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{{Office episode
 
{{Office episode
|Title = Garden Party
+
|Title =Garden Party
|Image = [[File:Oh dwight.jpg|250px]]
+
|Image =[[File:Oh dwight.jpg|250px]]
|Season = [[Season 8|8]]
+
|Season =[[Season 8|8]]
|Episode = 4
+
|Episode =4
|Code = 8/04
+
|Code =8004
|Original = October 13, 2011
+
|Original =October 13, 2011
|Writer(s) = [[Justin Spitzer]]
+
|Writer(s) =[[Justin Spitzer]]
|Director = [[David Rogers]]
+
|Director =[[David Rogers]]
|Prev = [[Lotto]]
+
|Prev =[[Lotto]]
 
|Next =[[Spooked]]}}'''"Garden Party"''' is the fourth episode of the [[Season 8|eighth season]] and the 156th episode overall. The episode originally aired on October 13, 2011. It was written by co-executive producer [[Justin Spitzer]] and was directed by [[David Rogers]]. It marks [[Mindy Kaling]]'s first credit as [[wikipedia:Executive producer|executive producer]].
|Next = [[Spooked]]}}
 
   
 
In the episode, Andy throws a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress Robert, with his parents and brother in attendance. Meanwhile, Dwight works to make it a classy event. The episode features guest appearances from [[wikipedia:Josh Groban|Josh Groban]], [[wikipedia:Dee Wallace|Dee Wallace]] and [[wikipedia:Stephen Collins (actor)|Stephen Collins]]. Kaling had asked Groban if he could guest star in the series, through [[wikipedia:Twitter|Twitter]].
"'''Garden Party'''" is the fourth episode of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_%28U.S._season_8%29 eighth season], and the 156th episode overall. The episode originally aired on October 13, 2011. It was written by co-executive producer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Spitzer Justin Spitzer] and was directed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rogers_%28editor%29 David Rogers] and marks [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindy_Kaling Mindy Kaling]'s first credit as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_producer executive producer].
 
   
 
"Garden Party" received mostly positive reviews from critics although ''[[wikipedia:The A.V. Club|The A.V. Club]]'' writer Myles McNutt criticizing the episode for repeating plot ideas. According to [[wikipedia:Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen Media Research]], "Garden Party" drew more than 6 million viewers and received a 3.2 rating/8% share in the 18-49 demographic, staying even with the previous episode, "[[Lotto]]". It ranked third in its timeslot and ranked as the highest rated NBC series on Thursday.
In the episode, Andy throws a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress Robert, with his parents and brother in attendance. Meanwhile, Dwight works to make it a classy event. The episode features a guest appearance from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Groban Josh Groban], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dee_Wallace Dee Wallace] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Collins_%28actor%29 Stephen Collins]. Kaling had asked Groban if he could guest star in the series, through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter Twitter].
 
   
"Garden Party" received mostly positive reviews from critics although ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A.V._Club The A.V. Club]'' writer Myles McNutt criticizing the episode for repeating plot ideas. According to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Media_Research Nielsen Media Research], "Garden Party" drew more than 6 million viewers and received a 3.2 rating/8% share in the 18-49 demographic, staying even with the previous episode, "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotto_%28The_Office%29 Lotto]". It ranked third in its timeslot, and ranked as the highest rated NBC series on Thursday.
 
