The Office - "The Search" Review

“Is that a palm tree or did Gabe get skinnier? Either way let’s pee on it.” - Gabe via Angela

The Office is in a great transition period. We know Michael Scott is leaving and we know there will be a new boss and thus two huge questions remain. Will Michael Scott end up with Holly and who will replace him as Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin? In this, not so funny yet enlightening episode, I think we inched closer to knowing the answer to both of these.

It appears as though Michael is going to end up with Holly. After years of Michael massively failing at love, it looks as though he finally find it. I think this is the right move. Enough people will be upset at the fact that he’s leaving the show period, no need to pour salt on the wounds by sending him out the door unceremoniously and dejected. They even went as far as to make Dwight realize that someone had the mind of Michael more figured out than he did. And even sweet little naive Erin is starting to come around. (It should be noted that I think the scorn Erin feels toward Holly is quite hilarious.)

As for who is becoming the new boss, it’s a little more muddy, but I think the front runners have started to emerge. I believe it’s a race between Darryl, Gabe, and Dwight. We saw a shift in power toward Darryl over Gabe during the meeting about the caption contest. Darryl subtly ran the show and Gabe showed desperation. If Ron Swanson isn’t moving from Pawnee to Scranton, than count me as one of the Darryl supporters. I think it would be a seamless transition and the writers have done a great job setting him up as an extremely capable business man.

It’s hard to judge this show until they resolve Michael leaving as all of the focus is clearly on that. Until then, the show appears to be stuck in neutral.

Other thoughts:

Jim has been noticeably absent the past few episodes. I wonder if he’s had another job that conflicted with the shooting, or an exit plan is starting to be formed, or the writers are moving him to a role much smaller? Very curious about this one.
Dwight threw a gem of a line at us tonight. “You drive. I got a car full of fox meat.”
Pam made me laugh after her terrible joke fell flat over the phone with Jim. “Did the phone cut out?” A classic thought I’ve had several times. 

Do you think Michael ends up with Holly? Who do you think takes over regional manager?