The Office: Secretary’s Day, 6.22

97 comments

1. less erin please! i’ll keep saying it until it happens.

2. “I’ll have what she’s having!”

   And they better put those videos on YouTube.

3. That was adorably heartwarming, dramatic, and HILARIOUS. Probably one the best episodes of the season. The impressions were gold (especially J.Kras impresssion! So glad they got to work that into another episode!) and I loved Gabe “in charge”, Awesome.

4. Excellent episode! Loved all the Jam interaction (seeing little glimpses of their still rock-solid friendship, and Pam’s kiss to his forehead) and seeing Pam trying to comfort Erin, even if their conversation ended in confusion. Sometimes it’s easier to simply nod and walk away than correct the other person, lol! And Andy’s last line (“I’m glad someone made her happy on Secretary’s Day”) broke my heart. I hope those two crazy kids work it out. They’re not as realistic or magical as Jim and Pam but they’re still adorable in their own bizarro way.

5. That Pam/Erin scene made me squee. Yes, I just made up a word. That’s how squeeful I feel.

6. So sad:(

7. Loved Michael trying to make Erin feel better.
   Loved Pam trying to make Erin feel better.
   I want to hear Andy’s song!

8. Oh and I forgot to remember Jim’s adorable face during his Cookie Monster impression! OMG, I was cracking up.

   Erin’s hair as her room was great, as well! But I felt so bad for Gabe at the end – I hate when the office gangs up one person, even if they do it often. But I can’t say I blame Jim and Pam for using the faux-punishment to their advantage, I would have too! lol

9. Forgot to mention* Jim’s impression.

10. Wow – Did not know they could ALL do Kevin (TWSS). Love IT!!!

11. Great episode.

12. Didn’t really like it. Not the best episode.

13. The end where they were all mocking Gabe was hilarious. This episode was really funny!

14. What is the Saber guy’s job title? Why is he in the office? I thought he had replaced Toby in HR (since Toby was officially a DM corporate employee and DM is gone), but then Toby was still there sending a fax.

    I agree with #1, a little less Erin would be nice. She’s just so weird (and not in the funny “Office-like” way that the other characters are). She just seems out of place.

15. @ #1 (C) – I completely agree with you. Office writers, just stop focusing on Erin. Please!

    In my opinion, there is nothing interesting about her. The relationship between Andy and Erin is just forced and contrived. Stop shoving this new character down our throat! There are so many other characters to focus on: Dwight/Angela, Oscar/warehouse guy, Kevin/Lynn or another person.

    Just…less Erin. Way, way less. Please!

16. I was a little frustrated and yelling at my tv “SOMEONE JUST TELL ERIN THAT ANGELA FRIGGIN’ CHEATED ON ANDY AND TREATED HIM LIKE CRAP AND ANDY THINKS ANGELA’S THE DEVIL!”
    Being a foster kid, Erin probably got hurt and lied to a lot as a child, so it may explain her reaction, but still why on Earth did no one mention how crappy Andy’s relationship was with Angela even if you ignore the fact she cheated on him.
    I think that Erin may have a thing for Michael though. She’s not interested in dating him or anything, but she has a thing for him.
    And poor Andy, he really does give a lot. He just needs to be completely honest with Erin. I mean if he tells her the whole story, she’ll know that there’s no way he still has feelings for Angela.
    Gabe. I’ve had bosses like him. Didn’t really work their way up in a company so they don’t really understand day to day things. They’re too spineless to assert their authority on major things so they over assert themselves on trivial things. ah well, I still like gabe though.

17. I really enjoyed this episode. I enjoyed seeing Gabe fitting into his new role at the Office and also seeing how Jim and Pam managed to team up to make the most out of their ‘punishment’. Dwight’s apology to Gabe was classic… can’t believe no one’s pointed that out yet!

    As for the Andy-Erin storyline… I think this break-up was necessary. I like them together, but I think they need more time to grow on viewers if the Office writers want to have another Jim-Pam dynamic. Their relationship’s just been going so fast up to this point, so it’ll be interesting to see what effect this snag has. Andy’s last line made me smile; in that moment I found myself really rooting for Andy, which just shows that the writers are doing a good job.

