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{{Office episode
 
{{Office episode
|Title =The Ultimatum
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|Title =Ultimatum
 
|Image =[[File:Ultimatum.jpg|250px]]
 
|Image =[[File:Ultimatum.jpg|250px]]
 
|Season =[[Season 7|7]]
 
|Season =[[Season 7|7]]
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|Prev =[[Classy Christmas]]
 
|Prev =[[Classy Christmas]]
 
|Next =[[The Seminar]]}}
 
|Next =[[The Seminar]]}}
'''"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.
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'''"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 Scott|Michael]] anticipates the news regarding the status of [[Holly Flax|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 Beesly|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 Malone|Kevin]] resolving to eat more vegetables, [[Ryan Howard|Ryan]] resolving to "live life like it's an art project," and [[Creed Bratton|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 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 [[Dwight Schrute|Dwight]] reveals his resolution is to "meet loose women", he goes out on the town along with fellow single men [[Darryl Philbin|Darryl]] and [[Andy Bernard|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 Vance|Phyllis]] and [[Erin Hannon|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.
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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 get 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 Palmer|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==
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==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)
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*Kevin: Eat more vegetables
 
*Kevin: Eat more vegetables
 
*Meredith: Two cigarettes a day
 
*Meredith: Two cigarettes a day
*Michael: Floss
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*Michael: Floss/ Never make Holly cry
 
*Oscar: Finish the living room
 
*Oscar: Finish the living room
 
*Pam: Drink less caffeine
 
*Pam: Drink less caffeine
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==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]])
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*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.
+
*One of the mugs that [[Kelly Kapoor|Kelly]] gave everyone as party favors is sitting on Creed's desk.
*Even though he claims vegetables are a new food for him, in [[The Merger]] Kevin eats a salad that he prepared using his paper shredder.
 
   
  +
==Amusing Details==
==Trivia/Continuity ==
 
 
*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.
 
*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.
+
*[[Jim Halpert|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]]''
==Main Cast==
 
  +
  +
==Cast==
 
===Main Cast===
 
*[[Steve Carell]] as [[Michael Scott]]
 
*[[Steve Carell]] as [[Michael Scott]]
 
*[[Rainn Wilson]] as [[Dwight Schrute]]
 
*[[Rainn Wilson]] as [[Dwight Schrute]]
 
*[[John Krasinski]] as [[Jim Halpert]]
 
*[[John Krasinski]] as [[Jim Halpert]]
*[[Jenna Fischer]] as [[Pam Halpert]]
+
*[[Jenna Fischer]] as [[Pam Beesly|Pam Halpert]]
 
*[[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]]
 
*[[Brian Baumgartner]] as [[Kevin Malone]]
 
*[[Brian Baumgartner]] as [[Kevin Malone]]
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{{Season7}}
 
{{Season7}}
  +
[[Category:Episodes]]
 
 
[[Category:Season 7]]
 
[[Category:Season 7]]
[[Category:Season 7 Episodes]]
+
[[Category:Season 7 episodes]]

Revision as of 20:31, 14 June 2020

"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