Initiation (The Office)
| "Initiation" | |
|---|---|
| The Office episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Randall Einhorn |
| Written by | B. J. Novak |
| Production code | 305 |
| Original air date | October 19, 2006 |
"Initiation" is the fifth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's 33rd overall. Written by B. J. Novak, who also acts in the show as Ryan Howard, and directed by Randall Einhorn, the episode first aired in the United States on October 19, 2006 on NBC.
In the episode Ryan is taken by Dwight on what he believes is a sales call, but instead is brought to Dwight's beet farm for an "initiation." Pam is supposed to keep track of Michael's productivity, but Michael spends his day waiting in line for a pretzel. Jim steals Karen's chair and foils her attempts to get it back.
In the cold open, Dwight tries to test Ryan with riddles found on a website, but is angered when Ryan knows all the answers before he even finishes talking.
Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak) plans to go to his first sales call with Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson). Dwight surprises Ryan by taking him to Dwight's beet farm to both teach and haze. When Ryan, a member of a fraternity in college, accuses him of trying to haze him into acceptance, Dwight snaps at him, saying the reason Ryan has yet to make a sale is because he thinks he knows everything, and must think otherwise to sell. After Dwight tries to force Ryan to wrestle his cousin Mose (Michael Schur), Ryan gets angry and walks out. Dwight apologizes to Ryan and begins to give Ryan serious sales advice as Ryan takes notes. The two then go on a sales call which ultimately doesn't work out for Ryan. Irritated, Ryan throws eggs at the building housing the company that refused his sale. Dwight and Ryan then go to a bar and return to the office, where it appears they formed a new bond.
Jan Levinson (Melora Hardin) instructs receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) to keep a log of Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) activity, and throughout the day, she dryly notes Michael's antics, including a Bill Cosby impression for a potential customer and waiting in line with Stanley Hudson (Leslie David Baker) for a free soft pretzel, while hinting to Michael that he should focus on being productive. Michael enjoys Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll" in his office at a high volume. After consuming his sugary pretzel, Michael emerges from his office and launches into a hyperactive, sugar-fueled speech before falling asleep at his desk. At the end of the day, Pam realizes that Michael's antics secured a large sale.
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