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
Andy decides to throws a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress both [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_California Robert ] and his parents. Andy is noticeably jealous at the amount of attention his younger brother Walter Bernard, Jr. receives from his father, and he thinks that by throwing an elaborate party he can ensure his father's blessings. At first, the party goes along smoothly. Andy decides to make a toast to Robert in order to get his fellow employees to toast him, as if to show to his parents and California that he is a respected individual among his employees. His plan backfires, however, and instead many people end up praising Robert. To get everybody's mind off of Robert, Andy decides to sing "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/More_Than_Words More Than Words]" as a duet with his father. This too goes awry as his visibly-annoyed father corrects his playing and singing, and ultimately decides to sing a duet with Walter Jr. instead of Andy. Visibly upset, Andy stops their singing and storms off. Soon there-after, Andy is confronted by his father for his "obnoxious attitude", which he turns into a browbeating on Andy as "manager of some rinky dink branch". This conversation is overheard by the other staff on the baby monitor Jim and Pam brought for their daughter, and Pam quickly turns off the monitor to let Andy save face. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darryl_Philbin Darryl] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Martinez Oscar] later confide to the camera that they now understand why Andy feels he needs to prove himself to everyone. After his family leaves, a dejected Andy, feeling unwanted by his family and co-workers, says goodbye to the office staff as they turn the garden party into a barbecue. Darryl and Oscar, however, manage to convince Andy to stay with a cheeseburger and a beer, and they all satisfyingly watch as Dwight performs the closing ceremonies to the garden party.
+
Andy decides to throw a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress both [[Robert California|Robert]] and his parents. Andy is noticeably jealous at the amount of attention his younger brother Walter Bernard, Jr. receives from his father, and he thinks that by throwing an elaborate party he can ensure his father's blessings. At first, the party goes along smoothly. Andy decides to make a toast to his fellow employees in hopes that they will toast him in return, as if to show his parents and California that he is a respected individual among his employees. His plan backfires, however, and instead many people end up praising Robert. To get everybody's mind off of Robert, Andy decides to sing "[[wikipedia:More Than Words|More Than Words]]" as a duet with his father. This too goes awry as his visibly-annoyed father corrects his playing and singing, and ultimately decides to sing a duet with Walter Jr. instead of Andy. Visibly upset, Andy stops their singing and storms off.
   
  +
Soon thereafter, Andy is confronted by his father for his "obnoxious attitude", which he turns into a browbeating on Andy as "manager of some rinky dink branch". This conversation is overheard by the other staff on the baby monitor Jim and Pam brought for their daughter, and Pam quickly turns off the monitor to let Andy save face. [[Darryl Philbin|Darryl]] and [[Oscar Martinez|Oscar]] later confide to the camera that they now understand why Andy feels he needs to prove himself to everyone. After his family leaves, a dejected Andy, feeling unwanted by his family and co-workers, says goodbye to the office staff as they turn the garden party into a barbecue. Darryl and Oscar, however, manage to convince Andy to stay with a cheeseburger and a beer, and they all satisfyingly watch as Dwight performs the closing ceremonies to the garden party.
Meanwhile, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Schrute Dwight] works to make the garden party a classy event. Dwight thoroughly reads a book called ''Throwing A Garden Party'' that he'd bought online, thinking it was a great buy. However, the book is revealed to be an elaborate prank, secretly written by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Halpert Jim] under the pseudonym "James Trickington". The book gives outlandish advice such as announcing each guest's name as they arrive in an extremely loud manner among other absurd "duties" (imitating [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper The Last Supper] in the middle of a meal, randomly dancing with his party staff, etc.). Near the end of the episode, Andy and the staff look on in delight as Dwight and his workers perform a fire court dance (as part of the Trickington book) as a closing ceremonies. The episode then ends with footage of Jim abusing Dwight's announcing duties by walking past him and then walking back again, prompting Dwight to shout his name each time he does so.
 
  +
 
Meanwhile, [[Dwight Schrute|Dwight]] works to make the garden party a classy event. Dwight thoroughly reads a book called ''[[The Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Garden Party]]'' that he'd bought online, thinking it was a great buy. However, the book is revealed to be an elaborate prank, secretly written by [[Jim Halpert|Jim]] under the pseudonym "James Trickington". The book gives outlandish advice such as announcing each guest's name as they arrive in an extremely loud manner among other absurd "duties" (imitating [[wikipedia:The Last Supper|The Last Supper]] in the middle of a meal, randomly dancing with his party staff, etc.). Near the end of the episode, Andy and the staff look on in delight as Dwight and his workers perform a fire court dance (as part of the Trickington book) as a closing ceremonies. The episode then ends with footage of Jim abusing Dwight's announcing duties by walking past him and then walking back again, prompting Dwight to shout his name each time he does so.
  +
 
Also, Pam feuds with co-worker [[Angela Martin|Angela]] over baby names. Pam and Angela learn they've both chosen the name Phillip for their soon-to-be-born sons, with Pam choosing to name her child after her deceased grandfather and Angela after the name of her favorite cat. Angela, visibly annoyed that Pam doesn't relinquish the name right away, later makes a toast to "my son Phillip" at the garden party—only to have Pam make the same toast but describe in great detail how the name honors her now-dead grandfather. Angela, unwilling to reveal her feline-centric reasons for the name, grouses to the camera that Pam is always copying her.
   
