# The Office 1/4/07 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 5, 2007, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760 "2007-01-05T01:53:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/21 "2007-01-05T19:22:48Z")
As their HR guy, I think Toby is obligated to report the relationship to his higher-ups. Jan and Michael’s failure to formally disclose their relationship opens up the company to a bunch of lawsuits and grief, and virtually guarantees that Michael can never be fired no matter how incompetent he is. Not only that, but the incident with the e-mail could cause separate problems. The e-mail is inappropriate for work and anyone at DM who received it could file a complaint with HR. I like Toby, and feel his pain over having to work with Michael, but I’d like him a whole lot more if he would do his damn job. Since he’s shown a willingness to follow and enforce the rules in the past, it feels like weak writing. If he did his job like he would in real life, Michael would be off the show. I prefer this version of the show to the British one except for that aspect; the need to keep the story going as long as possible means less realism and more contrived ways to draw the storylines out. It was really satisfying that in the British version, David Brent finally got his worthless ass fired. I hope Michael finds some peace and someone to love him someday, because I feel bad for him, but that doesn’t excuse the way he behaves and makes everyone else’s lives hell. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckForbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@ChuckForbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChuckForbin)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/22 "2007-01-05T20:35:16Z")
Can you fans of the British version please stop spreading potential spoilers, or at least use a spoiler box, or better yet start a new thread which the rest of us can choose to avoid. Anyway, I think this is a great show. My fiance hates it. Strangely, we agree on most other shows. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/23 "2007-01-05T22:21:56Z")
[QUOTE=ChuckForbin] Can you fans of the British version please stop spreading potential spoilers, or at least use a spoiler box, or better yet start a new thread which the rest of us can choose to avoid. [/QUOTE] I absolutely agree. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/24 "2007-01-05T22:53:40Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa] I absolutely agree. :mad: [/QUOTE] Sorry about that, but the differences between the two versions have been discussed at length in previous _Office_ threads and the UK version has been broadcast in the States. Also, Rosebud is a sled and Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. Seriously, I wouldn’t worry about it because apart from the pilot and a few other early episodes, the story and characters in the US have diverged quite a bit from those in the UK. They’re two separate animals. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2007, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/25 "2007-01-05T23:57:17Z")
[QUOTE=cbawlmer] I like Toby, and feel his pain over having to work with Michael, but I’d like him a whole lot more if he would do his damn job. Since he’s shown a willingness to follow and enforce the rules in the past, it feels like weak writing. If he did his job like he would in real life, Michael would be off the show. [/QUOTE] I still am very disturbed by how truly mean Michael is to Toby. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/26 "2007-01-06T01:03:40Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] I still am very disturbed by how truly mean Michael is to Toby. [/QUOTE] Meh, he takes it, so… ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/27 "2007-01-06T02:55:41Z")
I am convinced that Jan doesn’t know about the e-mail, because when Kevin said that she looked really…tan, Jan made up some lie about being in Scottsdale. Had she known about the photo, she wouldn’t have said something so obviously false. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/28 "2007-01-06T03:06:51Z")
[QUOTE=Operation Ripper] Meh, he takes it, so… [/QUOTE] “Toby, this is none of your business.” “I wish that was true, but…” ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/29 "2007-01-06T03:32:13Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] Best throwaway line: “Call me when she flips over.” It looks like they are continuing to loosely follow the Brit version. Pam and Roy will end up back together and Pam will probably leave DM. They have to play it long, though, because I’m sure they want the series to last a few more seasons. [/QUOTE] DUDE! Spoiler that shit! Arrgghh ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/30 "2007-01-06T03:44:50Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] DUDE! Spoiler that shit! Arrgghh [/QUOTE] Hey, no sweat, but it’s all been discussed in previous threads. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/31 "2007-01-06T09:39:40Z")
