Overview of Second Drink: The Deposition
This Office Ladies “Second Drink” episode (Season 4, Episode 12 — “The Deposition”) is a rewatch/deep-dive hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. They recap the episode’s plot (Michael is deposed in Jan’s wrongful termination suit; a warehouse ping-pong rivalry erupts), share behind-the-scenes stories, answer fan mail, and offer production trivia, deleted-scene highlights, and personal anecdotes.
Episode essentials
- Episode: “The Deposition” (S4E12) — written by Lester Lewis; directed by Julian Farino.
- Main plot: Michael Scott is deposed in Jan Levinson’s wrongful-termination suit against Dunder Mifflin. While Michael is in New York, Jim and Darryl’s ping-pong matches spark a Pam vs. Kelly rivalry back in Scranton.
- Key beats:
- Michael’s testimony derails (that‑what‑she‑said joke, awkward legal moments).
- Jan brings Michael’s private journal to the deposition and reads humiliating entries aloud.
- Copies of the journal are made and read in the corporate cafeteria.
- Michael ends up sitting with Toby in the cafeteria, pushes Toby’s lunch tray off in frustration.
- Jim/Darryl ping‑pong storyline; warehouse and conference-room ping‑pong scenes; final Dwight vs. Mose match (CGI used for some ping‑pong shots).
Main takeaways and themes
- The episode mixes workplace comedy with genuine embarrassment and pathos: Michael’s humiliation is played for laughs but also feels painful and vulnerable.
- The show’s humor often comes from casting realistic, dramatic performers (e.g., Valerie Ross as the stenographer) instead of overt comedic acting, increasing the authenticity.
- Callbacks and continuity are used cleverly (framing of the “love document,” Jamaica photo, recurring props like the PT Cruiser).
Notable behind‑the‑scenes & production notes
- Writer Lester Lewis: longtime, beloved writer on the show; he passed away in 2013. His DVD commentary is referenced and recommended by the hosts.
- Writers’ strike (2007–2008): this was the last episode shot before the WGA strike, which truncated Season 4 (NBC had ordered 30 eps; strike shortened the season). No writers on set during strike, and Steve Carell (a WGA member) did not cross picket lines.
- Sets & locations:
- Corporate scenes were filmed on a “swing set” on the Dunder Mifflin warehouse stages; the reception area was redressed to become the deposition room.
- Corporate cafeteria scenes were shot at the Universal Studios Commissary (the hosts rented it for a day).
- Props & small details:
- The famous “hiya buddy” sticky note drawing was originally sketched by showrunner Greg Daniels.
- Michael’s love document is in a frame (callback to “Cocktails”).
- Technical/filming trivia:
- Ping-pong scenes were difficult to shoot: real play caused continuity and sound problems; some later ping-pong moments (e.g., Dwight vs. Mose) used CGI for the ball.
- Lipstick (tiny onboard) cameras were installed for Michael/Jan car scenes, but the light failed; usable footage came from a follow car, producing a more distant, intimate look.
- Deleted/outtake highlights:
- Michael’s theatrical opening statement to the deposition (in deleted scenes).
- A deleted ping-pong “strip pong” joke with Creed.
- Alternate ways the writers had imagined Kelly’s taunts and other lines (many “candy bag alts” recorded).
Fan mail and questions answered (selected)
- Do football players pee on the sidelines? Fans (and a listener) report players sometimes urinate discreetly under warming coats or behind towels on the sideline—similar to camping/privacy improvisation.
- Kelly’s song in the episode: Many listeners corrected the hosts—Kelly is referencing Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend.” The writers had several musical alts for the taunt.
- Were actors actually playing ping-pong? Some ping-pong was real (and time-consuming to shoot), but certain match shots later used CGI for the ball.
- Who is the stenographer? Actress Valerie Ross (dramatic/resume background plus improv training) — the hosts praise her deadpan cadence and authenticity.
- Where were corporate interiors filmed? On the warehouse stages (swing set); cafeteria was Universal commissary.
- Why was Season 4 shorter? The Writers Guild strike curtailed production and reduced the episode count.
- Were Pam and Kelly actually bad at ping‑pong? The actresses weren’t excellent but exaggerated being bad; John Krasinski and others also performed at different skill levels.
Fast facts & fun tangents covered
- Ping-pong history primer: Victorian origins (indoors adaptation of lawn tennis), first world championships in 1927, Olympic inclusion in 1988; grips and spin types were briefly explained.
- Tom Brady diet/water tangent: Jenna and Angela riff about how Brady reportedly drinks large amounts of water daily and joke about how athletes handle bathroom needs during games.
- Jenna/Angela personal anecdotes: jury duty stories, journaling habits (both host journal avidly), Ed Helms doing impressions on set (Tom Brokaw gag about “albondigas soup”).
Memorable quotes & moments
- Michael’s journal excerpt read aloud (one of the episode’s cringeworthy highlights): “Just got back from Jamaica. … I had sex with my boss. I don’t know if it’s going to go anywhere. … We had sex six times. … XOXO, Michael.”
- Stenographer moment: the straight-faced read-back of Michael’s testimony is a fan favorite and often cited for its perfect cadence.
- Deleted Toby/camera moment line (candy bag alt): “God bless you. God bless you for recording this today for all time.” (Toby talking head alt found in the “candy bag” alts.)
Why this episode stands out
- It balances high cringe comedy with real emotional beats — Michael’s vulnerability is funny but also sympathetic.
- Strong use of small details and callbacks rewards attentive viewers.
- Behind‑the‑scenes choices (casting Valerie Ross, practical vs. CGI ping‑pong, on-set improvisation like the tray shove) show how production choices shaped the final tone.
Recommended clips / deleted scenes to watch
- Michael’s deleted opening statement (Jeff on the DVD extras).
- Stenographer read-back scenes (fan-favorite moment).
- Deleted “strip pong” Creed bit and other candy-bag alternates if you want more outtakes.
Sponsors & plugs heard in the episode
The episode includes standard sponsor reads (Blue Apron, Macy’s, Grow Therapy, Jill on Money, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Indeed, TurboTax, Quince, SimpliSafe, Natural Cycles, Primally Pure) — the hosts read and discuss some product tie-ins between segments.
This summary captures the episode’s plot, production trivia, fan Q&A, and the hosts’ most notable behind‑the‑scenes stories. If you want a shorter bullet recap of the plot only, say the word and I’ll condense it.