    What I didn’t like? The restaurant scene. I thought it was just super-awkward, especially the hair-as-room bit, and just not funny enough. Also, I thought Erin’s freak-out was implausible and an overreaction. Finally, I still don’t understand Michael’s inexplicable dislike for Erin. But all in all, it was a very good episode with only a few minor flaws. 8/10.

18. Yet again, I loved this episode. I loved the Cookie Monster ordeal, along with Erin’s freak-out at the restaurant.

    Though, did Michael’s awkwardness around Erin remind anyone of the time Pam set Michael up with her landlord?

    9/10

19. This was SOOO great! Jim and Pam finally had some tension-free interaction and gamed the system, like the good ol’ days:)

20. Gabe is “director of sales” for Sabre, or something like that.

    And I’m going to defend Erin. Her rambling conversation with Michael (you could tell he had no idea how to respond) and panic attack were hilarious.

21. Please, enough Erin. Enough Erin/Andy. It’s contrived, and I just feel like they’re throwing them at us and trying to force us to like them. It isn’t happening for me.

    Loved: JKras/Jim’s impression, and Pam’s impression. Pam talking briefly about her past to Erin and then kissing Jim on the forehead was really very sweet and showed how strongly they still feel for one another. And I like how they outsmarted Gabe and took the suspension and went home.

    The rest: I honestly don’t care about Andy/Erin enough to care that they may or may not end up together.

22. I didn’t laugh once. Well, Dwight had funny lines. But everyone laughing at Kevin didn’t make sense to me. And Pam kissing Jim didn’t seem as sweet to me as it was in the good old days.

23. #21 –

    I, too, loved Jim and Pam’s interaction but I’m a bit confused by your comment: when has their interaction been tension-filled?

24. Dear Office, Thank you for an epic win. Love always, Haley :)

25. Have to agree with the “Erin is too weird, even for this bunch” group.

    # 17 Hannah – I agree – any other coupling would be better than Andy/Erin. Although I do wish that Andy would find somebody – just somebody else!

26. Kevin’s Gabe impression was a classsic Father Mulcahey :D “jocularity, jocularity”

    So good to have a new OFFICE!!!!

27. I liked it a lot, but some things weren’t great.

    I liked that Erin actually found out that Andy was with Angela. All the supporting characters were great this episode, like usual, and hopefully the break-up between Erin and Andy can focus on all of the characters. I think that Erin is a good character individually, in her time that she had in season five, but otherwise she is always with Andy or talking about Andy, and hopefully this can give some time to actually see just Erin.

    Meredith using Pam’s breast pump was way over the top for this show. I like that Gabe isn’t added to the list of characters that are insane, and I hope it stays that way for a while (Jan, David Wallace, ect.).

    Overall, great episode. 8/10.

28. @ #18 (Holly): I know! I was like, SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN! But then I guess it wouldn’t be television.

    Personally, I love weird Erin. The more we find out about her, the more interesting I think she is and the more I want to know. And the Andy Erin dynamic– of course it’s not like Jim and Pam, you guys, because they’re not Jim and Pam, they’re something different, and they’re still really fun to watch. I’m sad about the snafu in the relationship, but this was a really funny way to cause tension– and I can’t really blame Erin for freaking out, as I probably would too– so I’m okay with it for now.

    Otherwise, I was so glad to see Pam back, I missed her! And Michael was excellent. Any moment where HE’S the one uncomfortable and making sense really says a lot (to Andy: “Stop talking!”) Lastly, I loved the repeated reference: Precious based on the novel Push by Sapphire. Oh my god, how many times did we have to hear that long title during awards season?! I think I may give this one a 9.

29. #25-
    The Delivery, Niagara, any of the pregnancy episodes. The writers have been playing off their tension more than their friendship/togetherness for the past two seasons. I miss them as a fun, clever dynamic-duo. This episode was a great return to JAM at their best.

30. Loved the Jim and Pam stuff; they make me happy. It’s so nice seeing Pam back, I had missed her and Jim interacting at their desks. Loved the kiss on the head, and Pam passing Jim the note. So cute.

    I’m really not that big of a fan of Erin (even though we have the same name), and I’m kind of glad to see that I’m not the only one. For a while I thought I was. I thought the lunch scene was waaaaay too long. And I thought the whole Cookie Monster story line was too long too.