[QUOTE=Push You Down] Dwight’s moment with Pam was probably my favorite ever on this series. [/QUOTE] I agree. Not to read too much into the scene but I assumed taking his jacket off (and saying it’s hot) was a way to buy time while he thought of how to handle a crying woman alone in a hall. Something you get the impression he’s never had to deal with. I thought that was a great scene and a flawless way to build Dwights character. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/32 "2007-01-06T11:15:14Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] Hey, no sweat, but it’s all been discussed in previous threads. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but sometimes people drop in who have missed previous threads. Or after they’ve just registered. Or just lurking for the first time after finding us on Big Boards. You can’t just assume that everybody has seen every post of every thread on The Office. Regarding this episode, I though it was one of the best. A lot of people have pointed out great highlights. I have to say that I didn’t see the Jan announcement coming until right up on it. Great writing! ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/33 "2007-01-06T14:31:45Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] I agree. Not to read too much into the scene but I assumed taking his jacket off (and saying it’s hot) was a way to buy time while he thought of how to handle a crying woman alone in a hall. Something you get the impression he’s never had to deal with. I thought that was a great scene and a flawless way to build Dwights character. [/QUOTE] Liked it too. Dwight took off his jacket because his weird little brain contains a scenario involving him rescuing a woman from drowning, and then taking off his coat and putting it around her. (My speculation, but it is a common visual cliche.) Once he had his coat off, though, it occurred to him that she wasn’t actually cold and wet, and was already wearing a sweater besides – so he swiftly improvised with the coat. At least, that’s how I read it. The actors in this show are great at communicating that sort of mental process with little acts or gestures. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/34 "2007-01-06T15:09:36Z")
[QUOTE=cbawlmer] Sorry about that, but the differences between the two versions have been discussed at length in previous _Office_ threads and the UK version has been broadcast in the States. Also, Rosebud is a sled and Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. [/QUOTE] I don’t know what you did in previous threads because I wasn’t around then. We’re not talking about a movie that was released years ago and is already ingrained in pop culture. We’re talking about the _current_ season of a U.S. series. If it is a loose remake of a U.K. show that a large percentage of U.S. viewers have not seen, then by discussing the U.K. version you are ruining the plot for us. And we’d appreciate if you’d be a gentleman and stop. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/35 "2007-01-06T15:22:52Z")
Apologies to all for lack of spoilers. I’ll now do the Michael Scott Walk Of Shame. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/36 "2007-01-06T16:11:00Z")
It’s okay, Chefguy. You’ve earned a lot of slack over the years. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/37 "2007-01-06T16:22:44Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] I agree. Not to read too much into the scene but I assumed taking his jacket off (and saying it’s hot) was a way to buy time while he thought of how to handle a crying woman alone in a hall. Something you get the impression he’s never had to deal with. I thought that was a great scene and a flawless way to build Dwights character. [/QUOTE] Well… There’s also the idea that she was having “female problems” (PMSing), and so a woman who may be staining her clothes might end up tying her sweater/jacket around her waist to hide it while she runs home and changes. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/38 "2007-01-06T16:33:17Z")
[QUOTE=PunditLisa] I don’t know what you did in previous threads because I wasn’t around then. We’re not talking about a movie that was released years ago and is already ingrained in pop culture. We’re talking about the _current_ season of a U.S. series. If it is a loose remake of a U.K. show that a large percentage of U.S. viewers have not seen, then by discussing the U.K. version you are ruining the plot for us. And we’d appreciate if you’d be a gentleman and stop. [/QUOTE] The US show only has the most tenuous relationship to the UK show at this point and the UK show cannot be used to predict the US show. There have already been a number of key differences in story arc developments and characters. I don’t see how commenting on what happened in a completely different show can rightly be called a “spoiler” for this one. It’s just speculation at best. The UK show is by no means a template for story developments. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/39 "2007-01-06T16:53:26Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] The US show only has the most tenuous relationship to the UK show at this point and the UK show cannot be used to predict the US show. There have already been a number of key differences in story arc developments and characters. I don’t see how commenting on what happened in a completely different show can rightly be called a “spoiler” for this one. It’s just speculation at best. The UK show is by no means a template for story developments. [/QUOTE] I was going to come here to say the exact same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760/40 "2007-01-06T18:45:19Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] The US show only has the most tenuous relationship to the UK show at this point and the UK show cannot be used to predict the US show. There have already been a number of key differences in story arc developments and characters. I don’t see how commenting on what happened in a completely different show can rightly be called a “spoiler” for this one. It’s just speculation at best. The UK show is by no means a template for story developments. [/QUOTE] That doesn’t change the fact that Chefguy prefaced his “spoilers” with this: _“It looks like they are continuing to loosely follow the Brit version”_. Regardless, of whether the shows ultimately follow the same path, I would very much not like to read about the story arcs of the British version in this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-1-4-07/386760.md?page=3)