Last night we witnessed the brilliant Steve Carell's swan song on The Office. Here come the waterworks! Seriously, I teared up, and you probably did, too. But while it was an emotional farewell—dare I say more emotional than the series finale will be?—it was also one of the best episodes in recent memory. Let's now revisit some of the moments, great and small, that made "Goodbye, Michael" an instant classic.
1. "In Tight Pants, You Are a Salami to a Black Bear"
The cold open set the sweet tone of things to come, with Michael asking Dwight a purposely dumb question about salamis and black bears. It was cunningly calibrated to let Dwight do what he does best: lecture about wilderness survival. Michael would further redeem himself in Dwight's eyes with a glowing recommendation letter and parking lot paintball match. He loves Dwight! Now that I mention it, besides one ill-advised cameo from Ping, his racist Chinese character, Michael would show a lot of smarts in this episode. His E.Q. was off the charts! (Is E.Q. still a thing?)
2. Will Ferrell: Third Wheel
Or twelfth wheel? Or however many wheels there are on this big rig known as The Office cast. What began as a concerned hunch is now all but confirmed: Will Ferrell doesn't fit in well with the show. It's not really his fault. They writers don't seem to know what to do with him, or what his character brings to the table. It seems like they've settled on "Michael 2: The Less-Sympathetic Sequel," and add stuff as they go along—like Deangelo's addiction to cake and his reliving of the dog rescue that changed his life. (Which, admittedly, were both funny bits.)
3. Thwarted Gabe is Awesome
I don't think enough can be said about Zach Woods, the actor who plays Gabe. He's just so good. And last night, coming off his humiliating public dumping by Erin at The Dundies, the writers gave him a lot to work with. This was a Gabe on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and in two amazing scenes—one set in the men's room and one in the ladies'—the rage and desperation that simmers just beneath Gabe's surface was finally allowed to erupt. It was sad, ugly and hilarious.
4. Kevin's Caricature
Of Michael's many symbolic Wizard of Oz-style farewell gifts, this one was my favorite: A drawing of Kevin with a pig's face, drooling over a slice of pizza, which Michael then ripped in two to prove a point about "never being a caricature." First of all, where did Michael even get that picture? It was really well drawn! He obviously had it professionally done , which is so funny to me. Secondly: Kevin with a pig face drooling over pizza = LOL. No doubt about that one. (Also, this was one of several winking references in the episode, because Kevin is often criticized for being too broadly drawn a character.)
5. The Michael Monologues
Carell is just such a gifted actor, and there were so many moments where he shined last night—often without anyone else in the room. One was his hysterical reaction after giving Oscar that terrible scarecrow doll as a goodbye gift, just to see if Oscar would think he was actually serious. (He wasn't.) The other was right after his breakroom freak out, during a brief call with Holly. Michael went from panic attack to puppy love in six seconds, convincingly. You try that. Not so easy!
6. "Catch you guys on the flippity-flip."
No explanation necessary.
7. Tripling Up! with Creed, Gabe and Meredith
I would definitely watch that show, if it was a show. Maybe on TLC? I don't even know what they'd be tripled-up on. I just know I'd watch it.
8. That Scene with Jim
Ohhh, man. Did I mention the waterworks are coming? Because here they are! Good thing Dunder-Mifflin is a paper company, because I'm going to need an industrial-sized box of tissue. I'm wearing my "Goodbyes Stink" T-shirt as I type this. (My "No Weave" T-shirt is in the laundry.)
9. "Will you guys let me know if this ever airs?"
And, after seven seasons, we finally get acknowledgment that this entire series is built on the far-fetched premise that everyone is knowingly being filmed for a documentary. Then Michael pulled off his body mic (waithas everyone been body-miked this whole time?), and his sound cut out. How many of you think Carell was just moving his lips at that moment? I do! Did all of this sudden self-awareness jar you out of the narrative? I kind of loved it.
10. Pam's Shoes
As you might have noticed, Michael's final moments came after an airport security screening. Pam, who'd spent most of the day playing hooky at the movies, rushed to the airport to see him off. When she found him, she was holding her shoes in her hands—the implication being that she went through the TSA checkpoint as well. But without a ticket, how would that be possible? Did that bother you at all? Or were you willing to overlook it? Or did you even notice it?
And that's how Michael Scott left The Office. Did you enjoy the episode? Did you find it too short or too long? (That's what she said.) Will the series survive Steve Carell's departure? Tell us what you think!
Pam didn't go through security, she was just RUNNING to get to Michael asap. Other people in the same area didn't seem to have passed the security, so there's that.
