Michael and Jan meet with their most important client yet: a representative from Lackawanna County. They take a step forward in their relationship. Pam discovers Michael's screenplay, Threat Level Midnight, giving the office an excuse to goof off while Michael is out.
Air date: November 8, 2005
Tropes
- Asian Speekee Engrish: There are some hints of this in Samuel L. Chang's dialogue in the screenplay.
- Bumbling Sidekick: Samuel L. Chang to Agent Michael Scarn in the screenplay, reflecting how Michael views Dwight (despite Michael actually being the bumbling one).
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: So far in the series, Michael has shown himself to be an incompetent, annoying, terrible boss who sexually harasses all of his employees and constantly embarrasses everyone around him. He's also a phenomenal salesman whose more casual tactics win over the client.
- Cannot Tell a Joke: Played with. Michael calls Pam to ask her to read him some jokes from his book of jokes (because Jan let him only tell one joke, he doesn't want to "waste" his only permitted joke on the one he was going to tell, so he calls Pam to get the best joke from his collection). Then as the meeting progresses, the client relaxes and laughs at Michael's jokes.
- The Cuckoolander Was Right: Jan thinks Michael's suggestions for the client meeting (moving it to Chili's, Michael telling jokes, etc.) are ridiculous. They wind up being exactly what causes Michael to develop a rapport with the client and lands the business for Dunder Mifflin.
- Did They or Didn't They?: Michael and Jan.
- Dinner and a Show: A mild version. Pam and Jim eat grilled cheese and watch Dwight and Kevin light firecrackers.
- Establishing Character Moment: Michael's success at pulling off the sale is one of the few times we've seen him being competent at his job so far, and thus acts as an establishing moment for why he actually has his job in the first place.
- Expy: Michael's idiot sidekick Sam is revealed to be one of Dwight when "Dwigt" appears in the character's place, implying that Michael used Dwight's name first and then ran a search-and-replace (which wouldn't have replaced the misspelled name).
- Hidden Depths:
- For all his abhorrent personality traits and bumbling incompetence as a manager, Michael demonstrates in this episode that he truly is a great salesman who can get on his client's good side with ease, much to Jan's shock.
- Also, even though Threat Level Midnight is hokey, with blatant Her Code Name Was "Mary Sue" wish-fulfillment in the lead character of Agent Michael Scarn, the mere fact that Michael had the discipline to write an entire screenplay is impressive in its own way.
- Jan displays some vulnerability for the first time, reluctantly admitting that her marriage broke down over her desire for children and her ex-husband's lack thereof.
- Meaningful Look: The episode ends with one between Michael and Jim after they both screw up their attempts at a relationship.
- Parlor Games: Michael, Jan, and Christian (the titular client) play Truth or Dare.
- Product Placement: The second appearance of restaurant chain Chili's after "The Dundies", with Michael vetoing Jan's plan for dinner with Christian from the county at a hotel in favor of Chili's. Michael and Christian even sing the "I Want My Baby Back Ribs" jingle.
- Special Guest: Tim Meadows as Christian, the Lackawanna County representative Michael and Jan pitch Dunder-Mifflin to.
- Technician Versus Performer: Jan vs. Michael. Jan is all business throughout the meeting and laser-focused on arriving at a final figure that will work for Christian. Michael uses humor, warmth, and mutual interest to build a rapport with him throughout the evening and drives it home at the end by highlighting Dunder-Mifflin's commitment to the county, throwing it back to Jan to work through the numbers. Both styles have a role to play here, but Michael's style makes the difference when it comes to getting to yes.
- When She Smiles: Jan has been grumpy the whole meeting, but she finally splits into a huge, celebratory smile when Michael lands the sale.
