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"Gay Witch Hunt"

"Gay Witch Hunt" is the first episode and season premiere of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 30th episode overall. Written by executive producer and show runner Greg Daniels and directed by Ken Kwapis, the episode first aired in the United States on September 21, 2006 on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC).

In the episode, Michael discovers that Oscar is gay. Michael tries to show Oscar that he is accepting of his sexual orientation, but only ends up insulting him. It is also revealed that after kissing, Jim went through with transferring to Stamford, and Pam called off her engagement with Roy.

Synopsis

File:Jimgaywitch.jpg
Jim at his new office in Stamford, Connecticut.

After calling Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nunez) "faggy", Michael Scott (Steve Carell) learns that Oscar finds the word offensive because he is homosexual. Michael inadvertently outs Oscar to the entire office. Jan Levinson (Melora Hardin) berates Michael for his behavior, after Michael's seminar on homosexuality is a disaster. When Oscar threatens to quit, Michael attempts to reconcile with Oscar, first by hugging him, and then kissing him on the lips. Oscar is given three months paid vacation and use of a company car in exchange for not suing Dunder Mifflin.

It is revealed that after their kiss, Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) confirmed to Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) her intention to marry Roy Anderson (David Denman). However, a few days before the wedding, Pam got cold feet and decided to call it off. She moved into her own apartment and began taking art classes. Pam's rejection sent Roy into a downward spiral, hitting rock bottom with a drunk driving arrest. When being interviewed by the camera crew, Roy makes a vow to win Pam back.

Jim has transferred to Dunder Mifflin's Stamford branch and settles into his new office. He befriends smug co-worker Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) who brags about his wild college days at Cornell University. Meanwhile, sales representative Karen Filippelli (Rashida Jones) expresses disdain for Jim's constant smirks to the camera.

Production

"Gay Witch Hunt" was the eighth episode of the series directed by Ken Kwapis. Kwapis had previously directed "Pilot", "Diversity Day", "Sexual Harassment", "The Fire", "The Fight", "Booze Cruise", and "Casino Night". "Gay Witch Hunt" was written by executive producer and show runner Greg Daniels.[1]

The kiss between Michael and Oscar in the conference room was not scripted. The scene had been shot a couple of times with Steve Carell not kissing Oscar Nunez. Then on one take, Oscar saw "his (Carell's) lips coming closer and closer". Nunez recalled "I'm like, 'Dear God, he's going to kiss me.' And sure enough, he planted one on my face." Then, as a joke, Rainn Wilson got up and tried to do the same thing.[2]

Reception

The Nielson Ratings for "Gay Witch Hunt" were up 23 percent from the second season premiere "`The Dundies". During the 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. ET slot, "Gay Witch Hunt" ranked second among men ages 18–49 and 24–54 and first among men ages 18–34. The episode had more viewers between the ages of 18 and 49-years-old since "Dwight's Speech", and the most overall since "Boys and Girls".[3]

"Gay Witch Hunt" generally received praise from critics. TV Guide's Matt Roush admitted that he "loved Oscar's self-deprecating reaction to his newfound notoriety".[4] Roush said that when watching Michael "you can't help but forgive the idiot, while wondering how in the world he manages to keep his job," and that the kiss between Michael and Oscar was "horrifically funny".[4] Steve West of Cinemablend.com stated that "the balance between laughing at Michael’s ineptitude and the discomfit of Oscar was handled so deftly that it’s a wonder the show became successful when similarly great writing in Arrested Development did nothing to garner viewers."[5] James Fan from Northern Attack said that "the sight of her (Pam) finally taking matters into her own hands" was "almost as worthy of celebration (as the wedding itself)".[6] Andy debuted to mixed emotions. While James Fan said that "Dwight Redux isn’t quite as lovable as the original", Steve West said that Andy's reaction to having his calculator put in Jell-O was "hilarious but frightening".[6]

References

  1. ^ ""Gay Witch Hunt"". TV.com. Retrieved 2008-06-24. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ Horwitch, Lauren (December 21, 2006) Method to The Office Madness Back Stage.com, Retrieved June 25, 2008
  3. ^ Tan, Jeannie (September 26, 2006) The Office Nielsen Ratings OfficeTally.com, Retrieved June 25, 2008
  4. ^ a b Roush, Matt (September 22, 2006) A Gay Old Office Time TV Guide.com, Retrieved June 25, 2008
  5. ^ West, Steve (September 22, 2006) TV Recap: The Office Season Premiere cinemablend.com, Retrieved June 25, 2008
  6. ^ a b Fan, James (September 21, 2006) Gay Witch Hunt Northern Attack.com, Retrieved June 25, 2008 Cite error: The named reference "Fan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
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