The Office Recap: The Coup
October 6, 2006 by Kath Skerry
Title: The Coup
Original Airdate: 10/5/2006
All these years I have been dreading Mondays. If only I had worked at Dunder Mifflin I would have known that the only cure for the Monday blues is Varsity Blues. Yes, Michael has decided that the Scranton office of DM should have “Movie Mondays”. I mean it only makes sense, taking time out of the workday to watch a movie means the employees have to work extra hard to make up for the time lost while watching the movie. It’s a win-win-win-win. The 4th win? Well that one goes to to Mox and the West Caanan Coyotes for winning the big game in spite of Coach Kilmer. I mean, that was HUGE!
Not as excited for Movie Mondays is Jan, and she lets Michael know. You know who else isn’t down with Movie Monday? Angela. Surprised? No me either, but Dwight is. At least he is when Angela goes all Lady McBeth on his ass and urges him to use Michael’s latest screw up as a way to take over the office.
Angela: Dwight, you should be running this office
Dwight: Michael would never let me
Angela: It’s not up to Michael. It’s Jan’s call, talk to her.
Dwight: I could never do that.
Angela: Fine. Sit back and do nothing and let us all get fired.
Angela: (to camera): I know that patience and loyalty are good and virtuous traits. But sometimes I just think you need to grow a pair.
It seems Fraulein Martin has had an impact on Dwight. Seeing an opportunity to finally rule Dunder Mifflin under the Schrute Regime, Dwight meets Jan for a secret meeting in which he tells her that HE should be running Dunder Mifflin and NOT Michael. Gasp!
Too bad for Dwight Jan calls Michael to tell him of Dwight’s hideous betrayal. Upon returning from his fake appointment with his dentist, Dr. Crentis, a bitter and seething Michael informs Dwight that he and Dwight will be switching places. Dwight is the new Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin and Michael has been demoted to Assistant Regional Manager…or actually, Assistant TO THE Regional Manager, as Dwight is quick to point out. Of course all of this is a ruse, but Dwight doesn’t know. Michael is just trying to teach Dwight a lesson…and we all know how this is going to turn out, because Michael – he’s not the best teacher.
The Scrantonites are not pleased to hear they now have to report into Dwight. Phyllis even considers quitting…NO!! Pam doesn’t seem to think it matters who’s in charge.
Pam: I have this little vacuum cleaner that’s broken. If Dwight doesn’t work out, maybe that could be manager
Dwight seems to be taking to his new role rather quickly, and before you can say ‘Flonkerton Rules’, Dwight is cleaning out Michael’s desk. Michael seems a bit stunned at how quickly his loyal compadre has become a power-hungry dictator. I, on the other hand would expect nothing else from Dwight K. Schrute. The game continues until Dwight crosses a line…and I mean a serious line when he insults Michael’s ride. Yes, Dwight speaks ill of The Sebring.
Dwight: I’m thinking about getting something German, something with decent gas mileage. Plus the convertible is a ridiculous choice for this climate.
Michael: Take it back.
Dwight: No.
Michael: That’s my car. THAT’S MY CAR!
Oh no you didn’t?! Straw, let me introduce you to the camel’s back.
In a hilarious scene, Michael tells Dwight that he knows that he went behind Jan’s back. He’s sooo busted! Dwight immediately starts groveling at Michael’s feet. No, I mean really, he starts groveling…like on the ground begging for his job. Ha ha!!
Being the man that he is, Michael decides to keep Dwight on board…but first they need to hug it out.
Michael: Hug it out, bitch. That is what men say to each other after a fight. They hug it out, and in doing so, they just let it go. And walk away when they’re done. Not a good idea to say that to a woman, however, I have found…doesn’t translate.
Michael: Yup, yup, we hugged it out. But it turns out I was still a little angry. So I felt I needed to punish him just a little bit more and I’m making him do my laundry for a year.
In other Scranton news, Pam Beesly is doing a little shopping. Since ditching her fiance and starting out on her own, Pam thinks her wardrobe could use a little updating too. After ordering some clothes on line, Pam’s new BFF Kelly Kapoor urges her to do a little ladies fashion show. Fashion Show at Lunch!! Fashion Show at Lunch!
A hesitant Pam tries on her new, sexy shirt in the break room. The top is a big departure for Pam who is used to covering up the TTBs at all cost while at work. She looks hot – the women of the office agree. As does Roy who happens to stop by during her break room catwalk show. Aw, he really misses her.
But I’ll tell ya who appreciates Pam’s new outfit the most – Creed.
Pam: What?
