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Valentine's Day (The Office episode)
Encyclopedia
"Valentine's Day" is the sixteenth episode of the second season of the American comedy
television series
The Office, and the show's twenty-second episode overall. Written by Michael Schur
and directed by Greg Daniels
, the episode first aired in the United States on February 9, 2006 on NBC
. It received mostly positive reviews from critics.
In this episode, Michael travels to New York City to give a presentation, but accidentally tells everyone that he "hooked up" with Jan. Meanwhile, the rest of the office is jealous when Phyllis' boyfriend Bob gives her several gifts. Also, Angela gives Dwight a bobblehead model of himself.
meeting at the corporate offices in New York City with Jan Levenson and the new CFO
David Wallace
, Michael Scott
accidentally lets slip to the other branch managers that he and Jan "hooked up". At the meeting, instead of simply providing the financial status of his branch as asked, Michael shows a heartwarming video called "The Faces of Scranton" before reluctantly providing the information requested. Craig, from the Albany
branch, is completely unprepared for the meeting and attempts to cover for it by suggesting that "maybe I should've slept with [Jan], too." In a private conversation with Michael, Jan is convinced that her career is over, but Michael defuses the situation by explaining to the CFO that it was a bad joke and accepts responsibility for the situation. As Michael leaves, Jan kisses him in the elevator, but then groans when she realizes they were caught on camera.
Meanwhile, back in the office, Angela Martin
gives Dwight Schrute
a "Dwight" bobblehead doll, and he gives her a key to his home. Phyllis Lapin
is inundated with gifts from her boyfriend Bob Vance, while Pam Beesly
is irritated with Roy Anderson when the only thing he gives her for Valentine's Day is the promise of the "best sex of [her] life". Jim Halpert
is forced to listen to, and witness Ryan Howard
turn Kelly Kapoor
down for a date. At the end of the day, Jim tells Pam "Happy Valentine's Day" and she watches him longingly as he leaves.
. Daniels had previously directed the first season episode "Basketball", along with the second season episodes "The Dundies
" and "The Client". "Valentine's Day" was written by Michael Schur
, who plays Dwight's Amish
cousin Mose. In the DVD commentary for this episode, Greg Daniels described how some of Michael's actions in this episode (having the requested branch info, unlike Craig, and saving Jan's job by deflecting Craig's comments when talking to David Wallace) were scripted to show how he plausibly remains employed.
For the first time ever on The Office, Pam Beesly's hair is in a different style. Several hairstyles were shown to Greg Daniels before the one used in the episode was selected. Dwight's line about a ham being a romantic gift was written during filming on the set. The writers did not have a punchline in the scene, so they came up with several alternatives, including ham, as well as "a boombox". Most of the street scenes in New York City were improvised. They had to be kept short because crowds quickly formed around Steve Carell when he was recognized.
After the episode, fans wanted their own bobblehead dolls of Dwight. A petition was started to get NBC
to sell them at their online store. NBC responded by creating an initial run of 4,000 bobblehead dolls, which sold out almost immediately. The network decided to make more, and since then, the bobblehead has become the best-selling merchandise on the NBC website, and has sold over 150,000 units.
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
The Office, and the show's twenty-second episode overall. Written by Michael Schur
Michael Schur
Michael Herbert Schur is an American television producer and writer, best known for his work on the NBC comedy series The Office and Parks and Recreation, the latter of which he co-created along with Greg Daniels...
and directed by Greg Daniels
Greg Daniels
Gregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
, the episode first aired in the United States on February 9, 2006 on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. It received mostly positive reviews from critics.
In this episode, Michael travels to New York City to give a presentation, but accidentally tells everyone that he "hooked up" with Jan. Meanwhile, the rest of the office is jealous when Phyllis' boyfriend Bob gives her several gifts. Also, Angela gives Dwight a bobblehead model of himself.
Synopsis
Before a Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
meeting at the corporate offices in New York City with Jan Levenson and the new CFO
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
David Wallace
David Wallace (The Office)
David Wallace is a character in the American television show The Office and was the chief financial officer of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, before being fired in late 2009 after the company was bought by Sabre. He is portrayed by Andy Buckley.- Character history :David Wallace was...
