“It’s like a long book that you never want to end, and you’re fine with that, because you just never, ever want to leave it.”
Those words, spoken by Pam during the series finale of “The Office,” are probably the most accurate description of my feelings about the show and its ending. Although the two seasons after Steve Carell left were not as good as the previous seven, I was pleased just to be able to continue watching the amazing cast of characters I’d developed an unhealthy attachment to.
Over the course of the series I fell in love with Jim, wanted to be Pam’s best friend, found myself liking Angela, wished I had boss like Michael and later Andy, recognized quite a bit of myself in Erin and dreamed of pranking Dwight. The development of these characters and their relationships with one another is what made the show so popular, and focusing on that made the finale extremely satisfying.
“Finale” takes place one year after the documentary, which has been filmed over the course of the series, aired. Almost the entire cast comes back for a panel arranged by PBS to discuss their lives after the documentary and to attend the wedding of Dwight and Angela.
The finale was essentially a victory lap for the series, showing every regular character ending up content with his or her life (except for Toby) and wrapping up all the major plot points. Rather than trying to be some momentous episode with a big plot twist, “Finale” was simple and provided viewers a sense of closure.
Characters reflected the sense of nostalgia that many dedicated fans have been feeling. “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them,” Andy said during the warehouse party. One of the more touching moments is when the characters deliver their final interviews and reflect on how grateful they are to have been followed by a documentary crew for nine years, capturing the moments they had forgotten and providing a perspective of their lives they wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Arguably the best moment was the return of Michael Scott to be Dwight’s best man. Fittingly, his first line is “That’s what she said” after Dwight tells him, “I’m glad you came.” Michael’s return was endearing, revealing a greyer, more mature Michael, who is such a proud father he needs two cellphones for all the photos he takes. As he watches Dwight, Angela, Jim and Pam celebrate at the wedding, he delivers the best line of the night: “I feel like all my kids grew up, and then they married each other. It’s every parent’s dream.”
When the credits rolled at the end, I felt satisfied knowing that every character ended up OK. Erin finally met her parents, Stanley lives happily in Florida, Oscar is running for office and Ryan and Kelly run off into the sunset.
“I’ve finally mastered commitment,” Ryan proclaims as he and Kelly ditch the reception, leaving behind the baby he is responsible for.
In a moment I’ve been wishing would happen, Pam finally took an “Athleap” of faith (couldn’t resist the pun) and sold her and Jim’s house, agreeing to move to Austin so Jim could follow his dream of being a sports agent. She also completed her mural.
Overall, the finale was a sweet, heartwarming completion to the story. For other shows, it might have seemed like a cop-out ending with everything going perfectly, but for coworkers I’ve grown to love, it’s what they deserved. For a musical version of my feelings on the finale, listen to the song Creed sang before his arrest.
