THE OFFICE Recap: Women’s Appreciation
May 3, 2007 by Kath Skerry
WARNING! This post contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of THE OFFICE.
I’ve been looking forward to “Women’s Appreciation” since the end of February- and it did not disappoint. As I’ve mentioned before, this was the episode that was being filmed when Tanster and I were on the set. Later tonight I’ll post a few tidbits from behind-the-scenes so make sure you check back soon.
First off, kudos to Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky for writing a hilarious episode. If the reaction of those in the live Office chat at BuddyTV were any indication, it was one of the best of the season. I can’t wait to watch this one again…and again…ok who am I kidding, I’ll watch it at least 5 times before the weekend. Yeah, it was that good.
Here’s what I don’t understand though. Season 2’s “Sexual Harassment” had a warning before the episode because of the word “boner” but this episode was acceptable? I don’t think The Office has ever pushed the envelope in terms of sexual discussion as much as it did tonight. Michael with his hands down his pants? OMG!! Seriously OMG!! Watch the scene again and check out Krasinski trying not to laugh. So funny. And I think once they found out they could say the word “penis” they decided to just go for it. It was hilarious, but I kept thinking “how are they getting away with this?”
Here’s a short recap of the episode and then later I’ll share a few goodies from behind-the-scenes of “Women’s Appreciation”
Tonight on The Office…”Women’s Appreciation”
So here’s what went down tonight (that’s what she said). On her way into work, Phyllis was flashed in the parking lot. As a result Dwight became over protective of the women in the office and tossed out ridiculous demands about their clothes, makeup, etc. In turn Michael ordered everyone into the conference room for Women’s Appreciation Day. When his good intentioned meeting went sour (as they ALWAYS do) Michael decided to take the women to the mall where they could feel appreciated…and bond. But at the mall it was Michael was getting the most from his girls day out. He shared his issues with his relationship with Jan and decided that he was going to break it off with her…which he did…over voice mail…just minutes before Jan entered his office to apologize. Jan listened to his message and stormed out of his office. Is this end of Jan and Michael or just a temporary set back?
In other Office news, Dwight and Andy did a little bonding of their own while trying to catch the flasher. Andy is still rotten to the core, but he’s pretty funny while doing it so bring it on. And we learned that Angela isn’t afraid to shop in Gap Kids, or the American Girls doll store – she’s petite, she can’t help it.
Little progress on the Jam front but still a positive episode. Karen and Pam shared a quais-tense moment over lunch when they offered Michael different takes on what makes a good relationship. Later Jim is impressed when he sees Pam’s sketch of the flasher (who looks quite a bit like Dwight). He seems impressed that Pam is pulling pranks on her own (oh and all of things Halpert could be getting from the fridge he’s pulling out a yogurt? Mixed berry perhaps?). Pam meanwhile continues to prove herself as Fancy New Beesly by changing a flat tire (you go girl). And a talking head shows that Pam has at least thought of Jim’s well…you know that I mean. Join the club, sister!
All and all an absolutely hysterical episode.
Favorite Quotes…
[Just after learning about Phyllis’ parking lot flasher]
Michael: (smiling) Phyllis you say? (snickers)
Angela: What is so funny?
Michael: (fighting back laughter) Um, did he even see Pam? Or Karen from behind?
Kevin: (staring at Karen) I’m guessing not.
Dwight: This is a petition for the business park to upgrade the security cameras as well as install two flood lights in the parking lot. I know what you’re thinking. Won’t that just shed more light on the penises? But that is a risk we have to take. Pam, you can draw, kind of. Why don’t you work with phallus on drawing a picture of the exposer I can post around the community.
Pam: Phallus?
Dwight: Phyllis. Sorry. I’ve got penises on the brain.
Michael: A penis, scene in the right context is the most wonderful sight for a woman. But in the wrong context it’s like a monster movie.
Dwight: I wish I could menstruate. If I could menstruate I wouldn’t have to deal with idiotic calendars anymore. I would just be able to count down from my previous cycle. Plus I’d be more in tune with the moon and the tides.
Michael: There’s a wishing fountain in the mall, and I threw a coin in for every woman in the world who made a wish. I wished for Jan to get over me. I wished for Phyllis a plasma TV. I wished for Pam to gain courage. I wished for Angela a heart. And for Kelly a brain.
So were you feeling this episode? I hope you found it half as funny as I did!!
Much lovery. So much old-time greatness.
Amazing episode. Without a doubt my favorite episode of the season (so far).
I can’t believe there are only two more episodes left!
I loved how even Andy The Sycophant was disgusted when Michael couldn’t stop laughing about the flasher. This episode had a lot of great lines and some of the “I can’t believe he did that” things from way back when. I kept calling my sister during commercials to say “I wish I could menstruate” and “I have to wear colonial doll clothes.”
I loved how cringeworthy this episode was! It’s been a while since the show had michael so… crass (among other things).
I loved the all the little moments.