    Eh, I didn’t really like much of the episode other than the Jim and Pam stuff.

31. This one had some hits and misses for me. I am not enjoying the Andy and Erin stuff at all. Please scale back on Erin getting so much air time. The Cookie Monster plot was great. Jim’s impression was perfect. I thought Michael was just the right amount of awkward and sweet. All in all a pretty good show.

32. Terrible episode. Almost no funny moments, this show barely makes me laugh at anymore. What happened???? Also, Erin get over it, I don’t get what the big deal was. Why did she freak out so badly?? She and Andy just started dating, and plus it wasn’t like Andy was still dating Angela or whatnot. Seriously, this just completely made me hate Erin.

33. #32 –

    Thank you for the explanation. I will say though, I respectfully disagree. I don’t remember any tension in Niagara, and I felt The Delivery’s tension came more from Pam’s nerves than anything else. As for the other pregnant Pam episodes, I found any tension to be pretty organic considering every couple spats. But I do agree tonight was a terrific callback to one of the series’ constants: Jim and Pam’s friendship. It was a great reminder of what an amazing foundation they have to their rock-solid relationship.

34. Is this Steve’s first episode directing? Anyway, I loved Erin in this episode and I wonder if this will be the beginning of a possible Gabe & Erin relationship.

35. Not one of my favorite episodes. Michael’s change of heart toward Erin at the end seemed weird. He had been so indifferent toward her for the whole episode and then just did an about-face all of a sudden. Did I miss something?

    Still, as usual, it had some classic moments — Dwight’s apology, Jim and Pam’s prank, Andy writing a song — and those moments are what make me love this show!

36. @27

    There’s always Oscar!! ;) Seriously though, Oscar.

37. Ehhhh…this episode wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst either. I’ll give it a 7/10.

38. I loved this episode! I thought it was funny from start to finish. The viral video Oscar made of Kevin was hilarious.I liked the touching moment with Michael and Erin at the end too. :)

39. What struck me about this episode is that Michael was more subdued and genuine. The usual Over the Top Michael was hardly in evidence tonight.

    And it shows that generic office-type relationships and the hilarity of everyday occurrences are still the best way to run an episode instead of contrived comedy situations.

40. I’m truly shocked at the negativity towards this episode. The “I’ll have what she’s having” moment was perfection and the cookie monster and Gabe impressions were hilarious.

41. I can’t say I’m a big fan of either Erin or the Andy/Erin relationship but regardless of that, this episode was as close to perfect as the show gets. There’s nothing I’d have changed. Just really well done all around.

42. Oh, forgot something. The Pam-Erin conversation reminded me of the Jim-Dwight conversation in “Money.” So sweet.

43. Was I the only one that loved the moment when Erin storms out of the conference room and pushes the camera man? I loved that sort of reminder that it’s supposed to be a documentary, and some people are uncomfortable with the cameras.

44. @35- It makes sense. Erin was an orphan, so she never really had much of a marriage to witness, and so she held the bond sacred. When she found out her boyfriend was as close as possible to it, she freaked out. Also, it’s always tough to find out someone you’re dating is “more experienced” than you. Have you seen Chasing Amy?

45. I have not laughed this hard since Dwight cut the face off the CPR dummy!

    More Erin please. Yes, she is weird but that is the fun part. If you want to watch a plausible or realistic office just go back to work. :-)

46. I thought Erin was great in this episode, especially her freakout. I also think the breakup will be good because it will give a chance to find out more about Erin since up to now her role has been little more than Andy’s love interest. I’d also love to see more pranks/jokes at Gabe’s expense. All-on-all, another classic episode.

47. I liked the episode. I hope Andy and Erin can work things out after the impasse Michael created with telling Erin about Andy’s previous relationship with Angela. I’m pretty sure they didn’t break up, I think they just need some more time. It’s true, also, that the Pam/Erin conversation was like the Jim/Dwight one, back in Season 4 episode “Money”. I think thanks to Michael, at the end of the episode, Erin finally talks well about Andy. Michael doesn’t know how to keep a secret, he never does, he always tells everybody everything, sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.

48. more Pam please, why always Erin?

