The staffers pair up as faux couples to score a Valentine's Day discount at a mall. Erin tells Pete that she'll break up with Andy when he returns, but Pete has his doubts. Jim and Pam socialize with the documentary's soundman.
WAR
87
Wins Above Replacement
“Couples Discount” ranks #106 of 183 The Office episodes on the Humor Index, scoring 87.0 — Elite. The episode packs 76 scored jokes at 3.3 per minute, averaging 7.2 on craft and 7.1 on impact, with Andy landing the most laughs. Every joke is ranked below with its individual craft and impact scores.
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Top Jokes
Meredith: Jim says he won't rat on Andy. Meredith: 'Meredith Palmer ain't never been called no narc. Floozy? Yes. Alkie? Check. Einstein sarcastically? You bet. But never no narc. Vomit mop? Sure. Floor meat? That's me. Flesh hoover? Hi.'
Meredith Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Erin: Erin's talking-head: 'I am really, really bad at breakups. Technically, I'm still dating my first-grade boyfriend. I mean, we just had our 20th anniversary. And I forgot to get him something.'
Erin Character Comedy Absurdist ★ Rewatch Erin · Andy: Erin's confession to Andy: 'We're breaking up. And just so you know, I was worried that you were dead. You were gone for three months.'
Erin Andy Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Erin: We're breaking up. And just so you know, I was worried that you were dead. You were gone for three months.
Erin Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Kevin: 'Andy left a carton of milk in the fridge, so I've been sneaking a little bit every day for the last three months. It's been yummy. But now Andy's coming back. So, I guess it's good-bye, chunky lemon milk.'
Kevin Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Standout Moments
Erin: Erin's talking-head: 'I am really, really bad at breakups. Technically, I'm still dating my first-grade boyfriend. I mean, we just had our 20th anniversary. And I forgot to get him something.'
Erin Character Comedy Absurdist ★ Rewatch Meredith: Jim says he won't rat on Andy. Meredith: 'Meredith Palmer ain't never been called no narc. Floozy? Yes. Alkie? Check. Einstein sarcastically? You bet. But never no narc. Vomit mop? Sure. Floor meat? That's me. Flesh hoover? Hi.'
Meredith Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Erin · Andy: Erin's confession to Andy: 'We're breaking up. And just so you know, I was worried that you were dead. You were gone for three months.'
Erin Andy Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch All Jokes — 76 analyzed
Show all ↓ Hide ↑ Jim: Jim explains he got on his hands and knees begging partners to switch a Tuesday for a Thursday, then says 'Alakazam' — and then immediately reveals they need an extra day next week.
Jim Irony/Sarcasm Setup/Punchline Erin: 'And poof, he disappears.' Erin's talking-head confessional where she immediately pivots from Jim and Pam's romantic moment to announcing she's breaking up with Andy.
Erin Misdirection Deadpan/Understatement Jim: Jim's talking-head comparing Erin wanting to do 'whatever he'd like' before the Andy breakup to his childhood dog who got sent to a farm — 'on his last day, we did everything he loved.'
Jim Dark/Subversive Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Jim · Erin: Jim immediately asking 'Wanna play catch in the parking lot?' after the dying-dog speech, and Erin cheerfully agreeing.
Jim Erin Callback Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Callback Dwight: Dwight talking to a pretend 'Andy' — his imagination — and doing a nonsense voice ('Rink-a-dit doo, rika-doot-deet doo') to represent Andy's response, then saying 'I really like Andy these days. He's pretend, and he does exactly as I tell him to.'
Dwight Character Comedy Absurdist ★ Rewatch Kevin: 'Andy left a carton of milk in the fridge, so I've been sneaking a little bit every day for the last three months. It's been yummy. But now Andy's coming back. So, I guess it's good-bye, chunky lemon milk.'
Kevin Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Oscar: 'I wish Andy had stayed on his trip. I say we all have one last fun, boss-less day.'
Oscar Observational Irony/Sarcasm Meredith: Meredith suggests they 'get some booze and some cocaine and just blow it out, no consequences' for their last boss-less day.
Meredith Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Phyllis: Phyllis describes the couples discount at the mini-mall, then adds: 'if you don't have one of those, you can probably just bring whoever it is you use to kill your loneliness.'
