Corporate assigns Michael to counseling with Toby. Dwight vows revenge on the Steamtown Mall after a shop owner snubs him. Meanwhile, Pam conspires to change her job title.
WAR
86.6
Wins Above Replacement
“Counseling” ranks #136 of 183 The Office episodes on the Humor Index, scoring 85.4 — Elite. The episode packs 76 scored jokes at 3.1 per minute, averaging 7.2 on craft and 7.1 on impact, with Dwight landing the most laughs. Every joke is ranked below with its individual craft and impact scores.
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Top Jokes
Store Clerk · Jim · Dwight: The store clerk says: 'Of course I remember him — he looks much less threatening now.' / 'We had a safety concern. We very politely indicated that he'd be welcomed back if he were in accordance with our dress policy.' / 'The bloodstained hands.'
Dwight: 'No one. The door locks from the outside. Escape is impossible.' — Dwight on child supervision
Dwight Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Store Clerk · Dwight · Jim: The store clerk says he remembers Dwight from yesterday and explains they had 'a safety concern' because of 'the bloodstained hands'
Pam: Pam's talking head: 'The unfair thing about working in sales is that your salary is almost all commission. So if you suck at sales, you make almost no money. I guess that's fair.'
Pam Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Toby · Michael: Michael: 'It's very important for you to be liked, isn't it?' / Michael: 'Well, let's not get too... this isn't a counseling session.' / Toby sighs.
Standout Moments
Dwight: 'No one. The door locks from the outside. Escape is impossible.' — Dwight on child supervision
Dwight Dark/Subversive Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Store Clerk · Jim · Dwight: The store clerk says: 'Of course I remember him — he looks much less threatening now.' / 'We had a safety concern. We very politely indicated that he'd be welcomed back if he were in accordance with our dress policy.' / 'The bloodstained hands.'
Store Clerk · Dwight · Jim: The store clerk says he remembers Dwight from yesterday and explains they had 'a safety concern' because of 'the bloodstained hands'
All Jokes — 76 analyzed
Show all ↓ Hide ↑ Jim · Pam: Jim explains they're late every day because of the daycare across town, then immediately pivots: 'Why didn't I think of this before? Did you know that there is a daycare center opening right here in this building?'
Jim Pam Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy Dwight: 'Well, I guess it's not an evil idea, it's just a regular idea, but there's no good laugh for a regular idea.'
Dwight Meta/Self-Referential Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Dwight · Mose: 'You remember my cousin Mose?' — Mose is revealed to be the daycare attendant, standing there with 'Welcome, children.'
Pam: 'Were you painting in the dark?' — Pam's reaction to the daycare's decor, presumably chaotic/crude wall art
Pam Reaction Beat Visual Gag Dwight · Jim: The 'magical toy box' turns out to contain forks, knives, and a soy sauce packet from the break room
Jim · Dwight: 'And a soy sauce packet.' / 'That shouldn't have been in there. I'm embarrassed.'
Jim Dwight Escalation Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Dwight: Dwight describes the daycare as having a 'feeding trough' and a 'play bucket,' and says the door 'locks from the outside — escape is impossible'
Dwight Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Jim · Pam · Dwight: Jim says 'Prove it' when Dwight claims the door locks, leading Dwight into the room; Jim and Pam then lock him in
Michael · Toby: Michael's counseling session opens with him yelling 'This is the worst! You are the worst. I hate looking at your face. I wanna smash it!'
Toby: Toby's talking head: 'I actually have a degree in social work. I mean, I know a lot of people would just ask a few standard questions and tick off a few boxes, but I've got a chance to do some good here.'
Toby Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy Michael · Toby: Michael: 'I know what you wanna ask me. Did your mom ever see you naked?' / 'So you can molest me?'
Michael: Michael insists on leaving the blinds open 'so everybody can see what a big failure you are' — referring to Toby, not himself
Michael Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Dwight: 'Boycott the Steamtown Mall! Everyone, you heard me. Cancel all your business with the Steamtown Mall!'
Dwight Character Comedy Absurdist Jim · Dwight: Jim: 'The mall itself, or the stores in the mall?' / Dwight: 'All of it! The mall, the stores, the kiosks.'
Jim Dwight Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy Kevin: 'America's one big mall.'
Kevin Deadpan/Understatement Observational Toby: Toby describes his peaceful place as 'the walk from the yogurt shop to my car, after I drop my daughter off on Sunday afternoons'
Toby Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Jim: Jim's talking head: 'I'm glad Michael's getting help. He has a lot of issues, and he's stupid.'
Jim Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy Pam: Pam's cold call: 'Look, I'm not gonna tell you that we have lower prices. Is price something that is important to you?' [pause] 'Okay, well, let me know if anything changes.'