49. I literally cried several times from laughing so hard. I don’t understand how anyone could not enjoy this episode–it was absolutely tear-jerking HILARIOUS!!! I think it’s Mindy Kaling’s best!

50. The Erin freak-out in the restaurant is a little over the top, but Michael’s reaction to it was great. I was happy to see Pam back, and the moments with her/Erin and her/Jim were cute. Everyone ganging up on Gabe and the cookie monster subplot were great, I thought.

    It wasn’t my favorite of the season but it was one of the better episodes.

51. I loved this episode! There were so many great stories going on and so many good laughs, as well as a little sweetness and cringe. Erin’s ‘my hair was my room’ was hysterical; Ellie Kemper is terrific! Great writing, directing, acting — a perfect 10! So glad to have the Office back after that break.

52. i loved this episode! it was definitely one of the better ones of season 6. i laughed out loud several times. jim’s impression of kevin, kevin and dwight’s impression of gabe… amazing. and pam’s line – “it rocked… it rocked my ass off!” had me cracking up. i even thought dwight’s offer to “milk” pam was funny. a little tacky, but funny.

    and totally random, but meredith was right; pam does have the cadillac of breast pumps. she has the medela freestyle, which is a $380 pump.

    and pam kissing jim made me “awwww!”

53. oh, and darryl’s “cookie monster” sounds cracked me up.

54. Greatest moment: Awkward Toby in the middle of Erin’s and Angela’s conversation.

55. “I’ll have what she’s having” and Jim’s Kevin impression. Those moments were great. The rest of the episode was not that good. The whole thing with Erin pushing her hair in front of her face was just awkward. But not funny awkward.

56. This episode was fantastic!! I LOVED it! :) There seemed to be so many plot lines… it was hilarious and very entertaining!! :) I’m glad Pam is back…and I loved that she kissed Jim the way she did…so sweet!! :)

57. I don’t get all the hate for this episode. I’m not a huge Erin fan by any stretch, but Ellie Kemper was perfect in this episode. Yes she’s weird and doesn’t quite fit on, but I think that’s supposed to be the point. Michael and Erin’s scene at the end was perfect. The only off point for me was Meredith using Pam’s pump. Are they trying to make Meredith the most repugnant person on the planet? If so, they’re succeeding. Ew.

58. I think Erin´s erratic behaviour is a great attention getter to a person who fits greatly with the rest of the cast. The “I´ll have what she is having” in the lunch scene between Michael and Erin was great too.

59. Way too much Erin. And I like Erin. But not at the expense of the other characters.

60. I’m sorry, but I just didn’t like most of this episode. I don’t like “weird Erin”. I liked her much better when she came across as a little naive and sweet. This foster-child=weirdo storyline is not funny and almost painful to watch.

    I still love Andy, but the cookie monster thing was just okay. I don’t really like TO when they gang up on one person.

    Michael really needs to drive the storyline, imo. I definitely feel his absence when the plot focuses on the other minor characters.

    I think JAM is a thing of the past. I just don’t see how this can continue to be interesting. Who was watching C.C. anyway? Did they ever say?

61. First of all, I gotta say, major props to Ellie Kemper! She was absolutely hilarious! Me and my boyfriend had tears in our eyes when she covered her face with her hair and cried, “In the foster home my hair was my room !”
    Anyways, loved this episode. Jim and Pam’s cuteness was brief but awesome, and Ed Helms was great! Loved Michael calling Erin weird…and Erin being weird. Totally hilarious episode! I rank an eight :)

62. My favorite part of the episode – Kevin’s impersonation of Gabe! So funny to see everyone doing great Kevin impersonations and then to see Kevin turn around and “nail” an impression of Gabe. His “Ah . . .ciao . . . ciao . . .I say ciao because I’m fancy from Tallahassee” had me rolling on the floor!

    As for Meredith using Pam’s breast pump, a bizarre thing for someone to do, but isn’t there a scene every season where Meredith exposes some part of her body to the camera? Have we had that “token” scene this season yet? If not, maybe this was meant to serve as that scene.

