# The Office 4/22 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 23, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123 "2010-04-23T17:27:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/21 "2010-04-23T22:50:01Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > It was weird that Michael was such an _asshole_ to Erin. I know he was just being childishly petulant because he was stuck doing something he didn’t really want to do, but I don’t know why he was so reluctant to take Erin out in the first place–I would have expected him to be delighted to go. There have been other signs Michael doesn’t care much for Erin, such as in the “Scott’s Tots” episode where he made kind of a big deal about wanting Pam to come with him instead of Erin. He also had nothing to do with hiring Erin and may associate her with the hated Charles Miner. Michael has also never liked Andy, so Erin’s relationship with Andy and the personality traits she shares with him probably aren’t doing anything to endear her to him. Although it would seem natural for someone like Michael to enjoy the company of other rather childish people, especially if they are eager to please him, this doesn’t seem to be the case. He’s always preferred the company of people he considered to be “cool”, and although he loves being praised he’s expressed displeasure with those he perceived as insincere or obsequious. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/22 "2010-04-23T22:55:21Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > There have been other signs Michael doesn’t care much for Erin, such as in the “Scott’s Tots” episode where he made kind of a big deal about wanting Pam to come with him instead of Erin. You’re right; I’d totally forgotten about that. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/23 "2010-04-23T23:31:07Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > Michael has also never liked Andy, so Erin’s relationship with Andy and the personality traits she shares with him probably aren’t doing anything to endear her to him. Although it would seem natural for someone like Michael to enjoy the company of other rather childish people, especially if they are eager to please him, this doesn’t seem to be the case. He’s always preferred the company of people he considered to be “cool”, and although he loves being praised he’s expressed displeasure with those he perceived as insincere or obsequious. I was just saying to my sister today that it seems like Erin and Michael should be best friends and while she agreed, she pointed out that “Erin isn’t Pam.” I think you’re right about Michael. He doesn’t try to be friends with people he get’s along with perfectly (other then Holly), he tries to surround himself with people he thinks are cool (or people that other people think are cool). I think he tries to be cool by association. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/24 "2010-04-23T23:39:18Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > One of the better episodes in a long while. Meredith in the bathroom with the pump had me laughing out loud. I’m the complete opposite. I thought it was really quite boring and The Office is usually one of my TV highlights of the week. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/25 "2010-04-23T23:48:02Z")
Erin is slowly becoming unhinged and might just be crazier than Michael, and Michael doesn’t like that. As was said, he didn’t like Andy and they have a lot of the same traits. I really liked the episode…I giggled out loud a few times. While Kevin did come off as a Flanderized Kevin at the beginning, making his own video showed he’s not completely dumb, just too dumb to use Oscar the Grouch. Erin was just awesome. I dislike the character more though because of the whole “why didn’t you tell me!?” when they’ve only been dating THREE WEEKS, but I don’t mind that I dislike her more because I also like her more when we saw just how fragile and vulnerable she was. She was complicated and the Tallahassee guy was complicated and Kevin was complicated and it was nice to see a sitcom and not a live-action cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/26 "2010-04-24T00:01:41Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I agree with everyone. Some randomly bullet-pointed points to bullet: > > \*Season 1 Dwight. “I was aware of it, but I chose not to water it.” as well as bringing a bushel of beets for Erin. > > \*Season 1 Michael. Not over-the-top childish antics like we’ve grown to hate, but rather the solidly uncomfortable, unable to relate to others Michael we love to cringe at. > > \*Accounting Antics. We don’t want to see major dramatics coming from the corner, we want to see minor office shennanigans we can point and laugh at, without Kevin coming across as mentally retarded. This was a strong step in the right direction. > > \*Corporate Goon. Who doesn’t love to hate a good cardboard depiction of a corporate goon? What better way to flesh out that archetype by stripping away any and all actual power away from him, and have the actor portraying him be skinniest guy casting can find? i think you and i have the same “old school” sensibilities when it comes to office-humor. i’m liking the intrigue that this is building up for future episodes - unlike the dwight/angela reconciliation which i thought was too contrived and too played out to make a reasonable comeback. the storyline between andy’s uncertain lovelife and michael’s unadressed new flame are more than enough to carry the episode into halfway into next season. i think they gave the axe to michael’s relationship with pam’s mom too quickly. they could have milked it for at least 2 more episodes. i enjoyed erin’s hair room more than i should have. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/27 "2010-04-24T00:11:41Z")
> [@Ruby Sees](#): > > Erin was just awesome. I dislike the character more though because of the whole “why didn’t you tell me!?” when they’ve only been dating THREE WEEKS, but I don’t mind that I dislike her more because I also like her more when we saw just how fragile and vulnerable she was. I’m in the middle of a divorce with someone that I work with (and will be working with for the foreseeable future). Our work, while not office related, is as as tight knit a group as they are. I have to say that if I were to start dating someone that just started working there I’d feel obliged to let them know about that. If for no other reason then to make sure they knew what everyone else knew. ---
