The Office

Business Ethics

Season 5, Episode 2, Aired 10/9/08

Episode Summary

When Holly leads a seminar on ethics, she realizes how unethical the Scranton branch really is. Jim tallies Dwight's 'time theft'.

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Cast & Crew

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John Krasinski

Jim Halpert
Jenna Fischer

Pam Beesly
B.J. Novak

Ryan Howard

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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502

5.0

"Mediocre"

By Canogaparkcindy, Oct 06, 2010 Report Abuse

How can a show go from superb to mediocre in one episode? Well watch the first two episodes of The Office, and you'll find out. A lot of time was wasted on Holly an the ethics seminar on the first half of this episode, it was completely devoid of laughter.

Honestly, the only thing that helped this episode of The Office was Meredith and her sleeping with a supplier to get discounts. I don't see why Holly was shoved center stage and probably got more lines than many of The Office main characters that have been her for years, and Holly has just been introduced.

I wouldn't mind if Holly & Michael got together, but if they are going too, just get them together already because the development is not entertaining, unlike Jim & Pam's development which was golden. So not a lot of things that happened here, a bit disappointed.moreless

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Holly hosts her first HR meeting in which Meredith makes a startling reveal that drives a wedge between Holly and Michael. Meanwhile Jim tests Dwight on a typical day at work.moreless

8.5

"Great"

By JayMc416, Oct 11, 2008 Report Abuse

Well this episode addressed Ryan's recent fraud charges and how to be an ethical person in the business world. So I thought it was funny that Holly addressed that Ryan had been fired but as he was temping at Dunder Miflin Scranton, so he was now Hired Guy.

Then Oscar pointed out that what they were talking about was not really ethics, and so everyone began discussing the unethical things they do at work, which is where Meredith reveals that she was sleeping with Bruce, a distributor from Hammermill in exchange for a discount on supplies and a gift cards to Outback Steakhouse. Obviously this is a huge ethical dilemma, leading to Michael and Holly disputing over how to handle this problem. Holly knew what was right, that this incident needed to be reported and Meredith be fired, while Michael did things his own way and felt that no one should ever be fired from Dunder Miflin because it is a family and that Meredith should jut have to wear a chastity belt. While Holly began to realize that Michael's crazy hatred of HR, she also doubted herself citing that she is too much of a whistle blower. In the end Holly was overturned by corporate' HR rep who felt that the actions were wrong but they were saving the company money, and in these hard times they decided to turn a blind eye.

Meanwhile Dwight claimed that he did not waste time during the day and this made Jim feel the need to test Dwight's claim, and so the prank began, and I think this was one of his best. Why, because he tested Dwight so much by claiming that Battlestar Galactaca, Dwight's favorite show was pointless and the script was shotty and misplacing characters from other science fiction series while discussing it with Andy, here is the icing on the cake, Dwight disappeared for 19 minutes with no explanation, well we know why, but no one else does.

In the end the staff enjoyed some free Outback, can we cross-promotion?

Is this end for Holly and Michael, will their differences drive a wedge in what could be the healthiest dysfunctional relationship ever?moreless

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I was worried where the show would go after Jim and Pam got together. Som episodes have been ok, and others mediocre. This episode turns it around again. I love the inclusion of Angela in a plot line, and the theme of ethics is a godsent to the show.moreless

9.5

"Superb"

By nurriz, Oct 10, 2008 Report Abuse

I have always thought the Angela's character was way underused in the series, so it's kind of nice to see her play a pivotal part in an episode.

Ethics as a theme is a spectacular bomb in this show, and every single character could have played a part in this, but I thoroughly enjoy that Angela got the main lead. Few other characters have the build up to do a believable admission of this type, and exactly that makes me love it. It seems credible that Angela was created to play this part in this episode.

I like how Holly is a version of Michael that is aware how the world works, and occasionally goes completely nerdy. I also like how the ugly head of corporate ethics rears itself in this episode.

I laughed really hard throughout this episode, which is why I watch this show. Great episode!moreless

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Holly organizes an ethics seminar.

7.5

"Good"

By sequoa84, Oct 10, 2008 Report Abuse

I agree its very apparent that this wasn't a typical funny Office episode. I still liked it because it was a short and sweet 21 minute episode like the first few seasons. Furthermore, I like episodes where Michael does something mature and appreciable. In this case, he was clearly trying to save Meredith's job.

The only funny sequence was provided by a short Jim Vs. Dwight sequence, where Jim times very second when Dwight is doing something apart from office business. The Battlestar Galactica subplot was funny, but could have been made much better and funnier. This installment was Holly's turn to be in the spotlight, and she has done a good job. However, the parts where she tries to be funny are weird. I hope the writers limit her to go as far as being Michael's love interest.

Overall, a different storyline which was good in a way. But still, I hope the writers don't tread this path again.moreless

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holly leads an ethics seminar.

6.5

"Fair"

By momentum1, Oct 10, 2008 Report Abuse

I really didn't like this episode that much. It was just average, maybe a little less than average. It was kind of boring, there were only a few funny parts. like when holly said "insane". And when jim was talking about battle star gallactica. i didn't like the whole thing with michael and holly, they are perfect for eachother and should just go out already, they better not take 3 years like jim and pam. and i was upset that pam wasnt in it. her voice was in it for the first minute and that was it. i want her to come back from new york. also in the promos for this episode is said the office is celebrating jim and pams engagement, but they didnt. jim told everyone he was engaged, no one really cared, and then michael gave him a big hug and feel to the ground. i hope next weeks episode is better, because this episode was dissapointing.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Meredith claims that she's been sleeping with the representative for Hammermill for six years. In the season three episode "The Convention," Michael and Josh state that Hammermill was exclusive with Staples until Michael convinces them otherwise in that episode. Therefore, it is impossible for her to be getting discounts that long. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- The French episode title is "Question de morale", meaning "A Question of Ethics". The Spanish title is "Etica profesional", an exact translation. Edit
- International Airdates: Latin America: June 22, 2009 on Canal FX Edit
- Music: Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" (Michael and Holly start the ethics meeting with their "Ethical" parody lyrics) Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Jim: By any chance did you see Battlestar Galactica last night? Andy: No, I did not. Is that any good? Jim: Actually not. It is really so-so. Dwight: Ok... (looks at Jim holding a stopwatch ready and shuts up) Jim: I mean, I like all the crazy monsters and stuff, you know, like Klingons and Wookies and all that, but— (Dwights turns around, Jim holds up stopwatch, and Dwight sulks back to work) Jim: Sorry, was there something you wanted to add, Dwight? Andy: Is that anything like the original Battlestar Galactica? Jim: You know, it's weird, it's practically a shot-for-shot remake. (Dwight cringes) Andy: Really? Huh, that's cool. Jim: The story's kind of bland. It's about this guy named Dumbledore Calrissian, and he needs to return the ring back to Mordor. Edit
- Jim: [Dwight] has not stopped working for a second. At 12:45 he sneezed, while keeping his eyes open, which I always thought is impossible. At 01:32 he peed. And I know that because he did it in an open soda bottle, under the desk, while filling out expense reports. And on the flip side I've been so busy watching him that I haven't even started work. That's exhausting, being this vigilant. I probably will have to home early today. Edit
- Creed: The tall guy got engaged. Edit
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS
- Teasing Dwight, Jim tells Andy that the Sci Fi network's Battlestar Galactica revamp is, "about this guy named Dumbledore Calrissian, and he needs to return the ring back to Mordor," using the head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter series (Dumbledore), the last name of the ruler of Bespin's Cloud City in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back ([Lando] Calrissian), and the home of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings trilogy (Mordor). Edit

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