Follow Zap2it:
'The Office': Michael Scott says goodbye, and so do we
Twitter
Google
Michael Scott's (and Steve Carell's) last day at "The Office" promises to be an emotional one. This isn't going to be a play-by-play live blog, exactly, but we're hoping to capture our initial impressions of Carell's goodbye more or less as they happen. Come along for what we're expecting to be a tear-jerking ride. So, here we go. NBC showed "Garage Sale" leading into this episode, so we're suitably prepared to get all sentimental.
Cold open: Fresh Rocky Mountain oysters, huh Dwight? It seems on-point that Dwight would be more concerned about his own future than Michael leaving. Also: The roof of Dunder Mifflin is probably not quite enough to get used to the altitude in Colorado.
Act 1 (more or less; we'll use commercial breaks to signify the segments of the episode, even if that doesn't match the act breaks in Greg Daniels' script): Wait -- Michael doesn't want any drama on his last day? And he's thinking about others before himself? That "World's Best Boss" Dundie has really had an effect on our guy, hasn't it? Nice job by director Paul Feig of framing that shot where he adjusts his trophy to mimic the one in the opening credits.
Also: Wow, Gabe really isn't taking his breakup with Erin well. And, yeah Jim, when did the camera crew start following people into the bathroom regularly?
Act 2: Phyllis has been on fire lately: "I thought he knew about the baby I gave away." But we're really getting the feeling that Michael's not going to be able to be Mr. Altruism for this whole episode, especially not with the spectacularly bad decision on Michael's part to give Andy the branch's best clients. Hey -- the guy can't change completely.
Our favorite gift is the scarecrow for Oscar -- mostly because of Michael's talking-head explanation afterward: "It looks like it was made by a 2-year-old monkey! ... He has the lowest opinion of me!"
Aaand, there's the break: "I am not going to start improv at Level 1. I don't think my credits will transfer." But Holly and her goofy voices save the day -- but wait, tonight? Wow. WOW. I guess our guy hates long goodbyes. Which feels exactly right for this man who is leaving the only family he's really ever had.
Act 3: Oh lord, Toby. Yeah -- Michael is not gonna look your brother in Boulder up, man.
We repeat: Phyllis, on fire ("As a person who buys a lot of erotic cakes ...").
Callbacks! Way back when, we learned that Creed likes to use the ladies' room. That hasn't changed, apparently. And then, in rapid succession: "Somehow I Manage," the baler and trying to show off his hoops skills to the warehouse crew. It's a little dizzying. Although the attempts to hit the over-the-shoulder shot might not be the most efficient use of goodbye time.
We do not have high hopes for the Deangelo-Andy sales mission.
Act 4: Fatherly advice from Michael to Erin: "You are beautiful, and you are fun, and you are smart" -- OK, 2 out of 3 -- "and when the right guy comes along, you'll know it." Michael has always done right by Erin, and that's a very sweet coda to their relationship.
Not sure which is nicer: Michael's letter of recommendation for Dwight or playing paintball behind the building with him.
Deangelo and Andy: As feared. Back to Michael, if you please.
Act 5: Suspense! Will Pam get back in time to say goodbye? Will Michael wait and take a later flight?
Group goodbyes -- because "there's not enough time in the day to have a special moment with everybody."
Conference room: "Is that it?" Nope -- Ping is back. Again -- grown-up Michael will always be Michael.
"Later, guys," a final, un-amplified "That's what she said" and Pam apparently buying a ticket so she can say goodbye. You know what? I'll take that. That was absolutely lovely.
Carell has always been said to be a generous team player even though he could have pulled star stuff for much of "The Office's" run. His finale reflected that. We'll have more on the episode and Michael's tenure later, but first reaction? That was just the right tone for Michael's exit.
What did you think?
Cold open: Fresh Rocky Mountain oysters, huh Dwight? It seems on-point that Dwight would be more concerned about his own future than Michael leaving. Also: The roof of Dunder Mifflin is probably not quite enough to get used to the altitude in Colorado.
Act 1 (more or less; we'll use commercial breaks to signify the segments of the episode, even if that doesn't match the act breaks in Greg Daniels' script): Wait -- Michael doesn't want any drama on his last day? And he's thinking about others before himself? That "World's Best Boss" Dundie has really had an effect on our guy, hasn't it? Nice job by director Paul Feig of framing that shot where he adjusts his trophy to mimic the one in the opening credits.
Also: Wow, Gabe really isn't taking his breakup with Erin well. And, yeah Jim, when did the camera crew start following people into the bathroom regularly?