Phyllis Dark/Subversive Deadpan/Understatement Stanley · Phyllis: Stanley offers to pretend to be Phyllis's husband, then adds: 'I'm already sick of you, so it'll seem realistic.'
Phyllis: Phyllis mentions the nail salon uses 'a watch repair kit' on her feet.
Oscar: Oscar says 'I'll be your foot buddy' to Phyllis with genuine excitement about the nail salon.
Oscar Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Clark · Angela: Clark agrees to be Angela's fake boyfriend for the couples discount: 'That's what I do.' — delivered as a weary statement of his role in the office.
Kevin · Darryl: Kevin awkwardly asks Darryl to pretend to be a couple for the discount. Darryl flatly says 'No.' Then immediately says 'Yes. Yes. Why wouldn't I?'
Kevin · Darryl: Kevin tries to coach Darryl on pretending to be gay; Darryl snaps 'Stop talking about it. I said I'm fine with it.' Then they both look at the chocolates and simultaneously agree they're terrible.
Jim · Pam: Jim's talking-head: Brian made a lunch reservation at State Street Grill. Pam: 'Oh my God, that's so romantic.' Jim: 'It's with Brian and Alyssa.' Pam: 'Oh my God, that's less romantic.'
Jim Pam Setup/Punchline Misdirection Nail Salon Worker · Phyllis: Nail salon worker recognizes Phyllis ('Oh, tiny foot lady is back') and gets excited, calling for the baby clipper.
Nail Salon Worker · Clark · Angela: The nail salon worker tells Clark to take off his glasses. After he does, she declares: 'Your boyfriend. He look like a pretty girl.'
Nail Salon Worker · Clark: Worker escalates: 'And you know what? I think you are developing. We should go and get you a training bra.'
Angela · Clark · Nail Salon Worker: Angela and Clark are caught in their fake relationship ruse. The worker revokes the discount: 'Full price.' Angela protests — worker: 'Shush!' Angela's talking-head: 'Turns out I can't even be in a pretend relationship.'
Nail Salon Worker · Clark: Oh, you guys both think this is funny? Well, you know what? No more discount. Full price.
Darryl · Kevin · Nail Salon Worker: Darryl and Kevin attempt to claim the couples discount. Worker: 'No discount for two men. Two men are not a couple.' Darryl: 'We are together, romantically.' Worker flatly refuses.
Darryl: Darryl's speech to the nail salon worker: 'Him and me, all right, we are crazy in love. More in love than your small mind can comprehend. And we have two disposable incomes and no kids, and we're taking our business elsewhere.'
Darryl Character Comedy Escalation ★ Rewatch Jim · Pam · Brian: Jim and Pam arrive at the restaurant. Brian: 'Sorry we're late.' Brian: 'Oh, uh, no problem. I finished all the bread.'
Jim · Brian: Jim suggests Brian could 'boom his whole life' for Jim's deaf father-in-law, then asks 'Does he pay well?'
Jim Brian Setup/Punchline Deadpan/Understatement Brian · Dwight: Brian reveals Alyssa isn't coming, then: 'Actually, we're not gonna make it.' — then cut to Dwight presenting another sales order to imaginary Andy.
Dwight: Why, thank you, Mr. Schrute. I don't know how you do it. — You're a God. — Rink-a-dink, deet, deet, doo.
Dwight Character Comedy Running Gag Callback Dwight · Andy: Andy walks in. Dwight says 'You're back.' Beat. 'And you're disgusting.'
Dwight Andy Reaction Beat Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Callback Office Worker: Unnamed worker: 'Oh geez, my nails aren't dry yet. I don't think I can work for at least a couple hours.'
Andy: Andy's entrance: 'Well, well, well, look who it is. Andy. I guess I can cancel my order from zappos.com because, oh, the loafers have arrived.'
Andy Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Andy: Andy plays bembe drums and sings 'Yoruba yoruba / aruba yoruba' while wearing what sounds like island-influenced clothing, and tells Erin to 'clop the cloppers.'
Andy Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Pete: Pete's line to Andy: 'Hey, burning man, if it's not selling out too much, you might wanna throw on a tie. David Wallace is gonna be here in an hour.'