Especially:
-Kelly dancing to michael’s ringtone
-Meredith’s facial expression when “safe word” talk came up
-jim napping on the couch in the women’s bathroom
oh who am I kidding? I loved them all!
Ok I’m watching this again and I’m kind of bothered by how often Pam looks at Karen. It’s like Pam’s looking for her reaction to everything she says and does. WTF?
Thanks for the recap GMMR. I loved the episode. Pam changing the tire was great, Jim commenting on Pam’s artwork, and Dwight looking in the mirror at the end. I laughed out loud! I can’t wait until next week!
Michael: “I know the crap out of women!” Loved that line! Also Dwight’s little speech about menstuation – classic! This was indeed a hysterical episode. Soooo many quotable lines in this episode, it was indeed awesome.
GMMR: I’ve also noticed that Pam looks at Karen a lot. I think it’s a natural thing, personally – I mean, Pam clearly really wants Jim, and Karen is her competition/giant obstacle. So she’s definitely going to be a little more fixated on Karen because of that.
But here’s hoping for now too much longer! Looooved that tense moment they had at the mall. “Sometimes, you’re just not right for each other” – oooooohhhh, burn! Pam totally nailed Karen, and she knew it. Nice.
GMMR, concerning Pam’s repeated looks at Karen: I noticed that, too, but figured that, when she first started doing it, it seemed like they were looking at each other in agreement. But when Pam mentioned that Jan wasn’t right for Michael and then looked at Karen, that was something completely different…
Oh yeah, and i loved seeing Pam stop the elevator just in time to catch Jim and Karen on their way down. Very sly, Beesly, and shall i dare say…courageous? Maybe Michael’s wish is coming true…hmmm…
I laughed outloud during the pants scene…I damn near peed my pantaloones! I very much appreciated Michael’s use of the word “Chesticles” OH Dunder Mifflin…I love thee!
Lucky you for being on the set that day! 😉
OMG, that was one of the funnier episodes in awhile. I had to rewind Creed’s part in the beginning like five times. Kelly dancing to Michael’s ringtone was really funny. And Angela wearing colonial doll clothes LOL It’s not me, it’s you…oh I can’t stop laughing!
i really have to say… this one of the funniest episodes i’ve ever seen.
i seriously was just laughing so hard. the end though… oh my gosh. the whole dwight thing was just too funny. i came upstairs laughing so hard… my mom thought i was crying. but i thought i was the only one that noticed the whole pam and karen’s tips on relationship things… they sneaked that in their well. and the whole jim getting yogurt? oh my goodness. and the guys in the girls bathroom? hahahaha wow. i also loved sleeping jim. ahh cute!
You can’t beat Creed for the sheer randomness he brings to the show. “I always use the women’s bathroom for No. 2, and I’ve paid dearly for the privilege.” (or something to that effect.) Ha!
Most of the time I kinda of giggle or snicker (at Michael…most of the time he makes me uncomfortable) throughout the show, but I was full on, burst out, the what’s-wrong-with-you look from my boyfriend, crazy laughing at Dwight looking in the mirror…..ABSOLOVED IT!
This episode was a bit too crude for my taste. I think there probably should have been a “mature content” warning at the beginning.
My very conservative parents started watching The Office during season 2, and I warned them at that time never to watch “Sexual Harassment.” Well, last night after I watched this episode from my home in Chicago I called my parents who live in California and warned them to skip the first ten minutes of the show.
While there were certainly some funny parts in this episode, I wish the writers could find a better way to get laughs — without so much vulgarity. Still, I love the show and am not going to stop watching.
They Sent A Freelance Camera Crew To Scranton To Film At The Mall At Steamtown … And After All That Fuss, They Only Used A 3 Second Shot Of The Outside Of The Parking Garage.
Jeez!
OK Office aficionados – help me out here. So b/c Jim and Karen are having their 6 month anniversary…if this episode was in “real time” (like they usually are) then they got together in Oct/Nov. How does that work with the theory of when they actually became a couple? Before or after Stamford?
BTW – I thought Jim/John looked totally hot in this episode.
I just wonder more and more how Michael Scott can be as ridiculous as he is. This episode showcased his idiocy moreso than past episodes. I’m sorry but ANY boss/manager who stuck his hand down his pants and pretend flashed his employees would be fired immediately for sexual harassment. I loved seasons 1 and 2, but season 3 has just taken Michael’s character to the extreme and it’s less enjoyable to watch.
I love how you noticed John Krasinski breaking too, it was hysterical.
I loved this episode, and also thought “how are they getting away with this?”
I loved Michael’s closing voice over.
And of course, there were the small Jim and Pam undertones in that, as well as between Pam and Karen (which I loved that scene), and I loved, loved, loved Pam talking about Jim, that was awesome. heheheheeheh
And I think a favorite part was the Women’s room, it was so funny.
