Doomsday (The Office)
Encyclopedia
"Doomsday" is the sixth episode of the eighth season
of the American comedy
television series
The Office, and the show's 158th episode overall. The episode aired on NBC
in the United States on November 3, 2011.
), to commemorate and "bring closure" to end of each work day, plays "Closing Time"
, much to the dismay of his visibly annoyed co-workers. Andy, frustrated that no-one but he and Erin (Ellie Kemper
) enjoy the tradition, starts to scold the workers until Stanley (Leslie David Baker
) comes in happily singing the song alongside him.
When Robert California (James Spader
) confronts Andy about the number of mishaps and blunders made in the office, Dwight (Rainn Wilson
) devises a system to find mistakes made by employees in the office. To improve efficiency, he installs a "doomsday device" that will send incriminating emails to Robert California (James Spader
) if they make five mistakes in one week, effectively causing them to lose their jobs. After only one day, however, the group manages to make five mistakes, and Dwight reveals that the emails will be automatically sent to California at 5:00. Andy pleads with Dwight to deactivate the machine, but Dwight refuses, belittles the rest of the office staff for being so careless, and retreats to Schrute Farms.
After Dwight abandons the group, Andy tasks Pam, Oscar, Erin, and Kevin to try and change Dwight's mind. The group find Dwight digging a horse grave and offer to help him out. Andy tries to talk to Dwight about deactivating the machine, but Pam consistently quiets him, saying she knows Dwight will come to understand if they aren't pushing it. After complimenting Dwight numerous times and having a small meal, Pam makes a joke that emphasizes that everyone is human and makes mistakes. Dwight, after hearing this, deactivates the machine after the party leaves Schrute Farms. Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski
) is tasked with tracking down Robert at a squash court
and intercepting the doomsday emails before California has a chance to view them. To distract him, Jim plays several games, demonstrating his complete lack of skill at squash.
Meanwhile, Gabe (Zach Woods
) unsuccessfully tries to strike up a relationship with a new warehouse worker, Val. Gabe believes that he and Val have a connection, and constantly pursues and tries to impress her throughout the day. Darryl (Craig Robinson
), observing Gabe's pitiful attempts, tries to imply that Val doesn't feel the same way, but to no avail. When Gabe does ask Val out, she politely declines and says she does not date co-workers at all. Darryl hears all of this and decides he won't pursue Val either.
, his 5th writing credit of the series. It was directed by Troy Miller
, his second directing credit after last season's "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager
".
". The episode ranked third in its timeslot beating Person of Interest
which received a 2.7 rating/7% share in the 18-49 demographic and The Secret Circle
which received a 0.9 rating/2% share, but was defeated by Grey's Anatomy
which received a 3.6 rating/9% share and the season premiere of Bones
which received a 3.3 rating/8% share.
reviewer Myles McNutt wrote a mixed-to-positive review of the episode, maintaining that that while "Doomsday" was not "a terrible episode by any means [but] the various pieces never fell into place, and the resolution didn't feel as though it was earned by the episode that came before it. It just felt like it was trying to do too much too quickly, never quite narrowing in on character in the midst of manufacturing chaos." McNutt ultimately gave the episode a B-.
The Office (U.S. season 8)
The eighth season of the American television comedy The Office premiered on September 22, 2011 on NBC. The Office is an American adaptation of the British TV series of the same name, and is presented in a mockumentary format, portraying the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton,...
of the American comedy
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 158th episode overall. The episode aired 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...
in the United States on November 3, 2011.
Plot
In the cold open, Andy (Ed HelmsEd Helms
Edward Paul "Ed" Helms is an American actor and comedian known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as Andy Bernard on the US version of the sitcom/mockumentary The Office and for his role as Dr. Stu Price in The Hangover films.- Early life :Helms was born and raised...
), to commemorate and "bring closure" to end of each work day, plays "Closing Time"
Closing Time (Semisonic song)
"Closing Time" is the title of a song by American alternative rock band Semisonic. It was released in March 1998 as the lead single from their album Feeling Strangely Fine. One of the band's most popular songs, it was written by Dan Wilson and produced by Nick Launay. The song was nominated for the...
, much to the dismay of his visibly annoyed co-workers. Andy, frustrated that no-one but he and Erin (Ellie Kemper
Ellie Kemper
Elizabeth Claire "Ellie" Kemper is an American actress, comedian and writer best known for her role as Erin Hannon in NBC's The Office.-Personal life:...
) enjoy the tradition, starts to scold the workers until Stanley (Leslie David Baker
Leslie David Baker
Leslie David Baker is an American film and television actor who plays Stanley Hudson on The Office. He also had several small roles in Scrubs and appeared on That '70s Show as a janitor after a Ted Nugent concert and played an office worker in several of OfficeMax's "Rubberband Man" series of...
) comes in happily singing the song alongside him.
When Robert California (James Spader
James Spader
James Todd Spader is an American actor best known for his eccentric roles in movies such as Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Crash, Stargate, and Secretary...
