tables are Turned” Award: Jim is used to watching Pam with Roy, but for the first time we see Jim with another girl and Pam is clearly jealous.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Michael: All right girls break it up, you’re being infiltrated. Cock in the henhouse.
Dwight: Cocks in the henhouse.
Michael: Don’t say cocks. Oh, what is your name, my fair lass?
Katy: Katy.
Michael: Ah, Katy. Wow. Look at you. You are, uh you’re like the new and improved Pam. Pam 6.0.

Dwight: The purse girl hits everything on my checklist. Creamy skin. Straight teeth. Curly hair. Amazing breasts. Not for me, for my children. The Schrutes produce very thirsty babies.

Michael: I live by one rule. No office romances. No way. Very messy. Inappropriate. No. But, I live by another rule: Just do it. Nike.

Kevin: What is your type?
Jim: [glances at Pam] Moms, primarily. Soccer moms. Single moms. NASCAR moms. Any type of moms, really.
Roy: That’s disgusting.
Kevin: Stay away from my mom.
Jim: Too late, Kev.

Jim: Pam and I are good buddies. I’m sort of Pam’s go-to guy for her problems. You know with stuff like work, or uh, her fiance Roy. Or uh… Nope, those are pretty much her only two problems.

Jim: She’d be perfect for you.
Dwight: Hmmm… she’s been talking to Michael a lot.
Jim: So, what? You’re Assistant Regional Manager.
Dwight: Assistant to the Regional Manager.
Jim: Well, you know what Dwight? He’s your work boss, okay? He is not your relationship boss.
Dwight: That’s true.
Jim: Plus you have so much more to talk to this girl about, You’re both um, salesmen. I mean that’s something right there.
Dwight: True. Plus I can talk to her about the origins of my last name.
Jim: It’s all gold.

Katy: Guys are usually my best customers, they buy the high end stuff like the beads and the sequins and stuff. For gifts, you know? They don’t know what they are looking at. So I make suggestions.

Jim: [to Pam] Okay, shhhh stop… stop whatever you’re doing because this is going to be good. [mimicking Dwight in high-falsetto voice] “Hi my name’s Dwight Schrute and I would like to buy a purse from you. Good lord, look at these purses! This is something special. Oh my God is this Salvatore Di-chini-asta?”
Pam: [mimicking Katy] “Oh definitely, definitely step in and out of it like that.”
Jim: “Yes, well I want to stress test it. You know, in case anything happens.”
[Dwight hits purse against table]
Jim:  “Oh! That was really. . .  This is necessary to do to really give it a good workout. This is the ooooh… This is the prettiest one of all. I’m going to be the prettiest girl in the ball. Oh, how much?”
Pam: Oh, God. It’s sad. It’s so sad.

Michael: Coffee is the great incentivizer in the office. It’s a drug. It is quite literally a drug that speeds people up. It’s not the only drug that speeds people up. You hear stories about Dunder Mifflin in the eighties before everybody knew how bad cocaine was. Guh. Man, did they move paper!

Katy: What colors do you like?
Angela: Gray. Dark Gray. Charcoal.

Michael: What, stop! Whoa! That’s my Drakkar Noir.
Ryan: No, this is Rite Aid Night Swept.
Michael: No, it is a perfect smell-alike. I’m not paying for the label. Right here. Give it.
Ryan: Well, it’s empty.
Michael: Not it’s not, there’s some in the straw. . . There, now you may throw it out.
Ryan: Wow. How many filet-o-fishes did you eat?
Michael: That’s over several months, Ryan.
Ryan: Still…

4. Trivia

• This is the first time we see the back room of Dunder-Mifflin where Kelly and Toby work.
• It’s revealed Toby from the local Bishop O’Hara High School in 1989. Assuming he was 18 when he graduated, this indicates Toby was born in late 1970 or early 1971.
• It is also revealed Toby is divorced and has a daughter.
• This marks Amy Adams’ (Katy) first appearance on the show.
• continuity error: When the camera zooms in the picture of Toby’s daughter, she’s is a brunette. However, when we meet Toby’s daughter next season, she is a blond.
• reference to future episodes: We won’t see Katy again until “The Fire” (2.04)

