“The Coup”
Season 3 Episode 3
Michael decides that there should be a Movie Monday. First he started showing safety videos, then watched the medical video, and in this episode it was the second half of Varsity Blues. They were caught by Jan and Michael was in big trouble.
With Angela’s encouragement, Dwight decided that it was time to go over Michael’s position and encourage Jan to have Dwight run the office. He thought he did well, but Jan immediately told Michael and told him to get control of his branch.
Pam let her hair down a bit and bought some new clothes.
Jim is still in Stamford and getting a bit more comfortable there. They play Call Of Duty religiously, and Jim is not very good. But, in his playing, he also is befriending Karen. They had some flirting in this episode, and I think Karen is worthy of the flirts. She was cool, and he deserves the flirting back.
My single favorite line was Michael’s pun of moving the monkey to another branch.
But, the incredible character in this episode is definitely Dwight. They way he worked himself up to call Jan, the seriouslness he used to talked to Jan in the cafe, and the way he crumbled when Michael called him on it were incredible scenes.
This episode returned The Office to greatness for me. For you?
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October 6th, 2006 07:31
I thought the best character in this episode was Michael. It showed that he has a brilliant side, the way he tried to make Dwight feel guilty. I think he handled it VERY well. They way the writers wrote Michael in this episode was genius.
October 6th, 2006 07:36
Ben, I can’t disagree with you. Both were incerdible, and they play so well with each other.
October 6th, 2006 07:36
I don’t know. I’d give the episode a 7 out of 10. I just didn’t crack up as much as I usually do when I watch the show. I can’t believe Dwight would turn on his mentor that quickly. It doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe I need to see it again. I also don’t like the Karen/Jim thing. I’m not big on her character. Please, nobody start a “Kim” or “Jaren” thing.
October 6th, 2006 07:38
“Hug it out, bitch.”
Laughed so hard, I cried.
October 6th, 2006 07:43
I really liked Karen in this episode. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like her but I actually do. She was funny.
October 6th, 2006 07:44
I’m still all about Jim and pam though.
October 6th, 2006 07:48
This was probably my favorite episode since the episode last year when Michael puts his foot in a Foreman. I like how they’re kind of borrowing plots from the British, but putting their own twist on them. My favorite line was:
Michael: What was the dentist’s name, Dwight?
Dwight. … Crentist.
October 6th, 2006 07:50
A plot possibility: Jim and Karen start a relationship and Jan finds out… so Jim gets transferred back to Scranton. Plausible?
October 6th, 2006 07:54
Justin, I definitely think that Dwight would turn that quickly. He’s all about loyalty, but he’ll go wherever they value loyalty the most.
October 6th, 2006 07:54
I warmed up to Karen in this episode–this was really the first time we’d heard more than a couple of lines from her. But I don’t think Jim is going to rush back into another workplace romance. Of course, he is new in town and probably has trouble meeting anyone else, so it’s possible.
I love how it was Dwight’s job to know that Jan wore Liz Claiborne blouses!
Can’t wait to watch it again.
October 6th, 2006 07:57
Jason, I don’t think Jim would get sent back to Scranton for having an office relationship. Jim and Roy were engaged and worked at the same company.
October 6th, 2006 07:58
Jason, good point. But he gave up the vol. sheriff for Michael!
October 6th, 2006 08:04
I forgot–another classic Creed moment! I don’t even think he said anything and it was so funny!
And Brian, I do think Dwight values loyalty, but he’s also all about power–didn’t you see how quickly he took charge once it was handed to him? He’s all about the title (A.R.M., simpai (sp?)).
I loved the scene where he was getting ready to make the phone call to Jan–reminded me of his dance before the performance review.