) confronts Andy about the number of mishaps and blunders made in the office, Dwight (Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson
Rainn Dietrich Wilson is an American actor and comedian. He is primarily known for his role as the egomaniacal Dwight Schrute on the American version of the television comedy The Office...
) devises a system to find mistakes made by employees in the office. To improve efficiency, he installs a "doomsday device" that will send incriminating emails to Robert California (James Spader
James Spader
James Todd Spader is an American actor best known for his eccentric roles in movies such as Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Crash, Stargate, and Secretary...
) if they make five mistakes in one week, effectively causing them to lose their jobs. After only one day, however, the group manages to make five mistakes, and Dwight reveals that the emails will be automatically sent to California at 5:00. Andy pleads with Dwight to deactivate the machine, but Dwight refuses, belittles the rest of the office staff for being so careless, and retreats to Schrute Farms.
After Dwight abandons the group, Andy tasks Pam, Oscar, Erin, and Kevin to try and change Dwight's mind. The group find Dwight digging a horse grave and offer to help him out. Andy tries to talk to Dwight about deactivating the machine, but Pam consistently quiets him, saying she knows Dwight will come to understand if they aren't pushing it. After complimenting Dwight numerous times and having a small meal, Pam makes a joke that emphasizes that everyone is human and makes mistakes. Dwight, after hearing this, deactivates the machine after the party leaves Schrute Farms. Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski
John Krasinski
John Burke Krasinski is an American actor, film director, and writer. He is most widely known for playing Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office...
) is tasked with tracking down Robert at a squash court
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
and intercepting the doomsday emails before California has a chance to view them. To distract him, Jim plays several games, demonstrating his complete lack of skill at squash.
Meanwhile, Gabe (Zach Woods
Zach Woods
Zach Woods is an American actor and comedian. From 2010-11, he portrayed Gabe Lewis on the NBC sitcom The Office. He was promoted to a series regular beginning in Season 7....
) unsuccessfully tries to strike up a relationship with a new warehouse worker, Val. Gabe believes that he and Val have a connection, and constantly pursues and tries to impress her throughout the day. Darryl (Craig Robinson
Craig Robinson
Craig Phillip Robinson is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is best known for his roles on The Office as Darryl Philbin and in the films Pineapple Express, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Hot Tub Time Machine....
), observing Gabe's pitiful attempts, tries to imply that Val doesn't feel the same way, but to no avail. When Gabe does ask Val out, she politely declines and says she does not date co-workers at all. Darryl hears all of this and decides he won't pursue Val either.
Production
The episode was written by co-executive producer Daniel ChunDaniel Chun
Daniel Chun is an American comedy writer. He has written for The Office and The Simpsons. He received a Writers Guild Award nomination and an Annie Award for his work on The Simpsons. He is now Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer of The Office...
, his 5th writing credit of the series. It was directed by Troy Miller
Troy Miller
Troy Miller is an American film producer, director and screenwriter. Miller is best known for his work in directing.- Stand-up comedy :Miller has produced and/or directed comedy shows and specials for a variety of comics including Robin Williams, Martin Short, Katt Williams, Jim Gaffigan, Brian...
, his second directing credit after last season's "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager
Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager
"Dwight K. Schrute, Manager" is the 24th episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 150th episode overall. The episode was written by Justin Spitzer and directed by Troy Miller. It originally aired in the United States on May 12, 2011...
".
Ratings
In its original American broadcast, "Doomsday" was viewed by an estimated 6.15 million viewers and received a 3.2 rating/8% share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49. This means that it was seen by 3.2% of all 18–49 years olds, and 8% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. This marked an increase in the ratings from the previous episode, "SpookedSpooked (The Office)
"Spooked" is the fifth episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 157th episode overall. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on October 27, 2011. It was written by Carrie Kemper and directed by Randall Einhorn...
". The episode ranked third in its timeslot beating Person of Interest
Person of Interest (TV series)
Person of Interest is an American crime drama television series broadcasting on CBS. It is based on a screenplay developed by J. J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan. The series was officially picked up by CBS on May 13, 2011, and debuted on September 22, 2011. On October 25, 2011 the show was picked up...
which received a 2.7 rating/7% share in the 18-49 demographic and The Secret Circle
The Secret Circle (TV series)
The Secret Circle is an American television series broadcast on The CW Television Network. It was developed by Andrew Miller, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. On May 17, 2011, The CW announced they had picked up the pilot as a series...
which received a 0.9 rating/2% share, but was defeated by Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
which received a 3.6 rating/9% share and the season premiere of Bones
Bones (TV series)
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent...
which received a 3.3 rating/8% share.
Reviews
The A.V. ClubThe A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
reviewer Myles McNutt wrote a mixed-to-positive review of the episode, maintaining that that while "Doomsday" was not "a terrible episode by any means [but] the various pieces never fell into place, and the resolution didn't feel as though it was earned by the episode that came before it. It just felt like it was trying to do too much too quickly, never quite narrowing in on character in the midst of manufacturing chaos." McNutt ultimately gave the episode a B-.
External links
- "Doomsday" at NBC.comNBCThe 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...