The Office Recap: Safety Training
April 12, 2007 by Kath Skerry
I only have myself to blame, but it’s rather depressing to wait all week for a new episode of The Office only to have it be over in what feels like just minutes after it starts. Now it’s not depressing enough to jump off a roof…I mean, I’m not an ignorant slut.
Although I can’t say that this was my favorite episode of The Office, it didn’t disappoint. And to be honest, it’s getting better with each viewing (it’s about 11:30pm now and I’m on my 3rd viewing). For the second week in a row we had a healthy dose of Darryl, and he’s the zoppity so I can’t really complain. I thought the cold open and the beginning scenes with the safety training sessions were a little slow, but the episode really picked up in the second half.
So what went down? (TWSS). It’s safety training day at Dunder Mifflin and the office employees attend a safety seminar down in the warehouse. Like most of the training sessions at DM, this one was pretty much for Michael’s benefit. Darryl did his best to explain the equipment and instructed all (Michael) that the warehouse is a dangerous place if one isn’t careful. Of course not to be outdone, Michael sets out to prove that the office is a dangerous environment as well. The warehouse workers join the office employees in learning the risks of working in an office which include carpel tunnel syndrome, seasonal mood disorders, and fat butt disease. Darryl thinks Michael leaves a cushy life…“sittin’ on your biscuit, never havin’ to risk it.”
Michael is bothered by Darryl’s assumption that the office is a cushy place to work and decides that faking his own suicide is the best way to make his point about just how dangerous an office setting is. When Jim and Pam realize that Michael is planning on jumping (and probably killing himself on the bright pink moonwalk castle he rented) they do their best to talk him down. But in the end it was Darryl that convinced Michael to come down. Because really, no one is braver than Michael since he has to wake up every day and BE Michael Scott…that can’t be easy. Dinkin’ Flicka.
In other office news Andy, I’m sorry, “Drew” Bernard has been away for weeks at his anger management training. But he’s back with a new attitude, a new name, and a bunch of new tactics for dealing with the grumpies. Dwight has in turn found a new way to deal with Andy – he’s going to shun him for the next three years. Shunning is an Amish technique – it’s like slapping someone with silence. Ha! Dwight’s shunning and unshunning of Andy was funny stuff. Something tells me shunning is coming back in a big way.
Meanwhile to entertain themselves, the Dunder Mifflinites start betting on anything they can possibly bet on. The number of jellybeans on Pam’s desk (49 – Jim wins), how long Kelly Kapoor can talk about how Netflix works (2 minutes, 42 seconds) and whether or not Creed would notice that the apple he was eating was replaced by a potato (he doesn’t). The office betting was pretty funny stuff especially because it’s such a common occurrence in actual office settings. At my old job we used to entertain ourselves with all kinds of bets. Along with the traditional March Madness brackets and Superbowl squares there was the Dunkin’ Donuts munchkin eating content, the drinking the gallon of milk in one hour contest, the eating the slice of bread under one minute contest, and one that actually didn’t involve food – the mustache growing contest (which Justin won – even if we did help him cheat). Whether it was money or pride, there was a lot on the line, and much like at Dunder Mifflin it helped us get through an otherwise boring workday.
After last week’s intense break room scene, I was excited to see that Jim and Pam were warmer to each other this week. I didn’t get the vibe that they were back to chit chatting, but at least he wasn’t cold to her. In fact, I’d say that Mr. Halpert was down right smitten with Ms. Beesly tonight. Did you see how many times the camera caught him looking at her? And what about the smiles they were exchanging? Harold Ramis directed the episode, and he is familiar enough with the show to know that Jim and Pam can’t just look at each other like that without it meaning something…right? And as for Ms. Fillipelli, well it seems as she was feeling a little left out tonight. Perhaps it was Kevin reminding us all that Jim once spent hours with Pam at reception. I mean hours, and hours, and hours – like constantly, for years. Thanks Kev! With homage to my friends over at NorthernAttack.com, I would say that the JPI (Jam/Pam Index) was definitely up tonight. YAY! I think things are starting to go in the right direction….finally!!
Other great moments from “Safety Training”…
Dwight playing air guitar on the roof. Actually every scene with Dwight tonight was dawesome!
Kelly’s Netflix rant. In 2 minutes and 42 seconds not only can she explain how Netflix works but she can also mention 6 romantic comedies and say the word “awesome” 12 times. Extra bonus point to Kelly for loving “Love Actually” as much as I do. Once again Kelly and Ryan were adorable and they edge up closer to Dwight and Angela as my favorite office couple.