Also, Pam feuds with co-worker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Martin Angela] over baby names. Pam and Angela learn they've both chosen the name Phillip for their soon-to-be-born sons, with Pam choosing to name her child after her deceased grandfather and Angela after the name of her favorite cat. Angela, visibly annoyed that Pam doesn't relinquish the name right away, later makes a toast to "my son Phillip" at the garden party—only to have Pam make the same toast but describe in great detail how the name honours her now-dead grandfather. Angela, unwilling to reveal her feline-centric reasons for the name, grouses to the camera that Pam is always copying her.
 
 
==Cultural references==
 
==Cultural references==
 
*''[http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cankles Cankles]'' are obese or otherwise swollen ankles that blend into the calf without clear demarcation.
 
*''[http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cankles Cankles]'' are obese or otherwise swollen ankles that blend into the calf without clear demarcation.
*Andy's parents have tickets to see the 2011 sports drama film ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moneyball_%28film%29 Moneyball]''.
+
*Andy's parents have tickets to see the 2011 sports drama film ''[[wikipedia:Moneyball (film)|Moneyball]]''.
*Dwight and his staff imitate [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper The Last Supper].
+
*Dwight and his staff imitate ''[[wikipedia:The Last Supper|The Last Supper]]''.
*Andy and his father perform the song "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/More_Than_Words More Than Words]" by Extreme.
+
*Andy and his father perform the song "[[wikipedia:More Than Words|More Than Words]]" by Extreme.
*Andy's father and brother perform "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_Young_%28Rod_Stewart_song%29 Forever Young]" by Rod Stewart.
+
*Andy's father and brother perform "[[wikipedia:Forever Young (Rod Stewart song)|Forever Young]]" by Rod Stewart.
*Darryl and Oscar discuss the movie [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Kane Citizen Kane] and it's Rosebud-symbolism.
+
*Darryl and Oscar discuss the movie ''[[wikipedia:Citizen Kane|Citizen Kane]]'' and its Rosebud-symbolism.
  +
*Dwight and his maid dance to the Passacaglia from the Suite in G Minor (HWV 432) by German composer George Frideric Handel.
  +
  +
==Amusing Details==
  +
*Walter Jr. confuses Phyllis and Meredith for Pam on two separate occasions.
  +
*Darryl brings his grill even though Andy advised him not to.
  +
*"Connecticut Casual" is an actual attire that is actually specifically for garden parties.
  +
*Kevin doesn't understand why the seesaw doesn't work for him and Ryan.
  +
*Andy ends up on the sideline of his dad and brother's performance, just like he does in the video of Walter's garden party.
  +
*Ryan happily gives his coat to Robert California even though he refused to give it to Kelly.
  +
*Ryan gets stuck on top of a see-saw because of Kevin sitting on the opposite side.
   
 
==Connections to previous episodes==
 
==Connections to previous episodes==
*Pam has rested her head on Jim's shoulder before : in [[Diversity Day]], [[Goodbye, Toby]] and [[Niagara]].
+
*Pam has rested her head on Jim's shoulder before: in "[[Diversity Day]]", "[[Goodbye, Toby]]" and "[[Niagara]]".
  +
*Kevin wears a toupée to a party.
  +
*Dwight mistakes Cece's name for "Pipi", similarly to how he did in "[[Search Committee]]".
  +
*In "[[Manager and Salesman]]", Ryan asks Dwight, "Have you seen ''Saw''?" to which he replies, "Yes, Mose and I seesaw all the time." Google Maps has the image to prove it.
   
