“The Office” Recap: Broke

Michael Scott is quickly finding out that owning your own paper company can be tough. You have to make your own early morning deliveries. You have to drive Korean people to church. And, it turns out, you actually have to know something about business. While the Michael Scott Paper Company’s low prices have threatened Dunder Mifflin’s business, they’ve nearly destroyed the Michael Scott Paper Company. The MSPC is on pace to be out of business within a month if things don’t change.

Fortunately, David Wallace and Charles Miner are operating under the assumption that Michael has figured out a way to both undercut their prices and turn a profit, so David has decided to offer Michael a buyout. If Michael can keep quiet about the fact that his company is broke (and if Jim can convince Charles that Dwight is too much of a moron to be believed about rumors of the company’s financial ruin), negotiations should proceed smoothly. Then again, things never go smoothly when Michael is involved. He rejects the first offer without hearing it, then turns down $12,000 and $60,000. He demands his old job, sales positions for both Pam and Ryan, a new Sebring and the removal of Charles from the Scranton branch — and he gets all of those things. Well, except for the Sebring. They don’t make those anymore.

So it appears the Charles Miner era is over. It’s sort of a shame, because his presence helped shake things up after a pretty stagnant start to the season. Plus, we like Idris Elba. Here’s hoping the show can build on the momentum he provided — or that the Charles Miner Paper Company moves into the office space that Michael, Pam and Ryan are leaving behind.

Mike says

Best Moment: When Ryan reveals that he actually went to Fort Lauderdale — not Thailand — on his vacation. There was a great Pad Thai place there, though, so it was still “amazing.”

Best Quote: “I have no shortage of company names.” — Michael Scott, on why he’ll survive in the increasingly competitive paper business

Employee of the Week: Michael. This week’s choice is a no-brainer. Not only is he a tight end of industry, he’s also a quarterback.

Ryan says

Best Moment: Michael taking it straight to David Wallace in the negotiations. As funny as it is to watch Michael lose, it feels good when he finally wins one.

Best Quote: “I don’t care if Ryan murdered his entire family. He is like a son to me.” — Michael

Employee of the Week: Dwight’s apiarist. He does good work.

johnnysweeptheleg says

Best Moment: Pam’s look mirrored ours, after Michael went “all in” with a bluff, telling David Wallace that he didn’t have to wait out Dunder Mifflin, just Wallace — the CFO — who would be out of a job himself, should he not be able to stop the bleeding. It’s great to see these flashes of brilliance out of Michael Scott, to remind us how he got to the position he once had to begin with.

Best Quote: “Well, well, well. How the turntables …” — Michael Scott, greeting David and Charles with yet another statement FAIL from the Great Scott.

Employee of the Week: Pam. But only because I’ve given Michael Scott enough accolades this week. Not only is Pam back at Dunder Mifflin, but she’s going to work sales, rather than staplers.