China is the tenth episode of the seventh season of The Office. The episode was directed by Charles McDougall and was written by Warren Lieberstein and Halsted Sullivan. It first aired on December 2, 2010.
Synopsis
After reading a magazine article about the rise of China's economy, Michael gets frightened that the United States will fall victim to an evil ploy by the Chinese government due to it's immense size. In an announcement, Michael asks for the staff for ideas on how to boost the American economy and states a figure about how many cities China has that have over a million people. Oscar tries to correct him, but Ryan and Stanley research it which proves Michael correct.
The entire staff jokes with Oscar for the rest of the day about being less intelligent than Michael, so Oscar invites Michael to coffee to one-up him in another conversation about China. Jim and Andy try to coach him, but Michael fumbles the conversation and Oscar nearly walks away victorious and smug from the debate. Michael, at the last minute, rebutts with an argument about friendship and conversation which has no relevance to the conversation but is delivered so passionately that the audience of Erin, Kelly, Ryan, Jim and Andy all applaud and congratulate him.
As the new building owner, Dwight has made financial cutbacks, including installing motion-activated light sensors and half-ply toilet paper. Pam starts to argue against these changes, and as the new office administrator decides to find a new building to move into. Pam finds a new space for the office in a plush building. Dwight begins to get worried, but finds out she made up the office as leverage. He starts to put pressure on her, and she confides in Jim that she doesn't want to be a failure as office administrator.
Dwight overhears and sets up a ploy for Pam to find out about tennant rights, which she uses against Dwight. He makes the changes and confides in the camera that it was because he is not a compassionate person, although a candid smile may reveal otherwise.
Darryl confronts Andy about sending stupid SMS text messages, which Andy doesn't not heed and continues to send him messages. Darryl draws the line and gives Andy one more do-or-be-blocked message. Andy texts him about pigeons in the parking lot, and Darryl reluctantly goes but ends up enjoying the birds eating ice cream.
Amusing details
- A box for the game "Call of Duty" is tucked away in the security desk in the lobby, visible during Oscar and Michael's debate.[1] The video game "Call of Duty" made appearances in earlier episodses The Coup and Email Surveillance.
Cast
Main Cast
- Steve Carell as Michael Scott
- Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute
- John Krasinski as Jim Halpert
- Jenna Fischer as Pam Halpert
- B.J. Novak as Ryan Howard
- Ed Helms as Andy Bernard
Supported Cast
- Leslie David Baker as Stanley Hudson
- Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone
- Creed Bratton (actor) as Creed Bratton
- Kate Flannery as Meredith Palmer
- Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor
- Ellie Kemper as Erin Hannon
- Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin
- Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez
- Craig Robinson as Darryl Philbin
- Phyllis Smith as Phyllis Vance
- Zach Woods as Gabe Lewis
Recurring Cast
Guest Cast
- Mark Proksch as Nate
- Sarah Zimmerman as "Other Pam"