Throwback Thursday knows that it’s so hard to say goodbye. Earlier this month, we bade farewell to the employees of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, employees we saw fall in love and out of love with each other, employees we saw at their best and at their most juvenile.
In its final episode, “The Office” gave fans everything they were looking for. We had trademark Dunder Mifflin awkwardness when Dwight desired the “chef’s special” from his, uhh… server during his bachelor party. We had trademark awkwardness when Meredith gave her son a tutorial during Angela’s bachelorette party [shudder]. And then there was Creed Bratton without a shirt…
This series finale gave us something else we all seek at the end of such investments of time and emotion – closure. See, I loved “The Sopranos,” but its ambiguous ending frustrated TV critics and casual fans (ahem, me) alike.
“Seinfeld” at least taught us that closure happens in a community, but with character witnesses like these, who needs enemies?
In contrast, beauty abounded amidst the awkwardness of the finale for “The Office.” We witnessed Erin meeting her birth parents, Pam describing her marriage to Jim as a book you never want to end, and Dwight recalling how much his work subordinates mean to him. Watch the last ten minutes or so of the series finale where members of Dunder Mifflin each give us a piece of wisdom, and allow yourself to bask in both the talent of the screenwriters and the actors. Three of my personal favorites are below:
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“If you film someone long enough, they’re going to do something stupid. It’s only human natural.” – Kevin Malone
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“There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kinda the point?” – Pam Halpert
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“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” – Andy Bernard
For all in a time of transition this spring – I’m looking at you, Class of 2013 – allow yourself some closure. Don’t let enemies gang up on you and allow you to go to prison with Seinfeld, Kramer, Elaine, and George. Don’t let people wonder what will ever happen to you like Tony Soprano. Allow yourself to smile and be grateful because these are the good old days. Draw your friends (and non-friends) close to you and say goodbye. It’s an ordinary and beautiful – yet difficult – gesture that demonstrate to us the love and support needed as one chapter ends and another begins.
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