Pete Deadpan/Understatement Irony/Sarcasm Andy · Nellie: Andy insists Wallace knows about the three-month absence. Nellie: 'Wallace does know that you've been gone for the last three months?' Andy: 'I have no idea. I don't know what he knows or doesn't know.' Then: 'It's not hard to get high-speed internet in Turks and Caicos, people. It's in every bembe cafe.'
Andy: It's not hard to get high-speed internet in Turks and Caicos, people. It's in every bembe cafe.
Andy Character Comedy Absurdist Callback Andy · Dwight: Andy asks where Jim is. Told he's at Valentine's lunch. 'For two hours, really?' — Dwight: 'So, you're concerned about peoples' long absence from their place of work. If the shoe fits...'
Dwight: So, you're concerned about peoples' long absence from their place of work.
Dwight Irony/Sarcasm Deadpan/Understatement Andy · Jim: Andy plays bembe in the background while Jim makes his dry observation — the musical percussion punctuating the uncomfortable moment.
Andy Jim Visual Gag Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Callback Jim · Pam · Brian: Jim and Pam's awkward lunch with Brian — extended scene of them sitting with his relationship news. Jim's reaction beat: staring, processing, not knowing what to say.
Brian · Jim: Brian: 'We have to find a different way to communicate other than breaking down in front of each other.' Then adds: 'At least my crying won't get you fired.'
Andy · Dwight: Andy demands Dwight say 'coolio.' Dwight refuses. Andy escalates, saying it repeatedly. Dwight: 'Not a word.'
Andy · Jan: Andy calls Jan to 'clear up' the Scranton White Pages deal. He says 'coolio' to Jan mid-call while the deal collapses.
Andy Jan Callback Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Callback Andy · Clark · Jan: Jan invokes her 30-day exit clause and cancels the contract. Andy pleads: 'Jan, please do not listen to this boob! Remember Clark. He gave you everything. Everything.' Clark, on the phone: 'Jan, I don't know what he's talking about, but--'
Andy: Andy: 'That was not... how I had hoped that would go.'
Andy Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy Andy: Andy breezes back into the bullpen: 'Hey everybody. Great job. Listen, we're a smidge behind on my paychecks.'
Andy Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Oscar · Andy: Oscar deadpans: 'Yes, well, as you know, we get paid on Fridays. And you haven't been here for 12 Fridays.'
Kevin · Office Staff · Andy: Wallace gives Andy a bonus check. Kevin specifies: 'Quarter's three months. That's how long you've been gone.' Multiple people in the office say 'Mm-hmm' in unison.
Dwight: Dwight's talking-head: 'Two seconds of the turd dog, and he loses the biggest sale this branch has ever seen. Do you have any idea what I had to do to get that sale from Jan? I mean, I went all out. All out. I mean like everything was out the whole week.'
Dwight Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Dwight: Dwight: 'He just waltzes back in here like he owns the chunky lemon milk.'
Dwight Callback Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Callback Dwight: Dwight's 'boy who cried wolf' speech: 'I'd like to rat out Andy, but unfortunately I have a bit of a boy who cried wolf dynamic with David Wallace. Except instead of a boy I'm a man, and instead of a wolf I cried genetically-engineered monster wolf.'
Dwight Character Comedy Absurdist ★ Rewatch Andy: Andy re-enters the bullpen playing bembe: 'What's going on in here, dirty players? Let's get back to bustin' some paper rhymes. Come on.' He plays the drums again.
Andy Character Comedy Cringe/Discomfort Callback Andy: Cut to Andy saying 'It's Andy.' — apparently playing/singing a riff on the 'Who's that girl?' pop song about himself.
Andy Character Comedy Meta/Self-Referential Jim: I guess I just feel like a chump... who knows less about his marriage than the sound guy.
Jim Dark/Subversive Deadpan/Understatement ★ Rewatch Jim: Jim's sarcastic 'Yeah, well, yeah, okay. Well, then thank you. Thanks to both of you.' — directed at Pam and implicitly at Brian, after Pam explains she didn't share her crying because she didn't want to stress Jim out.
Jim Irony/Sarcasm Cringe/Discomfort ★ Rewatch Andy · Nellie: Andy asks Nellie to brief him on highlights. Nellie mentions the Scranton White Pages. Andy: 'Not helpful. Let's stay positive, people.'
