Grief Counseling - The Office (Season 3, Episode 6)

Original Air Date: October 12, 2006

Jan calls Michael to let him know that Ed Truck, the former Reginal Manager, has died.

In Stanford, Josh is holding a staff meeting. Turns out Karen, the co-worker with her eye on Jim, didn't get her work done on time. Josh assigns Jim to make sure it does. Karen is none to pleased with this outcome.

Jim sees Karen in the breakroom moaning that the vending machine is out of her favorite chip. She snips at Jim that it doesn't fall under his authority. He disagrees. He tells her that today he is her project manager and they will do nothing until she gets the chips that she requires. They should leave now to find them. Karen smiles.

Michael and Creed are talking about Ed. Creed tells Michael that Ed was drunk as a skunk flying down route 6 and ran right under a semi which took off his head.

Michael is distraught to hear how Ed died. Dwight thinks it's the perfect way to go..quick, instant, painless. But Michael dosn't think a Reginal Manager of Dunder-Mifflin should go out like that.

The news of how Ed died really shocks everyone.

Michael calls Jan to discuss what can be done to honor Ed. He argues that Martin Luther King has a day but he never even worked at Dunder-Mifflin. Jan suggests he give his staff the ay off. Michael says that is not what they would want. He thinks they should put up a statue of Ed. Jan laughs. Micheal gets very irate with Jan and the two exchange heated words.

In Stanford, Jim is calling all around town to find the chips that Karen wants. But Karen is not having a good time. She rather just get back to work.

In Scranton, Michael can't stop talking about the gruesome details of Ed's death. Stanley and Phyllis are getting pretty tired of it. Michael feels it's his duty to get his staff through this, because right now they are denying their feelings.

Michael takes everyone into the conference room. They are all sitting in a circle. He says he is going to through someone a ball. And that person is to tell of a special person in their life who dies and how they died. Crying is allowed.

Grief Counceling Session

  • Michael: I lost Ed truck. And it feels like somebody took my heart and dropped it into a bucket of boiling tears. At the same time somebody else is hitting my soul in the crouch with a frozrn sledgehammer. And then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone and I'm crying and nobody can hear me because I'm terribly, terribly, terribly, alone.

Interruption

Just as Michael finishes his speech, Roy comes in and says he needs to see Pam right away. There seems to something wrong with the radiator in her car. As soon as they leave the room, Roy admits her car is fine he was just giving her a break from the grief counseling session.

However, Michael put the group on hold until Pam returned.

Back to the Session

  • Dwight: When my mother was pregnant with me they did an altrasound and found out she was having twins. When they did another altrasound a few weeks later that they discovered that I had resorbed the other fetus. Do I regret this, no. I believe his tissues made me stronger. I now have the strength of a grown man and a little baby.
  • Stanley refuses to participate and throws the ball back at Michael very hard.
  • Pam: I had an aunt that I was really close to, she was this amazing female boxer. Anyway, she was injured in a fight and she was paralyzed. So you can imagine how upset I was when she asked her manager to remove her breathing tube so she could die. (Ryan looks at the camera and knows she is using Million Dollar Baby.)
  • Ryan: A few years ago my family was on a safari in Africa. And my cousin Mufasa, was trampled to death by a pack of wildabeasts. And we all took it really hard. (This is from the Lion King)
  • Kevin: I was trying to throw this party once, and everyone was over for the weekend. And then my Uncle Bernie died. So then me and my best friend had to pretend like he was alive. (This is from Weekend At Bernie's)

Michael figures out Kevin is using Weekend at Bernies and gets very upset that no one is taking his session seriously. He can't understand why no one cares that the man who used to sit at his desk is now dead. When Toby tells him that just this morning a bird flew into the glass doors and died, Michael goes over the edge.

Michael goes downstairs to try to save the bird with Dwight chasing after him. The bird is dead.

Michael announces to the group that at 4pm everyone is to be in the parking lot for a memorial service for the bird.

In Stanford, Karen finds her favorite chips on her desk...Thanks to Jim.

During the funeral, Pam gives a really nice euology. It touches everyone, especialy Michael who cries. Dwight plays his flute while Pam sings. Everyone holds hands and sways.

