The Office: The 12 Days of Dunder-Mifflen Bankruptcy

It’s Christmas in Scranton and this year, Jim has agreed to let Phyllis dress up as the office Santa Claus–a job she’s been vying for for years due to her cheery temperament and round figure. Meanwhile, Andy has Erin for Secret Santa and has been sending her the literal 12 days of Christmas, which has entailed 30 birds pecking at her face.

Michael isn’t too happy when he shows up in a red Kris Kringle outfit and Phyllis has stolen his thunder. He tries to outshine “Tranny Claus” by allowing Kevin to sit on his lap, but almost passes out in the process. He then takes his competition with her to a new level by turning his Santa coat inside out and pretending he’s Jesus. Angela claps for him, as Toby–the anti-Christ–reprimands, saying you can’t push religion on people.

Elsewhere in the office, Oscar’s got an apparent crush on a warehouse employee named Matt. Pam thinks they should date and it’s not just because they’re the only two gay people she knows.

Whoever has Dwight for Secret Santa has been sending him various parts to his gift to be put together–what ends up being a nutcracker from Michael. Dwight is quite pleased with it, taking a break from plotting against Jim because he’s tired and depressed.

Michael, still throwing a hissy fit about Phyllis being Santa, calls David Wallace. It’s not a good time for him: Dunder-Mifflen has been sold. He informs Michael the board is going to clean out, and he himself will be fired. Michael emerges from his office, no longer dressed as Jesus or Santa or any other Christ-related character. He apologizes for his antics–personally to Phyllis–and tells the office that he can’t bear the thought of them all being fired. Jim believes that since the company is just being sold, they may not lose their jobs, so the group calls Wallace on speaker phone. Jim is right–only the executives are getting canned! Christmas cheer is restored and Michael crowd surfs to celebrate.

I’m hoping this is a good move on the part of the writers. Clearly the show needs some change to spruce up the action, and David Wallace and his cohorts weren’t vital characters to keep. Perhaps there will be some exciting plot lines in the future revolving around the new head honchos?

Season 6, Episode 12: Secret Santa (Originally aired December 10, 2009)

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Thursdays, 9/8C on NBC

Photographs courtesy of NBC, Chris Haston