October 6th, 2006 08:07
Ed Helms was so funny in the episode. I couldn’t stop rewinding his part. “I’m going to shoot you for real.” haha
October 6th, 2006 08:19
I agree with “This episode returned The Office to greatness for me.” Totally. The first two episodes didn’t have the same rhythm as the last seasons, but this episode was on target. Michael’s/Steve’s acting was amazing when he was angry at Dwight. BTW, I think Dwight knew about Liz Claiborne and Ann Taylor because of Angela… she wears those types of clothes. Maybe she drags Dwight along to go shopping with her. Anyway, whoever wrote this episode did well!
October 6th, 2006 08:20
Kim–I have noticed a marked difference in how the branches operate, though… and I also noticed how much more comfortable Jan appeared to be at Stamford than she usually is at Scranton. Might an office relationship @ Stamford involving Jim bring a little too much Scranton into CT? Probably not, but it’s a more interesting possibility to me than the ever-present downsizing that’s been brewing since the beginning of the series.
October 6th, 2006 08:21
I hope that I dont get bashed for not be a “True Office Fan”, I really am :), but I agree with Justin. This one was not very funny. Definitely my least favorite.
October 6th, 2006 08:23
I agree with Justin. I have found the last two episodes, but this one especially, a little over the top. Michael almost verged on silliness. I don’t this the episode last night was true to Michael and Dwight’s characters, and even Angela’s. I almost felt like the last two episodes were from different writers.
October 6th, 2006 08:39
It was an ok episode. Michael’s mind games with Dwight went on for seventeen hours, but had a funny ending.
Interesting how both Michael and Josh conduct stupid time-wasting activities. (And Josh’s behavior this episode seemed to come from out of nowhere.) The war game is a “team-building exercise”? Yeah, sure. How many extra reams of paper do they sell because they play the game?
October 6th, 2006 08:43
I agree with the last few comments. Just not as funny last night, and a little over the top. Thus far, I don’t think the new season has been as impressive as last season. Almost like they’re trying too hard. Let’s hope things get better.
October 6th, 2006 08:44
I agree with Justin, Dwight is wicked hot.
October 6th, 2006 08:46
I like that they have Pam shopping for new clothes, which is true to what happens after breakups. Might we see a new hairstyle? She seems a little more alive. Fashion show at lunch (and after lunch) - I have actually done that.
Dwight with the syrup, “so, here we are…” and the way he eats is horrifying. Recognizing Clairborne and Ann Taylor on Jan, awesome. Is this from hanging around Angela or his investigative skills from being an ex-volunteer sheriff’s deputy?
Also, how did Dwight not see Jan in the parking lot when he closed the blind at the beginning.
Michael looking in Dwight’s mouth and Dwight groveling on the floor were a bit much to me, but I still loved the episode. Even a bad episode of the office (relax, I’m not saying it was bad) is far better than any other sitcom on TV. I venture to say that the deleted scenes from the office are superior to most other sitcoms.
And there appears to be a monkey theme developing.
October 6th, 2006 08:49
I agree Nita “Even a bad episode of the office (relax, I’m not saying it was bad) is far better than any other sitcom on TV.”
October 6th, 2006 08:52
monkey themes are always a good idea
October 6th, 2006 08:55
I’m enjoying the Stamford Branch characters. When Josh turns out the lights and everyone gets excited and jumps up to shut the windows, that is good stuff. And Jim admits he is using the sniper rifle and they go crazy. That was funny!
October 6th, 2006 08:59
I hope we see more interaction between the Stamford and Scranton employees. Dwight and Alan?
October 6th, 2006 08:59
I agree Brian, that whole scene where they get mad at Jim for being awful at the game is great!
October 6th, 2006 09:13
Ok, they totally have me sold on Karen. Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely a Jammer, but Karen is way cool. I loved her little “Call of Dutyyy!”
I loved the kitchen scene with Dwight and Angela. She is just so pushy with him. And later when he says that HE will turn the place around and she can be in charge of the women…hahahaha!
And Creed was creepy.
