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The Fire (The Office episode)
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"The Fire" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's tenth episode overall. Written by B. J. Novak and directed by Ken Kwapis, the episode first aired in the United States on October 11, 2005 on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Amy Adams guest stars.[1]
In the episode, Michael takes it upon himself to teach Ryan about business, but soon everyone is forced to evacuate the office due to a fire. While outside, Michael continues to show an interest in Ryan, causing Dwight to be jealous. Meanwhile, Jim organizes games to play outside.
Plot
Pam Beesly learns that Jim Halpert and Katy have started dating. Michael Scott gives Ryan Howard a glowing checkpoint review. When Ryan expresses his interest in starting his own business someday, Michael takes it upon himself to teach Ryan the "ten rules of business". The fire alarm sounds, and while Dwight Schrute and Angela Martin both attempt to take charge of the evacuation, Michael pushes others out of the way in his escape out of the building.
The employees play games to pass the time. When Ryan reveals that he is attending business school at night, Michael becomes enamored of his newfound protégé. When Michael mentions that he left his cell phone in the office, Dwight rushes back into the building to fetch it.
Michael asks Ryan to call his cell phone to help Dwight find it. The phone rings. It is in Michael's pocket. Dwight emerges, coughing, from the building and reveals that the fire was started by Ryan, who left a cheese pita in the toaster-oven set to "oven" instead of "toaster". Dwight and Michael mock Ryan and dub him "The Fire Guy" by doing a song parody of the classic Billy Joel song "We Didn't Start the Fire".
Production
"The Fire" was the fourth episode of the series directed by Ken Kwapis. Kwapis had previously directed "Pilot", "Diversity Day", and "Sexual Harassment". "The Fire" was written by B. J. Novak, who also acts on the show as Ryan Howard. Novak had previously penned the episodes "Diversity Day" and "Sexual Harassment".[2]
The episode was filmed in 100-degree weather, but according to cast member B.J. Novak, they "couldn't look hot". The area outside the building was shot in Van Nuys, California in what Novak called a "bad area". The firemen in the scene were played by actual firemen.[3] The crew of The Office had someone in Scranton take photographs of the firefighter costumes, so they would be accurate.[4] However, in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Scraton firefighter Art Franklin pointed out that the uniform is actually tan, instead of the black ones seen on the show.[5]
Reception
"The Fire" received 3.7/9 in the ages 18–49 demographic in the Nielsen Ratings. This means that 3.7 percent of all households with an 18 to 49 year old living in it watched the episode, and nine percent had their television tuned to the channel at any point. "The Fire" was watched by 7.6 million viewers.[6]
"The Fire" received mostly positive reviews from critics. TV Squad's Michael Sciannamea wrote that "The Fire" was "another good episode." Sciannamea went on to write that "show has definitely improved and it's nice to see the other characters emerge", he especially liked "to see the other characters emerge" and the "subplot of the Jim/Pam scenario".[7] "Miss Alli" of TelevisionWithoutPity.com graded the episode with a "B+".[8] In a poll done by Office fansite OfficeTally.com, viewers ranked "The Fire" as the tenth most popular episode out of the twenty-two episodes of season two.[9]
References
External links
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