The Office aired it’s series finale episode last week and it left an extremely bittersweet feeling for me. I have been thinking it’s time for The Office to close their doors, they held their own much more than expected in the season after Michael Scott’s departure, but I think everyone could feel the end was nearing. I’m glad that The Office chose to have one last season to go out with a bang – it didn’t work the whole final season. I was confused by Andy‘s absences disliked Pam’s flirtation with the film crew member (liked the idea of growing attached to these people, but why Pam?), and as an extension of that, really disliked the tension that arose between my precious Jam (Jim and Pam.)
I was rooting for the return of Michael Scott for the finale, and I think the premise of Dwight and Angela’s wedding was perfect. In the context of the “real lives” of the characters, Michael Scott would not have missed Dwight’s wedding. When Jim began to explain that he couldn’t act as Dwight’s “bestest mensch” because he was too young, I started pumping my fists in the air of anticipation of what that actually meant! When the camera planned to Michael Scott and he delivered the perfect “That’s what she said” I was fully satisfied with the finale. Best. Prank. Ever.
Sure, it was a bit self-serving but they had that luxury by adhering to their documentary style. There were a few good jokes, including Michael’s pride of seeing “every parent’s dream.” I also laughed out loud when on his way to Dwight’s bachelor party, Oscar had to remember how he acted when he still pretended he was straight – “Wassssupp!” This was a nice throwback to an early episode when Michael and Dwight exchange “wassupps” in the office. And just enough touching moments to really make you realize how much you will miss the employees of Dunder Mifflin. One of Andy’s final lines was very impactful for me, and I believe a lot of viewers, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
The Office is one of the first shows that I have watched from beginning to end every week, instead of catching up during a show’s run or marathoning episodes long after the finale aired, and I truly will feel a gap in my Thursday night line up now that the People Person’s Paper People at Dunder Mifflin won’t be around to make me laugh and cringe anymore. I’m happy to know the cast and creators feel strongly affected by the end of this era as well, and that they’ll think fondly of their Office years when they go on to make great television and film going forward. I can’t wait to see what they all do next.
Spoiler Alert 