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(→‎Connections to previous episodes: He was referring to broccoli, not vegetables in general.)
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{{Office episode
{{Office_episode
 
|Title = The Ultimatum
+
|Title =Ultimatum
|Image = [[File:Ultimatum.jpg|250px]]
+
|Image =[[File:Ultimatum.jpg|250px]]
|Season = [[Season 7|7]]
+
|Season =[[Season 7|7]]
|Episode = 13
+
|Episode =13
|Code = 713
+
|Code =7013
|Original = January 20, 2011
+
|Original =January 20, 2011
|Writer(s) = [[Wikipedia:Carrie Kemper|Carrie Kemper]]
+
|Writer(s) =[[Wikipedia:Carrie Kemper|Carrie Kemper]]
|Director = [[David Rogers]]
+
|Director =[[David Rogers]]
|Prev = [[Classy Christmas]]
+
|Prev =[[Classy Christmas]]
|Next = [[The Seminar]]}}
+
|Next =[[The Seminar]]}}
 
'''"Ultimatum"''' is the thirteenth episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy series ''[[The Office]] ''and the 139th overall. It was written by Carrie Kemper and directed by David Rogers. It originally aired on January 20, 2011. It was viewed by 8.26 million people.
 
The Ultimatum is the thirteenth episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy series "The Office" and the 139th overall. It was written by Carrie Kemper and directed by David Rogers. It originally aired on January 20, 2011. It was viewed by 8.26 million people.
 
   
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
Michael anticipates the news regarding the status of Holly and A.J.'s relationship, after Holly's year-end ultimatum that A.J. propose to her. To prepare for either outcome, Michael prepares for himself a "happy box" of celebration treats and a "sad box" of consolation items, as well as two videos of himself to be used to calm himself down should he get too excited or too depressed.
+
[[Michael]] anticipates the news regarding the status of [[Holly]] and [[A.J.]]'s relationship, after Holly's year-end ultimatum that A.J. propose to her. To prepare for either outcome, Michael prepares for himself a "happy box" of celebration treats and a "sad box" of consolation items, as well as two videos of himself to be used to calm himself down should he get too excited or too depressed.
   
Pam (inspired by the cheerful, involved office administrator from Vance refrigeration) puts up a New Year's Resolution Board in the office so everyone can post their resolutions. These include Michael resolving to floss, Kevin resolving to eat more vegetables, Ryan resolving to "live life like it's an art project," and Creed resolving to learn how to do a cartwheel.
+
[[Pam]] (inspired by the cheerful, involved office administrator from Vance Refrigeration) puts up a New Year's Resolution Board in the office so everyone can post their resolutions. These include Michael resolving to floss, [[Kevin]] resolving to eat more vegetables, [[Ryan]] resolving to "live life like it's an art project," and [[Creed]] resolving to learn how to do a cartwheel.
   
When Dwight reveals his resolution is to "meet loose women", he goes out on the town along with fellow single men Darryl and Andy, in the hopes in meeting some women. First they try a bookstore (where Darryl begins fulfilling his own resolution to "read more" by purchasing an e-book reader which he conceals from Dwight and Andy), but later end up at a roller skating rink where they fail to find women (being that the rink is almost completely empty). Dwight skates off to a nearby strip club, Darryl uses his e-book reader and later lies that he was playing video games, and Andy skates around by himself to the music of Dave Matthews Band. They all end up having a great time boogeying around the rink underneath its strobe lights.
+
When [[Dwight]] reveals his resolution is to "meet loose women", he goes out on the town along with fellow single men [[Darryl]] and [[Andy]], in hopes of meeting some women. First they try a bookstore (where Darryl begins fulfilling his own resolution to "read more" by purchasing an e-book reader which he conceals from Dwight and Andy), but later end up at a roller skating rink where they fail to find women (being that the rink is almost completely empty). Dwight skates off to a nearby strip club, Darryl uses his e-book reader and later lies that he was playing in the arcade, and Andy skates around by himself to the music of Dave Matthews Band. They all end up having a great time boogieing around the rink underneath its strobe lights.
   
