Office Ladies Podcast: "Second Drink: Dunder Mifflin Infinity Pt 1"

Date: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Podcast Theme: The ultimate “The Office” re-watch, with behind-the-scenes stories only the cast can tell.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jenna and Angela dive deep into Season 4, Episode 3 of The Office, “Dunder Mifflin Infinity Part 1.” They revisit the episode’s major plotlines—Ryan’s return with big tech changes, Jim and Pam’s relationship going public, and Angela’s conflicted feelings for Dwight after the Sprinkles incident. The hosts share tons of behind-the-scenes trivia, address fun fan mail, dish on personal memories from filming, and sprinkle in their signature warmth, laughter, and plenty of Office sass.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fan Mail & Callback Catch-Ups

• [02:28]–[08:00]
  • The hosts open with fan letters from “the archives” (some dating back four or five years) and fun background catches.
  • Angel R.’s Catch: The cold open’s breakroom scene with Jim, Pam, and Toby happens before 9:15am, raising questions about early morning snacks and the speed at which Toby drafts memos.
    • “That is really early. So what, he's getting a soda and potato chips, like early in the morning?” (Angela, 03:40)
  • The “Feral” Pronunciation Debate: Multiple listeners (Holly M., Nolam, Monica G., Kayla M., Eileen G.) chime in confirming Angela’s pronunciation is correct (“feral,” not “feh-ral”), prompting Jenna to formally concede after googling it.
    • “I stand corrected.” (Jenna, 05:19)
  • Scranton Locations Idea: Emily M. suggests a podcast episode recorded live from Scranton. Angela’s game: “I think my calendar in 2026 is pretty open.” (06:00)
  • Candy Bag Alts: Lola G. asks about alternate takes for Angela’s “office mattress” talking head—hosts read out two sassy unused lines.
  • Creed Dress-Up Game: Timothy recalls an old NBC website game (“Make Creed Young Again”), reminisced as an example of the show’s digital engagement.

2. Fast Facts & Behind-the-Scenes

a. Director Craig Zisk & 'Cop Rock'

• [11:07]–[16:07]
  • Craig Zisk directed the episode and previously worked on notable TV shows (Weeds, United States of Tara, Larry Sanders, Scrubs, Brooklyn Nine-Nine).
  • Jenna shares her love for Zisk’s previous project “Cop Rock”—the infamous musical cop show—which was critically panned but Emmy-winning.
    • “It was like Glee but a cop show. It was brilliant.” (Jenna, 15:17)

b. 2007 Scranton Office Convention

• [16:28]–[20:28]
  • Cast (minus Jenna, Steve, John) attended a massive fan convention in Scranton.
  • Angela recalls Today Show gig with Al Roker. Jenna, grounded by a back injury, exchanges emails from home.
  • Both reminisce about their separate Scranton visits—bucket list to do together after the podcast ends.

c. Entertainment Weekly Covers & Show's Popularity

• [19:13]–[20:42]
  • Four themed EW covers (Steve/Melora, Angela/Dwight, Jim/Pam, Ryan/Kelly) appeared as the show reached pop-culture peak.
  • Jenna: “It just felt so fleeting…then at this time, it became impossible. It was just constant, and we were really out in the zeitgeist.” (19:56)

d. Dunder Mifflin Infinity Website

• [21:06]–[23:44]
  • The original NBC-run “DunderMifflinInfinity.com” offered fan games, virtual branches, Schrute Bucks, and opportunities for fan art to appear on set.
  • Jenna, on how ahead-of-its-time it was: “There was no Instagram…This was really, really revolutionary in terms of that idea of fan engagement…” (22:20)
  • Played retro ad audio and suggested relaunch as an app: “Peacock, are you listening? Do this.” (23:58)

3. Episode Breakdown & In-Depth Analysis

Opening Scenes: Romance & Reactions

• [28:26]–[30:17]

  • Breakroom now dubbed “the flirt room”—Jim and Pam’s PDA witnessed by an expressive, crushed Toby.
    • “Paul does some amazing reaction acting in this episode.” (Jenna, 29:07)

• [30:17]–[31:26]

  • Toby’s passive-aggressive memo outs Jim and Pam to the office; Michael is overjoyed, orchestrates awkward hand-holding, and delivers the infamous line:
    • “My heart soars with the eagle’s nest.” (Michael/Steve, 31:24)
  • Hosts note: One of Mike Schur’s “special” lines.