Best Funny Quotes From The Office - Grief Counseling

Hey Ryan, can I get you a pencil from the warehouse?
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Ryan
Uh, no thanks, I’m good.
Oh, it’s okay, I’m going down.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Ryan
Um… Yeah, absolutely.
All right, I’ll be right back. goes down pretend stairs
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Dwight Schrute
laughs uproariously and applauds Whoo!
hands Ryan pencil There you go.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Awesome!
Thank you.
Photo of Ryan
Photo of Michael Scott
You’re welcome.
Michael, can you get me a pen from down in the warehouse?
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
Don’t mind if I do. See you in a minute. goes back down pretend stairs and grabs pen from Stanley’s desk
Okay. continues to laugh Whoo!
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
There you go, fresh from the warehouse.
Hey Michael, would you get me some coffee from the warehouse?
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
There’s coffee in the kitchen, Pam.
But the warehouse coffee tastes SO much better.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Ryan and others
Yeah. Yes, it’s better. It’s great.
breathless All right. Okay. goes back down pretend stairs, crawls on belly to the kitchen for the coffee
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Michael Scott
I am like Bette Midler in For the Boys. Gotta keep the troops entertained.

after Michael returns with coffee With cream and sugar?
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
sighs All right.

on speakerphone So, I wanted to let you know that we lost Ed Truck.
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
Oookay. Let me see if I have his cell. Is this the only reason you are calling, Jan? Or does somebody miss me?
Michael, Ed died over the weekend.
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
Oh, wow.

Attention, everybody. I just received a call from corporate with some news they felt that I should know first. My old boss Ed Truck has died.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
Oh, Michael, that’s such terrible news! You must feel so sad.
Yes, I am. It’s very sad. Because he was my boss.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Phyllis
That’s a shame. Ed was a good guy.
That’s right, you worked with him. So did Creed. Well, I’ll be in my office in case anybody wants to drop by. Cheer me up.
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Michael Scott
So did you hear the news?
The news that you just announced? That Ed died?
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
Yeah.
Is there anything I can do?
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
Oh, gosh, what can anybody do, really? It’s… pssssh… . He was almost 70. Circle of life.
Yeah.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
holds out arms to Pam
Oh. Okay.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
Yeah. Mmmmmm.
extricating herself Okay.
Photo of Pam Beesley

Photo of Josh
What’s going on with Fairfield County schools? Karen, did you generate that price list?
Um, shoot. Uh, I will. Sorry.
Photo of Karen
Photo of Josh
Okay, just get it done. Jim, will you make sure?
Oh yeah, definitely.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Andy Bernard
coughing out his words Suck up! Josh, did you hear what I said?
Thank you, everyone.
Photo of Josh

Photo of Karen
at vending machine Dammit.
What’s up?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Karen
Uh, nothing. They’re just out of Herr’s chips.
Oh.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Karen
But don’t worry about it. My snack food doesn’t fall under the umbrella of your authority.
Mmm, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m your project supervisor today, and I have just decided that we’re not doing anything until you get the chips that you require. So, I think we should go get some. Now, please.
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Creed Bratton
It’s a real shame about Ed, huh?
Yeah. Must really have you thinkin’.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Creed Bratton
About what?
The older you get, the bigger the chance is you’re gonna die. You knew that.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Creed Bratton
Ed was decapitated.
What?
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Really?
He was drunk as a skunk, he was flying down Route 6. He slides under an 18 wheeler. Pop. It snaps right off.
Photo of Creed Bratton
Photo of Michael Scott
Oh my God.
That is the way to go. Instant death. Very smart.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Creed Bratton
You know a human can go on living for several hours after being decapitated.
You’re thinking of a chicken.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Creed Bratton
What did I say?

That is just not the way a Dunder Mifflin manager should go, I’m sorry. Alone, out of the blue, and not even have his own head to comfort him.
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Michael Scott
clears throat So, I’m not exactly sure how to say this…
Ed was decapitated.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
What are you doing?
You said you didn’t know how to say it.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
I didn’t… he was driving on the road and he went under a truck. And that’s when his head was separated from the rest of him. And I will let you know more as soon as I find out.

Hey.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Angela Martin
Hi.
If my head ever comes off, I would like you to put it on ice.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Angela Martin
I do not wanna talk about this.