When Michael sees no ring on Holly's finger, he is at first ecstatic, and launches into celebration (which includes throwing confetti and dancing to Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You"). When he approaches Holly to talk, however, Holly receives a phone call from A.J., during which she tells him she loves him. Michael finds out later, through Phyllis and Erin, that Holly gave up on the ultimatum, and is still in a relationship with A.J..
+
When Michael sees no ring on Holly's finger, he is at first ecstatic, and launches into celebration (which includes throwing confetti and dancing to Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You"). When he approaches Holly to talk, however, Holly receives a phone call from A.J., during which she tells him she loves him. Michael finds out later, through [[Phyllis]] and [[Erin]], that Holly gave up on the ultimatum, and is still in a relationship with A.J..
   
 
Michael becomes upset to the point of interrupting Pam's resolution-board meeting to chastise his employees for giving up on their resolutions, taking out his frustration on Kevin by force-feeding him broccoli as well as urging Creed to do a cartwheel. Holly, however, sees the parallel Michael is making between these abandoned resolutions and her own abandoned ultimatum, and leaves the room abruptly, visibly upset.
 
Michael becomes upset to the point of interrupting Pam's resolution-board meeting to chastise his employees for giving up on their resolutions, taking out his frustration on Kevin by force-feeding him broccoli as well as urging Creed to do a cartwheel. Holly, however, sees the parallel Michael is making between these abandoned resolutions and her own abandoned ultimatum, and leaves the room abruptly, visibly upset.
 
   
 
Michael attempts to apologize to Holly, but when she declines to talk, he has her join Kevin and Creed in his office so he can apologize to the two of them, simultaneously apologizing to Holly indirectly. In the end, it is clear that Holly is not that happy and she is caught by the cameras telling A.J. that she wants to take a break from their relationship at least until she returns to Nashua.
 
Michael attempts to apologize to Holly, but when she declines to talk, he has her join Kevin and Creed in his office so he can apologize to the two of them, simultaneously apologizing to Holly indirectly. In the end, it is clear that Holly is not that happy and she is caught by the cameras telling A.J. that she wants to take a break from their relationship at least until she returns to Nashua.
   
Meanwhile, as the new year's resolutions gets out of hand - Kevin defaces Ryan's resolution by creating the word "fart" out of "art" (before audibly farting himself), Ryan snaps back "Hey, was it me or you who just shoved the butt-end of a pound of broccoli into my mouth because Michael told me to?", Meredith reverts to smoking when she sees Pam's can of soda (her resolution was "drink less caffeine," though Pam states that she's had a lot to deal with today), and Erin unintentionally angers Creed by doing a cartwheel in the middle of the office - Pam decides to toss the resolution board into a Dumpster, saying she's learned her lesson.
+
Meanwhile, the New Year's resolutions get out of hand. Kevin defaces Ryan's resolution by creating the word "fart" out of "art" (before audibly farting himself), and Ryan snaps back, "Hey, was it me or you who just shoved the butt-end of a pound of broccoli into my mouth because Michael told me to?" [[Meredith]] reverts to smoking when she sees Pam's can of soda (her resolution was "drink less caffeine," though Pam states that she's had a lot to deal with today), and Erin unintentionally angers Creed by doing a cartwheel in the middle of the office. Pam decides to toss the resolution board into a dumpster, saying she's learned her lesson.
 
   
 
The episode closes with Michael helping Creed learn how to do a cartwheel, which he performs (poorly). Michael congratulates an elated Creed (who states that the cartwheel was "all I had to do all year"), though Creed obliviously ignores Michael's handshake.
 
The episode closes with Michael helping Creed learn how to do a cartwheel, which he performs (poorly). Michael congratulates an elated Creed (who states that the cartwheel was "all I had to do all year"), though Creed obliviously ignores Michael's handshake.
   
==New Years Resolutions==
+
==New Year's Resolutions==
 
*Andy: Cook for one / Meet a loose woman
 
*Andy: Cook for one / Meet a loose woman
 
*Angela: Make time for romance (with the Senator)
 
*Angela: Make time for romance (with the Senator)
Line 45: Line 42:
 
*Kevin: Eat more vegetables
 
*Kevin: Eat more vegetables
 
*Meredith: Two cigarettes a day
 
*Meredith: Two cigarettes a day
*Michael: Floss
+
*Michael: Floss/ Never make Holly cry
 
*Oscar: Finish the living room
 
*Oscar: Finish the living room
 
*Pam: Drink less caffeine
 
*Pam: Drink less caffeine
Line 51: Line 48:
 
*Ryan: Live life like it's an art project (later Fart project)
 
