Holly Flax
Encyclopedia
Hollis "Holly" Partridge Flax is a fictional character
from the US
television series The Office played by Amy Ryan
. She was an original character, and not based on a character from the British
version of the show. Initially she served as a replacement HR Representative for the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin when Toby left for Costa Rica
, but later developed into a friend and key romantic interest for Michael Scott.
as the human resources representative for the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. Unlike Toby, however, she has a sense of humor much like that of Michael Scott
. As a result, the two become good friends in the office, though Michael desires to turn their friendship into a romance, which eventually takes place. Michael refers to her as the love of his life. Executive producer Greg Daniels has repeatedly stated that the inspiration for Flax's character stems from a shopgirl who served him on a vacation in Newfoundland, Canada
, whom he described as "a female Michael Scott."
She is originally from Des Moines, Iowa
, and her parents now live in Boulder, Colorado
. Due to her geeky demeanor, she held the position of hall monitor
in middle school, and because of this, was a target of harassment by other students. At one point during her high school period, she experienced mono
. She has had numerous casual relationships with men. Also, for an unspecified amount of time, Holly has been dealing with dementia that has plagued both of her parents.
, who convinces her that Kevin Malone
is mentally challenged, a belief she continued to harbor until Season Five when it was embarrassingly pointed out to her that he wasn't. During an attempt to put a raccoon
in Holly's car, a Toyota Camry Solara
convertible, Dwight is berated by Michael, who takes Holly's side and loudly proclaims that she is the "best thing that has happened to [the] company since World War II
." Holly invites Michael to go out for dessert after Toby's going away party, but Michael gently turns her down, opting instead to go with Jan Levenson, who is pregnant and had asked Michael to be there as if he were the child's father. (Jan was artificially inseminated by a sperm bank
.)
) just like Michael. Holly learns that Kevin is not actually mentally challenged, as she had been duped into believing during season 4 by Dwight. Holly practices yoga, so Oscar
refers Holly to a yoga class (with an attractive teacher). Holly agrees to a date with him, much to Michael's dismay. Holly buys tickets for Counting Crows
, but the yoga instructor goes back on his word, and doesn't call her, after he promised he would. Michael, who does not pick up on several hints that Holly has given him (about attending the concert with her), purchases the tickets from her and rips them to pieces. While Holly appears to have a higher sense of morality than Michael (and has shown disapproval toward some of his ideas and schemes), she ultimately considers him to be her best friend in the office. It is also revealed that she was picked on as a child just like Michael. Michael is pleased when Corporate HR blasts Holly for seeking disciplinary action against Meredith over the sex-for-supplies (and Outback Steakhouse
coupons) deal instead of conducting a stupid seminar and getting signatures, but he also swings into action and yells at the staff to get their asses in the conference room and complete the seminar, which they reluctantly do. This also restores good feelings between Holly and Michael.
Michael tells Holly he will treat her poorly in front of Jan during her baby shower
because he has a vested interest in Jan's baby, which is not his (she got an anonymous sperm donor, who very well may have been Kevin). He expected Jan to still be pregnant, but she arrives with the baby already born. Nevertheless, Michael still treats Holly poorly. Despite being told of this, she is shown to be uncomfortable with Michael's attitude toward her. In a deleted scene, when Michael is treating her poorly, she tells the camera crew she sees what life was like in the office for Toby, who is on speakerphone agreeing with her. However, despite witnessing Michael's treatment of Holly throughout the day, Jan notices the two of them have a lot in common after Holly makes jokes in front of her. Jan then orders Michael not to date Holly before driving away. This, in addition to feeling no connection with Jan's baby, prompts Michael to apologetically hug Holly and ask her out on a date, which she accepts, visibly moved.
Holly and Michael date, and on their third date have sexual relations in the office (inadvertently leading to the break-in at the office
). She helps Michael organize a fundraiser (offering yoga lessons) and displeases CFO David Wallace, who sees them kissing, thus noticing a relationship. In response, she is transferred back to Nashua
. She and Michael plan to continue dating, but realize on the trip that the distance is insurmountable. Thus, they are forced to end their relationship, sharing one last embrace before saying goodbye. Michael tells everyone that they are engaged upon his return, but later admits this is not true. Later, David is called out on the transfer by Michael, who chastises him on the phone before hanging up.
