April 28, 2011 is a day that will many will know as a somber day. This was the day that NBC premiered the 22nd episode of the seventh season of The Office. Titled “Goodbye, Michael” this episode saw the departure of Steve Carell as his character, Michael Scott was written out, having made the decision to leave Dunder Mifflin Paper, and move away from Scranton to be with his future wife Holly in Colorado. “Goodbye, Michael” was met with critical acclaim from both fans and critics, with many considering it to be one of the best episodes of The Office, with some even believing it could have served as an excellent series finale.

In some ways “Goodbye, Michael” was The Office’s series finale. After Carell’s departure there was a serious decline in the show’s quality. I don’t mean to offend the rest of the cast by saying this, but Michael Scott was the heart and soul of The Office and without him there just wasn’t really that much left to work with. When Carell left NBC tried to push Ed Helms’ character Andy Bernard forward in an attempt to make him the next breakout star but it just didn’t happen.

I remember having discussions over the decline of The Office with some coworkers and we agreed the main problem was that Andy Bernard wasn’t as likeable as Michael Scott was. Sure both characters had their similarities, they both had their own unique quirks and it was implied that both had very sad and possibly neglectful childhoods, but the differences between them are really what made you either like or dislike them. Michael Scott was annoying and childish and there were many times he would seem selfish or self-centered but he found ways to redeem himself or justify it. Michael’s antics were a huge source of comedy for The Office and in the show’s universe while many of the other characters may have found them irritating you know the reason he’s doing them is because he’s trying to earn their acceptance and friendship because deep down Michael is just a sad and lonely man that you just can’t help but feel sorry for. As for his egocentric behavior, despite all the selfish things he did, at the end of the day Michael always seemed like he was acting with the best interests of his coworkers in mind. Andy on the hand, did not have any redeeming qualities. Andy’s antics and personality were just not funny and he never seemed to have the best interests in mind, in fact in the episode “Garden Party” it is revealed that Andy’s motivation for everything he does is that he is a man-child, desperately seeking the attention and approval of his father and while I’m sure this was done to make him seem more sympathetic, but for many the sympathy just wasn’t there.

“Goodbye, Michael” was a tearjerker even before it started. The previous week’s episode, “Michael’s Last Dundies” ended with the Dunder Mifflin Scranton staff showing their love for Michael Scott with their take on “Seasons of Love,” “9,986,000 Minutes” a scene which I’m sure many would say is one of the most poignant in the entire series.

If you don’t believe me on how touching this scene was just click play and see for yourself.

Despite Michael’s penultimate episode ending on such a moving moment, the tears don’t stop there. In “Goodbye, Michael” Michael claims that it is his second-to-last day at Dunder Mifflin, however in reality it is really his last as he was hoping to avoid a tearful farewell from his coworkers.

Throughout the day we are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as Michael goes through his own mini-crises about leaving, before finally accepting it and saying farewell in his own way which culminates in a touching farewell with Jim who has figured out Michael’s plan but he’s so heartbroken at the thought of Michael leaving all he can do is say his goodbye before pretending that Michael will still be coming into the office the next day.

Despite Jim’s goodbye seeming so emotional, the most powerful moment is Michael’s final farewell with Pam.

In stereotypical movie/TV fashion Pam says goodbye at the very last moment, having rushed to the airport to meet Michael at his plane, and while we never hear what is said between the two, the body language between Michael and Pam as they hug conveys more meaning than any spoken word could which is why this I found it to be one of the most powerful moments in the episode.

As I sat down to write this I’m almost surprised that it’s been ten years since Steve Carell has left The Office. Time really flies and while he’s done many great things after The Office there are many people out there, who if you ask them about Steve Carell the first thought that pops into their heads will be of Michael Scott.