*Ryan: Live life like it's an art project (later Fart project)
 
*Stanley: Be a better husband and boyfriend
 
*Stanley: Be a better husband and boyfriend
  +
 
==Cultural references==
 
==Cultural references==
*Michael has 2 front row tickets to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Poundstone Paula Poundstone], an American stand-up comedian and Holly's favorite.
+
*Michael has two front row tickets to [[wikipedia:Paula Poundstone|Paula Poundstone]], an American stand-up comedian and Holly's favorite.
*Michael and Holly talk like E.T. from the movie[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial "E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial].
+
*Michael and Holly talk like E.T. from the movie ''[[wikipedia:E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial]]''.
  +
*The "new food" to Kevin is broccoli, a very healthy vegetable common in the United States.
 
 
==Connections to previous episodes==
 
==Connections to previous episodes==
 
*Erin films Michael much like Pam used to when she was the receptionist ([[Product Recall]]). Also Dwight has helped Michael with his videos before ([[Ben Franklin]]).
 
*Erin films Michael much like Pam used to when she was the receptionist ([[Product Recall]]). Also Dwight has helped Michael with his videos before ([[Ben Franklin]]).
  +
*One of the mugs that [[Kelly]] gave everyone as party favors is sitting on Creed's desk.
   
  +
==Amusing Details==
==Trivia/Continutiy ==
 
<li style="font-size: 13px;">In the bookstore, when Dwight and Andy talk to one of the customers, a shelf of books is visible in the background, which we can see are those written by Sabre CEO Jo Bennet.</li>
+
*In the bookstore, when Dwight and Andy talk to one of the customers, a shelf of books is visible in the background, which we can see are those written by Sabre CEO Jo Bennet.
 
*[[Jim]] is only present during the cold open. He is then absent without explanation for the rest of the episode. In a deleted scene, his voice is heard when he talks to Pam on the phone as he is driving to make a sale. In real life, [[John Krasinski]] was filming ''Big Miracle'' in Alaska during filming of the episode.
  +
*Michael's office is still coated with streamers throughout the rest of the episode.
  +
==Quotes==
   
  +
:see ''[[The Ultimatum Quotes]]''
<li style="font-size: 13px;">Jim is only present during the cold open. He is then absent without explanation for the rest of the episode. In real life, John Krasinski was filming ''Big Miracle'' in Alaska during filming of the episode.</li>
 
   
 
==Cast==
 
==Cast==
Line 71: Line 73:
 
*[[B.J. Novak]] as [[Ryan Howard]]
 
*[[B.J. Novak]] as [[Ryan Howard]]
 
*[[Ed Helms]] as [[Andy Bernard]]
 
*[[Ed Helms]] as [[Andy Bernard]]
  +
 
===Supporting Cast===
 
===Supporting Cast===
 
*[[Leslie David Baker]] as [[Stanley Hudson]]
 
*[[Leslie David Baker]] as [[Stanley Hudson]]
Line 84: Line 87:
 
*[[Phyllis Smith]] as [[Phyllis Vance]]
 
*[[Phyllis Smith]] as [[Phyllis Vance]]
 
*[[Zach Woods]] as [[Gabe Lewis]]
 
*[[Zach Woods]] as [[Gabe Lewis]]
*as [[Amy Ryan]] as [[Holly Flax]]
+
*[[Amy Ryan]] as [[Holly Flax]]
  +
  +
{{Season7}}
 
[[Category:Episodes]]
 
[[Category:Episodes]]
 
[[Category:Season 7]]
 
[[Category:Season 7]]
  +
[[Category:Season 7 Episodes]]

Revision as of 01:15, 17 September 2019

"Ultimatum" is the thirteenth episode of the seventh season of the American television comedy series The Office and the 139th overall. It was written by Carrie Kemper and directed by David Rogers. It originally aired on January 20, 2011. It was viewed by 8.26 million people.

Synopsis

Michael anticipates the news regarding the status of Holly and A.J.'s relationship, after Holly's year-end ultimatum that A.J. propose to her. To prepare for either outcome, Michael prepares for himself a "happy box" of celebration treats and a "sad box" of consolation items, as well as two videos of himself to be used to calm himself down should he get too excited or too depressed.