 
==Cast==
 
==Cast==
Line 45: Line 60:
 
*[[Leslie David Baker]] as [[Stanley Hudson]]
 
*[[Leslie David Baker]] as [[Stanley Hudson]]
 
*[[Brian Baumgartner]] as [[Kevin Malone]]
 
*[[Brian Baumgartner]] as [[Kevin Malone]]
*[[Creed Bratton (actor)]] as [[Creed Bratton]]
+
*[[Creed Bratton (actor)|Creed Bratton]] as [[Creed Bratton]]
 
*[[Kate Flannery]] as [[Meredith Palmer]]
 
*[[Kate Flannery]] as [[Meredith Palmer]]
 
*[[Mindy Kaling]] as [[Kelly Kapoor]]
 
*[[Mindy Kaling]] as [[Kelly Kapoor]]
 
*[[Ellie Kemper]] as [[Erin Hannon]]
 
*[[Ellie Kemper]] as [[Erin Hannon]]
*[[Angela Kinsey]] as [[Angela Martin]]-Lipton
+
*[[Angela Kinsey]] as [[Angela Martin|Angela Martin-Lipton]]
 
*[[Paul Lieberstein]] as [[Toby Flenderson]]
 
*[[Paul Lieberstein]] as [[Toby Flenderson]]
 
*[[Oscar Nunez]] as [[Oscar Martinez]]
 
*[[Oscar Nunez]] as [[Oscar Martinez]]
Line 55: Line 70:
 
*[[Phyllis Smith]] as [[Phyllis Vance]]
 
*[[Phyllis Smith]] as [[Phyllis Vance]]
 
*[[Zach Woods]] as [[Gabe Lewis]]
 
*[[Zach Woods]] as [[Gabe Lewis]]
  +
 
===Recurring Cast===
 
===Recurring Cast===
 
*[[Michael Schur]] as [[Mose Schrute]]
 
*[[Michael Schur]] as [[Mose Schrute]]
*Algerita Wynn Lewis as Cynthia
+
*Algerita Wynn Lewis as [[Cynthia]]
  +
 
===Guest Cast===
 
===Guest Cast===
*Stephen Collins as Walter Bernard Sr.
+
*Stephen Collins as [[Walter Bernard Sr.]]
*Josh Groban as Walter Bernard Jr.
+
*Josh Groban as [[Walter Bernard Jr.]]
*Dee Wallace as Ellen Bernard
+
*Dee Wallace as [[Ellen Bernard]]
 
*Nicholas Rutherford as The Waiter
 
*Nicholas Rutherford as The Waiter
  +
[[Category:Episodes]]
 
  +
{{Season8}}
[[Category:Season 8]]
 
 
[[Category:Season 8 episodes]]

Revision as of 00:16, 29 April 2020

"Garden Party" is the fourth episode of the eighth season and the 156th episode overall. The episode originally aired on October 13, 2011. It was written by co-executive producer Justin Spitzer and was directed by David Rogers. It marks Mindy Kaling's first credit as executive producer.

In the episode, Andy throws a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress Robert, with his parents and brother in attendance. Meanwhile, Dwight works to make it a classy event. The episode features guest appearances from Josh Groban, Dee Wallace and Stephen Collins. Kaling had asked Groban if he could guest star in the series, through Twitter.

"Garden Party" received mostly positive reviews from critics although The A.V. Club writer Myles McNutt criticizing the episode for repeating plot ideas. According to Nielsen Media Research, "Garden Party" drew more than 6 million viewers and received a 3.2 rating/8% share in the 18-49 demographic, staying even with the previous episode, "Lotto". It ranked third in its timeslot and ranked as the highest rated NBC series on Thursday.

