A funny Phyllis episode.
Egocentric, overbearing Phyllis of the backhanded compliment was helping out where Lars works but was fired. When overworked Mary is allowed to hire an assistant, pushy Phyllis weasels her way into the job.
As expected, Phyllis disrupts Mary's routine, creates discontent in the office, refuses to do any 'menial' work, and forms an unholy alliance with Ted - who she thinks is the bee's knees.
Phyllis could be annoying but also funny. I actually felt sympathy for her: queen of the household and holding court at Mary's with her Masters Degree, endless self-help manuals and her sly putdowns, but a nest of hidden insecurities and unable to hold down even the simplest job outside her home.