Creed: I’m just looking.
Pam: Please go back to your desk.
Creed: In a minute.
Dunder Mifflin Stamford Branch…
Maybe our first impressions of Dunder Mifflin Stamford were a bit off. The seemingly straight-laced,buttoned-up, hard working office isn’t without its fun. Maybe there’s no Office Olympics, but they do have ‘Call of Duty’…an multi-player, online war game played by all the employees. And Jim? Not so good at the video games.
Jim: We didn’t play many video games in Scranton. Instead we’d do stuff like uh, Pam and I would sometimes hum the same high-pitched note, and try to get Dwight to make an appointment with an ear doctor. And uh, Pam called it ‘pretenditis’.
But this isn’t ‘prentenditis’ and Jim is getting his ass handed to him. He’s even reprimanded by Josh for his lack of skills. And Andy isn’t happy with the new guy’s level of game play:
Andy: The Saboteur! Saboteur. I’m going to kill you, for real. This game..the game is over. I’m really going to shoot you.
The Big Tuna is eventually caught and killed, but the fisherman isn’t Andy, but Karen – or “KarentheJimSlayer” as is her game call name. We quickly see that someone is a little smitten with our Jimmy Halpert. The camera catches Karen looking longingly at Jim. Stop looking at him! Only Pam should look at him like that you little hussy!!
As Jim shuts off his computer and leaves for the day, he takes a moment to stop, turn around to look at Karen and give her a little shy smile before launching a fake grenade her way.
The scene was adorable. Too adorable. And I’m not quite ready to handle the fact that I’m not HATING the idea of Jim and Karen. I feel like I’m betraying Pam. I’m still a JAM shipper all the way, but it’s nice to see Jim smile again…and have the smile actually reach his eyes.
So that was another episode of The Office. Sorry for the rather lackluster recap, but I’m not near a TV and had to write the recap from memory. A special thanks to OfficeTally.com who’s inspired quotes were instrumental in helping me to remember what happened during the episode. And don’t forget to visit Office Tally to rate tonight’s episode.
You know me…I have to watch the episode at least 3 or 4 more times to really properly judge it. There were some seriously funny, laugh out loud moments tonight, but I don’t think this episode is going to make my favorites list. But even when The Office isn’t at its best, it’s still hands down the best comedy on TV.
Office EXTRAS!!
For a two minute recap of tonight’s show, visit NBC.com/TheOffice
Deleted scenes from THE COUP are also available now on NBC.com/TheOffice
Photos courtesy of NBC/Universal
I thought it was a good episode. I don’t know if it was one of my favorites. There was almost too much Michael and Dwight stuff. I think Karen is HOT though. Go Halpert!
I thought Dwight was a little much tonight. And I think I want to work in the Stamford office.
I’m almost ashamed to say that I think Karen and Jim are incredibly cute.
My favorite moment? When Creed was staring at Pam. Heehee.
I feel like I am betraying Pam, but I think I could like Jim and Karen too. This is what I was nervous of. What if we like them together. How are they going to get us to want Jim and Pam together.
I agree that there was too much Dwight. I like Dwight, but only in very small doses.
Loved the fashion show! Hooray for Pam – buying new clothes, making new friends. Good for her.
Jim with the fake grenade at the end – so cute.
Jim and the grenade!! And when “virtual” Jim was stuck in the corner trying to jump Even virtual Jim is adorable.
“YOU KILLED JIM HALPERT”
I thought virtual Jim was cute, too! Is it wrong to feel attracted to a character in a bloody video game? It feels kinda wrong.
I felt like this ep felt a little off did anyone else. It was almost like’s Dwight Speech last season. It could have been plopped in anywhere. And there was hardly any Jam stuff. I know this is not a concern for others but I really like Jim and Pam and I miss them together.
The scene with Roy coming in was kind of cute though
i know heath!! i miss them together!! and i just dont know about karen…she makes me a little nervous….
but i am glad that pam is trying to be good to herself for a change….she deserves that!! (and roy was cute when he came in to see her..)
I feel like I was watching an entirely different show than my Office. I’m glad everyone else enjoyed it, but I thought it was very blah. The only time I ever laughed out loud was when Michael told Dwight to hug it out, b1tch. Everything seemed wrong and off with this episode. I missed Toby and Oscar, too. The video game storyline was just stupid to me. Karen is a hot chick, though!
On the plus side, how pretty was Pam in her new outfit? I hope the writers will let her wear some non-pastels to the office now.
I agree. I didn’t feel like this was the best ep but I still thought it was really funny.