Karen rolling her eyes as Kevin talks about how much time Jim once spent hanging with Pam at reception (again, good job Kevin)
The shout out to the law offices of James P. Albini (a favorite character of B.J. Novak who wrote this ep)
Shun | Unshun | Shunning resumed |Unshun | Reshun
Dwight (singing): Michael is awesome. Jumping off the roof. Bouncin’ on the bouncy bounce. Show ’em who’s boss. Rip a whole in the sun!!”
Favorite Quotes…
Michael: You know what our killer is?
Dwight: Wolves
Michael: Depression
Dwight: I think he wants you all to come out to the parking lot and watch him die.
Stanley: Is it nice outside?
Dwight: It’s gorgeous. Let’s go.
Stanley: Do I need my jacket?
Dwight: No, really it’s very nice. Come on.
Ryan: Will I be too warm in a long sleeve tee?
Dwight: Everyone will be fine in exactly what they’re wearing. Let’s go!
Michael: The stress of my modern office has caused me to go into a depression.
Dwight: Depression? Isn’t that just a fancy word for feeling “bummed out”?
Michael: Dwight, you ignorant slut!
Darryl: Mike, you’re a very brave man. I mean it takes courage just to be you. To get out of bed every single day knowing full well that you’ve got to be you.
Michael: You really mean that?
Darryl: I couldn’t do it! I ain’t that strong and I ain’t that brave.
Michael: I’m braver than you?
Darryl: WAY braver. You Braveheart man!
Michael: I Braveheart. I am.
What did you all think of tonight’s episode? Favorite moments? And was I crazy thinking there was a hint of S2 Jam tonight?
Deleted scene #1 is up at NBC.com
Another fab recap, GMMR. I didn’t love the episode on the first viewing either but on the second time it really started to grow on me. I think my favorite part was the office betting and Kellys’ Netflix monologue. That was funny.
I personally liked the lack of JAM angst tonight. It was refreshing. GMMR, you weren’t kidding about those shared looks. I feel like I”ve been saying the same thing since episode 1 of S3, but I really do feel that the darkest Jam days are behind us and it’s all roses and lollipops ahead.
Hooray, first to post! I agree that it didn’t get off to the best start but the episode was redeemed by office bets and definite S2 Jim/Pam-ness. Have to re-watch myself in a few minutes!
Michael: You know what our killer is?
Dwight: Wolves
Michael: Depression
I LOVE IT!!! Thats gotta be my favorite line from tonight! And give me more JAM! I definately caught the looks Jim was giving Pam tonight and can’t wait for next week. I feel like there is so much more on the horizon. I can’t believe I have to wait a whole week to see a new episode.
This episode made me very happy. I thought it was interesting that you called out Dwight because I really liked him tonight. It’s not that I don’t like Dwight but sometimes I feel that he’s over the top. There was something very playful about him tonight and it was fun.
Andy is back. I mean Drew. YAY!
I loved it! I think my favorite part was Creed and the potato. And Dwight on the roof with his air guitar. Oh, and how could I forget? Karen is realizing she doesn’t know DM Scranton as well as she thought? And Jim and Pam winning nearly every bet? Can you say foreshadowing???
I thought the episode was really funny. I felt like S2 Jim and Pam was back just in the fact that they figured out the whole moon bounce thing and then Jim was right there when Pam tried to talk Michael out of jumping. I didn’t catch all these cute looks you are talking about so I have to watch again!
I loved the whole office standing behind Creed and then their reaction to him eating the potato. Also I thought it was hilarious when Dwight through the watermelon and it bounced off and hit the car!
When I first watched it I did not think that it was a great episode but the more I think about it the better it was. There were lots of great moments. Kelly explaining netflix while Ryan and Jim looked at their watches was funny, but Pam winning because Kelly used the word awesome 12 times and Jim winning because Kelly listed 6 romantic comedies was hilarious. Creed finding the castle while peeing outside, even though he could have walked back into the building in 15 seconds was typical Creed.
Best line of the night was “Wolves”. I expected Dwight to say “flash floods”.
Michael calls Dwight an ignorant slut…twice. I can imagine that people in offices all over north america are using shun / unshun / reshun. Classic Dwight.
All in all it was a really good episode.
Agree that it wasn’t the best episode, but any episode of The Office is pretty great! I did love seeing Andy (or Drew) back and I think that seeing the new Andy with Dwight will be even better than when they were competing with each other. It looks like he really wants to get into Dwight’s good graces, which no one else really bothers to do, so I think we have some pretty hilarious stuff coming up between the two of them.
I loved the little hints of JAM and I definitely agree we’re going to see something big coming up, at least in the season finale. I’m sad that there are just a few more episodes to go, but if it means that JAM is on its way, that’s fine with me!
