Gareth pauses at his desk beside Tim.

Original artwork, not a still

Gareth Keenan

Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark?

— The Office · 2001

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

An ordinary invitation to share a thought can reveal a completely unexpected inner world. The non sequitur interrupts the assumption that everyone is attending to the same reality.

Context reviewed

In context

Spoilers for The OfficeShow the scene

In New Girl, Tim asks Gareth what he is thinking about. Gareth answers with a surprising piece of speculation about sharks rather than anything connected with the office. The exchange briefly opens a window onto the private train of thought behind his usual officious manner.

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