The Office: Secretary's Day

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the best "Office" episodes revolve around holidays. As I have learned from actually working in an office, this is because people in offices really really look forward to holidays. It is a small break from the mundane, from doing the same thing over and over.

So it's no wonder that, like the titular holiday of the episode, "Secretary's Day" was a weird little episode with a lot of fun moments. Kinda like your awkward office party.

Andy, being the sentimental schmuck that he is, forced everyone to celebrate Secretary's Day because he knew it would make simple-minded Erin happy. He convinces Michael to go to lunch with her, despite Michael being opposed to the idea. (This is actually the genius conceit of the episode: Michael's dismay at having to hang out with someone as socially-inept as Erin is how everyone else in the world feels about having to be around Michael. Brilliant.)

At the restaurant, Michael mentions Andy's prior engagement to Angela. (Could this be the first time on the show where I'm not mad at Michael for being unable to keep a secret? Why would Andy not tell Erin that - and why would he expect others to keep it on the down-low?) Erin breaks down in the middle of the restaurant, using her hair as a comfort blanket. Back at the office, she throws a piece of cake at Andy and storms out. Pam comforts her with a nice speech about it not being about who you've been with but who you're meant to find. Michael also eases Erin's pain by listing everything terrible about Angela.

In the B plot, Oscar posted a video on YouTube of the Cookie Monster speaking with Kevin's voice. This leads to some amazing/terrible/cruel Cookie Monster/Kevin impressions around the office. Kevin implores Gabe from Sabre's help, so Gabe suspends Jim, Pam and Dwight. Pam and Gabe discover separately and simultaneously that Gabe is not actually allowed to do that, so Jim and Pam enjoy a day off with pay. Meanwhile, Kevin earns his cred back by mocking Gabe's lame-o tendencies as the rest of the office joins in.

Quotes of the Week:

Dwight: Is that the program where all those puppets live in the barrio?

Angela: This is my favorite day!

Michael: Would you mind if I listened to my book on tape? Kind of a bookworm. It is a novelization of the movie "Precious, based on the book Push by Sapphire."

Erin: And then, my last job was at a Taco Bell Express. But then it became a full-time Taco Bell and... I don't know. I couldn't keep up.

Erin: In the foster home my hair was my room.

Michael: I'll have what she's having!

Dwight: Three squeezes, and I would drain you.

Meredith: This is like the Cadillac of pumps.