When Michael comes to Nashua with Pam Beesly
to give his lecture
and find closure with Holly, she is not there because she is on an HR retreat. It is also revealed that she is dating one of the salesmen there, A.J., which deeply upsets Michael and makes him unable to do his presentation. He makes an attempt to but he ultimately breaks down and asks her boyfriend about Holly in front of everyone before leaving. He goes to her desk and smells her sweater, cutting a sleeve off to take with him. Doing so he hits her mouse and her computer awakens from sleep mode. Michael finds a file on her computer titled "Dear Michael" and copies it to his flash drive
. He tells Pam about it, and Pam claims it wasn't a good idea and that he shouldn't read it because it is a violation of her trust. Pam volunteers to read it herself and deletes it afterward, telling Michael it said she still has feelings for him and that it isn't over, which makes Michael happy. It is unclear whether Pam was telling the truth.
Holly and Michael reunite at the Dunder Mifflin company picnic
for the first time since she was transferred. She is still seeing A.J., who arrives with her. Holly and A.J. have apparently started living together, though Michael holds himself together. Michael makes a number of tongue-in-cheek
jabs at A.J., though Holly and A.J. don't respond to it. David Wallace lets Holly and Michael do a skit about the history of Dunder Mifflin, and the two spend time in the woods by themselves trying to think of ideas. Michael wants to find a time to talk about a possible reconciliation, but restrains himself. The two decide to do a skit that spoofs Slumdog Millionaire
. The presentation goes horribly and gets worse when they reveal that the Buffalo branch is closing down, much to everyone's surprise. Michael and Holly reminisce about the presentation and talk about one in the future. Holly leaves with A.J., with Michael noting that it wasn't the right time to talk to her and that they will eventually find each other again someday.
," after Michael takes the fall for Sabre's defective printers. In return for his loyalty, Michael requests that Holly be returned to Scranton. Jo says she will see what she can do and Michael looks incredibly happy.
in "Sex Ed
", when Michael calls her in fear that he may have contracted herpes and infected Holly with it. The lighthearted conversation turns serious when Holly suggests that Michael over-romanticized their relationship, which she characterizes as "just a fling". Michael later calls her voicemail, saying that he still thinks of her and knows that their brief relationship was truly special.
In "Classy Christmas
", Holly returns to Scranton to fill in while Toby is away at jury duty. The initial excitement about seeing her old friend again turns to anger when a jealous Michael vandalizes her Woody
doll (a gift from AJ). Holly divulges to the women of the office that AJ won't commit, and she's going to give him an ultimatum
to propose to her by New Year's. When Pam tells Michael, he is cheered up by the news, as well as Holly lying to AJ about how Woody got damaged. In the last scene of the episode, Holly gazes fondly at Michael in his Santa suit as he listens to Darryl's daughter on his lap.
Holly returns from the holiday break in "Ultimatum
" without an engagement ring. Michael is briefly overjoyed until he learns that Holly gave up on her ultimatum, considering it unreasonable. Michael, jealous and irrational, holds a meeting where he berates some of his employees for not being truly committed their New Years resolutions (although the message is clearly meant for Holly). Likewise, Michael asks Holly to attend his apologies to Kevin and Creed (this message is also meant for Holly). At the end of the episode, Holly tells A.J. that she wants to take a "break" from their relationship.
Her and Michael's friendship seems to rebuild itself with "The Seminar
" however, as they casually joke and laugh while performing improv at Andy's business meeting.
In "The Search
", Holly rejects Michael's advances, saying she doesn't want to be involved with a coworker again. When he goes missing, Holly is able to track Michael's footsteps due to their similar thought patterns. When she finds him on a building rooftop, they admit that they miss each other and share a kiss.
In the episode "PDA
", it is revealed that Michael and Holly are officially dating. They make the rest of the office uncomfortable with their excessive public displays of affection, and agree to stop only at the insistence of their coworkers. Later that day, when Michael declares that he loves Holly and she says that she returns his feelings, they must settle for a handshake. In order to avoid the kind of breakup they have previously experienced, they decide to move in together.