Pam Cringe/Discomfort Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Pam · Jim: Pam asks Jim: 'Tell me everything's gonna be okay.' / 'Tell me I'm good at sales.' Jim unconvincingly complies both times.
Pam Jim Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort Pam: Pam's talking head: 'The unfair thing about working in sales is that your salary is almost all commission. So if you suck at sales, you make almost no money. I guess that's fair.'
Pam Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Dwight · Jim: Dwight confirms he called Jim's clients at the mall and used 'the f-word' on their behalf, as if it were an act of loyalty
Dwight: Dwight: 'That mall is corrupt. Okay, they're appearancist!'
Dwight Wordplay/Pun Character Comedy Dwight: Dwight's backstory: He took Mose to the mall 'to get his blood pressure at the Rite Aid' and saw something in a fancy store window
Dwight Character Comedy Absurdist Dwight: Dwight: 'I guess I'm not the kind of guy that's good enough for precious heirlooms.'
Dwight Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Kelly · Andy · Jim: Kelly: 'We should start our own mall.' / Andy: 'Yeah!' / Jim: 'Wait, wait, wait. Actually, that's a really good idea, Kelly.' / Kelly: 'What did I say? I talk a lot, so I've learned to just tune myself out.'
Dwight · Jim: Dwight: 'No, you and I... and I.' — correcting Jim when Jim volunteers himself to accompany Dwight to the store
Dwight Jim Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Gabe: Gabe's talking head: 'Did you assume that I would automatically side with the rich, snobby shop owner? How about now?' — implying he looks like or is one
Gabe Character Comedy Meta/Self-Referential Michael · Toby: Michael cuts Toby off mid-sentence: 'One hour. We've done one hour. Let's just speed this up. Okay, keep it moving. I wanna do all six hours today.'
Michael: Michael: 'Be careful what you wish for, Toby.' — said as an ominous threat before beginning to talk
Michael Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Michael · Dwight · Andy · Jim: Michael tries to describe the plot of Pretty Woman but doesn't know the title — 'Apparently there's a famous Hollywood movie from the 1980s... beautiful girl.' Everyone has to correct him: 'Pretty Woman.'
Michael · Andy · Jim: Michael describes Pretty Woman's plot: 'The sex worker is denied service... that can't be right.' / Andy and Jim insist on hearing his version anyway.
Andy · Michael: Andy dramatically delivers the 'Big mistake. Huge.' line, cutting off Michael mid-telling
Pam: Pam's talking head: 'I.' — a single word, claiming the title of office administrator to a vendor who asked who was in charge
Pam Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Pam: Pam stands up and loudly declares: 'I'm the office administrator!'
Pam Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Callback Pam: Pam's talking head: 'There are a few ways to get promoted. One is to wait for an opening and apply for it. That's the main way. But this could work.'
Pam Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Michael: Michael Freudian slips: 'When I was sitting at the table, eating my penis... I mean peas.'
Michael Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort Michael: Michael claims he was 'probed by an alien life force — an A.L.F. Alf. You know, I might have actually been probed by Alf. You might think he's a puppet, you never see the lower half, but there's a lower half.'
Michael Absurdist Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Jim · Dwight: Dwight's makeover presentation: 'Before me stands your coworker, Dwight Kurt Schrute. Dwight, show them all sides, turn around.'
Kevin: Kevin/Oscar: 'Your shirt and tie are disgusto-barfo.' — evaluating Dwight's current outfit
Kevin Character Comedy Wordplay/Pun Oscar · Dwight: The advice 'not so monochromatic, not so matching' — less matching = more rich — confuses Dwight: 'Wait, less matching to appear more rich?'
Dwight · Oscar · Kelly: Dwight's glasses are removed; multiple people say they liked them / thought they were cute; Dwight says 'I can't see.'
Dwight · Andy: Dwight: 'Wait, I see you every day. Can I say, "good month?"' — in response to being told to greet people with 'good morning, good afternoon'
Dwight · Andy · Jim: Dwight's acceptance drill: 'Please. / Thank you. / Copy. Thank you. / Please. / I think he's got it.'
Dwight: Dwight: 'And I was raised by wolves. I was 25 years old before I saw my first human being. Wait, is it a full moon tonight?'
Dwight Character Comedy Absurdist Michael · Toby: Michael: 'Yes, yes, they are all fake stories. What sort of twisted mind would come up with weird stories like that? Three hours, we're halfway done.' / Toby: 'How?'
Toby: Toby surrenders: 'You know what, Michael? You're right. You win. This is pointless.' Then reveals he has 'fun stuff in case my daughter ever comes over' — a box of children's games in his office
Toby Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Dwight: Dwight's disposable camera talking head: 'Disposable cameras are fun, although it does seem wasteful and you don't ever get to see your pictures. If it's an important event you want to remember, I recommend using a real camera. But I don't care if I forget today.'