When I die, I wanna be frozen. And if they have to freeze me in pieces, so be it. I will wake up stronger than ever because I will have used that time to figure out exactly why I died and what moves I could have used to defend myself better now that I know what hold he had me in.
Photo of Dwight Schrute

Photo of Michael Scott
I don’t understand. We have a day honoring Martin Luther King, but he didn’t even work here.
on speakerphone I understand how you feel, Michael. I really do. So, would it be helpful to give everyone the day off?
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
You really don’t get it, do you? You don’t understand these people. That is the last thing that they would want is a day off.
Well, what would you suggest?
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
thoughtfully A statue.
Of Ed?
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
Yeah.
scoffs I’m not sure that’s realistic.
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
Well, I think it would be very realistic, it would look just like him.
No, that’s not—
Photo of Jan
Photo of Michael Scott
We could have his eyes light up, we could have his arms move…
That is not a statue, that is a robot.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
I think that is a great way to honor Ed.
And how big do you want this robot?
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
Life-size.
Mm, no. Better make it two-thirds. Easier to stop if it turns on us.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Jan
What the hell are you two talking about?
Well, we are talking about how to properly honor a man who gave his life as regional manager of this company, Jan.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Jan
You know what, Michael? I’ve really tried with you today…
Mm hm.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Jan
…and I have to get back to work.
Oh do you? You know who wished they could get back to work is Ed Truck.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Jan
So call me when you feel like having a real conversation.
But Ed truck can’t because he is—
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Jan
Goodbye. hangs up
DEAD.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Look holding up sketch I gave him a six foot extension cord so he can’t chase us.
That’s perfect.
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Jim Halpert
Okay, that is a “no” on the on the West Side Market.
Okay, great. I think that’s enough. Can I get back to work now?
Photo of Karen
Photo of Jim Halpert
Wow. Never pegged you for a quitter.
I am NOT a quitter. I will do this all day if you want.
Photo of Karen
Photo of Jim Halpert
Really?
Yeah, all day.
Photo of Karen
Photo of Andy Bernard
Hey. What are we doing? What’s the game? I want in.
Oh, there’s no game. We’re just trying to get these chips for Karen.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Andy Bernard
Did you check the vending machine?
Oh, the vending machines! How did we miss that?
Photo of Karen
Photo of Jim Halpert
I have no idea. We went right for the copier.
Mm.
Photo of Karen
Photo of Jim Halpert
And then we checked the fax machine.
Yeah, nothing there.
Photo of Karen
Photo of Andy Bernard
Did you check your… butt?

Oohh… can you imagine how much blood there was? If it happened right here, it would reach all the way to reception. Probably get on Pam.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Phyllis
Okay that’s enough.
What?
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Stanley Hudson
We do not wanna hear about this.
Well, you know what? I didn’t wanna hear about it either, Stanley, but I did and now I can’t stop picturing it. He leaves work, he’s on his way home… wham! His cappa is detated from his head!
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Stanley Hudson
You have just spit on my face.
Well, you know what? There’s something wrong with you. There is something wrong with everybody in here. Because we have lost a member of our family and you don’t wanna talk about it, you don’t wanna think about it, you just wanna get back to work!
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Michael Scott
There are five stages to grief, which are glancing at computer screen denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And right now, out there, they’re all denying the fact that they’re sad. And that’s hard. And it’s making them all angry. And it is my job to try to get them all the way through to acceptance. And if not acceptance, then just depression. If I can get them depressed, then I’ll have done my job.

I am going to throw you this ball. When you catch the ball, I want you to say the name of a person very important to you, somebody really special who died, and then I want you to say how they died, and you may cry if you like, that is encouraged. Let me just start. Let me show you how this works. I catch the ball. I lost Ed Truck. And… it feels like somebody took my heart and dropped it into a bucket of boiling tears… and at the same time, somebody else is hitting my soul in the crotch with a frozen sledgehammer… and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone… and I’m crying, and nobody can hear me, because I am terribly, terribly… terribly alone.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Roy
Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt, uh, I need to see Pam. There seems to be, like, something wrong with the radiator in her car.
Okay, fine. Hurry back.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Roy
as they leave There’s nothing wrong with your car. I just thought you might like a break from the “grief counseling” session.
Oh. I would like a break.
Photo of Pam Beesley