As the season progresses, Holly's presence leads Michael to become a more mature adult. In "Threat Level Midnight
", Michael screens the film that he had been working on for the past 11 years. Michael is hurt when Holly isn't impressed, but her honesty helps him realize that the film is awful (albeit enjoyably so) and allows him to laugh at his folly. In "Todd Packer
", Todd Packer returns to the sales bullpen. She initially trusts Michael's assessment of Packer, but confronts Michael about his friend after Packer shows his true colors. When Michael tries to smooth things over, Packer speaks disrespectfully about Holly. Michael decides not to disclose that Packer's "promotion" in Florida is a prank by Jim and Dwight, and as Michael and Holly watch him drive away it's obvious that she is helping Michael to grow.
In "Garage Sale
", she realizes her aging parents need assistance and decides to move home to Colorado. She briefly changes her mind when Michael seems reluctant, saying that he is her life now. At the end of the episode, Michael leads her through various spots in the building that are meaningful to them (the stairwell where they first kissed, the water cooler he visited just to watch her work). He finally leads her to the annex which is filled with lighted candles. He begins to propose to her when the sprinkler system goes off. Through her laughter, she accepts his proposal. Afterwards, he announces to the office he's quitting his job to move to Colorado with his fiance, which leaves everybody else in shock.
Holly does not appear in the subsequent episodes "Training Day
" and "Michael's Last Dundies
", but did have a voice-only segment (in a telephone conversation) in "Goodbye, Michael
", confirming with Michael that she'll pick him up at the airport when his plane lands. In the process, she unintentionally cheers a distraught Michael up when he initially gets cold feet about moving to Colorado. The episode marked Steve Carell's final episode as a series regular.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series The Office played by Amy Ryan
Amy Ryan
Amy Ryan is an American actress. She has been nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance in Gone Baby Gone and is also known for her roles in the HBO series The Wire, playing Port Authority Officer Beadie Russell; In Treatment, playing psychiatrist Adele Brousse; and The...
. She was an original character, and not based on a character from the British
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...
version of the show. Initially she served as a replacement HR Representative for the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin when Toby left for Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, but later developed into a friend and key romantic interest for Michael Scott.
Overview
Holly Flax arrives as a replacement for Toby FlendersonToby Flenderson
Toby Wyatt Flenderson, M.S.W. born 1971 is a character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Paul Lieberstein. He is an original character and has no equivalent in the British version of the show, The Office.-Overview:...
as the human resources representative for the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. Unlike Toby, however, she has a sense of humor much like that of Michael Scott
Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
. As a result, the two become good friends in the office, though Michael desires to turn their friendship into a romance, which eventually takes place. Michael refers to her as the love of his life. Executive producer Greg Daniels has repeatedly stated that the inspiration for Flax's character stems from a shopgirl who served him on a vacation in Newfoundland, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, whom he described as "a female Michael Scott."
She is originally from Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, and her parents now live in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
. Due to her geeky demeanor, she held the position of hall monitor
Hall monitor
A hall monitor is a student volunteer in American schools who is charged with maintaining order in the school's corridors. They may be either students who are chosen for the position because they are responsible, or that may be chosen on a rota from all available students...
in middle school, and because of this, was a target of harassment by other students. At one point during her high school period, she experienced mono
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis , is a disease most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus . The EBV virus affects the lymphocytes- white blood cells that battle infections by attacking antibodies. Mononucleosis can also be caused by Cytomegalovirus , a herpes virus most commonly found in body fluids...
. She has had numerous casual relationships with men. Also, for an unspecified amount of time, Holly has been dealing with dementia that has plagued both of her parents.
Season 4
Holly arrives at Dunder Mifflin to serve as Toby's replacement. Michael initially dislikes her because she is part of Human Resources, but the two eventually get to know each other better, and realize they have a lot of things in common; Michael falls in love with her. She also appears to show interest in him as well. She is subjected to hazing by Dwight SchruteDwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
, who convinces her that Kevin Malone
Kevin Malone
Kevin Jaye Malone is a character in the United States television series The Office. He is played by Brian Baumgartner. Kevin's counterpart in the UK series is Keith Bishop.-Biography:...
is mentally challenged, a belief she continued to harbor until Season Five when it was embarrassingly pointed out to her that he wasn't. During an attempt to put a raccoon
Raccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
in Holly's car, a Toyota Camry Solara
Toyota Camry Solara
This page is about the automobile manufactured by Toyota. For other uses, see Solara The Toyota Camry Solara, also more commonly known as the Toyota Solara, is a mid-size coupe/convertible designed and engineered by Toyota...
convertible, Dwight is berated by Michael, who takes Holly's side and loudly proclaims that she is the "best thing that has happened to [the] company since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
." Holly invites Michael to go out for dessert after Toby's going away party, but Michael gently turns her down, opting instead to go with Jan Levenson, who is pregnant and had asked Michael to be there as if he were the child's father. (Jan was artificially inseminated by a sperm bank
Sperm bank
A sperm bank, semen bank or cryobank is a facility that collects and stores human sperm mainly from sperm donors, primarily for the purpose of achieving pregnancies through third party reproduction, notably by artificial insemination...
