Holly Flax
| Holly Flax | |
|---|---|
| The Office character | |
 | |
| First appearance | "Goodbye, Toby" |
| Last appearance | "Garage Sale" |
| Created by | Paul Lieberstein |
| Portrayed by | Amy Ryan |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | • Former Human Resources Representative, Dunder Mifflin, Scranton • Former Human Resources Representative, Dunder Mifflin, Nashua |
Hollis "Holly" Partridge Flax was 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 leaves for Costa Rica, but later developed into a friend and key romantic interest for Michael Scott.
Overview
Holly Flax arrives as a replacement for Toby Flenderson 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 calls her 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's originally from Des Moines, Iowa, and her parents now live in Boulder, Colorado. In addition, she held the position of hall monitor in middle school; because of this, Holly was a target of harassment by other students. She also had mono at one time during high school.
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 Schrute, 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.) [1]
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 Halpert) 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6] Later, David is called out on the transfer by Michael, who chastises him on the phone before hanging up.[7]
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.[8]
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.
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, "Whistleblower," 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 speakerphone 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 Daryl'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", which was Steve Carell's final episode as a series regular.