, Michael Scott
Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
accidentally lets slip to the other branch managers that he and Jan "hooked up". At the meeting, instead of simply providing the financial status of his branch as asked, Michael shows a heartwarming video called "The Faces of Scranton" before reluctantly providing the information requested. Craig, from the Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
branch, is completely unprepared for the meeting and attempts to cover for it by suggesting that "maybe I should've slept with [Jan], too." In a private conversation with Michael, Jan is convinced that her career is over, but Michael defuses the situation by explaining to the CFO that it was a bad joke and accepts responsibility for the situation. As Michael leaves, Jan kisses him in the elevator, but then groans when she realizes they were caught on camera.
Meanwhile, back in the office, Angela Martin
Angela Martin
Angela Noelle Martin is a fictional character from the US television series The Office played by American actress Angela Kinsey. She is an original character, and has no equivalent in the British version of the show, The Office.-Overview:...
gives Dwight Schrute
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
a "Dwight" bobblehead doll, and he gives her a key to his home. Phyllis Lapin
Phyllis Lapin
Phyllis Margaret Vance is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. She is played by Phyllis Smith.-Biography:...
is inundated with gifts from her boyfriend Bob Vance, while Pam Beesly
Pam Beesly
Pamela Morgan "Pam" Halpert is a fictional character on the U.S. television sitcom The Office, played by Jenna Fischer. Her counterpart in the original UK series of The Office is Dawn Tinsley....
is irritated with Roy Anderson when the only thing he gives her for Valentine's Day is the promise of the "best sex of [her] life". Jim Halpert
Jim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
is forced to listen to, and witness Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard (The Office)
Ryan Bailey Howard , played by B. J. Novak, is a fictional character on the US television sitcom The Office. He is based upon Ricky Howard from the original version of The Office , but his role is significantly expanded and he is a main character.-Character profile:Little is known about Ryan's...
turn Kelly Kapoor
Kelly Kapoor
Kelly Rajnigandha Kapoor , is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. She is played by Mindy Kaling, who is also a writer and producer for the show....
down for a date. At the end of the day, Jim tells Pam "Happy Valentine's Day" and she watches him longingly as he leaves.
Production
This episode was the fourth episode of the series directed by series creator Greg DanielsGreg Daniels
Gregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
. Daniels had previously directed the first season episode "Basketball", along with the second season episodes "The Dundies
The Dundies
"The Dundies" is the second season premiere of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's seventh episode overall. Written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Greg Daniels, who is also a producer for the show, the episode originally aired in the United States on September 20, 2005 on...
" and "The Client". "Valentine's Day" was written by Michael Schur
Michael Schur
Michael Herbert Schur is an American television producer and writer, best known for his work on the NBC comedy series The Office and Parks and Recreation, the latter of which he co-created along with Greg Daniels...
, who plays Dwight's Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
cousin Mose. In the DVD commentary for this episode, Greg Daniels described how some of Michael's actions in this episode (having the requested branch info, unlike Craig, and saving Jan's job by deflecting Craig's comments when talking to David Wallace) were scripted to show how he plausibly remains employed.
For the first time ever on The Office, Pam Beesly's hair is in a different style. Several hairstyles were shown to Greg Daniels before the one used in the episode was selected. Dwight's line about a ham being a romantic gift was written during filming on the set. The writers did not have a punchline in the scene, so they came up with several alternatives, including ham, as well as "a boombox". Most of the street scenes in New York City were improvised. They had to be kept short because crowds quickly formed around Steve Carell when he was recognized.
Reception
"Valentine's Day" received mostly positive reviews. Michael Sciannamea of TV Squad wrote that "The Office continues to deliver outstanding episodes week after week." Sciannamea went on to say that the episode was "one of their best" and that it left him "wanting more". "M. Giant" of Television Without Pity graded the episode with a "A".After the episode, fans wanted their own bobblehead dolls of Dwight. A petition was started to get NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
to sell them at their online store. NBC responded by creating an initial run of 4,000 bobblehead dolls, which sold out almost immediately. The network decided to make more, and since then, the bobblehead has become the best-selling merchandise on the NBC website, and has sold over 150,000 units.
External links
- "Valentine's Day at NBC.com