The Office's Unexpected Friendship: Unveiling Phyllis and Stanley's Unbreakable Bond

Summary

There have been instances when their dynamic has resembled that of frenemies rather than friends. One such occasion was when Phyllis confronted Stanley about his affair, and another occurred when Stanley filed a formal complaint against Phyllis.

Stanley and Phyllis have a strong bond and are generally content with their relationship despite occasional tension and conflicts. In the popular workplace sitcom, The Office, their friendship is often overlooked but is actually one of the most underrated duos on the show. Set at a mid-level paper company called Dunder Mifflin in Pennsylvania, the series utilizes a mockumentary format to portray the day-to-day lives of the branch's employees. The Office excels in depicting realistic professional friendships that naturally develop when colleagues work closely together.

Times When Stanley & Phyllis Were BFFs

While many of the relationships on The Office receive attention, the friendship between Stanley and Phyllis often goes unnoticed. Throughout the series, they work side by side as sales personnel at Dunder Mifflin and share amusing similarities. Their bond is subtle, expressed through actions rather than explicit words, but it becomes evident by the end of The Office that they have developed a genuine affection for each other. However, there are moments in the show that suggest their relationship falls more in the realm of frenemies rather than true friends.

Phyllis Protects Stanley From The Others

The Office is renowned for its numerous holiday-themed episodes. While significant events occur during holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, one memorable moment showcasing the great friendship between Stanley and Phyllis takes place in season 5, episode 6, titled "Employee Transfer," which is among the show's many Halloween-themed installments. In this particular scene, Stanley decides to participate in the Halloween spirit by donning a Swamp Thing mask while working at his desk. When Kelly mentions Stanley's mask, Phyllis vehemently defends him, instructing Kelly to leave him undisturbed as Stanley is taking a nap. The mask serves as a clever disguise, allowing Stanley to peacefully sleep at his workstation. Phyllis's protective actions towards Stanley exemplify the depth of their friendship, as she prioritizes his rest over any potential disruption caused by Kelly's wake-up call.

Stanley & Phyllis Took Care Of Jim's Clients

In The Office season 9, episode 8, "The Target," Jim had to find a way to cover his responsibilities at Dunder Mifflin while working part-time at Athlead. However, he knew that Dwight would never come to his aid during this difficult time. To ensure he had support, Jim decided to treat Stanley and Phyllis to a lavish lunch, hoping to win them over. Little did he know, both Stanley and Phyllis thoroughly enjoyed being flattered and took full advantage of Jim's generosity. Despite the fact that they would have helped him regardless of the expensive lunch, Jim was thrilled to witness the amusing sight of an intoxicated Stanley and a satisfied Phyllis, sitting at the back of his car.

Stanley Whittled Phyllis A Wooden Version Of Herself

Phyllis Defended Stanley When Michael Started Gossiping

In The Office's well-executed series finale, audiences catch a glimpse of life at Dunder Mifflin Scranton following the release of the PBS documentary. Kevin undergoes a career change as he is let go from the company and becomes the proud owner of a bar. Meanwhile, Angela and Dwight busily work on their wedding plans, and Stanley, after years of dedicated service, finally enters retirement and basks in the warmth of Florida. Yet, this retirement does not signal the end of the friendship between Stanley and Phyllis. At Angela and Dwight's wedding, Stanley presents Phyllis with a meticulously carved miniature wooden figure that bears a striking resemblance to her. Stanley, who now spends his days crafting intricate wooden birds, surprises Phyllis with this heartfelt gesture, leaving her so overwhelmed that tears of joy fill her eyes.

In The Office's sixth season, episode 1, "Gossip," Michael finds himself astounded by the vast amount of gossip his colleagues possess compared to his own knowledge. It is through the interns of that summer that Michael learns about Stanley's affair, which took place while his wife was away. Initially unaware of the consequences that spreading gossip and false information can have on someone's life, Michael rushes to Phyllis to share the news he just discovered. "Stanley despises crowds, kids, and music. I suggest you fact-check," Phyllis playfully remarks to Michael. This moment comes as a shock to Michael, as he realizes that Phyllis and Stanley possess a deeper understanding of one another, despite Phyllis ultimately being mistaken.

Stanley & Phyllis Don't Bicker Like The Other Cubicles

When reflecting on the office seating arrangements, only Stanley and Phyllis managed to avoid multiple conflicts. The accounting department was consistently embroiled in disputes due to Angela's controlling demeanor. Angela and Oscar frequently clashed, and Angela had nothing positive to say about Kevin. Jim and Dwight harbored a timeless rivalry, preoccupied with pranks rather than focusing on their work. Conversely, Stanley and Phyllis found contentment in their little corner, even when Andy joined them in The Office season 3.