Pam running up to Michael with her shoes in her hand, yes, I thought that meant she went through security and yes, I did say to myself that this is TV because unless you had a ticket, boarding pass, id, etc....you ARE NOT going to get through security as easily....thanks to You Know Who!!!! But then I thought, heeey, this is TV and in TV land, I am sure Pam in all her cuteness was able to talk the security guard in letting her slip in just so she could say goodbye to a dear friend that she will probably never see again, so I brought it. But by the time, I was crying so over the scene with Michael and Erin and Michael and Jim that I was glad that Pam was able to say goodbye to him....Guess he will be back late in next season for his and Holly's wedding or if they pop up with a baby...but I agree without Michael Scott, season 8 is a waste!moreless
I noticed Pam's shoes, and thought, "she's such a bad salesman, how could she afford a ticket?" ha ha! It was sweet though. and I cried during the Jim and Michael scene,if you didn't you are a monster.
I don't have much for comments in regards to your questions, but this was a great article! And I agree, a great farewell to Steve Carell & Michael Scott!!
I thought the show was not as good as it could have been...Michael was too nice and mushy, not the normal politically incorrect character that insults people with left handed compliments. The show should have been longer. Will Ferrell needs to go, I like him but he does not fit in this series. Creed is awfully funny...the Jim - Michael farewell was priceless...wondered how Pam got by security? The Office is my favorite show, not sure it will survive without Michael Scott.....
At first I thought she had taken off her shoes because she ran after him, but yeah, buying a ticket and going through security makes more sense.
@all the people talking about the mic.when Michael is taking off the mic at the airport and says "It feels good to finally get this thing off my chest" after handing it to the cameraman he says "That's what she said". you can just barely hear him through your speakers. the wife and i did on the 7.1 surround sound.
yeah i noticed the Pam thing and said to the wife "what, did she buy a ticket?" she probably did, since it was that important to her
the only reason he did ping was because he was tearing up and didnt want anyone to notice.
i had never cried while watching a tv show.... till now
great episode. both sad and nice at the same time. and there have been a few references to mics and stuff through the series. or am i confusing that with Tim in the UK version? whatever lol also, Will Ferrell's character needs to be killed or something. can't stand him.
Dude, you're the one that needs to pay attention. I wrote that he SAYS it but you just can't HEAR it because he isn't wearing his mic.
I just got the impression Pam was running to catch Michael. Like dramatic, at-the-end-of-a-movie type of running. It plays more emotionally like that for me, anyway. The scene with Jim and with Erin were highlights for me. And the basketball. And the cake. Amazing episode. Should have been the finale. The Office shouldn't even try to go on without him. 8 seasons? Overkill much?
Dude, if you pay attention when Michael takes his mic off, he says, "that's what she says." He is not just moving his mouth.
Probably the best Office episode ever. Will Ferrell's character is hilarious. .
About Pam being past the TSA checkpoint, you can potentially get a blank ticket from an airline if you can prove you have a valid reason to be in the departure/arrival gates; I used to work at a summer camp that got a ton of international kids, and sometimes they would let us through to pick them up as they arrived. It doesn't always work, but I can see Pam pulling it off....
I really wanted to love it. I really did. I just didn't. It felt weird to me... I didn't hate it either; but not what I expected at all. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but overall it felt like something was missing. Maybe it was the way Michael left. It avoided mushy cliches but still, I dunno... and I hate Ferell's character. He's just not funny. In fact, he's so unfunny, he's mad annoying. and that's just lame on the writers part. It's like trading for Ryan Howard and playing him at 2nd base and batting him 8th. Waste.
"Will you guys let me know if this ever airs?" .. I was hoping for something like that in the series finale.. didn't expect it this episode. This episode was epic. I've been focusing so much lately on how the show will be without him and this episode made me realize what the show is losing. I will probably watch it 3-4 more times this week.
You must not forget the award of world's best boss he places on his desk in the beginning of the episode. We finally see the connection between the opening credits and his award.
DJack, this isn't the forum. And it's kind of sad you don't just know that instinctively.
@pichikin: Actually when Michael is taking off the mic at the airport and says "It feels good to finally get this thing off my chest" after handing it to the cameraman he says "That's what she said". You just can't hear him say it because he doesn't have the mic on anymore but you can read his lips and tell that is what he said.
Oh man, I cried buckets. This episode made me appreciate even more the writers and the actors and all the work that they put into this show. I can't believe that Michael didn't do one last "That's what she said!" joke though!