Word Heath! I’m totally missing Jim and Pam. I found the episode funny (maybe a little much from Dwight) but this whole season is heavy hearted for me and there is no jam er I mean end in sight. Karen/Rashida is lovely but I can’t watch Jim fall for her, I just can’t. I figured they would keep Jim and Pam apart for a while but I thought it would be sweet and light. There was a lot of potential for some new love interests that could have been really funny but I think it’s going to play out as more of a tragedy. This merger is gonna be a train wreck, I don’t know if I can watch. A surprising number of people seem to have jumped on board the Jim/Karen band wagon in record time. Maybe it’s just me, I’m a hopeless romantic. I need therapy.
I thought this episode was excellent– THE OFFICE is off to a great start. The biggest surprise? I really enjoyed the Jim-Karen moments– it’s great finally to see Jim happy. I’m not ashamed at all, just surprised. The writers are genius– they’ve added Karen and Toby into the mix on top of the already huge changes: the kiss, Pam breaking up with Roy. This will make for some great television when it all comes together later this fall!
Also– Creed has been receiving a funny line each week: the start of a tradition? I hope so!
As usual, Steve Carell was great– he’s getting to do some great stuff this season. Tonight, his best scene was his trying to catch Dwight in the lie with the M&Ms.
What else? I love how the writers are incorporating Jan into every episode. I doubt she’ll be in every ep., but it’s great to see Melora Hardin so much– she’s such a great actress.
Just keep it up is all I can say!
Derby City, That’s it exactly! It feels like a spin-off to me, many of the same characters but a different show. But Hug it out bitch??? I DO think that is funny ha ha ha !!!
I’m having a really hard time watching Karen and Jim. I don’t like it, I tell ya, I don’t like it! I want Jim & Pam together!!! And because of that, I know I’ll have a hard time accepting Karen. I think I need therapy too…
I beginning to think that casting Rashida was a good choice for Jim’s love interest I mean since she and John have dated, they obviously have chemistry. I’m thinking Pam will see this too and be very very jealous! Although, I too feel guilty for jumping on the Jim/Karen band wagon… It seems so wrong yet it feels so right…um no, it just feels wrong.
It’s ironic how people were afraid of the JAM relationship being too sitcom-y (Jim and Pam being apart for an episode and then getting back together quickly; happily ever after) but then they are afraid of that the separation will be too long.
What do you think is the perfect amount of time for the offices to be separated? And if the branches merge, Karen and Pam? That’s a little weird.
“Suck on that, Halpert.”
Well, i absolutely LOVED this episode!
I’m a huge JAM shipper, but i still think that if and when (b/c i’m sure they will) Karen and Jim get together, it will be good for JAM in the long run. Pam needs some competition. She needs to fight for her man. Cage Match.
And i suck at Call of Duty. Yay! Jim and i are in the same boat!
Oh, and sly, clever Michael = slightly creepy, but hilarious nonetheless!
yeah im gonna have to agree dada…i think im going to need some therapy to before this is all over 🙂
I’ll have to give it my lowest rating ever: one thumb up.
Michael and Dwight took forever to get there, but the ending was good with Dwight cowering on the floor, begging for his life. Of course Michael misunderstood “hug it out”, saying that’s how men settle fights, but on Entourage Ari only says it to celebrate something good happening.
Interesting how Michael and Josh both engage in stupid activities. For a second there, I thought Michael was going to call Josh and offer a Dwight-for-Jim trade, and Josh would take it because he was so caught up in the war game and pissed at Jim. (Which, to me, seemed way out-of-whack for Josh.)
I kept waiting for Toby to tell Creed to go sit down.
I am missing the whole Jim and Pam thing. Not a fan of the whole Karen and jim flirting thing; but I guess it will add some good tension for later.
I have to say I think this episode was hilarious! Not one of the best but I definately laughed my @$$ off.
“Hug it out B!tch!” LOL
Loved it.
Whoa, are they building up some major Jam tension or what??? By the time Jim and Pam actually speak again it is going to be such a trainwreck. Oh, such awkwardness!!!
I can hardly wait. 😉
Favorite part: Dwight standing on his desk wearing the “Liar” sign.
I thought parts of this episode were hilarious…how does Steve Carell do that with his voice and facial expressions?? “Your dentist’s name is Crentist?” He was so robbed of his Emmy.
I have to say that I want Jim to be happy, so I’m not opposed to another woman having a crush on him. I am becoming frustrated that Pam hasn’t made some sort of contact with him, mentioned his name is some way, made any move in his direction. I know that the writers are going to stretch out this JAM struggle all season, but they could throw in a little hope now and then.