I can’t believe that we only have two episodes left!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know what I will do with myself. But I can’t wait for next week, cause Jenna said don’t miss it! I hope something good will happen! 🙂
People this season have complained that Michael had calmed down from his crazy antics of seasons 1 and 2. Personally, i thought last night’s awkwardness was fantastically hystarical, awkward, and uncomfortable circa season 1. The supporting characters were fantastic tonight as well (Kevin, Angela, Andy), and I loved the tiny touches of jam (Pam getting flustered talking about Jim’s hmm hmm, Karen’s knowing looks, Jim loving Pam’s rendition of the flasher). Plus I can’t wait to see how Michael and Jan plays out over the rest of the season. (SPECULATION/SPOILER?) I think it would be amazingly hystarical if Jan were preggers.
Jenny- I actually had that same thought. 6 months ago was “Diwali”. So, I guess something happened when Karen drove Drunk!Jim home from work after all…
Dani – good point…wonder if we’ll ever get confirmation of what happened?
Good points Dani and Jenny. I am also wondering if we’ll ever know what the text message was from Pam to Jim, on the same night! hehehe
That little plot has bothered me for months.
midwestern girl, I’m with you that this wasn’t my favorite episode, too crass at times. How funny that my sister and I got our parents hooked on the show and one of the first eps they watched by themselves was Sexual Harrassment? We were cringing thinking of them seeing it, but luckily they aren’t overly sensitive. There were some nice moments that seem to be building to something with Jim and Pam. Maybe next week we’ll see some tension between Jim and Karen?? I loved that Jim was eating yogurt (mixed berry, no doubt) and how cute was Pam’s smile when Michael agreed with her about breaking up with Jan. I really hope Jan is not pregnant. Next week – come on, Pam, do something girl!
For some reason I really wanted Jim to find out that Pam had changed the tire and been really impressed.
My favorite part was Pam talking about seeing Jim’s…y’know.
Oh, and I forgot to add that I saw Kate Flanner (Meredith) yesterday in the Pegasus Parade here in Louisville. She was hard to see because for some reason they had her in a hardtop instead of convertible. But I did see the red hair and big smile!
Also, just found out that she had dinner in one of our best restaurants last night, not even two miles from my house. So close to JKras, yet so far away!
Phew!! Finally got to watch last night’s episode…hilarious!! Some great new lines were born last night, for sure. To all of my Buddy TV pals, can I just say that I love Love LOVE you guys!! Thanks so much for hosting that GMMR. I really think I would have jumped ship around February sweeps without you all, but you pulled me through and I think, I REALLY think it’s going to be just dawesome!! 🙂 Thank you! (you know who you are 😉 ) Now please don’t kill me Greg!!!
I loved, loved, loved this episode. It was the most laugh out loud ep to date.
I like how, given the extra time, The Office can make sure to showcase every character. Here’s hoping for the extension of the show to one hour so that we can enjoy that every week. No more cutting Meredith scenes. That woman is hysterical, “My car, my rules.”
What a great episode–so many perfect Office moments. My favorite thing–Jim and Pam pulled a prank together without even knowing it–She started it–and he kept going with it. I love when our boy Jim is impressed with Fancy New Beesley. Anyway–can’t wait to see what happens next! (I’m thinking some major foreshadowing with the whole elevator thing–Pam catching it just in time–standing right between them…hmmmm)
Loved last nights episode, personally I loved all the Creed moments! Laugh of loud moment for me was “He was just hanging brain, what’s all the fuss about?” Friggin’ great! 🙂
Ok, I was thinking about this last night, my prediction for JAM this season is that I don’t think much will happen, at least not like last season. I think Karen will go to Stamford and her and Jim may still be seeing each other or whatever but I think all the writers will give us is some glimmer of hope, not a big Jim and Pam hooking up ending.
As for Jan and Michael, I don’t know if Jan’s pregnant b/c Melora Hardin said her character wasn’t in some interview but maybe Michael or maybe even Jan will propose or something! That would be hysterical if Jan proposed to Michael 🙂
“It did not disappoint”, “absolutely hysterical”? Did we watch the same show. I thought it was the worst of a just so-so Season 3. Brilliant ‘moments’ aren’t enough. Where’s the smart writing gone? When did Jan become a perv? Why is Creed SO over the top now, and Michael? Jim and Pam barely acknowledging each other. At least Angela is still amusing. Ah The Dundees are a part of the good old days. I hope the hiatus puts the writers back in Season two form.
OMG thank you Chris (post #31)! I totally agree with you. I think I may have chuckled a couple of times, but I could not get over the fact that they made Jan a sex freak out of nowhere. This episode in no way can compete with episodes from last season (The Dundies, Office Olympics). I’m so over Karen. Andy always looks like he smells feet. Too much creepy Creed. Not enough Dwight.
I totally agree with 31 and 32. I watch and episode from season 1-2 every night and never get bored with it. Episodes like the Dundies, and Olympics have such nuances that you get something new out of it each time. There have only been a handful of episodes I can appreciate like that this season.
Still a die hard office fan though!!!! 🙂
Ай тоталли эгри выз 31 енд 32. Ай воч енд епизод фром сесон 1-2 еври найт …