Stanley Defended Phyllis' Perfume Choices

In The Office Season 3, Episode 7, "The Merger," Stanley and Phyllis become the embodiment of friendship goals. Conflict arises when the Stamford and Scranton branches combine under Michael's guidance, and Karen finds herself seated next to Stanley and Phyllis. Karen attempts to address her potential allergy to Phyllis' perfume, but Phyllis adamantly refuses to make any changes. During one of The Office's many humorous asides, Stanley confesses that he can't understand what's wrong with these newcomers, as he has been seated beside Phyllis for years without ever complaining about her "stinky perfume."

Times Stanley & Phyllis Were Frenemies

Phyllis Calls Out Stanley On His Affair

In the Office's sixth season, episode 5 titled "Niagara Part 2," the entire group accompanies Jim and Pam to Niagara Falls for their wedding, resulting in a tense moment between Stanley and Phyllis. While standing in line at the church, Phyllis's hat consistently strikes Stanley's face. Irritated, he warns, "If your hat hits me in the face one more time..." However, Phyllis cleverly retorts by mentioning that Stanley's wife Terri adored her hat "the last time she saw it." Adding to the discomfort, she subtly glances disapprovingly at Cynthia, Stanley's mistress, intensifying the awkwardness of the conversation.

In The Office season 7, episode 21, "Michael's Last Dundies," Michael and the new regional manager, Deangelo Vickers, collaborate to create a video in which Michael mimics his colleagues. One of his imitations is of Phyllis, for which he adorns a wig, glasses, and portrays her as an elderly woman on the brink of frailty. Phyllis, despite having attended the same high school as Michael, didn't find the joke amusing, unlike Stanley who burst into uncontrollable laughter. While some viewers perceive Stanley and Phyllis to share a sibling-like bond, this particular instance was not appreciated by Phyllis, leaving her dismayed by Stanley's persistent giggles.

Stanley Loves When Michael Thinks Phyllis Is Old

In addition to Dwight's comical complaints about Jim showcased in season 2, episode 21 of The Office titled "Conflict Resolution," the episode also reveals potential tension between Stanley and Phyllis. In an attempt to resolve workplace conflicts, Michael chooses to publicly read out people's complaints. Among the numerous issues, he discloses a complaint from Stanley expressing discomfort with Phyllis crying excessively. Phyllis, however, dismisses the complaint due to their close relationship. Yet, when the camera focuses on Stanley, he quietly mutters, "We sit close..." This remark upsets Phyllis, suggesting that their bond may not be as strong as she had believed.

One of Stanley's most memorable moments on The Office occurred in season 3, episode 5 titled "Pretzel Day." Despite Stanley's disdain for work, he eagerly anticipates this particular day: Pretzel Day. Once a year, a pretzel vendor pays a visit to Dunder Mifflin, offering warm pretzels embellished with a wide array of toppings. Stanley takes this event quite seriously. During this event, an incident arises between Stanley and Phyllis while waiting in line. Spotting her husband Bob Vance in the queue, Phyllis shares an embrace with him. Stanley, interpreting this act as an attempt to cut the line, vehemently shouts at her until she reluctantly retreats towards the back of the queue.

Stanley Wrote A Formal Complaint About Phyllis

Despite resolving their disagreements quickly, some viewers speculate that Stanley and Phyllis harbored underlying tension during their bad times. A theory on Reddit suggests that their constant jabs at each other could be attributed to a secret romance. While Stanley confessed to having three affairs in his lifetime, he only disclosed details about two of them, leaving audiences to deduce a potential involvement with Phyllis. Adding weight to this theory is Phyllis's query in The Office season 2, episode 2, "Sexual Harassment," where she inquires about the inclusion of one-night stands when discussing office relationships.

Stanley's enjoyment of Michael's exaggerated portrayal of Phyllis as an elderly woman might have contributed to the outcome, but Phyllis' response to Stanley's victory in season 7, episode 21 of The Office, titled "Michael's Last Dundies," suggests that they are not particularly friendly. Throughout the show, Stanley has garnered numerous Dundie awards, but for Michael's farewell ceremony, he receives the "Diabetes Award." During a personal interview, Phyllis reveals that she too has diabetes, but she doesn't emphasize it like Stanley does.