63. I’m a long time fan of this show, but it seems to be treading water at this point. NBC’s contract stresses quantity over quality, and it shows. The writers need a clear direction as to where to go with this show. The show functioned well as a comedic drama years ago, they need to get back to that thinking. They need to introduce problems and give them staying power, not immediately release tension. In this episode, a commercial break was all that was needed to resolve a potential serious issue (the suspensions). Michael’s character needs a problem to overcome. We also need more Dwight and more Ryan. These were dynamic characters that seemed to be on the back burner for a while now.

64. I thought this was a pretty solid episode–definitely laughed aloud throughout.

    Although my favorite bit was in the first minute:
    “This is my favorite day!”

    I laughed most of the way through the credits after that. I think it was just the way Angela Kinsey delivered the line; such an unfamiliar expression of joy from Angela!

65. Does corporate have a Gabe at every branch?…Screw

66. I liked it – Gabe saying people thought he was the IT guy was hilarious – and Michael’s description of Angela at the end was perfect. I think the thing with Meredith would have been funnier if it wasn’t in all the promos – would have had more shock-value. That said, I usually think they make weird choices for the promos, so what do I know. Oh, and Andy and Erin are cute – just darn cute. It’s like watching two 12-year-olds hook up. Only weirder.

67. I loved this episode. I was not a fan of Erin becoming a regular because that meant less lines for all of the other characters that we love nor have I been a fan of the Andy/Erin relationship. However, I will say that Ellie Kemper did a great job in this episode. She was funny. I absolutely loved the sweetness of Pam, the JAM moments, the prank, the impressions, and all the great one-liners. Awesomeness, Mindy and Steve!

68. I think this was a pretty great episode. Best moments: Gabe saying that he thinks his energy is better spent on the Cookie Monster issue and Dwight’s bow down apology. Awesome to see Jim and Pam back in the fun ground again. 8/10

69. I’m surprised by some of the negativity surrounding this episode! I was laughing so hard the whole time! I admit that I was hesitant to accept Erin at first, but she’s really grown on me now! Though I don’t really understand Michael’s apparent dislike of her. He’s such an affable guy that gets along with everyone (other than Toby), so it seems weird that he wouldn’t like her when she’s so sweet (even if a little weird)!

70. This was hands down, the best episode of the year. The best use of the ensemble, and the best jokes. On twitter and other boards this is the consensus. I wonder why it is different on this site? I wonder if this board has a few post-ers with a bone to pick with the Erin character and keep posting over and over as different people? It’s really unbelievably different than the feedback on other sites.

71. I loved this episode! Ellie was wonderful!

72. Whenever a new character gets more attention, some people will invariable feel unhappy. It is not difficult to understand all the animosity towards Erin.

    I used to think Ellie was more of a comedian than an actress. Now I think she is equally talented in being both and very much so too!

73. Terrible episode, other than Gabe and a few LOL moments. I agree with Susan (#65) in that the writers really blew it with Erin’s character. The “in foster home, my hair was my room” line was not funny; it was painful to watch and just sad. I get it – she’s a foster child, they only keep repeating it nearly every time she’s on screen. And the relationship with her foster brother in an earlier episode was creepy. Don’t care for her character at all which is too bad, because she had so much potential when she first started.

74. #65, I think C.C. is in daycare now. There was an ep when JAM was shopping daycares, and Jim walked in on the daycare director sitting on a kiddy potty. Lol

75. I wonder if the writers want another “Jim and Pam” coupling but only with “crazy people” (aka Andy and Erin). If so, I think that just cheapens “JAM”.

    What made Jim and Pam special was they were the only sane people in an office filled with lunatics. And the writers did a fantastic job of creating funny yet tender moments between the two characters.

    While I can see the appeal of bringing Andy and Erin together – I think they are better apart than together.

    Another well written episode by Mindy.

76. Couldn’t really put my finger on it, but Toby looked wayyyyy different when he was standing at the copier. Haven’t seen him in awhile, I guess?

77. Jimmy Halpert, I think it’s because Toby colored his hair! Wasn’t he blonder (or maybe grayer) before?

78. I just wanted to add that so far, the writers are handling the new presence of a baby beautifully. Just a few quips here and there, so that we aren’t sickened with too much baby, and we don’t forget that Jim and Pam are parents!
    And I love that they are calling her “Cece”

79. I think that was probably the best episode in the last two or three years. I laughed for a good 5 minutes about “when I was in a foster home, my hair was my room.” Mindy’s episodes are always my favorites. Good job!!!

