Halloween (The Office)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Halloween
Series = The Office


Caption = Michael and his other head in "Halloween"
Season = 2
Episode = 5
Airdate = Start date|2005|10|18
Production = 02006
Writer = Greg Daniels
Director = Paul Feig
Music =
Photographer = Randall Einhorn
Guests = Devon Abner
Hugh Dane
George Gaus
Annabelle Kopack
Ava Nisbet
Alec Zbornak
Episode list = "The Office" (U.S. TV series) season 2
List of "The Office" (U.S. TV series) episodes
Prev = The Fire
Next = The Fight

"Halloween" is the fifth episode of the second season of "The Office", it is the eleventh overall. It was written by Greg Daniels and was directed by Paul Feig. The episode first aired on October 18, 2005 on the NBC network in the United States. Guest stars in this episode included Devon Abner, Hugh Dane, George Gaus, Annabelle Kopack, Ava Nisbet and Alec Zbornak.cite web |url=http://tv.yahoo.com/episode/19473/castcrew;_ylt=AuuGz42aOiIsyXc1zIWABaSvo9EF |title="The Office": "Halloween" |accessdate=2008-08-12 |publisher="Yahoo"]

This episode focuses on the events of Halloween at the office. Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) struggles with making the decision of who to fire. Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fisher) post Dwight Schrute's résumé on the internet.

ynopsis

Michael must fire somebody by the end of the month; it's the last day of the month. Jim and Pam post Dwight's resume 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.

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 attempts with 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. Devon angrily invites most of the office to join him at Poor Richard's pub. 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.

Production

"Halloween" is the third episode written by the series developer, Greg Daniels. It is the second episode directed by Paul Feig. Feig has previously directed episodes of "Arrested Development"cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/paul-feig/credits/184211 |title=Paul Feig credits |accessdate=2008-08-12 |publisher="TV Guide"] and episodes of "30 Rock"cite web |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/person/22964/Paul-Feig |title=Paul Feig |accessdate=2008-08-12 |publisher="The New York Times"] 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. It is Dwight exclaiming "Quiet, you!". [cite episode |title=Halloween |episodelink=Halloween (The Office) |series=The Office |serieslink=The Office (U.S. TV series) |credits=Greg Daniels (writer); Paul Feig (director) |network=NBC Universal |station=NBC |airdate=2005-10-18 |season=2 |seriesno= |number=5 |minutes= ] 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. [cite web |url=http://www.fox.com/programming/shows/returning/kingofthehill.htm |title=FOX '08: Returning Series; "King Of The Hill" |accessdate=2008-08-12 |publisher="Fox Broadcasting Company"] This marks the last appearance of Devon, even though he is only a background character, but is mentioned during "The Dundies". In a deleted scene on Valentine's Day, Michael passes by a homeless Devon in New York, who then chases Michael. However, this is not considered an official appearance. [cite web |url=http://www.officetally.com/the-office-season-5-spoilers |title="The Office" Season 5 spoilers and news |accessdate=2008-08-12 |publisher=Office Tally]

Reception

According to the Nielsen Ratings system, "Halloween" was viewed by an average of 8 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., and the 10 share refers to 10% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast.cite web |title="The Office" Neilsen Ratings|url=http://www.officetally.com/the-office-nielsen-ratings/3/ |work= |publisher=Office Tally |accessdate=2008-08-13 ]

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." [cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2005/10/18/the-office-halloween/ |title="The Office": "Halloween" |accessdate=2008-08-12 |last=Sciannamea |first=Michael |coauthors= |date=2005-10-18 |work= |publisher="TV Squad"] "Miss Alli" of "Television Without Pity" rated this episode "B+." [cite web |url=http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/the_office/halloween_3.php |title="The Office": "Halloween" |accessdate=2008-08-12 |last=Alli |first=Miss |coauthors= |date=2005-10-18 |work= |publisher="Television Without Pity"]

References

External links

* [http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/episodes/season2/206/ "Halloween"] at NBC.com