The shoes were high heels. I took it to mean she wanted to catch up to Michael so bad that she took them off and raced across the airport barefoot.
What a wonderful episode. loved everything.. its sad and sickening to see him leave the show... and will ferrell? come on.. there is no chance he can attain any level set up by THE Michael Scott.. The writers will have to come up with something for ferrell because at this moment he does not fit in the group. Not in the mood to watch the next episode.. but for my sake of curiosity about how the staff take this show forward, I will give it a go.. Goodbye Michael Scott.. the best character on TV... ever.. period !!
Maybe she cared so much to say goodbye that she bought a ticket just on the off chance she might be able to find him and catch him before he left. That would be the better way to imagine it instead of trying to figure out how she passed through TSA, then again how BS is TSA anyways and how poor of a job do they really do anyhow. Lets search the obvious ones, the old women and children, but lets not stereotype anyone and let the middle east people through no search in hopes of not offending them. But that's a whole other can of #@$& we need to fix someday, maybe, hopefully not after the next 9/11.
This episode totally made up for the last two, IMO. I liked that Jim was the only one paying close enough attention to realize this was actually Michael's last day, despite how much he was telegraphing it by the end. And I like the fact that Andy regained a client after Vickers all but threw up on him. :P
@swiftmonkey4 - Actually, I kind of liked it the way they did it. While they were talking, I assumed the writers decided to make the two end as friends, but when they didn't and Michael clearly just kept his hatred for Toby bottled inside, I thought that was a better way to go. If Michael ended up befriending Toby, I'd probably have thought it to be too cheesy. Also, I agree with #5 in this article; Michael's reaction after giving Oscar that horrible gift was hilarious, and his panic attack + call to Holly was fantastic. I personally hated the flippity-flip thing, but I guess it fits the character. I also agree with vstherevolution regarding DeAngelo's purpose; when he first arrived, he seemed to be more professional and intelligent than Michael, but now we see that DeAngelo is partly crazy, partly stupid, and a very bad salesman. Just seems to be a way of making Michael look better (to us the viewers, and to the workers).moreless
Great episode can't say I agreed with your choices of best moments, 2,5,8,9 yes but the flippity flip scene was tedious, Michael is redeemed in a way because the character got a little annoying at times and him going was the right choice, maybe the whole show should really stop now though too many bad episodes after this great one might ruin things.
I really loved the episode and am going to miss Michael, but I would have liked to see a resolution between Toby and Michael. Toby basically exists so that Michael could beat up on him. It would have been really nice for them to be friends in the end.
It was sweet, sad and left me wanting more. I really am happy with how Michael left, but I am concerned about the future of the show and who is replacing him for good.
@IndianaMom: That's what she said
I actually guessed pam had to buy the cheapest ticket in order to get into the terminal. No big deal, right? The episode was great. I still think we need to see the wedding episode. They cant overlook that!
Best episode in a really long time. I get the feeling next week I'm gonna be wishing it had been the series finale. As for Deangelo, it's been clear to me his purpose for these 4 episodes is to show, look, Michael Scott can be a jerk, but he's not THAT much of a jerk. Simple juxtaposition to make him look like a much better boss, and it worked. And as for Gabe, I totally agree with IGN's take on it... that dude has got to be the Scranton Strangler.
There were a lot of good moments, but somehow I expected more.
Loved Dwight and Jim's goodbyes, but the episode wasn't quite as emotional as I was expecting.
Really gonna miss him and his antics and his twisted logic. This show is not going to be the same.
Yeah, just forget the whole observation. My TV was not on very loud.
LOVED IT!
Yeah, they've always worn mics. In the season 2 episode The Injury, Michael takes off his mic to follow Dwight into the x-ray room. Loved the episode. I was getting really choked up when Jim says goodbye. When Michael was in the airport, I kept hoping that maybe he would decide to stay or something, but I guess he really is gone. The show just won't be the same.
It was a fitting farewell to a great character, he will be missed immensely.
OK let me see if I understand you now. Are you saying that when they filmed it he just stopped talking and moved his lips to say "that's what she said" and then in post or whatever they just dubbed a voice clip of him saying "that's what she said" overtop of the scene? Obagol56 and I were just saying we could actually hear him say "that's what she said". We didn't read his lips.
I just meant that Carell wasn't making sound at all. Never mind!
I was about to post what obagol56 said but they beat me to it lol. After Michael removes the mic he says "that's what she said". I think he was making reference to being happy about getting that big thing (mic) off his chest.
"How many of you think Carell was just moving his lips at that moment?"Not me, because it was pretty clear he said "That's what she said".