Andy Nellie Irony/Sarcasm Deadpan/Understatement Callback Andy: Andy tells Wallace they were having a 'weekly round table where we motivate each other — I get as much out of it as they do.'
Andy Irony/Sarcasm Character Comedy Andy: We were just having our weekly round table where we motivate each other. I'm not gonna lie -- I get as much out of it as they do.
Andy Character Comedy Irony/Sarcasm Kevin · Andy: Kevin tells Andy about Pam's mural fire: 'Lit the whole thing on fire. It was crazy.' Andy, confused: 'There was a fire in the warehouse? The whole thing is in ashes. Fire department was here. It was in all the papers.'
Kevin · Wallace: Kevin reveals Kathy Ireland is now the 'official spokesbabe of Dunder Mifflin' — topless on European billboards. Wallace: 'Go, Kathy. She's like 50.' Kevin: 'They're tasteful.'
Andy · Dwight · Wallace: And who knew the balloon game would be so lucrative? And thank God, right? We needed the income after the fire. — What fire? — The warehouse fire. Weren't you just down there? — It looked fine to me.
Andy · Wallace: Andy tells Wallace 'Think you'll agree I explained that pretty well' after his incoherent fire metaphor speech. Wallace: '[pause] Okay.'
Andy Wallace Deadpan/Understatement Reaction Beat ★ Rewatch Andy · Erin: Andy and Erin's breakup scene: Andy insists on the relationship using fishing metaphors. 'Really playing the scales, huh?' Erin: 'I don't know, it just sort of sounds like noise to me now.' Andy: 'You think I need a new fish?'
Andy Erin Character Comedy Misdirection ★ Rewatch Erin · Andy: Erin: 'I don't love you anymore.' Andy: '[pause] What?' Erin: 'I still like you.'
Erin Andy Deadpan/Understatement Misdirection Andy: Andy: 'You re-tweeted me a lot, to be fair.'
Andy Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Andy: Andy's breakup logic: 'My parents lasted 30, 40 years. They were never happy at the same time.'
Andy Dark/Subversive Character Comedy Andy · Erin: Andy: 'I mean, what do we have left? 35, maybe 40 years, if we're lucky? I mean, I have spent a lot of time in the sun. You got really sunburned.' Erin: 'I'm gonna be a prune in like three years.'
Andy Erin Character Comedy Deadpan/Understatement Andy · Erin: What do we have left? 35, maybe 40 years, if we're lucky? I mean, I have spent a lot of time in the sun. You got really sunburned. — I'm gonna be a prune in like three years.
Andy: Andy: 'I know you may not be feeling love for me right now, but if you fake it, I won't be able to tell the difference. So I'll feel good.'
Andy Character Comedy Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Jim · Pam: Jim suggests canceling the wine night: 'I just feel like I got a bunch of stuff to do in Philly, and I'm sure you have stuff to do, so we can just...' Pam: 'Drop me at the bus station?'
Jim Pam Deadpan/Understatement Dark/Subversive ★ Rewatch Jim · Pam: Jim: 'I just feel like we're gonna fight.' Pam: 'Yeah.' Jim: 'So, how 'bout let's not?' Pam: 'Okay.'
Jim Pam Deadpan/Understatement Awkward Silence ★ Rewatch Jim · Pam: Jim: 'I don't think you should go to Philly tonight. I think you should stay, and I think we should fight.' Pam: 'You really want to fight on Valentine's Day?' Jim: 'Yeah, I do.' Beat. 'Okay. All right, put your dukes up, Beesly.'
Jim Pam Setup/Punchline Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Erin · Pete: Erin comes to Pete after failing to break up with Andy. Pete: 'Oh.' Erin: 'I'm sorry.' Pete: 'Oh, you don't have to apologize. I just — I just want you to be happy, okay?'
Erin Pete Awkward Silence Cringe/Discomfort Callback Erin: We're breaking up. And just so you know, I was worried that you were dead. You were gone for three months.
Erin Deadpan/Understatement Character Comedy ★ Rewatch Wallace · Andy: Wallace appears from around the corner: 'Andy? David. Still here. What was that about three months?'
Wallace Andy Setup/Punchline Misdirection ★ Rewatch Callback Top Episodes — The Office