Photo of Roy
How are you likin’ the new car?
Great.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Roy
Yeah? Sure is small. Got airbags?
I think so. I don’t know, I was mainly focused on the cup holders.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Roy
laughs Well, you’re not still driving so fast, are you? Yeah.

on phone Hi, yeah. This is Mike from the West Side Market. Well, we get a shipment of Herr’s salt and vinegar chips, and we ordered that about three weeks ago and haven’t … . yeah. You have ’em in the warehouse. Great. What is my store number… six. Wait, no. I’ll call you back. quickly hangs up Shut up to Karen.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Karen
laughing Six?

as Pam returns to conference room Okay, we can start. Um…
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Pam Beesley
You waited for me?
Yeah. Pam, you’re a member of this family. So we will wait for our family members. Phyllis, you wanna give it a shot?
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Dwight Schrute
grabbing ball I got it. When my mother was pregnant with me, they did an ultrasound and found she was having twins. When they did another ultrasound a few weeks later, they discovered, that I had resorbed the other fetus. Do I regret this? No. I believe his tissue has made me stronger. I now have the strength of a grown man and a little baby.
Okay, why don’t you throw the ball to somebody else.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Stanley Hudson
throwing ball back Nope.
returning ball to Stanley Oh, yes Stanley. Come on. Your turn, you have to go.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Stanley Hudson
I will NOT. throws ball back
Okay… I’m going to toss the ball to Pam.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Pam Beesley
Let’s see. I had an aunt that I was really close to. She was this amazing female boxer. Um, anyway, she was injured in a fight, and she was paralyzed. So, you can imagine how upset I was when I found out that she asked her manager to remove her breathing tube so she could die.
Wow. If you wanna cry, that’s okay.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Ryan
catching ball Thanks. Um, a few years ago, my family was on a safari in Africa and, um, my cousin, Mufasa was um, he was trampled to death by a pack of wildebeests and, um, we all… took it really hard. All of us kind of in the audience of what happened.
Do you want to talk about it anymore?
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Ryan
Oh, it would probably take me like an hour and a half to tell that whole story.
Me, me, me, me, me me. catches ball Yes. Okay, um. I was trying to throw this party once. And everyone was over for the weekend. And then my uncle Bernie died, and so me and my best friend, we had to pretend like he was alive, so…
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Michael Scott
Wait a second. That’s Weekend at Bernie’s. upset Do you think that this is a game?
Well, there is a ball.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Michael Scott
All right, we’re starting over.
No, I’m done.
Photo of Stanley Hudson
Photo of Michael Scott
You are not leaving. No! We are not done.
We really have a lot of work to do right now.
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Michael Scott
Yeah. Well, you know what? The guy who had my job has died. And nobody cares! And he sat at my desk. breaking down
Michael, look. I know this is hard for you, but death’s just a part of life. I mean, just this morning I saw a little bird fly into the glass doors downstairs and die. And I had to keep going.
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Photo of Michael Scott
How do you know?
What?
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Photo of Michael Scott
That that bird was dead? Did you check its breathing?
It was obvious…
Photo of Toby Flenderson
Photo of Michael Scott
Was its heart beating, Toby? Did you check it? No, of course you didn’t. You’re not a veterinarian. You don’t know ANYTHING! runs out of conference room crying
Michael! following Michael downstairs Michael. Michael …
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
seeing bird Oh, God!
in disgust Oh…
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
Oh my God! Oh my God, come on …
Poor little fella.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
Oh shhhh–oot!
He is a goner.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
No, he’s not.
Yeah.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
No, he’s not. cradling bird next to face
Michael, get him away from your head! He is covered in germs and bacteria!
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
Well, you can’t get diseases from a bird!

A dead bird should not be in the kitchen!
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Michael Scott
We don’t know if it’s dead.
Ugh, no that thing is dead.
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
Photo of Dwight Schrute
You want me to flush him?