80. Now that was an excellent episode. There were some genuinely hilarious moments, and the scene with Michael and Erin at the end had a poignancy that’s been lacking this season. And it’s also nice to see them acknowledge a relationship that’s been virtually ignored since it ended. Mindy, you are an intensely talented writer.

81. I thought this episode was hilarious…I’m not really understanding all the hate.
    You guys need to “appreciate the crap out of Erin” :)

82. The episode is called Secretary’s Day. Did you honestly not expect this episode to be mostly about her? I hardly think the writers are trying to “shove this character down our throats”.

83. “Is that the program where all those puppets live in the barrio? I love that show.” I just about died at Dwight’s line and Michael’s When Harry Met Sally reference during his awkward moment with Erin was excellent!

    I appreciate the heavy dynamic with Erin/Dwight and the levity of Kevin’s ridicule to contrast, but Erin’s reaction did seem a bit over the top. I liked that Pam had some words of wisdom but Erin seems aloof. I truly hope that there isn’t a romantic development between Michael and Erin. I just can’t see those two together. Andy always gets the short end of the stick.

84. I really enjoyed this episode. Was laughing all the way through! I think my favorite part was Dwight offering to milk Pam…

    “You gotta milk them, or else they’ll moo like crazy”

    “Three squeezes and I will drain you”

    The whole exchange was just hilarious!

85. Pretty good ep. The “When Harry Met Sally” line was the perfect resolution to such a cringe-worthy scene. My favorite part might have been when Dwight was apologizing to Gabe. Classic Dwight. Still very curious where these last four episodes will lead.

86. Definitely in my bottom 3 episodes of all time. I love Andy/Erin, but this episode was painful to watch and had just a scarce handful of humorous lines to make up for it.

87. You forget my 2nd favorite line of the episode! When Dwight’s apologizing to Gabe “I kneel before you, humbly taking your hand, upon which I kiss.” I didn’t even notice it until the second time I watch it ’cause it’s sort of in the background of the scene, but classic Dwight.
    My favorite line was Kevin impersonating Gabe, “I just want you to know, I laugh like a crazy person” hahah.
    Awesome Episode.

88. Oops, I meant Erin/Andy, not Erin/Dwight.

89. I don’t know why but Pam really annoyed me this episode..Right when she did the Kevin Impression to The little talk she gave Erin…I liked Jim’s impression though and the whole cast was wonderful..Ellie is a really good actress.

90. I really liked this episode. Erin’s “In the foster home my hair was my room” was odd and hilarious.

91. #74 Bertha – I think one of the reasons why Michael doesn’t care for Erin is that they’re so much alike. They’re both awkward in social situations, say bizarre/inappropriate things, and are desperate to be liked. Michael is usually the one behaving oddly and can’t handle it when others act the same way. Remember when Michael snapped after Andy “annoyed” him with his “friendship” back in season 3?

92. Mindy, you rock… I am always so thrilled to see your name as writer in the opening credits because I know it will be a great episode. There were so many funny moments in this one… the one where the tables turn and Kevin (and the rest of the crew) gets to start railing on Gabe was hysterical! Loved the ‘stick insect’ reference and the ‘fancy from Tallahassee’ … Made my day!

93. I was crying I was laughing so hard when Andy has the cake on his face and still trying to talk to Erin.

    “Is it true?” ……………..(with cake all over his face) “yes.” LMAO

94. T-shirts with the quotes “Three squeezes and I will drain you” & “C is for suspension” need to be made.

95. Sad episode! I am a huge Office fan and watch every episode multiple times, but I just don’t plan on watching this episode again . . . ever! Kinda reminded me of the tone of last year’s Prince Family Paper ep. Just utterly depressing. *sigh*

96. Please, enough of pam and breastfeeding!!

97. It’s fantastic episode. It has both funny and sad moments. Cookie Monster & Kevin’s storyline is hilarious. Michael was right, Erin is weird – and that’s what makes her character interesting.

    I wish to see more from minor characters, Angela, Creed etc. I miss them.