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 105: Basketball
Pam is getting frustrated at the length of her engagement, and Jim seems mildly encouraged: +1
Pam makes it clear she won’t cheer against her fiance: -2
Jim invites Pam to go to the mall with him: +2
Pam quickly declines his invite, though: -2
Pam kisses Roy pretty passionately right in front of Jim: -4
Roy’s “Tip it my way or sleep in the car” comment clearly did not amuse Pam: +1
Pam only claps mildly when Roy scores, but whoops when Jim scores: +2
She also clearly checked him out in his gym shorts when he runs by: +2
She is also very concerned with Jim get a bloody lip: +1
After the game, Pam says that Jim’s “pretty good”: +1
But she says “Let’s get you into a tub,” in a suggestive tone to Roy within earshot of Jim: -4

Final Score: -2, though Pam very quietly cheers for Jim during the game, Jim just couldn’t avoid the reality that Pam is engaged during this episode.

Next Round: Hot Girl

1. Supplemental Materials
Pam Pong Scorecard, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net, old review of this episode

2. Quick Recap
Office vs Warehouse: Michael instigates a game of basketball between the office and warehouse. After talking some smack with Darryl, the stakes are raises when it’s decided the losing team has to work on Saturday.
“Basketball? Kind of my thing”: Michael forms his dream team of himself, Ryan, Jim, Dwight, and Stanley, his “secret weapon”. Jim is looking forward to playing, seeing an opportunity to show of his basketball skills in front of a certain receptionist.
The Big Game: Things don’t go quite as Michael planned during the game. Stanley is hardly a “secret weapon”, Michael greatly overestimates his basketball ability, and the Office doesn’t have the teamwork or the spirit that the warehouse team has. Michael cries foul and ends the game, claiming the office was ahead in points. But the warehouse intimidates  Michael into saying the office staff will work Saturday.
Larry Legend: Jim insists on being matched up against Roy, and plays a bit more aggressively with Pam watching. After the game, Pam compliment Jim’s basketball skills, and Jim is all smiles until he hears Pam flirting with Roy.
Michael’s Words of Wisdom: “The great thing about sports is that it is all about character. And you can learn lessons about life even if you don’t win. But we did because we were ahead.”

2A: Flonkerton Awards
The “Rivalry” award: What starts off as a friendly game turns into rift between the office and warehouse (or rather Michael and the warehouse).
The “Uncomfortable PDA” award: Though she’s engaged to another man, Jim is used to having Pam to himself, more or less. When Pam kisses Roy, and later flirtatiously suggests they get into a tub, Jim can’t hide how uncomfortable he is.

3. Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Michael: Today at lunchtime we’re going to be playing the warehouse staff at a friendly little game of basketball. My idea. Last time I was down there, I noticed they’d put up a couple of hoops, and I play basketball every weekend. So I thought, “This might be kinda fun.” And so I started messing around and… I’m sinking a few, you know. Swish, swish, swish. Nothing but net. And their jaws just dropped to the floor. African-Americans!

Michael: All right, here’s what I’m going to do. The hand strikes and gives a flower. You are not going to play basketball. But I need somebody to come in and take over the holiday and weekend work calendar.
Dwight: I can handle that.
Michael: Good. Excellent, it’ll be fun. Because corporate, uh, wants someone to be here on Saturday. And so we’re going to have to have some people come in on the weekend, and I know nobody’s gonna want to do it and I know everybody’s gonna complain and bitch and I don’t want to have to deal with that.
Dwight: And that’s why you have an assistant regional manager.
Michael: Yes it is. Assistant to the regional manager.
Dwight: [to camera] Same thing.
Michael: No, it’s not. It’s lower, so…
Dwight: It’s close.