**Author:** ![Torpor\_Beast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@Torpor\_Beast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torpor_Beast)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/28 "2010-04-24T02:53:05Z")
I liked the subtle-ish character development we got to see. - Michael’s “Everybody knows I can’t keep a secret!”. - Angela finding the Cookie Monster video funny. “This is my favorite day!”. 😃 - Ryan was wearing an untied bow tie? Wonder what’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/29 "2010-04-24T21:17:47Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > It was weird that Michael was such an _asshole_ to Erin. > [@Lamia](#): > > There have been other signs Michael doesn’t care much for Erin, such as in the “Scott’s Tots” episode The way I remember it, saying that “there have been signs” is grossly underselling it. Michael has consistently been hostile to Erin since day one, frequently being a complete asshole to her. He _hates_ Erin, and always has. > [@araminty](#): > > Since when is Erin “too crazy” for Michael? I loved the chemistry between the two of them from earlier this season. It just seemed like sloppy writing for him to suddenly not want to hang out with her. Hanging out with his staff is Michael’s _raison d’être_. The only time I recall Michael’s hatred of Erin cracking was on the ride home from the “Scott’s Tots” gig, when she pointed out that his promise made them work harder and so was its own reward. I also think she ruined it by saying something stupid two sentences later, but I could be wrong about that. Other than that ride home, what other scenes has Michael been anything other than hostile toward Erin? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/30 "2010-04-24T21:20:41Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The only time I recall Michael’s hatred of Erin cracking was on the ride home from the “Scott’s Tots” gig, when she pointed out that his promise made them work harder and so was its own reward. I also think she ruined it by saying something stupid two sentences later, but I could be wrong about that. But that’s the thing. The beginning of “Scott’s Tots” was the last time Michael was hostile to Erin. The ride home, and their bonding on the ride, make his continued asshole behavior seem really strange. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/31 "2010-04-24T21:26:02Z")
He’s made a few random rude remarks to her over the past few months. For starters her name is Kelly, but I believe it was Michael who refused to call her that. Also, I can’t remember the exact circumstances but I remember him saying “Just get out” when he wanted her to leave his office. Oh, and on her first day he fake fired her as a joke. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/32 "2010-04-24T21:55:15Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Oh, and on her first day he fake fired her as a joke. He did that to Pam too. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/33 "2010-04-24T22:25:20Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > I think he was poking fun at the Cookie Monster thing. “C is for _cookies_,” etc. > > Not sure though. He also said “They’re making fun of cookie monster, but in a strange way it also feels like they’re making fun of me” Yeah, they’re making him stupider and stupider and as I said before they keep making him speak slower and slower. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/34 "2010-04-24T23:02:05Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > He’s made a few random rude remarks to her over the past few months. For starters her name is Kelly, but I believe it was Michael who refused to call her that. No, the name changed happened because every time Charles called new Kelly into his office, old Kelly came running in to flirt with him. He was going to call old Kelly something else (her last name, Kapoor, IIRC) then I think new Kelly was all “can I be Erin, it’s my middle name” which then caused old Kelly to say something about her middle name sucking in a talk to the camera. The details might be slightly off, but the main point is it wasn’t Michael that changed her from Kelly to Erin. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/35 "2010-04-25T00:23:53Z")
We didn’t get to see it because Portland wouldn’t want to miss the Blazers getting the shit kicked out of them, now would we? ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/36 "2010-04-25T05:16:10Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > No, the name changed happened because every time Charles called new Kelly into his office, old Kelly came running in to flirt with him. He was going to call old Kelly something else (her last name, Kapoor, IIRC) then I think new Kelly was all “can I be Erin, it’s my middle name” which then caused old Kelly to say something about her middle name sucking in a talk to the camera. You missed the best line! Kelly: “Well MY middle name is Rajanigandha and I HATE IT!” \ Kevin: “I always thought Rajanigandha was a boy’s name…” ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/37 "2010-04-25T13:42:41Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > We didn’t get to see it because Portland wouldn’t want to miss the Blazers getting the shit kicked out of them, now would we? In Cleveland it was the Cavs kicking Chicago ass. But I don’t care about anything but the results, so I stuck with NBC. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/38 "2010-04-25T15:57:32Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > In Cleveland it was the Cavs kicking Chicago ass. But I don’t care about anything but the results, so I stuck with NBC. It was on the NBC affiliate here. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/39 "2010-04-27T14:18:42Z")
Finally watched it last night. So, Andy has told Erin everything, 'eh? He’d best hope she never finds out about the “management training” classes… ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123/40 "2010-04-27T15:05:05Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The way I remember it, saying that “there have been signs” is grossly underselling it. Michael has consistently been hostile to Erin since day one, frequently being a complete asshole to her. He _hates_ Erin, and always has. Michael has nothing but contempt for people who like him. He’s very insecure and thus figures that if anyone likes him (or pretends to like him), they’re too low on the social ladder to bother with, or are kissing up. Compare Dwight (in the early seasons), Andy, and Erin to Pam, Jim, and Ryan. Michael desperately craves the acceptance of those he views as cool. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-4-22/537123.md?page=3)