Dwight Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy Michael · Toby: Michael's story about the baseball game: he felt bad for the pitcher being taken out because 'he wasn't going to be able to play with his friends anymore.' Jeff said the manager was 'making a really good move' — Michael absorbed the abandonment lesson.
Toby: Toby realizes the counseling is genuinely working: 'It's working. I'm doing it.' — followed by an immediate interruption
Toby Irony/Sarcasm Reaction Beat Toby · Michael: Michael: 'It's very important for you to be liked, isn't it?' / Michael: 'Well, let's not get too... this isn't a counseling session.' / Toby sighs.
Toby · Michael: Toby: 'Dogs don't do that.' Michael: 'Right? Why would a dog do that?'
Toby: Toby's realization: 'You son of a gun.' / then 'You son of a bitch.' — escalating as he realizes what Michael just revealed
Toby Escalation Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Michael: Michael turns on Toby viciously: 'You couldn't help your marriage... Nobody needs your help. Nobody wants it. You can't help anybody. I don't need your help. Am I gonna make you cry?'
Michael Cringe/Discomfort Character Comedy Michael: Michael: 'Okay, filled out... Good. Thank you, doctor, take two of these and call me in the morning.' — dismissing Toby after the forms are signed
Michael Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Pam: Pam's talking head about collecting signatures: 'There are a lot of one-person departments here, so there's a lot of department heads. But I'm off to a good start. Oh man, if I can pull this off, it will be the scam of all scams. And yet, very helpful to everyone.'
Pam Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Gabe · Toby: Corporate has sent Gabe to double-check Michael's evaluation — Toby marked 'severe' in ALL categories, including 'at risk for homicidal behavior'
Gabe Toby Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Callback Gabe · Pam: Gabe confronts Pam about being office administrator: 'I have gone through everything from the past three years. There is nothing that says that you're office administrator.' / Pam: 'So weird that there's no paperwork.'
Gabe Pam Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Pam: Pam deflects with a story about her Australian friend meeting someone from two streets away: 'Canberra, I think, and she met this guy who lived only two streets away from her in America.'
Pam Character Comedy Misdirection Gabe: Gabe: 'Statements of such a nature, while they have their place, are overused in a competitive business environment.' — responding to Pam's demand that he make a definitive statement
Gabe Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Gabe · Pam: Gabe: 'Could I get one of those nameplates that says "Gabe Lewis"?' / Pam: 'For sure. Anything else? I'll get it right away.'
Gabe Pam Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Pam · Gabe: Pam immediately gets Gabe a nameplate as her first act as office administrator, after winning their confrontation
Pam Gabe Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Callback Pam: Pam's talking head: 'The first lesson of watching World Poker Tour at 2:00 A.M.: you play the opponent, not the cards.'
Pam Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Dwight · Jim: The reveal: the 'precious heirloom' Dwight wanted to buy is a pewter wizard holding a crystal
Dwight Jim Misdirection Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Jim · Dwight: Jim warns Dwight: 'You know you can't buy that now, right? I can come back and get it for you later, but I'm saying right now, we can't do that.' / Dwight: 'Right. 'Cause I'm here for Revenge.'
Jim Dwight Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Callback Dwight · Jim: Dwight loses his aristocratic composure and starts yelling at the clerk mid-'big mistake huge' moment; Jim holds him back
Dwight: Dwight delivers his version of the 'Big mistake. Huge.' line anyway: 'You made a big mistake! Huge!'
Dwight Callback Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Jim · Dwight: Jim: 'That was pretty good.' / Dwight: 'Thank you. Please.'
Jim Dwight Callback Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Michael · Toby: Michael forged and faxed his own counseling evaluation forms, then blames Toby for 'getting him so worked up'
Michael · Toby: Michael's final confession: 'I wanna mess everything up so I can fix it and keep my job.' / Toby: 'Good thing I'm here, 'cause I do nothing. I make everybody nervous.'
Michael: Michael's confessional about Toby: 'Good thing I'm here, 'cause I do nothing. I make everybody nervous. Aah!'
Michael Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Michael · Toby: Michael's doodles during therapy: 'That's the office, huh? Look at that. Angela's cat. Why is Angela taller than Dwight?'
Michael: Michael: 'Psychiatrists tend to be more crazy than their patients. Therapists are whores. Psychiatry is a narcissism machine.'
Michael Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Michael: Michael: 'I learn more from Dr.** than from Dr. Froyd.' / 'Earth. You don't have to be crazy to live here. But it helps.' / 'I don't know... just use the best one.'
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