.)
Season 5
Michael had been courting Holly in the first episode of the season; Holly continues to be a "major dork" (in the words of Jim HalpertJim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
) just like Michael. Holly learns that Kevin is not actually mentally challenged, as she had been duped into believing during season 4 by Dwight. Holly practices yoga, so Oscar
Oscar Martinez
Oscar Jual Paul Martinez is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Oscar Nunez.-Overview:Oscar Martinez is an accountant at the paper distributor Dunder Mifflin. He is a first generation Mexican-American. Oscar is also openly homosexual after being...
refers Holly to a yoga class (with an attractive teacher). Holly agrees to a date with him, much to Michael's dismay. Holly buys tickets for Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, but the yoga instructor goes back on his word, and doesn't call her, after he promised he would. Michael, who does not pick up on several hints that Holly has given him (about attending the concert with her), purchases the tickets from her and rips them to pieces. While Holly appears to have a higher sense of morality than Michael (and has shown disapproval toward some of his ideas and schemes), she ultimately considers him to be her best friend in the office. It is also revealed that she was picked on as a child just like Michael. Michael is pleased when Corporate HR blasts Holly for seeking disciplinary action against Meredith over the sex-for-supplies (and Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in February 1988 in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T...
coupons) deal instead of conducting a stupid seminar and getting signatures, but he also swings into action and yells at the staff to get their asses in the conference room and complete the seminar, which they reluctantly do. This also restores good feelings between Holly and Michael.
Michael tells Holly he will treat her poorly in front of Jan during her baby shower
Baby shower
In some countries, a baby shower is a way to celebrate the pending or recent birth of a child by presenting gifts to the parents at a party. The term "shower" is often assumed to mean that the expectant mother is "showered" with gifts.-Description:...
because he has a vested interest in Jan's baby, which is not his (she got an anonymous sperm donor, who very well may have been Kevin). He expected Jan to still be pregnant, but she arrives with the baby already born. Nevertheless, Michael still treats Holly poorly. Despite being told of this, she is shown to be uncomfortable with Michael's attitude toward her. In a deleted scene, when Michael is treating her poorly, she tells the camera crew she sees what life was like in the office for Toby, who is on speakerphone agreeing with her. However, despite witnessing Michael's treatment of Holly throughout the day, Jan notices the two of them have a lot in common after Holly makes jokes in front of her. Jan then orders Michael not to date Holly before driving away. This, in addition to feeling no connection with Jan's baby, prompts Michael to apologetically hug Holly and ask her out on a date, which she accepts, visibly moved.
Holly and Michael date, and on their third date have sexual relations in the office (inadvertently leading to the break-in at the office
Crime Aid
"Crime Aid" is the fifth episode of the fifth season of the television series The Office, and the show's seventy-seventh episode overall. The episode aired in the United States on October 23, 2008 on NBC....
). She helps Michael organize a fundraiser (offering yoga lessons) and displeases CFO David Wallace, who sees them kissing, thus noticing a relationship. In response, she is transferred back to Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
. She and Michael plan to continue dating, but realize on the trip that the distance is insurmountable. Thus, they are forced to end their relationship, sharing one last embrace before saying goodbye. Michael tells everyone that they are engaged upon his return, but later admits this is not true. Later, David is called out on the transfer by Michael, who chastises him on the phone before hanging up.
When Michael comes to Nashua with Pam Beesly
Pam Beesly
Pamela Morgan "Pam" Halpert is a fictional character on the U.S. television sitcom The Office, played by Jenna Fischer. Her counterpart in the original UK series of The Office is Dawn Tinsley....
to give his lecture
Lecture Circuit
"Lecture Circuit" is a two-part episode of the American comedy television series The Office. They constituted the sixteenth and seventeenth episodes of the fifth season, and the 88th and 89th overall episodes of the series...
and find closure with Holly, she is not there because she is on an HR retreat. It is also revealed that she is dating one of the salesmen there, A.J., which deeply upsets Michael and makes him unable to do his presentation. He makes an attempt to but he ultimately breaks down and asks her boyfriend about Holly in front of everyone before leaving. He goes to her desk and smells her sweater, cutting a sleeve off to take with him. Doing so he hits her mouse and her computer awakens from sleep mode. Michael finds a file on her computer titled "Dear Michael" and copies it to his flash drive
USB flash drive
A flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus interface. flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most weigh less than 30 g...
