Double Date (The Office)
Encyclopedia
"Double Date" is the 9th episode of the sixth season
of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 109th episode overall. It was written by Charlie Grandy
and directed by Seth Gordon
. It originally aired on NBC
on November 5, 2009.
In this episode, Jim and Pam finally go on a double date with Michael and Pam's mother Helene on Helene's birthday, which takes a dark turn when Michael discovers just how old Helene is turning, and breaks up with her. Meanwhile, Dwight offers to do nice things for all the members of the office so that they will owe him a specific favor, but Andy ruins his plans.
(John Krasinski
) and Pam (Jenna Fischer
) have constantly tried to avoid social contact with Michael
(Steve Carell
) and Helene (Linda Purl
), Pam's mother. However, Pam relents on the occasion of Helene's birthday, saying there is "no way out." Pam is disgusted that Michael picked a restaurant that she likes (she snaps that maybe Michael will start dating her favorite meal from there as well) and registered the group as the Scott family. But when Pam sees that her mother is really happy with Michael, and he in return is extremely charming and loving to Helene, she ultimately warms up to the thought of their dating. However, when Michael learns that Helene is turning 58 and is not interested in traveling or going white-water rafting, he worries that the romance between them will be boring and mundane. Michael points out their differences, saying he wants to do certain activities while he's still able to, and breaks up with Helene right in the middle of her birthday lunch, as Pam and Jim watch in horror.
Back at the office, Michael tries to bribe a furious Pam with a raise, but when she figures out his scheme, he asks her what she wants--to hit him? Pam decides that she does indeed want to hit Michael in the parking lot with everyone watching, and Michael nervously agrees. Toby
(Paul Lieberstein
) makes sure that Pam will hit Michael off company property, and is seen helping her work on her punching technique. That afternoon in the parking lot, Michael initially winces at Pam's attempts to hit him before sincerely apologizing about the whole ordeal. Pam orders Michael never to date another member of her family again, and he agrees. As Pam walks away, Michael protests that Helene came onto him, and Pam slaps him hard. As the group disperses, Pam admits to Jim that he was right: hitting Michael did not make her feel better.
Meanwhile, Dwight
(Rainn Wilson
) is strangely doing nice things, such as buying New York bagels for everyone in the office and cleaning out the refrigerator. He is actually trying make everyone in the office indebted to him so that he can later cash in the favors by demanding they help him get Jim fired. He gets annoyed when Andy
(Ed Helms
) immediately returns his favors, polishing Dwight's briefcase and buying everyone lunch. Everyone else in the office eventually returns Dwight's favors in the form of a Starbucks
gift card. At the end of the episode, Dwight is icing Michael's face after he got hit by Pam, and Michael says he'll return the favor. Dwight immediately says he wants Jim fired. Michael refuses, and Dwight storms off.
The Office (U.S. TV series) season 6
The American television comedy The Office was renewed by NBC for a sixth season on January 15, 2009. The season premiered on September 17, 2009 and concluded on May 20, 2010. The episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. EDT as part of Comedy Night Done Right...
of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 109th episode overall. It was written by Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy is an American stand-up comedian, television writer and producer who has worked on series such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Saturday Night Live and The Office...
and directed by Seth Gordon
Seth Gordon
Seth Gordon is an American film director, producer, and film editor. He has produced and directed both film and TV for various film and television studios, including PBS, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the United Nations 1% For Development Fund...
. It originally 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...
on November 5, 2009.
In this episode, Jim and Pam finally go on a double date with Michael and Pam's mother Helene on Helene's birthday, which takes a dark turn when Michael discovers just how old Helene is turning, and breaks up with her. Meanwhile, Dwight offers to do nice things for all the members of the office so that they will owe him a specific favor, but Andy ruins his plans.
Synopsis
JimJim 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...
(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...
) and Pam (Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer
Regina Marie "Jenna" Fischer is an American actress and director. She is most widely known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Pam Halpert on the NBC situation comedy and mockumentary The Office, and has also appeared in several films, including Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,...
) have constantly tried to avoid social contact with Michael
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...
(Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
) and Helene (Linda Purl
Linda Purl
Linda Purl is an American actress and singer, perhaps best known for portraying Ben Matlock's daughter Charlene Matlock in season one of Matlock.-Early life and education abroad:...
), Pam's mother. However, Pam relents on the occasion of Helene's birthday, saying there is "no way out." Pam is disgusted that Michael picked a restaurant that she likes (she snaps that maybe Michael will start dating her favorite meal from there as well) and registered the group as the Scott family. But when Pam sees that her mother is really happy with Michael, and he in return is extremely charming and loving to Helene, she ultimately warms up to the thought of their dating. However, when Michael learns that Helene is turning 58 and is not interested in traveling or going white-water rafting, he worries that the romance between them will be boring and mundane. Michael points out their differences, saying he wants to do certain activities while he's still able to, and breaks up with Helene right in the middle of her birthday lunch, as Pam and Jim watch in horror.
Back at the office, Michael tries to bribe a furious Pam with a raise, but when she figures out his scheme, he asks her what she wants--to hit him? Pam decides that she does indeed want to hit Michael in the parking lot with everyone watching, and Michael nervously agrees. Toby
Toby Flenderson
Toby Wyatt Flenderson, M.S.W. born 1971 is a character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Paul Lieberstein. He is an original character and has no equivalent in the British version of the show, The Office.-Overview:...
(Paul Lieberstein
Paul Lieberstein
Paul Bevan Lieberstein is an American screenwriter, actor and television producer. An Emmy Award winner, he is most widely known as a writer, producer, and as supporting cast member Toby Flenderson on the U.S...
) makes sure that Pam will hit Michael off company property, and is seen helping her work on her punching technique. That afternoon in the parking lot, Michael initially winces at Pam's attempts to hit him before sincerely apologizing about the whole ordeal. Pam orders Michael never to date another member of her family again, and he agrees. As Pam walks away, Michael protests that Helene came onto him, and Pam slaps him hard. As the group disperses, Pam admits to Jim that he was right: hitting Michael did not make her feel better.
Meanwhile, Dwight
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...
(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...
) is strangely doing nice things, such as buying New York bagels for everyone in the office and cleaning out the refrigerator. He is actually trying make everyone in the office indebted to him so that he can later cash in the favors by demanding they help him get Jim fired. He gets annoyed when Andy
Andy Bernard
Andrew "Andy" Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. The character is highly insecure, yet egotistical, constantly mentioning his education at Cornell University...
(Ed Helms
Ed 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...
) immediately returns his favors, polishing Dwight's briefcase and buying everyone lunch. Everyone else in the office eventually returns Dwight's favors in the form of a Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
gift card. At the end of the episode, Dwight is icing Michael's face after he got hit by Pam, and Michael says he'll return the favor. Dwight immediately says he wants Jim fired. Michael refuses, and Dwight storms off.
Reception
This episode was watched by 8.1 million viewers, with a 4.1 rating and a 10 share in the 18-49 demographic.External links
- "Double Date" 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...