Synopsis

Andy decides to throw a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress both Robert and his parents. Andy is noticeably jealous at the amount of attention his younger brother Walter Bernard, Jr. receives from his father, and he thinks that by throwing an elaborate party he can ensure his father's blessings. At first, the party goes along smoothly. Andy decides to make a toast to his fellow employees in hopes that they will toast him in return, as if to show his parents and California that he is a respected individual among his employees. His plan backfires, however, and instead many people end up praising Robert. To get everybody's mind off of Robert, Andy decides to sing "More Than Words" as a duet with his father. This too goes awry as his visibly-annoyed father corrects his playing and singing, and ultimately decides to sing a duet with Walter Jr. instead of Andy. Visibly upset, Andy stops their singing and storms off.

Soon thereafter, Andy is confronted by his father for his "obnoxious attitude", which he turns into a browbeating on Andy as "manager of some rinky dink branch". This conversation is overheard by the other staff on the baby monitor Jim and Pam brought for their daughter, and Pam quickly turns off the monitor to let Andy save face. Darryl and Oscar later confide to the camera that they now understand why Andy feels he needs to prove himself to everyone. After his family leaves, a dejected Andy, feeling unwanted by his family and co-workers, says goodbye to the office staff as they turn the garden party into a barbecue. Darryl and Oscar, however, manage to convince Andy to stay with a cheeseburger and a beer, and they all satisfyingly watch as Dwight performs the closing ceremonies to the garden party.

Meanwhile, Dwight works to make the garden party a classy event. Dwight thoroughly reads a book called The Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Garden Party that he'd bought online, thinking it was a great buy. However, the book is revealed to be an elaborate prank, secretly written by Jim under the pseudonym "James Trickington". The book gives outlandish advice such as announcing each guest's name as they arrive in an extremely loud manner among other absurd "duties" (imitating The Last Supper in the middle of a meal, randomly dancing with his party staff, etc.). Near the end of the episode, Andy and the staff look on in delight as Dwight and his workers perform a fire court dance (as part of the Trickington book) as a closing ceremonies. The episode then ends with footage of Jim abusing Dwight's announcing duties by walking past him and then walking back again, prompting Dwight to shout his name each time he does so.

Also, Pam feuds with co-worker Angela over baby names. Pam and Angela learn they've both chosen the name Phillip for their soon-to-be-born sons, with Pam choosing to name her child after her deceased grandfather and Angela after the name of her favorite cat. Angela, visibly annoyed that Pam doesn't relinquish the name right away, later makes a toast to "my son Phillip" at the garden party—only to have Pam make the same toast but describe in great detail how the name honors her now-dead grandfather. Angela, unwilling to reveal her feline-centric reasons for the name, grouses to the camera that Pam is always copying her.

Cultural references

  • Cankles are obese or otherwise swollen ankles that blend into the calf without clear demarcation.
  • Andy's parents have tickets to see the 2011 sports drama film Moneyball.
  • Dwight and his staff imitate The Last Supper.
  • Andy and his father perform the song "More Than Words" by Extreme.
  • Andy's father and brother perform "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart.
  • Darryl and Oscar discuss the movie Citizen Kane and its Rosebud-symbolism.
  • Dwight and his maid dance to the Passacaglia from the Suite in G Minor (HWV 432) by German composer George Frideric Handel.

Amusing Details

  • Walter Jr. confuses Phyllis and Meredith for Pam on two separate occasions.
  • Darryl brings his grill even though Andy advised him not to.
  • "Connecticut Casual" is an actual attire that is actually specifically for garden parties.
  • Kevin doesn't understand why the seesaw doesn't work for him and Ryan.
  • Andy ends up on the sideline of his dad and brother's performance, just like he does in the video of Walter's garden party.
  • Ryan happily gives his coat to Robert California even though he refused to give it to Kelly.
  • Ryan gets stuck on top of a see-saw because of Kevin sitting on the opposite side.

Connections to previous episodes

  • Pam has rested her head on Jim's shoulder before: in "Diversity Day", "Goodbye, Toby" and "Niagara".
  • Kevin wears a toupée to a party.
  • Dwight mistakes Cece's name for "Pipi", similarly to how he did in "Search Committee".
  • In "Manager and Salesman", Ryan asks Dwight, "Have you seen Saw?" to which he replies, "Yes, Mose and I seesaw all the time." Google Maps has the image to prove it.

Cast

Main Cast

Supporting Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast