The Office S2 Ep10: Christmas Party
Oh what fun it is to hide your feelings
“Angela drafted me into the party planning committee. Her memo said that we need to prepare for every possible disaster. Which to me seems excessive.” - Ryan
Breaking down Jim & Pam’s love story in The Office, one episode at a time…
All Office episode breakdowns.
Beginning
This episode starts with high hopes. Michael wants a wild Christmas. Angela wants the perfect party. Jim wants to confess his love to Pam. But over the next 21 minutes, those hopes get derailed. Some characters recover. Others end up smashing ornaments in the parking lot.
I know this is a big episode for Jim & Pam (the teapot!!!). But I think it’s really about Angela. She tries so hard, but is surrounded by a bunch of party planning imbeciles who either drunk-kiss her boyfriend or don’t help. Pam literally won’t even help put out a table cloth. Angela’s intention to “plan for every possible disaster,” and yet still have everything go wrong, might be the true meaning of Christmas.
“Happy birthday Jesus. Sorry your party’s so lame.” -Michael
Okay, back to Jim and Pam.
What hasn’t already been said about the teapot? Jim gets Pam in Secret Santa. He buys her a thoughtful gift filled with inside jokes, plus a card because “Christmas is the time to tell people how you feel.”
…in a card though?
What’s Jim’s plan? That Pam will read the note and kiss him on the spot? At their office Christmas party? When Roy might be there? I don’t know.
But it doesn’t matter. Michael hijacks Secret Santa and derails the party. Personally, I think Yankee Swap saved Jim.
“Oh, my god! Thank you very much, Santa, whoever you are.” - Pam
Middle
Well, everyone is miserable now. Thanks Michael.
Pam ends up with the iPod. She doesn’t listen when Jim suggests she take the teapot instead. Ouch.
End
Fifteen bottles of vodka later, things are looking up (not for Angela though). The party starts.
Roy is stoked Pam got the iPod in Secret Santa because he doesn’t have to buy her anything now. Once again, Roy doesn’t see Pam.
Pam begins to realize her choice: teapot with personal gifts or “like a sweater or something.” Later, while Roy and Darryl talk about sports, Pam clocks Dwight with the teapot. She makes her choice.
“I'll take the poster. Some people like these.” - Angela
What a cute moment between Jim and Pam as she opens the gift! They’re both elated. I think Pam’s gesture of giving up a $400 iPod for the teapot is just as meaningful as the teapot itself. Both are showing the other that they care. But Jim slips the card into his back pocket.
I think foregoing the card was the right move. Jim and Pam haven’t recognized their mutual crush out loud yet. A written confession of love feels like a big jump—one that might scare Pam away. Jim appreciates the moment for what it’s worth and doesn’t push it.
But poor Angela! She gives everything to this job! Nobody helps her set up for the party. Phyllis botches the Christmas tree lights. Her idiot boss ruins Secret Santa. Her coworkers make fun of her baby-jazz poster. Michael brings vodka to the party, gives Ryan all the credit as “Kind of the Party Planning Committee” and to top it all off…Kelly kisses Dwight!!!!!!
But not everyone is having a blue Christmas. Michael’s wild-office-party dreams come true when Meredith flashes him. (I swear, every episode either Meredith or Dwight is naked.)
Unit next week!
