The Office: Even Bosses Screw Up

This was one of those episodes where Michael has messed up–big time. He now sets out to right his wrong, inevitably making a bigger mess along the way.  A tried though classic story line.

Turns out, ten years ago, Michael promised a class of third graders he would pay their college tuition in its entirety when the time came. Now, with the deadline of his payment looming, he must tell the wide-eyed enthusiastic “Scott’s Tots,”–now ecstatic teens–of his lie. Erin accompanies him to the high school to make sure he has the guts to do the deed.

Back in the office, Jim implements an “Employee of the Month” program to boost morale. Dwight secretly aids in sabotaging and rigging the results of the new program. In doing so, he somehow succeeds in making Jim look like a bonafide jerk who gives himself the award… and cash prize that Dwight has somehow managed to convince the entire office was Jim’s idea.

Scott’s Tots give Michael an elated welcome, step dancing and singing in his tribute. It’s slightly disheartening as a viewer, knowing what will have to come next. Erin is about as helpful as a cob of corn, as she sings along with the kids, neglecting why she was sent along at all. During the kids’ thank yous to Michael, he starts to sob.

Finally, Michael feeds the kids some BS about tuition vs. intuition, and tells them he is proud of them, but that he can’t afford to pay their tuition. They pretty much flip out at him–rightfully, of course. Though he can’t pay their tuition, he kindly offers up….laptop batteries. Yes, laptop batteries. For their computers. So they can take–get this!–online courses. Cruel and unusual gifting, Michael.

After Dwight rigs the employee of the month towards Jim, the employees criticism leads Jim to draw the next highest score: Pam’s–which leads them into more uproar. Dwight calls David Wallace and pretends to be various employees complaining about Jim’s antics. (Side bar: Dwight does REALLY amazing impressions of Kevin, Stanley and Toby).

David Wallace calls Jim, wondering what’s up in the office. Dwight listens in to hear him be forgiven and actually apologize himself to Jim for overreacting initially. He finished up by saying that he can’t wait for dinner this weekend. Epic fail on Dwight’s part.

Michael breaks down and agrees to pay for one of his tots’ school books–which amount to about $1,000 per year. It’s the least he can do.

In the car ride home, Erin hums the kids’ song (it’s actually quite catchy!) and Michael accounts how he’s ruined lives. Erin offers up some thoughtful support, saying that the percentage of tots on the road to graduate is much higher than the school’s overall statistic. He has helped after all (in his own messed up way?).

Maybe this episode was meant to show us that even the bosses screw up sometimes. Or maybe it was just supposed to teeter on the line of boring the hell out of us–I’m not exactly sure. Okay, I’m being dramatic, this episode wasn’t that bad. But still not quite up to the standards of the traditional Office we know and love.

Season 6, Episode 11: Scott’s Tots (Originally aired December 3, 2009)

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Thursdays, 9/8C on NBC

Photographs courtesy of NBC, Trae Patton