. He tells Pam about it, and Pam claims it wasn't a good idea and that he shouldn't read it because it is a violation of her trust. Pam volunteers to read it herself and deletes it afterward, telling Michael it said she still has feelings for him and that it isn't over, which makes Michael happy. It is unclear whether Pam was telling the truth.
Holly and Michael reunite at the Dunder Mifflin company picnic
Company Picnic
"Company Picnic" is the fifth season finale of the American comedy television series The Office, and the 100th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on NBC in the United States on May 14, 2009...
for the first time since she was transferred. She is still seeing A.J., who arrives with her. Holly and A.J. have apparently started living together, though Michael holds himself together. Michael makes a number of tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
jabs at A.J., though Holly and A.J. don't respond to it. David Wallace lets Holly and Michael do a skit about the history of Dunder Mifflin, and the two spend time in the woods by themselves trying to think of ideas. Michael wants to find a time to talk about a possible reconciliation, but restrains himself. The two decide to do a skit that spoofs Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British epic romantic drama adventure film directed by Danny Boyle, written by Simon Beaufoy, and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. It is an adaptation of the novel Q & A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup...
. The presentation goes horribly and gets worse when they reveal that the Buffalo branch is closing down, much to everyone's surprise. Michael and Holly reminisce about the presentation and talk about one in the future. Holly leaves with A.J., with Michael noting that it wasn't the right time to talk to her and that they will eventually find each other again someday.
Season 6
Holly does not appear in Season 6, but is mentioned many times by Michael, who still has feelings for her. Her return is hinted at in the season finale, "WhistleblowerWhistleblower (The Office)
"Whistleblower" is the 26th episode and season finale of the sixth season of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 126th episode overall...
," after Michael takes the fall for Sabre's defective printers. In return for his loyalty, Michael requests that Holly be returned to Scranton. Jo says she will see what she can do and Michael looks incredibly happy.
Season 7
Holly first appears over speakerphoneSpeakerphone
A speakerphone is a telephone with a microphone and loudspeaker provided separately from those in the handset. This device allows multiple persons to participate in a conversation...
in "Sex Ed
Sex Ed (The Office)
"Sex Ed" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 130th episode overall. Written and directed by Paul Lieberstein, the episode aired on NBC in the United States on October 14, 2010...
", when Michael calls her in fear that he may have contracted herpes and infected Holly with it. The lighthearted conversation turns serious when Holly suggests that Michael over-romanticized their relationship, which she characterizes as "just a fling". Michael later calls her voicemail, saying that he still thinks of her and knows that their brief relationship was truly special.
In "Classy Christmas
Classy Christmas
"Classy Christmas" is the eleventh and twelfth episodes of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 137th and 138th episodes overall...
", Holly returns to Scranton to fill in while Toby is away at jury duty. The initial excitement about seeing her old friend again turns to anger when a jealous Michael vandalizes her Woody
Sheriff Woody
Sheriff Woody Pride, or simply Woody, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Toy Story franchise . He is voiced by Tom Hanks in the films, and by Jim Hanks in most other media.-Toy Story:...
doll (a gift from AJ). Holly divulges to the women of the office that AJ won't commit, and she's going to give him an ultimatum
Ultimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests...
to propose to her by New Year's. When Pam tells Michael, he is cheered up by the news, as well as Holly lying to AJ about how Woody got damaged. In the last scene of the episode, Holly gazes fondly at Michael in his Santa suit as he listens to Darryl's daughter on his lap.
Holly returns from the holiday break in "Ultimatum
Ultimatum (The Office)
"Ultimatum" is the thirteenth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 139th episodes overall...
" without an engagement ring. Michael is briefly overjoyed until he learns that Holly gave up on her ultimatum, considering it unreasonable. Michael, jealous and irrational, holds a meeting where he berates some of his employees for not being truly committed their New Years resolutions (although the message is clearly meant for Holly). Likewise, Michael asks Holly to attend his apologies to Kevin and Creed (this message is also meant for Holly). At the end of the episode, Holly tells A.J. that she wants to take a "break" from their relationship.