Act 2: Phyllis has been on fire lately: "I thought he knew about the baby I gave away." But we're really getting the feeling that Michael's not going to be able to be Mr. Altruism for this whole episode, especially not with the spectacularly bad decision on Michael's part to give Andy the branch's best clients. Hey -- the guy can't change completely.
Our favorite gift is the scarecrow for Oscar -- mostly because of Michael's talking-head explanation afterward: "It looks like it was made by a 2-year-old monkey! ... He has the lowest opinion of me!"
Aaand, there's the break: "I am not going to start improv at Level 1. I don't think my credits will transfer." But Holly and her goofy voices save the day -- but wait, tonight? Wow. WOW. I guess our guy hates long goodbyes. Which feels exactly right for this man who is leaving the only family he's really ever had.
Act 3: Oh lord, Toby. Yeah -- Michael is not gonna look your brother in Boulder up, man.
We repeat: Phyllis, on fire ("As a person who buys a lot of erotic cakes ...").
Callbacks! Way back when, we learned that Creed likes to use the ladies' room. That hasn't changed, apparently. And then, in rapid succession: "Somehow I Manage," the baler and trying to show off his hoops skills to the warehouse crew. It's a little dizzying. Although the attempts to hit the over-the-shoulder shot might not be the most efficient use of goodbye time.
We do not have high hopes for the Deangelo-Andy sales mission.
Act 4: Fatherly advice from Michael to Erin: "You are beautiful, and you are fun, and you are smart" -- OK, 2 out of 3 -- "and when the right guy comes along, you'll know it." Michael has always done right by Erin, and that's a very sweet coda to their relationship.
Not sure which is nicer: Michael's letter of recommendation for Dwight or playing paintball behind the building with him.
Deangelo and Andy: As feared. Back to Michael, if you please.
Act 5: Suspense! Will Pam get back in time to say goodbye? Will Michael wait and take a later flight?
Group goodbyes -- because "there's not enough time in the day to have a special moment with everybody."
Conference room: "Is that it?" Nope -- Ping is back. Again -- grown-up Michael will always be Michael.
"Later, guys," a final, un-amplified "That's what she said" and Pam apparently buying a ticket so she can say goodbye. You know what? I'll take that. That was absolutely lovely.
Carell has always been said to be a generous team player even though he could have pulled star stuff for much of "The Office's" run. His finale reflected that. We'll have more on the episode and Michael's tenure later, but first reaction? That was just the right tone for Michael's exit.
What did you think?
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: NBC
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Our Partners
I don't know...so far, I'm not impressed.
Funniest parts of the episode: Phyllis' look at Meredith when she says ice cream flavor was supposed to be a secret.
Best parts of goodbye: I think Dwight reading the letter and Jim and MIchael in his office. Was most excited about the goodbye between Pam and Michael and thought it was pretty good.
I thought it was great....sad, but great....i'm not a big fan of Will Ferrel, but I'll watch, I guess. It won't be the same without Michael Scott. This episode was well written, well played, and well ended.
Great Great episode... The scene at the end with Jim and Michael almost made my eyes swell up...
Worst exit ever! Rent song episode should've been his last!
Well i cried. We will miss you Steve great episode, great show, cant wait to see the last three episodes of the season..
I loved his moments with Jim and Pam -- so glad she got to say good-bye! -- and when he took his mic off and said, "Tell me if this ever airs." Loved the phone call to Holly that helped him regain perspective. And his moment with Erin. Yes, I got teary, especially with Jim and Pam.
I didn't know he didn't have a job lined up -- I guess I thought he was going with a Dunder Mifflin Branch in CO.
I like Ferrel but I am totally not liking his character here.
Loved how Michael set up the party with everyone else in mind. Also how the members realize that even with all of his flaws, there are much worse bosses.
very well done. my eyes certainly swelled up when jim and michael were in his office saying their last goodbyes and in the airport with pam. definitely ended the show with one last "thats what she said" and pam watching his plane fly away.
definitely gonna miss michael and the office wont be the same without him.
Thought it wasn't bad! Definitely one above many other episodes on the funny scale (I'm talking about the classic seasons 1-2 office sense of humor. Seasons 6 and 7 have definitely changed). I think Michael and Pam's ending was great...Liked the paintball scene too! Creed was priceless! (That's the classic office sense of humor I'm talking about!) To me Will Ferrel just doesn't bring that classic office humor back. Gervais would for sure! Would absolutely LOVE to see Seinfeld take Michael's place!