The Office – In which Michael reaches a new low

Since the beginning, the character of Michael Scott has fluctuated from being endearingly awful and truly awful. He’s created a lot of uncomfortable moments throughout, and we all know he’s a man of low character. So I’m not exactly sure why his actions in this episode bothered me so much. I certainly didn’t find any of it particularly out of character, it was just so incredibly selfish.

It’s one thing to do whatever it takes to make yourself look better, but the earnestness in which he tried to force someone to take the fall for his own blunder was heinous. That things turned out differently in the end only exacerbated his horrible behavior. For most of this season, Michael hasn’t really been that bad. He’s been odd and annoying, yes, but he hasn’t been a despicable person. He was in this episode.

Maybe it’s a testament to the power of the writing and acting on this show, but I was disgusted by Michael’s behavior. So much that I couldn’t even find enjoyment in the humorous parts of what he was doing. I’m not saying I didn’t like the episode, because I loved it. I love that The Office can be great television even when it’s not being funny.

And there’s nothing wrong with a character who’s a complete and total bastard. The depths of Michael’s cowardice was difficult to watch. To sum up really quickly, Michael had an idea to put five golden tickets randomly in paper orders for clients to get 10% off their next order. Unfortunately, all the tickets went to Blue Cross, their largest client, affording them a nice 50% discount on their next order.

What could have been a catastrophe turned into a marketing coup as Blue Cross was so enthused by the promotion they signed on with Dunder-Mifflin for all their office needs. It was at this point that Michael’s true depravity came through. He did everything in his power to get Dwight fired for his idea when it was bad, but as soon as it turned good he was beside himself with jealousy.

I’ll admit it was funny when the whole office was applauding Dwight’s Willy Wonka idea and completely denying that Michael could have had any involvement. I know the show stretches realism, but Michael’s behavior was so horrible throughout, he still probably should have been fired, or at least written up. That David Wallace was willing to just go all the way back to New York as if it never happened; well, I don’t buy that in the real world.

Maybe they’ll follow up on this later, as is often the case on this show, but it’s just as possible that they won’t. And while I’ve always known Michael for a spineless jellyfish, I still managed to lose a little more respect for him after this episode. Maybe I’m taking this stuff too seriously.

Clacked by Jason Hughes
on Mar 14, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT