I know there’s a “That’s what he said” joke in that headline, and I’m pretty sure it was my subconscious that did that. I haven’t been able to get The Office off my brain since last night’s epic proposal. (Read the recap of the entire episode here.)
In case you weren’t there, Michael led Holly on a tour through the office, pointing out the places that were meaningful to them as a couple. “This is where Toby announced that he was going to Costa Rica. It was the happiest day of my life — until the day you came to replace him,” he told her in that sincere Michael way that never fails to tug at my heartstrings. He led her up the stairwell, to his office, through the office, finally ending at the door to the break room.
When he opened the door, the entire office staff was standing in a line, holding candles. Candles, people. There’s something about candles en masse that always chokes me up. Want to make me cry in happiness (proposals) or sadness (memorials)? Get a bunch of people to hold candles. “This is going to be good,” I thought. And it was.
They made their way down the path of candlelight, with Holly rejecting random proposals from the male employees (and Angela) along the way. (I didn’t really get the point of that, but who cares. Candles, people.) And when they reached the end, Michael opened the door to reveal her entire office covered in … yup … candles. “This is where I fell in love with you, and this is where I ask you to marry me,” Michael said. Then the waterworks started.
No, seriously. The waterworks started — on my face, and all over the room as the sprinklers went off. Being Holly and Michael, they Yoda-voiced through the rest. She said yes (or, to get technical, “Your wife becoming me will I.”)
Now, I’m a sucker for proposals. I’ve can’t remember the last time one didn’t turn me into a sobby mess. But I have to say, that was perfection. It exceeded my expectations, and easily ranks in my top 5 TV proposals ever — right up there with Monica and Chandler; Niles and Daphne; Chuck and Sarah; and another one that I’m sure dazzled me but I can’t think of right now. (Sorry, Jim and Pam; you’ve been ousted.)
I have the warm and fuzzies, PopWatchers. Help me keep this feeling and tell me: Did this measure up to your expectations? And where does it rank on your list of favorite proposals?
On Twitter: @EWSandraG
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25 Great TV ‘I Love You’s
I loved it too. Definitely one of my favorites!
I cried and then immediately choked with laughter when the water poured on them!
That imperfection was exactly what made it perfect. It was totally Michael, totally fitting for The Office–and it was just right. I loved it. A definite favorite!
Saying something is “perfection” is so cliched that it rendered your piece meaningless.
A snarky response is so cliché that it renders your comment meaningless
no it didn’t.
That’s what he said!
An excellent retort jack – thank you for your insightful input
I personally think gum would be perfection. (sugarless preferably)
I hate goopy proposal scenes,generally, but this was pretty awesome. Great episode. I think I might just stop watching now and end it on this high note.
So do all Dunder-Mifflin employees get soaking wet when they propose?
I think that was kind of the point. When Michael heard that it rained at Jim and Pam’s proposal he was afraid his wouldn’t match up but then they DID get their rain…but in a very Michael Scott-ish way. Perfect proposal for those 2. Awesome!
no only the ladies.
Zing!~
@Mike.. Michael Scott was not jealous of Pam and Jims proposal (or the rain).. he was totally making fun of theirs.. Jim proposed at a gas station, and it rained (Bad Weather) as michael called it.. he then went on to say his wouldnt be anything bad like that but a big event..
@dan, okay…I interpreted it differently. I’ll have to watch it again.
Bring on Will Ferrell, he’ll bring this show back to the heights of popularity! Never cared for Carrell. Ferrell is 1 trillion times funnier and more well known.
1 trillion times better? Did you just graduate from the Randy Jackson School of Mathematics?
haha are you kidding me? Michael Scott is a TV icon.. Will Ferrell puts out crap movie after crap movie
I wasn’t a fan of all of the candles. Talk about a fire hazzard!
You also traded a telescope for beans, you Nazi ho!
Loved it! Way better than Monica and Chandler’s because I never felt Courtney Cox’s acting was very good in the proposal scene.
Really? I liked her acting- I thought it was just how Monica would act if she were a real person
I agree! I loved her in the beginning but by then she was shrill and overacting. Sorry – loved Chandler, though!
I sobbed! Brought back memories of Jim and Pam getting married. Jim had the best look on his face at the end on the boat. ahh!!! Tears!!!
I thought it was perfect. I love those two! I didn’t think anything could beat Jim and Pam’s, but I think this might have.
The best thing about Jim’s proposal to Pam is that I got the sense that he couldn’t wait one minute longer to propose to her.
…that being said, this one beats it!
Agreed! Jim and Pam top all of them, but this was another great proposal. Plus the show went back to being funny – I’ve been waiting all season for that! I think it’s just going to get better with Will Ferrell.
I agree! this proposal was amazing. I loved when Oscar ryan ect. were asking her to marry them
I still think Jim & Pam’s proposal tops this…I loved how spontaneous it was and how it just had to happen ‘at that moment’. But for Michael, it was a perfect proposal.
I couldn’t believe The Office was making me cry! Very sweet. If that made me cry, Steve Carrell leaving is going to turn me into a sobbing mess!
It was perfect. I didn’t cry, but I was grinning the whole time and even now as I write this. Jim and Pam have the number 2 spot now.
Definitely amazing, but Mer/Der proposal in the elevator with the brain scans of all their important cases still ranks as my number one. In their magical, Mer/Der elevator!!
i second this!
I cried because they are so perfect and the proposal was so perfect. If Steve Carrell doesn’t win the Emmy this year I’m not going to watch them anymore.
Jim/Pam is still on the top of my list, but this comes close.
It was well done IMO. I forget which season finale it was but the one where Toby leaves for Costa Rica & Holly (Amy Ryan) comes in as his replacement is one of my favorite Office episodes ever.
Didn’t get the point of the office folks proposing to Holly, Sandra? Oddly, it was my favorite little touch in the whole proposal.
I have to say I didn’t get it either (though I did enjoy Michael’s comments after each proposal). I liked the sprinklers going off and the yoda-talk, but I definitely didn’t cry.
Yeah, I loved that. Kind of symbolic of all the possibilities out there for someone that just aren’t right…so you say no (if not in so many words). And then you meet the right person, and you say yes!
Exactly! I loved that part. It also gave Michael a chance to throw out some of his patented slightly strange zingers.
Holly knew all this was leading to a proposal. From Jim? Oscar…Angela etc? Holly was being teased and Michael was building up to the real proposal.
I didn’t get it the first time I watched it either. Michael says when he opens the door, “this is where our love is tested”. So I believe that is why he has them propose to her, to “test” her. Still the most amazing proposal ever. I loved it! Steve will be greatly missed and cannot be replaced. I gotta say though, not looking forward to Will joining the group, never been much of a fan.
I can’t think of another proposal I liked as much and thought was more fitting to the characters than this. Monica and Chandler’s proposal was poorly acted (by both) and slightly uncomfortable. This one was absolutely perfect for Michael and Holly. Jim and Pam’s wedding was amazing, but their proposal was just ok. I didn’t cry, only because I was still laughing at what Michael said about discovering that Meredith had been prostituting herself for Outback steak. Still makes me laugh, actually.
The best part of the episode was the proposal coaching he got. If at any point you’re in costume, you’re off track. Awesome.
Pam and Michael have my favorite dynamic on the show. I love when she keeps him from doing stupid things.
I think the interaction between Pam & Michael is what I’ll miss most when he’s gone. Its so sweet.
I don’t have time for riddles, Pam!
I should have burned this place down when I had the chance.. lol
I loved this moment soooooo much! I cried, I’ll admit it.