Her and Michael's friendship seems to rebuild itself with "The Seminar
The Seminar
"The Seminar" is the fourteenth episode of seventh season of the American comedytelevision series The Office, and the show's 140th episode overall. Written by Steve Hely and directed by B. J. Novak, the episode aired January 27, 2011 on NBC....
" however, as they casually joke and laugh while performing improv at Andy's business meeting.
In "The Search
The Search (The Office)
"The Search" is the fifteenth episode of seventh season of the American comedytelevision series The Office, and the show's 141st episode overall...
", Holly rejects Michael's advances, saying she doesn't want to be involved with a coworker again. When he goes missing, Holly is able to track Michael's footsteps due to their similar thought patterns. When she finds him on a building rooftop, they admit that they miss each other and share a kiss.
In the episode "PDA
PDA (The Office)
"PDA" is the sixteenth episode of seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 142nd episode overall. Written by Robert Padnick and directed by series creator Greg Daniels, the episode was shown on February 10, 2011, on NBC.-Synopsis:Michael and Holly have...
", it is revealed that Michael and Holly are officially dating. They make the rest of the office uncomfortable with their excessive public displays of affection, and agree to stop only at the insistence of their coworkers. Later that day, when Michael declares that he loves Holly and she says that she returns his feelings, they must settle for a handshake. In order to avoid the kind of breakup they have previously experienced, they decide to move in together.
As the season progresses, Holly's presence leads Michael to become a more mature adult. In "Threat Level Midnight
Threat Level Midnight
-Production:This episode was written by executive producer B. J. Novak, who also portrays Ryan Howard on the show. It was directed by Tucker Gates, his fourth directing credit of the series...
", Michael screens the film that he had been working on for the past 11 years. Michael is hurt when Holly isn't impressed, but her honesty helps him realize that the film is awful (albeit enjoyably so) and allows him to laugh at his folly. In "Todd Packer
Todd Packer (The Office)
"Todd Packer" is the eighteenth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 144th episode overall...
", Todd Packer returns to the sales bullpen. She initially trusts Michael's assessment of Packer, but confronts Michael about his friend after Packer shows his true colors. When Michael tries to smooth things over, Packer speaks disrespectfully about Holly. Michael decides not to disclose that Packer's "promotion" in Florida is a prank by Jim and Dwight, and as Michael and Holly watch him drive away it's obvious that she is helping Michael to grow.
In "Garage Sale
Garage Sale (The Office)
"Garage Sale" is the nineteenth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 145th episode overall. The episode was written by Jon Vitti and was directed by series star Steve Carell...
", she realizes her aging parents need assistance and decides to move home to Colorado. She briefly changes her mind when Michael seems reluctant, saying that he is her life now. At the end of the episode, Michael leads her through various spots in the building that are meaningful to them (the stairwell where they first kissed, the water cooler he visited just to watch her work). He finally leads her to the annex which is filled with lighted candles. He begins to propose to her when the sprinkler system goes off. Through her laughter, she accepts his proposal. Afterwards, he announces to the office he's quitting his job to move to Colorado with his fiance, which leaves everybody else in shock.
Holly does not appear in the subsequent episodes "Training Day
Training Day (The Office)
"Training Day" is the twentieth episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 146th episode overall. Written by Daniel Chun and directed by Paul Lieberstein, the episode aired on April 14, 2011, on NBC...
" and "Michael's Last Dundies
Michael's Last Dundies
"Michael's Last Dundies" is the twenty-first episode of the seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 147th episode overall. Written and directed by Mindy Kaling, the episode aired on April 21, 2011, on NBC. The episode revolves around Michael training his...
", but did have a voice-only segment (in a telephone conversation) in "Goodbye, Michael
Goodbye, Michael
"Goodbye, Michael" is the twenty-second episode of the seventh season of the American comedy series The Office and the show's 148th episode overall. The episode was written by series developer and executive producer Greg Daniels and was directed by Paul Feig. The episode originally aired on April...
", confirming with Michael that she'll pick him up at the airport when his plane lands. In the process, she unintentionally cheers a distraught Michael up when he initially gets cold feet about moving to Colorado. The episode marked Steve Carell's final episode as a series regular.