By the way, the lighting at the Stamford office is awesome because I swear, Jim looks tanner and his hair looks shinier! Do you think he’ll ever be comfortable enough to take his suit jacket off while he works? That bugs me.
Maybe Pam not mentioning Jim or trying to contact him is a good thing. So that when she finally sees him and Karen together, it will be like an “A-Bomb” was dropped on her, and it will finally knock some sense into her head and she’ll realize that, yes, she does indeed love Jim!
I’m thinking it will be quite the competition…and I see Michael thinking he can relate what Jim will go through, because, you know, Michael’s got that 800-lb gorilla situation to deal with…
I liked the episode. I have to admit, I was a little worried that The Office may have been losing its magic with Jim in another office, but it picked up a little steam. I do think that they need to merge offices soon if they’re going to keep the Pam/Jim romance going or people are going to start heading over to team Jim/Karen. I actually thought they were kind of cute yesterday!
It was good – still don’t like the idea of Karen and Jim, after she dissed him during her talking head scene in the season opener.
Favorite parts: Dwight’s drool after he got up from groveling at Michael’s feet and the m&m interrogation scene. Dr. Crentist? LOL!
dada95835: Really? An atomic bomb? 😛
The drool was awesome! I loved seeing his butt stick up in the ear while he was on the ground. And Ryan’s reaction! Great!
Question. When Jim does come back to Scranton, i wonder how the seating arrangements will be. Will Ryan willingly give up his desk for Jim since he doesn’t care much for Dwight and it’s too uncomfortable being that close to Michael? Plus, all the extra cast members. Just a spur of the moment thought.
Don’t hate me for saying this, but he more i watch the episode, the more i love jim and karen. Pam who?
I’m surprised by the “too much Dwight” comments. I enjoy/love the entire cast, but I think Dwight has some of the very best lines. And his interactions w/Michael (and everyone else) are hysterical. Rainn Wilson and Steve Carrell are both brilliant.
I miss Jim & Pam together too. I think it is a good storyline – Pam taking time by herself, but I’m hoping she doesn’t take TOO long.
Not my favorite episode, although it did have its moments.
Loved Jim with the grenade at the end. But also, the only real JAM moment of the episode was when Jim was talking about Pam. One of the nicest smiles on his face just at the thought of her. Shows that he can smile about her again and maybe that will help him forgive her when she finally gets around to making the first contact.
I can’t handle Jim’s new fondness of Karen. It is making me uneasy. Its going to be a long season.
Just To Let You Know In case Somebody Else Didn’t Already,
It Is Scrantonians Not Scrantonites.
Thanks,
Dave In Scranton
It definitely wasn’t the Office’s best episode but good. I got a little tired of the Dwight stuff. I liked when he pointed out the stores and the clothes that Jan wears. That was hilarious and creepy!!
I actually had moments where I didn’t like Angela as in she needs to be a better actor. I noticed those during the Webisodes. She’s stronger around better actors and less talking heads.
I actually like the Karen/Jim thing. She’s got a more competitive, fiercer personality than Pam which makes her interesting. Just the fact that she thought he was cute as virtual Jim made the episode sweet. She took the joke of the virtual grenade and went with it. so cute. Yes, I’m betraying Pam, but she was funny and good for Jim.
Best Season 3 episode yet.
If you haven’t already, you all MUST go watch the deleted scenes on NBC. There’s a whole thing on Creed that is just so random and strange and fantastic.
And yep, I’m kinda pulling for Karen….Pam looks mad an awful lot of the time.
TD
I miss Jim and Pam together being goofy, I feel like someone has died in the family! Things aren’t right, they aren’t the same…I’ve started getting anxious watching the show, waiting to see if one will mention the other…and now Karen? Noooo…I know it’s going to happen, but I won’t like it. You can’t make me like it. I won’t get on that bandwagon. It’s just not right.I know it will be a whole season of this, and I don’t think I can handle that. I think I’m flipping out! I can feel myself flipping out!
Oh my god, I need to get out more!
Not The Office I fell in love with. Television does this a lot. They take something good and instead of sticking with it they change it. I am not a fan of having the two offices and I really miss the Pam and Jim. All the little stuff that went on in the Scranton office is what made it so real and funny. Having two offices is just too much. Something is missing this year.
Its remarkable what supplementing can do for your body and your weight lifting goals!
Very good written information. It will be useful to anyone who employess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts.
Thank you for yet another informative web site. Where else might I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such information.