Episode Four (The Office, Series One)
Encyclopedia
Episode Four is the fourth episode of the first series of The Office
. "Training" is an alternative title for the episode. It was originally broadcast on 30 July 2001. The DVD extras for the series reveal this to be the favourite episode of almost the entire cast.
, naturally, is determined to undermine him at every opportunity by offering unhelpful suggestions and needless interruptions. Meanwhile, Dawn
and her fiancé Lee are having trouble in their relationship.
During the day-long training session, frustration builds for all, including Rowan and Tim
, who grows mildly annoyed and bemused. The "training" begins with an educational video espousing the core values and benefits of good customer service. Peter Purves
makes a cameo appearance in the video, playing himself. Roleplay is next on the agenda and the chosen scenario is Rowan playing a disinterested hotel manager and David a disgruntled guest. Unsurprisingly - this being Wernham Hogg - it all goes pear shaped.
Trust, ambitions and motivation are all briefly discussed before the conversation digresses to David's songwriting. Brent
breaks into song, singing self-penned titles such as "Spaceman" and "Freelove Freeway" to the general muted response of those present. The song "Freelove Freeway" sung by David Brent proves to be a quite a hit among the employees especially Gareth who eventually sings along after encouragement by Tim and earlier in the song Gareth tries to encourage the employees by saying "everyone" to no avail. He also comforts Dawn
with a composition about Princess Diana, contending that the lyrics have specific application to her present tiff with Lee. Somewhat aghast, Dawn masks her disgust by thanking David anyway, which encourages him to break into "Every Breath You Take
".
Meanwhile, unbeknown to Tim, Dawn and Lee reconcile their differences and appear to return their relationship to normal. After more team building exercises fall on deaf ears, Rowan finally loses patience with Brent and his constant interjections, with the fatal one being this fable about a dog who dropped his bone in a lake, thinking the reflection of himself was another dog and that his bone looked better than his, only to lose it in the water when he opened his mouth. He ends the training session abruptly. Tim, equally frustrated with the situation and the futility of his job at Wernham Hogg, very publicly quits while lambasting Gareth
. Before he goes, he publicly asks Dawn to accompany him for a drink, now that she is single. Quietly, she informs him that she has made-up with Lee, and Tim attempts to play the entire request off as a friendly offer. In this episode Gareth is asked what his fantasy is and he reveals that it is "two lesbians probably... sisters... I'm just watching".
The Office (UK TV series)
The Office is a British sitcom television series that was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 9 July 2001. Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the programme is about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Slough branch of the fictitious...
. "Training" is an alternative title for the episode. It was originally broadcast on 30 July 2001. The DVD extras for the series reveal this to be the favourite episode of almost the entire cast.
Synopsis
It is staff training day at Wernham Hogg, and an outside facilitator, Rowan, has come in to educate the Slough branch about customer care. DavidDavid Brent
David Brent is a fictional character in the BBC television mockumentary The Office, as well as a recurring character in the NBC series of the same name, portrayed by co-writer and director Ricky Gervais. Brent is a white-collar office middle-manager and the principal character of the BBC series...
, naturally, is determined to undermine him at every opportunity by offering unhelpful suggestions and needless interruptions. Meanwhile, Dawn
Dawn Tinsley
Dawn Tinsley is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom The Office, played by Lucy Davis. She is a receptionist for paper merchants Wernham Hogg and is engaged to warehouse worker Lee. Her American The Office equivalent is Pam Beesly...
and her fiancé Lee are having trouble in their relationship.
During the day-long training session, frustration builds for all, including Rowan and Tim
Tim Canterbury
Tim Canterbury is a main character in the BBC sitcom The Office, played by Martin Freeman. He is a 30-year-old sales representative for paper merchants Wernham Hogg and lives with his parents. He spent one year at a university before dropping out, and one day hopes to return to get a psychology...
, who grows mildly annoyed and bemused. The "training" begins with an educational video espousing the core values and benefits of good customer service. Peter Purves
Peter Purves
Peter Purves is an English television presenter and actor.Purves was born in New Longton, near Preston, Lancashire, and was educated at the independent Arnold School in Blackpool, he had originally planned to go into teaching, training at Alsager College of Education, but began to act with the...
makes a cameo appearance in the video, playing himself. Roleplay is next on the agenda and the chosen scenario is Rowan playing a disinterested hotel manager and David a disgruntled guest. Unsurprisingly - this being Wernham Hogg - it all goes pear shaped.
Trust, ambitions and motivation are all briefly discussed before the conversation digresses to David's songwriting. Brent
David Brent
David Brent is a fictional character in the BBC television mockumentary The Office, as well as a recurring character in the NBC series of the same name, portrayed by co-writer and director Ricky Gervais. Brent is a white-collar office middle-manager and the principal character of the BBC series...
breaks into song, singing self-penned titles such as "Spaceman" and "Freelove Freeway" to the general muted response of those present. The song "Freelove Freeway" sung by David Brent proves to be a quite a hit among the employees especially Gareth who eventually sings along after encouragement by Tim and earlier in the song Gareth tries to encourage the employees by saying "everyone" to no avail. He also comforts Dawn
Dawn Tinsley
Dawn Tinsley is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom The Office, played by Lucy Davis. She is a receptionist for paper merchants Wernham Hogg and is engaged to warehouse worker Lee. Her American The Office equivalent is Pam Beesly...
with a composition about Princess Diana, contending that the lyrics have specific application to her present tiff with Lee. Somewhat aghast, Dawn masks her disgust by thanking David anyway, which encourages him to break into "Every Breath You Take
Every Breath You Take
"Every Breath You Take" is a song by The Police on the band's 1983 album Synchronicity, written by Sting and Andy Summers . The single was one of the biggest hits of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks and the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. It also topped the...
".
Meanwhile, unbeknown to Tim, Dawn and Lee reconcile their differences and appear to return their relationship to normal. After more team building exercises fall on deaf ears, Rowan finally loses patience with Brent and his constant interjections, with the fatal one being this fable about a dog who dropped his bone in a lake, thinking the reflection of himself was another dog and that his bone looked better than his, only to lose it in the water when he opened his mouth. He ends the training session abruptly. Tim, equally frustrated with the situation and the futility of his job at Wernham Hogg, very publicly quits while lambasting Gareth
Gareth Keenan
Gareth Keenan is a fictional paper salesman on BBC's comedy The Office. He is portrayed in the series by Mackenzie Crook as a gaunt, self-important team leader proud of his alleged lieutenant status in the Territorial Army...
. Before he goes, he publicly asks Dawn to accompany him for a drink, now that she is single. Quietly, she informs him that she has made-up with Lee, and Tim attempts to play the entire request off as a friendly offer. In this episode Gareth is asked what his fantasy is and he reveals that it is "two lesbians probably... sisters... I'm just watching".
Freelove Freeway
During the employee training seminar, Brent's singing/songwriting in the rock band Foregone Conclusion years ago becomes the focusExternal links
- Free Love Freeway song lyrics and guitar chords - from BBC.