Warning: SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

Episode Title: “Garage Sale” (Season 7, Episode 19)

Original Airdate: March 24, 2011 at 9:00 PM

Synopsis: Dunder Mifflin hosts its first garage sale in the warehouse while Michael (Steve Carell) tries to finally propose to Holly (Amy Ryan).

Review: This episode really sets the door for Michael Scott’s departure. The main focus of the plot deals with Michael trying to find the best way to propose to Holly. However, after Holly finds out that her father is suffering from memory issues, she tries to propose herself, but gets rejected by Michael. She informs Michael she needs to move back to Colorado to take care of her parents. Meanwhile, Pam (Jenna Fischer), Jim (John Krasinski), Oscar (Oscar Nunez), and Ryan (BJ Novak) help Michael find the best way to propose. I won’t spoil it for you here, but the proposal could be on the best moments in series history. At the end of the episode Michael reveals to everyone that he is moving back to Colorado with Holly which stuns the entire staff of Dunder Mifflin.

The subplot wasn’t a major focus, but Dunder Mifflin hosts its first garage sale, with Dwight (Rainn Wilson) trying to trade small items from person to person until he ends up with the most expensive item from the sale. Jim plays a prank on Dwight and gets him to trade the expensive telescope he had obtained for meaningless “miracle legumes”.

Season seven of The Office really has been sub par when you look back at seasons three and four where the show was huge, but this episode really helped return the show to a former glory (even if it is short lived). The writers have really given Carell and Ryan a lot to work with and it will be sad to see them both leave soon.

The one cool thing to look forward to seeing on the next new episode is the beginning of Will Ferrell’s four episode arc as another manager coming in to help out as Michael sets sail. The show will go on without Michael Scott, but after tonight’s episode, I don’t know if I’ll want to continue the journey without him.

Final Grade – 8.5/10