photo: nbc
The Office
Michael’s Last Dundies
Original Air Date: Apr 22, 2011
Rachel – Senior Managing Editor
rachel@thetwocentscorp.com
Our regular Office recapper went and had herself a baby this week (Congrats, Shannon!), so for a while you are all stuck with me… the girl who usually covers the gross scifi stuff. Have no fear! I know practically every episode by heart and have an actual Dundie sitting on the bookcase next to me. I’m qualified. Perhaps too qualified, truth be told. Ah, well. On to ‘Michael’s Last Dundies,’ which I’ve watched it three times now. Perhaps that is why this recap/review is a bit tardy.
The episode opened with early morning visits to the homes of various employees to inform them that they had been nominated for a Dundie Award. Michael wants to make these wake-up calls a tradtion, DeAngelo is not so sure. The reactions to the visits are what we would expect: Jim is resigned because it’s such a Michael thing to do, Stanley threatens to call the cops, Meridith is still pretty drunk (and doing a walk-of-shame). They even swing by Toby’s house to egg it. Very appropriate for the beginning of the day of Michael’s last Dundie Awards.
The office is buzzing with excitement (or boredom, depending on who you talk to). Michael talks about how the Dundies are his baby (“They’re like the Golden Globes but less mean.”) and that they must continue after he is gone. There is one big obstacle to that, though: DeAngelo. He does not feel comfortable being ‘an entertainer.’ Michael tries to train him in banter but that falls apart when DeAngelo brings up September 11th. Then it’s The Kings Speech route, which is fantastic. Meanwhile, Dwight is put out that Michael did not pick him to be the co-host. That might come back to haunt someone later.
In the parking lot, Jim and Pam find Erin eating alone in her car. She confesses that she can’t stand Gabe. Pam states the obvious (but we are talking Erin here) and says that she should be honest with Gabe now and not waste any more of his time. I have a feeling that this, too, will come back to haunt someone later.
The Dundies begin with an great awards-show video with Michael playing several roles, including Jim, Angela, and Phyllis, but when Michael and DeAngelo are introduced, DeAngelo makes a break for the bathroom where he vomits several times. Michael gives him a wonderful stage fright talk and slaps him several times. I wonder how much of that moment was ad-libbed? The awards commence (Best Dad to Jim, Best Mom to Meredith, Diabetes Award to Stanley, etc.). To cash-in on the foreshadowing mentioned above, The Promising Assistant Manager Award goes to Dwight who has the best acceptance speech ever. Foreshadow cash-in number two happens when Erin wins the Cutest Redhead in the Office Award and takes her speech time to break up with Gabe. Wow! is it uncomfortable! When DeAngelo is given the Best Dundies Host Award, The Kings Speech comes back and the entire group gets kicked out of the restaurant.
Michael is bummed (and I’m bummed) that things didn’t go well. Others in the group can tell he’s blue, so they suggest getting some ice cream and continuing the Dundies back at the office where the group surprises Michael with what could arguable be the best Office episode moment ever. To the tune of ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent, they sing about everything that Michael has meant to them and to the office. I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried like a little school girl. ‘9,986,00 Minutes’ Was. Awesome. And Michael’s response? “Well this is gonna hurt like a mother $#*@!”
What did you think? Did you love it? Hate it? Cry? Leave your two cents in the comment section below! And while you’re surfing around, follow me on Twitter! @RachParkBishTTC
TheTwoCents 
Cried, Cried.