October 6th, 2006 09:13
Yeah, I loved this episode. After I first watched it I wanted to watch it like several more times. Constrained by time I did not. I feel like buying it through iTunes is a plus to have it in my video library, but I feel like I having to wait a whole day is unbearable because I love the office. enough said.
October 6th, 2006 09:14
Kim,
“Jim and Roy were engaged and worked at the same company.
”
Do you mean Pam and Roy? I don’t remember Jim falling in love with Roy at all.
Good episode, but not quite office greatness yet. Jim needs to be back in Scranton for that to happen.
nuff said.
October 6th, 2006 09:29
wow.. lots of responses! I don’t even have time to read them all!
I thought that it was just okay too. although my husband and I watched most of the show sitting on the coffee table.. a few feet from the tv as not to miss anything!
I liked michael’s reaction to dwight.. and at the same time.. while I think it seemed pretty much in character.. it was also kinda weird.
I’m sure d. knew about jan’s clothes from A. She probably tells him when j.’s wearing something she knows just to look like a know-it-all.
my husband LOVED the Call of Duty part because he’s OBSESSED with that game!! He would transfer to stanford in a second! ha.
I like that Jim has someone to flirt with.. that’s what Pam gets for not snatching him up!!! wow.. I thought I was a loyal Jam follower until I said that! hmmm.
October 6th, 2006 09:30
I agree with chris, jim needs to be in scranton for the show to get back to “office greatness” (ie: pranks on dwight,etc..)
It still is funny but not season 1 and 2 funny.
October 6th, 2006 10:06
Nice point jesse. Jim needs to go back.
October 6th, 2006 10:06
Nice point jesse. Jim needs to go back, bottom line.
October 6th, 2006 10:40
The Coup was brilliant, hands down the best episode of The Office so far. If they submit one episode for best comedy or best actor for the Emmy’s, it should be this one.
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t fire you right now!”
I peed my pants. Twice.
October 6th, 2006 10:47
did anyone notice dwight’s new side burns?
October 6th, 2006 11:58
Dwight and Michael were great, but as always, the one oddball comment/action from Creed makes the show. I was cracking up so much when he was just staring at Pam…omg!
October 6th, 2006 12:04
i loves how micheal built dwight up(to manager), and then brought him crashing down.
i also loved when dwight was standing on a desk with “LIAR” around his neck. hahahha
October 6th, 2006 12:50
Wow! I loved how it was structured on office politics/office games, played out with Dwight and Michael’s characters. Dwight is initially obsequious and uxorious (ok, Angela’s only his SO, not his wife), then a turncoat and meglomaniac dictator. I loved seeing Michael using what little sense he has to hang Dwight.
I was beginning to forget that the show is about the absurdities of working in an office and thought that they’d explored all manifestations of office inanity, but then they come up with this episode. I sadly concede that yes, there still so many tales of woe and ridicule from the cubicles to tell.
October 6th, 2006 13:57
Altogether not my favorite episode in terms of numbers of laughs (the ending scene killed me last week, so funny).
Dwight’s waffle eating was pretty funny, and definitely the scene strategizing about Call of Duty were highlights, especially since I originally thought they were trying to strategize about actul work!
October 6th, 2006 14:26
Creed is THE MAN! I wish Pam would have a fling with him, assuming he could rememeber her name.
Did anyone think Dwight’s pose while standing on the desk with the “LIAR” sign around his name looked a little tiny bit like something we’ve seen from Aby Ghraib(sp)?
October 7th, 2006 09:42
As much as I enjoyed the show’s major players in this episode, I couldn’t help but laugh the most when Andy says “I’m going to kill you for real.”
October 7th, 2006 10:28
I really really miss the interaction between Jim and Pam. I love the show overall, but it is that relationship that made me look forward to the next episode. It just feels to me like there is something missing on the show now.
October 10th, 2006 13:53
I’m really up in the air about this episode. But I had to watch the last two episode twice before I decided I liked them, so I imagine it will be the same deal with “The Coup.” Josh and Andy chewing out Jim was the best part.