Sequence of Talking Heads

• [31:32]–[33:03]
  • Dwight, Angela, Andy respond to the Jim/Pam reveal with various reactions and set-ups for future love triangle tensions.
  • Angela’s “office mattress” line gets extra background: two candy-bag alt versions are discussed.

Black & White Security Camera Footage

• [34:30]
  • The unusual use of security cam shots to show Dwight gifting Angela a “feral barn cat”—a stand-out production choice.

The Cat Scene: Honey for 'Ferality'

• [35:57]–[37:31]
  • Kim Ferry (hair dept.) reveals the cat’s roughened look was achieved with a little honey.
  • Angela describes the chaos of filming with a wriggling cat: “We really had to sort of deliver the emotion of the scene but get our lines out quickly because this thing was climbing off Rain and wanted to go exploring the whole scene.” (37:19)

Gift Cat / Bandit Continuity?

• Fans ask: Is this also Bandit? No, but hosts laugh at the idea.

Real-Life Pet Adoption Tangent

• [38:31]–[39:57]
  • Both urge adopting/rescuing pets rather than gifting. Share personal stories about how their own cats “picked them.”

Relationship Disclosure Form (Toby’s Drama)

• [40:05]–[40:55]
  • A deleted blooper involved Paul Lieberstein (Toby) trying to hold Pam’s hand during this scene.

Ryan's Transformation & Returns

• [41:04]–[43:35]
  • On BJ’s “new boss” look—fancy suit, facial stubble: he confirms this wasn’t his choice, and the original pitch was for a goatee (Greg Daniels: “too on the nose”).
  • “The whole look was Very kind of like Gordon Gekko. You know, the movie Wall Street? It was like, you know, Ryan thinks he's the king of New York now.” (Angela, 43:09)
  • Hilarious breakroom moment: Kevin and Andy both try to bond with Ryan over “the fire”—BJ/Brain kept breaking during the noogie gag.

Michael & Ryan: Ageism, Technology, & Talking Heads

• [53:26]–[54:31]
  • Michael’s epic “foreign exchange brother” jeans monologue—a fan-favorite bit of Steve Carell comedy.

Deleted Scene

• Michael has Pam post sticky notes on his BlackBerry as “messages”—Pam talking head: “Michael doesn’t know how to use his BlackBerry…so when he says for me to put it in his BlackBerry, he means for me to write it on a post-it and stick it on the BlackBerry.” (54:06)

Kelly & Ryan Drama

• [60:26]–[61:06]
  • Kelly claims pregnancy to rope Ryan back in. “I am doing great. In fact, I am dating a lot of guys.” (60:26)
  • Kelly’s direct-to-camera shake of the head (“no”) after stating her “pregnancy” is a highlight.
• Fan letter from Renata in Brazil: “Ladies, it is not worth it. …You deserve someone who's going to put your love on top. ...this crazy relationship will teach you something about what not to accept.” (62:36)

Dwight & Angela’s Back-to-Back (“Kitchen”) Scene

• [63:12]–[65:24]
  • Deleted scene: Pam gives Angela relationship advice on forgiveness and moving forward (“just try to focus on the good parts…”).
• Discussion of Dwight suggesting noodles and cauliflower for dinner leads to Jenna discovering it’s actually a delicious, legit dish: “Google noodles and cauliflower. It's a bonanza.” (65:17)

Jan & Ryan's Tacky-Off

• [65:24]–[66:17]
  • “You got my job.” “You didn’t get my salary.” Jan’s passive-aggressive zingers and love for the beard—a perfect showcase for Melora Hardin and BJ Novak.