Dwight: So we need someone to work this Saturday and I think that, that should be…Jim.
Jim: God, this is so sad. This is the smallest amount of power I’ve ever seen go to someone’s head.

Michael: And this is the foreman. Mister Rogers.
Darryl: It’s not my real name.
Michael: No, it’s Darryl. Darryl is Mista Ra-jahs.
Ryan: Darryl Rogers?
Darryl: Darryl Philbin. Then Regis, then Rege, then Roger, then Mister Rogers.

Michael: Are we ready for the game?
Everybody: [halfheartedly] Yeah.
Michael: I… yeah, yeah. I know, grumble, grumble. But you would follow me to the ends of the earth, grumbling all the way. Like that, uh, dwarf from Lord of the Rings.
Dwight: Gimli.
Michael: Nerd. That is why you’re not on the team.
Dwight: Just trying to be helpful.
Michael: Uh, [in a nerdy voice] “I’ll help, Elwyn Dragonslayer, uh, ten points, power sword.”
Jim: [laughing] That’s him.

Oscar: I can help out, if you need me.
Michael: I will use your talents come baseball season, my friend. Or if we box.
Kevin: I have a hoop in my driveway.
Michael: No.
Phyllis: I have a sports bra.
Michael: No, no, ridiculous.

Michael: [hits Pam in the head with a piece of paper] Off the backboard!
Pam: Please don’t throw garbage at me.
Michael: Oh, Pam with a zinger. Hey, Pam, how would you, like to be our cheerleader today? You know, some, ah, pigtails? A little, ah, halter top, you could tie that up. And you know, something a little, just, youthful, for a change. Just this once?
Pam: I don’t think so Michael. Besides, I can’t cheer against my fiance.
Jim: I’ll do it. Wear a little flouncy skirt if you want, and…
Michael: Yeah, I bet you would. Just try not to be too gay on the court. And by gay I mean, um, you know, not in a homosexual way at all. I mean the uh, you know, like the bad-at-sports way. I think that goes without saying.

Michael: When I am playing hoops all of the stress and responsibility of my job here just melts away. It’s gone, I’m in the zone.  Who am I? Am I Michael Scott? I don’t know… I might just be a basketball machine. What’s Dunder Mifflin? I’ve never heard of it. Filing? Paperwork? Who cares? Possible downsizing? Um… well, that’s probably gonna happen, actually.

Ryan: [Dwight steals the ball from Ryan] Same team, Dwight.

Michael: Hey, what a game, huh? What a game.
Oscar: What time do we have to come in?
Michael: Come on. Let’s not be gloomy here man. We’re all in this together. We’re a team. You know what? Screw corporate, nobody’s coming in tomorrow. You have the day off. Like coming in an extra day is gonna prevent us from being downsized. Have a good weekend.

4. Trivia

• David Denman (Roy) really did accidentally elbow John Krasinski in the lip, causing it to bleed. John missed a photo shoot the next day.
• Though only a few make the final cut, Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) made 14 shots in a row filming the scene after the game.
• Steve Carell improvised the line, “Try not to be too gay on the court,” and John’s surprised face is genuine.

5. Grade this episode

Pam Pong Scorecard
Episode 104: The Alliance
Jim goes straight to Pam to work on pranking Dwight: +2
Jim’s crush slips out a little when he says, “she’s so great” to the camera: +3
But he quickly covers his feelings back up: - 2
They worked together all day in order to prank Dwight: +1
Jim and Pam are very close and even touching when he talks about convincing Dwight to go undercover: +2
But Roy sees it and gets in Jim’s face: - 3
Dwight hangs Jim out to dry when Roy asks about “The Alliance”: - 3
Like in the Pilot, Pam as trouble standing up to Roy: - 1

Final Score: -1, everything was going swimmingly, but between Roy and Dwight, Jim and Pam suffer a big blow and the episode ends before they can recover.

Next round: Basketball