I don’t know if I’ll quote this correct, but I’ll give it a shot …
Andy/Drew: Do you want a drawbridge?
Dwight: Unshun. Yes. That’d be good. Shunning resumed.
So funny! While this wasn’t one of my favorite episodes, it was nice to see everyone interacting like normal office people without the Pam and Jim drama.
I loved the fact that Ryan kissed Kelly on the forehead after her Netflix explanation. I am beginning to like his character more. I’ve always loved Kelly. Now I don’t want them to break up.
And we got to see Michael run the gamut of emotions from annoying to vulnerable. I love that.
“They found the castle.”
I enjoyed the lack of JAM drama, and getting back to just a pointless, hilarious episode. It was just a simple storyline that played on all the characters well. I
Thanks for the great recap GMMR…This is only my second post, but I love your website, and all of the Office stuff on it. I loved the episode last night. My favorite part was Creed and the potato. Everytime I think about it still laugh. I’m glad JAM are sort of talking again, and hopefully there will alot more of that in the next few episodes. I can’t wait until the next new one!
Pure, unadulterated season 2 bliss!! I loved it!
Merrie, I’m also loving the Ryan character a lot more. Did you catch his little smile to the camera after he said “Will it be too warm in my long-sleeve tee?” Dawesome.
As Karen shifts out (and I’m assuming she will) I hope they let her go with dignity. She’s a good character and really likes Jim and several other of the officemates. I’d hate them to turn her into just a prop for the JAM storyline.
I loved the cold open. “Dwight says he doesn’t know anything about bear attacks.”
I loved Michael’s ignorant slut comment, Kelly talking about Netflix, the rest of the office placing bets on it and Jim/Pam working as a team to get Michael of the roof.
Yes – it was a good episode…much better feel to it then the last few. Atleast JAM are back on friendly/comfortable terms.
Another great quote I’m adding to my vocabulary – ignorant slut!!
And who knew we’d get so attached to Kryan? They were too cute this episode. Can’t wait to re-watch it when I get home from work. 🙂
I thought last night’s episode was hilarious, but what else is new? Jim, Andy, and Dwight were cracking me up in the cold open (“Andy, Dwight says welcome back, and he could use a hug”).
And am I the only one who thought the funniest part was Michael referring to Madge as Pudge, then later Padge? His inability to get her name right seriously made me cry because I was laughing so hard. Other highlights included, as everyone mentioned, Michael calling Dwight an “ignorant slut” (twice!), Creed biting into a raw potato, and every line of Darryl’s…Craig Robinson is SO good.
The watermellons bouncing off the trampoline into Stanley’s car was priceless. Michael and Dwight’s interaction on the rooftop was over the top and I had to pause the episode I was laughing so hard (I had to record it).
I thought the episode had a lot of trademark moments that make the show fun to watch; ie. Pam/Jim, Michael/Dwight. I have to wonder what’s going to happen once the payoff of Jim and Pam get together though.
Great episode (I actually really liked it the first time around). Something occurred to me that may be way off base, but maybe not. It felt like they were starting to groom Ryan’s character to become the new love interest, and I thought it may be in advance of JKras leaving the show (perish the thought). Is there anyone who can reassure me that despite his blossoming movie career I will be able to see Jim on my TV every week for the rest of my life?
Jessica, I don’t know about the rest of your life but Jenna Fischer says on her MySpace page that everyone has long term contracts and no one is leaving the show.
I really enjoyed last night’s episode…………but I have to say that my favorite part was Pam’s comment about Karen being “smart” in the bet about the candy. As a jammer who is also a fan of Karen, it is so great to see the two girls getting along.
As usual, late to post but I had to reflect on this one. And after rewatch (a couple of times I hate to admit), I liked it. It was reminiscent of Office Olympics and had that S2 feel. Not having any Jam angst was a welcome relief. I think that’s why I had to rewatch as first time through I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Lots of good parallels to point out – Jam reuniting over having to talk Michael off the ledge (Jam needs to be brought back off the ledge). Michael admitting it’s not that great with Jan at the moment (things are just so-so in Karenland). And a big shout out to Kevin for keeping the history of Jam front and center and for well, just being Kevin. Loved Dwight and agree that he was just great and in the groove.
I thought it was a great episode, I LOVED the Dwight singing on the roof…freakin hi-lari-ous! And although I love JAM, it was just nice to see them acting normal around each other and not so angsty. Kelly and Ryan were actually super cute in this episode, and I love Love Actualy too!
I thought it was a great episode, I LOVED the Dwight singing on the roof…freakin hi-lari-ous! And although I love JAM, it was just nice to see them acting normal around each other and not so angsty. Kelly and Ryan were actually super cute in this episode, and I love Love Actually too!