Great Scott Salad Dressing Fan Catch

• [70:34]–[71:54]
  • Michael brings packed “Great Scott” salad dressing (a callback to a deleted “Fun Run” scene about Michael mixing Newman's Own ranch and Italian—themed like Paul Newman himself).

Creed’s Jet Black Hair Dye

• [73:01]–[74:28]
  • Creed shows up with an inky black “30-year-old” hairdo, prompting a string of texts with Creed Bratton to confirm: it was a vegetable dye.
    • Creed jokes: it should be part of a legal drama spin-off with Jim Ferry, the actual department head for hair.

Conference Room: The Epic Robert Dunder Cameo

• [76:01]–[78:59]
  • Robert Dunder’s appearance is celebrated—a masterclass in “the rambling story.” John Engle’s impressive career (and teaching resume) is highlighted.
    • Hosts improvise their own extended “where’s the sweater from?” story as a loving nod.

Angela & Dwight’s Heartbreaking Dinner Date

• [81:31]–[85:15]
  • Scene was filmed at the exclusive Malibu Lake Mountain Club. Angela describes the “magical” night shoot.
  • The emotional breakup scene is a highlight for Angela Kinsey:
    • “Dwight is hoping that it’s one thing. Angela’s trying for it to be a reconciliation. And then she just can’t do it…” (84:00)
    • “I heard a joke today.” “Oh, that’s funny.” “Yes, it was.” (Angela & Rainn as Dwight, 84:41)
  • Jenna: “These are the moments of The Office that I’m so proud of as a television comedy...” (85:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My heart soars with the eagle’s nest.”
  — Michael Scott (Steve Carell), [31:24]

• “I stand corrected.”
  — Jenna Fischer, [05:19], conceding ‘feral’ pronunciation to Angela

• “This is now like a hybrid West Side Story Cop Rock.”
  — Jenna Fischer, riffing on the legendary musical cop show, [16:07]

• “I want you and I to go to Scranton and just anonymously sign up for the Office tour.”
  — Jenna Fischer, on future podcast plans, [18:48]

• “Peacock, are you listening? Do this.”
  — Jenna Fischer, on relaunching Dunder Mifflin Infinity as an app, [23:58]

• “If you go to their website, you’ll see they have an assemble and bake meal…”
  — Angela, discussing Blue Apron sponsorship, [00:41] (example of skipping the sponsorship section for summary)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fan Mail, Cold Open PDA Catch: 02:28–04:08
• “Feral” Pronunciation Showdown: 04:09–05:34
• Scranton Location & Conventions: 06:00–20:28
• Dunder Mifflin Infinity Website: 21:06–23:44
• Breakroom/Flirt Room Scene: 28:26–31:26
• Michael’s Legendary Talking Head: 31:24
• Angela’s “Office Mattress” & Alternate Talking Heads: 33:03–33:20
• Creed’s Printer Ink Hair Dye: 73:01–74:28
• Malibu Lake Dinner/Location Trivia: 81:31–85:15

Episode Tone and Style

Angela and Jenna embrace their trademark blend of affectionate ribbing, self-deprecating humor, and sincere reminiscence. They don’t just recap but pull listeners behind the curtain, sharing deleted scenes, fan trivia, crew shout-outs, and tangents on everything from cats to blackberries to wedding afterparties. The chemistry and authentic friendship between the hosts brings the magic of The Office back to life while still making the episode deeply accessible, funny, and fresh for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Closing Tease

Next week: gift baskets, huge stunts, and much more from “Dunder Mifflin Infinity Part Two.”
“I can't wait to talk about it.” (Jenna, 86:19)

This summary skips paid ad segments and closing credits roll, remaining focused on the hosts' content, insights, and the podcast’s joyful, irreverent spirit.