“Sexual Harassment”
Season 2 Episode 2
Writer: BJ Novak
Air Date: September 27, 2005
Summary: Explicit emails, lewd jokes, and Todd Packer run amok at Dunder-Mifflin, forcing corporate to intervene. Pam (and Jim) eagerly awaits a visit from her mother.
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Pam Pong Scorecard, Forum Topic, transcript at OfficeQuotes.net
Quick Recap
“Better get the bleep button ready”: The CFO recently quit due to sexual harassment allegations, and corporate is reviewing sexual harassment policies. However, Michael’s forwarding of inappropriate emails, plus a visit from the ever-vulgar traveling salesman Todd Packer means things are in always in danger of “crossing the line.”
“This is what’s at stake”: During Toby’s sexual harassment presentation, Michael walks in with an inflatable doll, trying to argue that the office shouldn’t give up “humor” for being appropriate. A lecture, video, and a meeting with Jan has no impact on Michael, as he’s still using lines like “That’s what she said”. He even hires a lawyer to protect his free speech, until Jan reminds him corporate has a lawyer that works specifically for management.
Human Resources vs human anatomy: Taking Toby up on his offer to answer any questions, Dwight comes to him and asks questions about, ah-hem, female anatomy. Toby is rather uncomfortable, telling the camera he’s “sad the public school system failed him so badly.”
MILF: Pam’s mother is on her way to visit the office, and Pam (and Jim) is pretty excited. Pam’s mom finally arrives, and Jim is ready to introduce herself when Roy walks in. Jim pretends to be hard at work as Roy, Pam, and Pam’s Mom discuss dinner plans. But as soon as Roy leaves, Pam’s mom whispers to Pam wondering who Jim is, which Jim overhears (and can’t help but break into a smile).
“That crosses the line”: Todd Packer spends the day making inappropriate jokes. But when he and Kevin indirectly refers to Phyllis as unattractive, Michael steps in and says that’s over the line. He thinks he’s helping, but when he makes a strange comment to “getting a boner”, the office mood is as awkward as ever.
Michael’s Words of Wisdom: Times have changed a little. And even though we’re still a family here at Dunder-Mifflin, families grow. And at some point, the daddy can’t take a bath with the kids anymore. I am Upper Management. And it would be inappropriate for me to take a bath with Pam. As much as I might want to.
🏅Flonkerton Medal Ceremony🏅
The “That’s what she said” Medal: This is the first time we hear Michael’s favorite retort, but certainly not the last.
The “Adult Content” Medal: This episode aired with an “adult content” disclaimer, supposedly for Michael’s use of the word “boner”.
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Flonkerton’s Favorite Quotes
Michael: I am king of forwards. It’s how I like to do business, everybody joking around. We’re like ‘Friends’. I am Chandler and Joey and, uh, Pam is Rachel. And Dwight is Kramer.
Michael: Ah! Man. That Todd Packer can do anything.
Jim: Except pass that breathalyzer.
Todd Packer: Why does everyone ask me that? Who the hell is that?
Michael: Toby is in HR which technically means he works for Corporate. So he’s really not a part of our family. Also he’s divorced so he’s really not a part of his family.
Michael: A guy goes to a five dollar… lady of the night and he gets crabs. So, the next day he goes back to complain. And the woman says “Hey. It was only five dollars. What did you expect? Lobster?” This is what’s at stake.
Pam: Um… I just wanted to say that… Just, my Mom’s coming in today.
Kevin: MILF!
Pam: Thanks, Kevin.
Pam TH: Usually the day we talk about sexual harassment is the day that everyone harasses me as a joke.
Jim: I’m in an office relationship. It’s special. Um… she’s nice. She’s shy. She’s actually here. You want to meet her? Hold on one second. [pulls over inflatable doll] Oh, my God! Put on a shirt! Put on a… . I told you that you’d be on camera. I’m sorry, she’s European. No, I told you that you’d be on camera. Stop it.
Michael: When I said before that I was king of forwards, you got to understand that I don’t come up with this stuff. I just forward it along. You wouldn’t arrest a guy who’s just delivering drugs from one guy to another.
Michael: Attention, everyone! Hello! Ah, yes! I just want you to know that, uh, this is not my decision, but from here on out… we can no longer be friends. And when we talk about things here we must only discuss work-associated things. And, uh, you can consider this my retirement from comedy. And in the future, if I want to say something funny or witty or do an impression, I will no longer, ever, do any of those things.
Jim: Does that include ‘That’s What She Said’?
Michael: Mmmhmm. Yes.
Jim: Wow! That is really hard. You really think you can go all day long? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling, so…
Michael: THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!
Jan: Michael. MICHAEL!
Michael: I am so used to being the bad boy. I am so used to fighting Corporate that I forget that I am Corporate. Upper management. They hooked me up with an attorney. To protect me. You can’t be too careful about what you say. Mo’ money, mo’ problems.
Roy: Okay, I’m going to go wait in the parking lot. And what kind of tunes you want for the ride? Little, uh, classical? Or oldies?
Pam’s Mom: Oh, anything is fine.
Roy: All right, I’ll see ya.
[Roy leaves, Pam’s mom turns to Pam and whispers]
Pam’s Mom: So which one is Jim?
Pam: Mom!
Pam’s Mom: I just wanted to know.
[Pam acts flustered, while the camera catches Jim smiling]
Michael: You know what? You just crossed the line. Okay? There’s a line and you went over it. And you must be punished. So go to your corner.
Kevin: You mean where my desk is?
Michael: Yes, your corner. Go.
Kevin: Okay. I have a lot of work to do anyway.
Michael TH: Times have changed a little. And even though we’re still a family here at Dunder-Mifflin, families grow. And at some point, the daddy can’t take a bath with the kids anymore. I am Upper Management. And it would be inappropriate for me to take a bath with Pam. As much as I might want to.
Pam TH: He said what?
Trivia
- This episode aired with an adult content disclaimer, a station in Kentucky refused to air this episode.
- This is the first appearance of Michael’s “BFF” Todd Packer, though he has been heard on the phone.
- Todd Packer’s plate reads “WLHUNG,” Ryan misreads it to stand for William Hung, a popular American Idol reject.
- In Oscar’s e-mail inbox, Pam’s last name is misspelled as “Beasly”
- This is the first appearance of Pam’s mother
- reference to future episode: We won’t see Pam’s mother again until Season 6, and she’s played by a different actress due to scheduling conflicts.
Fanfic Recommendations
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