Halloween

Season 2 Episode 5 Summary

The Office, Season 2, Episode 5, “Halloween,” turns an office party into Michael Scott’s worst nightmare. Corporate ordered him to fire someone by month’s end, but he still hasn’t picked anyone. Wearing a fake second head, Michael asks others for help while trying to dodge blame.

The costumes deliver some of the episode’s best-known laughs, led by Jim’s “Three-hole Punch Jim” outfit. Dwight wears a costly Sith Lord costume and fumes when Jim mistakes him for a monk. Pam dresses as a cat, while Michael makes awkward remarks about Oscar’s and Kelly’s costumes.

Michael asks accounting to find enough savings to spare a job; Angela admits their team could shrink. Party plans also turn tense when Angela scolds Pam for bringing brownies instead of chips. Meanwhile, Dwight tries firing Stanley himself, but Stanley laughs and tells him to leave his phone alone.

Jim and Pam post Dwight’s résumé online, hoping a distant job will take him away. Jim poses as Michael during a reference call, giving Dwight wildly glowing praise. Dwight then ruins the job lead by arguing over his martial arts skills.

Dwight claims he rejected an offer out of loyalty, hoping Michael will grant him a better title. Michael instead wishes Dwight had left, since that would spare him from firing someone. Pam urges Jim to seek the better-paid Maryland job, leaving him hurt by her push.

Michael asks Jim to practice firing him, then turns their role-play into an absurd scene. He finally chooses Creed, who talks his way out by urging Michael to fire Devon instead. Creed’s calm push to save himself marks one of the episode’s most memorable scenes.

Michael fires Devon, then offers him a Chili’s gift card to soften the blow. Devon tears it up and invites most coworkers to Poor Richard’s, leaving Michael’s party behind. Pam later tells Jim she needs him around, and he downplays what her words mean.

The episode ends with Michael greeting trick-or-treaters at home, a warm shift after his grim workday. He spills a bag of candy, then lets the children take the whole pile. Click the camera button next to any quote to create an image for social media.