Halloween

"Halloween"
The Office episode
Michael and his other head in "Halloween"
Episode no.	Season 2 Episode 5
Written by	Greg Daniels
Directed by	Paul Feig
Photographed by	Randall Einhorn
Production no.	02006
Original airdate	October 18, 2005
Guest stars
Devon Abner Hugh Dane George Gaus Annabelle Kopack Ava Nisbet Alec Zbornak
Season 2 episodes
"The Dundies" "Sexual Harassment" "Office Olympics" "The Fire" "Halloween" "The Fight" "The Client" "Performance Review" "E-mail Surveillance" "Christmas Party" "Booze Cruise" "The Injury" "The Secret" "The Carpet" "Boys and Girls" "Valentine's Day" "Dwight's Speech" "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" "Michael's Birthday" "Drug Testing" "Conflict Resolution" "Casino Night"
List of The Office (U.S. TV series) episodes

"Halloween" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's eleventh episode overall. It was written by executive producer and show runner Greg Daniels and was directed by Paul Feig. The episode first aired in the United States on October 18, 2005 on the National Broadcasting Company. Guest stars in this episode included Devon Abner, Hugh Dane, George Gaus, Annabelle Kopack, Ava Nisbet and Alec Zbornak.^[1]

This episode focuses on the events of Halloween at the office. Michael struggles with making the decision of whom to fire. Meanwhile, Jim and Pam post Dwight's resume on the internet.

Plot

Although informed early in October that he must fire somebody by the end of the month, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) waits until the last day of the month, Halloween, and still hasn't fired anyone. Meanwhile, Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fisher) post Dwight Schrute's (Rainn Wilson) résumé on the internet, and when a prospective employer calls, Jim pretends to be Michael and gives Dwight a great reference. When the company, Cumberland Mills, calls Dwight to set up an interview, Dwight immediately ruins his chances by arguing with the caller over the importance and relevance of martial arts. Later in the day, Pam suggests that Jim should apply for the Cumberland Mills position. Jim is quietly hurt by the suggestion that Pam would not miss him if he left.

After several failed attempted firings of other employees, Michael calls Creed Bratton (played by Creed Bratton as a fictional version of himself) into his office to fire him. Creed, in turn, convinces Michael to let Devon (Devon Abner) go. After Michael fires Devon, Devon angrily rebuffs Michael's attempts to save their friendship, and invites most of the office (everyone except Michael, Creed, Dwight and Angela) to join him at a local bar. As Jim leaves, Pam apologizes for pushing him into taking the Cumberland job and assures him that she would "blow her brains out" if he ever left.

At the end of the episode, we see Michael alone at home in front of the television. When trick-or-treaters come, Michael gives them a generous amount of candy in his only successful display of friendliness in the episode.

Production

"Halloween" is the third episode written by the series developer, executive producer, and show runner Greg Daniels. It is the second episode directed by Paul Feig. Feig has previously directed episodes of Arrested Development^[2] and episodes of 30 Rock^[3] as well as other television series.

This episode is the only episode to date to have a quote to play over the Deedle-Dee Productions title card in the closing credits. The quote features Dwight Schrute exclaiming "Quiet, you!".^[4] Deedle-Dee Productions also produces King of the Hill, in which a catchphrase taken from an episode will be replayed over the closing title card credit.^[5] "Halloween" marks the last canon appearance of Devon. Although Devon was only a background character, he is mentioned during "The Dundies" and is seen in a deleted scene during "Diversity Day". Devon is later seen in a deleted scene on Valentine's Day, when Michael passes by a homeless Devon in New York. Devon then chases Michael, presumably still angry over the events of "Halloween". However, because this appearance was in a deleted scene, this is not considered an official appearance, and is thus not considered canon.^[6]

Reception

According to the Nielsen Ratings system, "Halloween" was viewed by an average of eight million American viewers. The episode achieved a 4.1/10 in key 18–49 demographic. The 4.1 rating refers to 4.1% of all 18–49 years olds in the U.S. that watched the episode, and the 10 share refers to 10% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast that watched the episode.^[7]

Michael Sciannamea of TV Squad thought that he "could certainly relate to [the] episode." Sciannamea also said that "great moment was when Michael tells Creed, who is dressed as a vampire, that he can spread his wings and fly to wherever he wants."^[8] "Miss Alli" of Television Without Pity rated this episode "B+."^[9]

References

External links

• "Halloween" at NBC.com