"The Office" Season 7, Episode 4 – “Sex Ed” Television Review

"The Office" Season 7, Episode 4 – “Sex Ed”

Television Review

By our guest blogger, Megan O'Malley

This week we got to watch Michael revisit his old flames and try to make sense of the disastrous love life we have seen him create in the last seven seasons. While “Sex Ed” wasn’t the funniest episode, it did give viewers some insight into Michael’s romanticism and his lack of a serious partner in life, save for Dwight.

It all starts when Michael walks into work wearing a Yosemite Sam-style mustache. Once that falls off, Michael reveals a hideous cold sore on his lip. After Meredith points out that it could be herpes, he embarks on a journey to reconnect with old lovers and let them know of his condition.

“Sex Ed” is really only about Michael. The rest of the gang takes a back seat to his journey of self realization. In his talking with Jan, Holly and various other exes, we learn that Michael greatly romanticizes when it comes to his relationships. Holly bitingly tells him they had a “fun fling” and Michael slowly comes to realize that things aren’t always as they seem. Viewers always got to see Michael’s side of things but until now, they never knew how the ladies felt.

While Michael felt they were each “the one,” no one else thought so and most of these encounters were met with disappointment and awkwardness. However, we did learn that Jan is back on track raising Astrid, known as “Assy,” and recording Doris Day cover albums on her own label. We also learned that Holly is still dating the same man.

Michael may have misread each and every relationship he’s ever been in, but it doesn’t mean he hasn’t changed. At the very end of the episode, he calls Holly again to tell her she was wrong about their relationship. It shows growth on Michael’s part and it gives viewers the hope that maybe these two crazy kids will get back together some day.

But maybe I’m romanticizing.



Top Three Lines from “Sex Ed”:

“There are many reasons a man would wear a fake mustache to work.” – Michael

“I’m no doctor, just a normal guy who loves revenge.” – Dwight

“Between the sheets, we were like Jordan and Pippin.” – Michael to Jan