Attention everybody. This will only take a second of your time. Today at 4 p.m. we will be meeting in the parking lot to have a funeral service for this bird.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Meredith Palmer
I have a lot of work to do.
Well, I’m sorry to inconvenience you, Meredith. But that is what you do when things die. You honor them. Toby killed this bird. And now we are going to honor it.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Angela Martin
But…
No, no, no! That’s enough! You know what? This bird is dead. He died alone. The least you can do is be there for him now. to Dwight Find a box for him.
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Karen
I’m calling a supermarket in Montreal.
Nice!
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Karen
on phone Bonjour. Je cherche des tchips de la marque Herr’s. Non? Ah… merci quand meme. Au revoir.
Sounded good.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Karen
Thanks.

crying
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
Photo of Michael Scott
It’s okay. It’s okay. pats Kelly on shoulder Shh… yes, I know, I know. It’s been a tough day, but it’s good to let it show.
I mean, how many times to I have to confirm with Ryan Michael walks away disgusted for him to know that we have a date tonight?
Photo of Kelly Kapoor

Photo of Dwight Schrute
trying to shove bird into a can Argh… gah!
What are… What are you doing?
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Dwight Schrute
What? No, this is about the right size.
No, God, no it’s not! What is the matter with you? Is that the beak!?
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Dwight Schrute
I’m sorry, I grew up on a farm. We slaughtered a pig whenever we wanted bacon. My grandfather was reburied in an old oil drum. pause It would have fit if he had given me another minute.

I need a box. I need a box. A small box… not too confining.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
Is it for the bird?
Yeah.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
I have it covered. hands Dwight a decorated box
Oh, thank you.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
If you wanna do something for the funeral…
Yes, please.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
Maybe you could play a song on your recorder.
Excellent.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
Do you have it with you?
Always. runs off
Photo of Dwight Schrute

Photo of Pam Beesley
Did I wake up this morning thinking I’d be throwing together a bird funeral? You never can tell what your day here is gonna turn into.

spotting Herr’s chips on her desk Where’d you find them?
Photo of Karen
Photo of Jim Halpert
Where’d I find what?

I called the manufacturer, who referred me to distributor, who referred me to the vending machine company, who told me that they sell them in the machines in the building next door.
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Michael Scott
Glad you could all make it.
You told us we had to.
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
Photo of Michael Scott
Dwight, do you have the box?
Actually, I have it.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Michael Scott
You made this? Wow. impressed That’s… that’s very nice.

When I was five my mom told me that my fish went to the hospital in the toilet and it never came back so we had a funeral for it. And I remember thinking “I’m a little too old for this.” And I was five.
Photo of Ryan

Photo of Pam Beesley
I’d also like to say a few words if that’s okay.
Yes.
Photo of Michael Scott
Photo of Pam Beesley
What do we know about this bird? You might think, “Not much. It’s just a bird.” But we do know some things. We know it was a local bird. Maybe it’s that same bird that surprised Oscar that one morning with a special present from above.
Oh, I remember that. That was SO funny.
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Pam Beesley
And we know how he died. Flying into the glass doors. But you know what? I don’t think he was being stupid. I think he just really, really wanted to come inside our building to spread his cheer and lift our spirits with a song.
He’s not a songbird.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Michael Scott
Shhh.
An impression, then. Lastly, we can’t help but notice that he was by himself when he died, but of course, we all know that doesn’t mean he was alone. Because I’m sure that there were lots of other birds out there who cared for him very much. He will not be forgotten.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Angela Martin
quickly Amen.
begins playing recorder
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
singing Just smile for me and let the day begin. You are the sunshine that lights my heart within… on the wings of love …

Society teaches us that having feelings and crying is bad and wrong. Well, that’s baloney, because grief isn’t wrong. There is such a thing as good grief. Just ask Charlie Brown.
Photo of Michael Scott

Photo of Dwight Schrute
Let’s get back to work.

Hey Jimmy. Want to see some pictures of my baby?
Photo of Hannah
Photo of Jim Halpert
Umm… sure.
shows picture Here he is.
Photo of Hannah
Photo of Jim Halpert
chuckles He’s so cute.
And here’s his first bath. Warning: contains nudity.
Photo of Hannah
Photo of Jim Halpert
That’s okay. Hannah shows pic of husband naked with baby Oh, no, it’s not. I’m sorry, is that your husband in the tub with him?
You think we should have left our baby in the tub alone? Jim shakes head Talk to me when you have kids.
Photo of Hannah
Photo of Jim Halpert
Sounds good.

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