Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews

• The Writers – Paul Lieberstein & Michael Schur
• Director – Ken Kwapis
• A brief synopsis – Michael, Karen, Jim and others are applying for a new corporate job, and Michael is certain he has it.  So certain is he, he names Dwight as his successor.  Before he leaves for the interview, Jan comes back wanting to get together.  Michael gather’s his support group (the women of the office) to muster up support.  This plan is derailed by Jan’s revelation of her new assets.  Pam, embracing the fact that she opened herself, does not shy away from the awkwardness that she has presented upon Karen.  Even before Michael leaves, Dwight rampages through his new role as manager.
• The best line –
  Creed:
  http://www.creedthoughts.gov.www/creedthoughts. Check it out.
  Ryan:
  Last year Creed asked me how to set up a blog. Wanting to protect the world from being exposed to Creed’s brain I opened up a Word document on his computer and put an address at the top. I’ve read some of it. Even for the intranet it’s… pretty shocking.
• The next best line – Dwight: Soil. Right. We have, in front of you here, seven different types of Pennsylvania top soil. Now, what would you say… is the most important element in the production of above ground leafy growth? Probably phosphorus, right? [Angela smiles, shakes her head “no”] Wrong! It’s nitrogen! Absorb this information. Good! Now, let us discuss precipitation. Stanley! When rainfall occurs, does it usually fall in a liquid, solid, or gaseous… state?
  Stanley: Liquid.
  Dwight: Very good! You have earned one Schrute Buck.
  Stanley: I don’t want it.
  Dwight: Then you have been deducted 50 Schrute Bucks!
  Stanley: Make it 100.
  Dwight: We— Don’t you wanna earn Schrute Bucks?
  Stanley: No. In fact, I’ll give you a billion Stanley Nickels if you never talk to me again.
  Dwight: What’s the ratio of Stanley Nickels to Schrute Bucks?
  Stanley: The same as the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns.
• The best moment – Pam’s eyes when Jim comes back.
• The best storyline – Pam takes the reins on this episode and she shines.
• Notable guest appearance – None except for a bunch of New Yorkers
• Would Michael have been reprimanded? – I think that David Wallace does a great job of selling Michael at what he is good at while recoiling from his unquestionably bad behavior.
• Grade – A

Probably my favorite season-ender.  Dwight is magnificent.  Andy too.  Creed is scary as ever and the rest of the staff has a moment of brilliance, outside of Toby.  There are a few unbelievable Michael moments, like his showing a day early, thus keeping it from being perfect.  The moment David asks Jim where he sees himself in 10 years, though, through the end, is heart warming and classic.  That includes Ryan telling Kelly “You and I are done.”