Pam (inspired by the cheerful, involved office administrator from Vance Refrigeration) puts up a New Year's Resolution Board in the office so everyone can post their resolutions. These include Michael resolving to floss, Kevin resolving to eat more vegetables, Ryan resolving to "live life like it's an art project," and Creed resolving to learn how to do a cartwheel.

When Dwight reveals his resolution is to "meet loose women", he goes out on the town along with fellow single men Darryl and Andy, in hopes of meeting some women. First they try a bookstore (where Darryl begins fulfilling his own resolution to "read more" by purchasing an e-book reader which he conceals from Dwight and Andy), but later end up at a roller skating rink where they fail to find women (being that the rink is almost completely empty). Dwight skates off to a nearby strip club, Darryl uses his e-book reader and later lies that he was playing in the arcade, and Andy skates around by himself to the music of Dave Matthews Band. They all end up having a great time boogieing around the rink underneath its strobe lights.

When Michael sees no ring on Holly's finger, he is at first ecstatic, and launches into celebration (which includes throwing confetti and dancing to Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You"). When he approaches Holly to talk, however, Holly receives a phone call from A.J., during which she tells him she loves him. Michael finds out later, through Phyllis and Erin, that Holly gave up on the ultimatum, and is still in a relationship with A.J..

Michael becomes upset to the point of interrupting Pam's resolution-board meeting to chastise his employees for giving up on their resolutions, taking out his frustration on Kevin by force-feeding him broccoli as well as urging Creed to do a cartwheel. Holly, however, sees the parallel Michael is making between these abandoned resolutions and her own abandoned ultimatum, and leaves the room abruptly, visibly upset.

Michael attempts to apologize to Holly, but when she declines to talk, he has her join Kevin and Creed in his office so he can apologize to the two of them, simultaneously apologizing to Holly indirectly. In the end, it is clear that Holly is not that happy and she is caught by the cameras telling A.J. that she wants to take a break from their relationship at least until she returns to Nashua.

Meanwhile, the New Year's resolutions get out of hand. Kevin defaces Ryan's resolution by creating the word "fart" out of "art" (before audibly farting himself), and Ryan snaps back, "Hey, was it me or you who just shoved the butt-end of a pound of broccoli into my mouth because Michael told me to?" Meredith reverts to smoking when she sees Pam's can of soda (her resolution was "drink less caffeine," though Pam states that she's had a lot to deal with today), and Erin unintentionally angers Creed by doing a cartwheel in the middle of the office. Pam decides to toss the resolution board into a dumpster, saying she's learned her lesson.

The episode closes with Michael helping Creed learn how to do a cartwheel, which he performs (poorly). Michael congratulates an elated Creed (who states that the cartwheel was "all I had to do all year"), though Creed obliviously ignores Michael's handshake.

New Year's Resolutions

  • Andy: Cook for one / Meet a loose woman
  • Angela: Make time for romance (with the Senator)
  • Creed: Do a perfect cartwheel
  • Darryl: Read more
  • Dwight: Meet a loose woman
  • Erin: Learn a new word every single day
  • Gabe: Be less squeamish around people's dogs and babies
  • Holly: Cross train
  • Jim: Bike more
  • Kelly: Get more attention by any means necessary
  • Kevin: Eat more vegetables
  • Meredith: Two cigarettes a day
  • Michael: Floss/ Never make Holly cry
  • Oscar: Finish the living room
  • Pam: Drink less caffeine
  • Phyllis: Yoga lessons with Bob
  • Ryan: Live life like it's an art project (later Fart project)
  • Stanley: Be a better husband and boyfriend

Cultural references

Connections to previous episodes

  • Erin films Michael much like Pam used to when she was the receptionist (Product Recall). Also Dwight has helped Michael with his videos before (Ben Franklin).
  • One of the mugs that Kelly gave everyone as party favors is sitting on Creed's desk.

Amusing Details

  • In the bookstore, when Dwight and Andy talk to one of the customers, a shelf of books is visible in the background, which we can see are those written by Sabre CEO Jo Bennet.
  • Jim is only present during the cold open. He is then absent without explanation for the rest of the episode. In a deleted scene, his voice is heard when he talks to Pam on the phone as he is driving to make a sale. In real life, John Krasinski was filming Big Miracle in Alaska during filming of the episode.
  • Michael's office is still coated with streamers throughout the rest of the episode.

Quotes

see The Ultimatum Quotes

Cast

Main Cast

Supporting Cast