“Did I Stutter?”
Reviewed by: Kat
The episode opens with Michael running into the office asking for ideas for what to write or draw in the wet cement in the parking lot outside, calling it “a once in a lifetime opportunity.” After Phyllis, Kelly, and Andy say their ideas, Jim suggests that Michael put his face in it–cut to the parking lot where Dwight is slathering Michael’s face in Vasoline. Before Michael puts his face in the cement, there’s a comment to “force it in as far as you can,” which, of course, leads to “that’s what she said.”
In the next scene, Angela and Andy are in the kitchen doing MadLibs together, as Dwight listens in the background. In a talking head, Dwight sarcastically says he hopes nothing bad ever happens to them. Pam forgot her contact solution after sleeping over “at a friend’s house” (okay, Pam…if you say so), and she has to wear her backup glasses. To read the rest go here.
Michael calls a meeting in the conference room and writes “Energize” on the dry-erase board, asking for new ways to bring energy to the office. Andy suggests a new voicemail message with “zing and pep.” Jim suggests a new voicemail of the new voicemail with even more zing and more pep. Michael asks Stanley to help with a rap voicemail, but he is doing a crossword puzzle and says no. When Michael asks Stanley to stop doing his crossword puzzle and participate, Stanley yells, “DID I STUTTER?”
Toby enters Michael’s office to discuss Stanley’s outburst. Michael says they were just joshin’ and that Toby doesn’t understand because he’s “so white.” Toby wants to discuss the incident with Stanley, but Michael says he might go home because his stomach hurts. Toby says his daughter says her stomach hurts when she doesn’t want to go to school. Michael responds that his stomach hurts every time Toby comes into his office.
Andy’s car is for sale and Dwight buys it from him. Dwight says he’ll use it on his farm-it will be pulled by a donkey.
Back in the office, Michael approaches Stanley, and thanks him for giving him a form, and says he forgives him for what happened this morning. But Stanley says he will not apologize for something unless he thinks he’s wrong.
Dwight and Michael are in the conference room where Dwight is showing Michael a chart of the office hierarchy. Dwight explains that Michael has the most power in the office; unless there is an emergency, in which case Dwight has supreme rule over everyone.
Back in the office, Kevin tells Pam he likes her glasses and says it’s a turn-on for him. We get another glimpse into what Kevin does in his spare time when he tells Pam she reminds him of a librarian, and asks her to say “These are due back Thursday.” Pam refuses. She takes off her glasses and answers the phone, and squints as she takes a message. In a talking head, Creed says he wants to see Pam try to play the piano blind, and adds that he also wants to see her topless.
Michael goes to the warehouse to ask Darryl if he has ever been in a gang. Among the gangs Darryl lists are “the Newsies.” Michael asks what Darryl does when a member of his gang makes fun of him. Deryll says they use “fluffy fingers,” where you get in someone’s face and start tickling them. Pretty soon you laugh and hug; then before you know it, you’re going to church and getting ice cream cones together.
Ryan enters the office to give Jim a “formal warning” about his job performance, stating that Jim wastes too much time at reception and goofing around with Dwight. Ryan says it has nothing to do with Jim talking to Mike Wallace about the website. In a talking head, Toby says all the goofing around with Pam has caught up with Jim (Jealous much, Toby?).
Dwight proceeds to wash the car in the parking lot in a wife beater and his slacks. Later on, Dwight sells the car on Ebay for a profit, which angers Andy. In a talking head, Dwight recites his own MadLib: “A stupid idiotic numbskull sold his XTerra to a smart and capable man named Dwight. This is shaping up to be an awesome day for Dwight.”
When Stanley goes to the bathroom, Michael announces to everyone that he is going to “fake fire” Stanley to teach him a lesson in humility, and tells everyone to play along. When Stanley returns, Michael tells him he is fired. Stanley asks if he is serious, to which Michael responds “like a heart attack.” Stanley says that he is going to file a lawsuit against Michael for all of the stupid things he has done over the last ten years.
Michael says it was a fake firing to teach him a lesson, and asks if Stanley has anything to say to him. Stanley flips out, saying that every day Michael has done something stupider than the day before, and calls him a “professional idiot.” Michael tells everyone to leave the office except Stanley. Pam can’t find her glasses, but Jim helps guide her out of the office. Kevin calls it the “clash of the titans.”
Near tears, Michael tells Stanley he doesn’t understand why he keeps picking on him. Stanley says it’s because he doesn’t respect him. Michael says maybe it’s because he doesn’t know him very well. Stanley says the more he’s come to know him, the less he respects him. Michael says he can accept that, but Stanley can’t talk to him that way in the office. Stanley agrees. In a talking head, Michael does a Rodney Dangerfield “no respect” impression and recites a stand-up routine.
In the conference room, as a reward for loyal clients, Michael suggests they contact the clients’ assistants to find out where they live and go caroling at their houses for a summer “Summer Sales A Lot.” He asks what Stanley thinks. Stanley says it’s the best idea he’s heard yet. Phyllis says it’s the dumbest thing she’s ever heard. Michael kicks everyone out of the conference room except Phyllis.
This episode set up a lot of questions for future episodes. Is Toby trying to sabotage Jim? Is Ryan going to carry out his threat against Jim? Is Ryan’s job at Corporate in jeopardy? Will Kevin find a rebound librarian to get over Stacey? I guess we shall have to wait and see.