This is a wonderful episode which reveals a lot about Michael's character. Steve Carell dominates the story and succeeds in conveying Michael's desperate attempt to maintain his dignity under challenging circumstances. The episode also dramatizes how tenuous and superficial are the interpersonal relationships at work, as the office staff reacts with indifference to Michael's imminent departure. Nobody supports him as he is being replaced, his loyalty and devotion to the office staff not reciprocated, his appeal for support rebuffed. Although the story has humour, it is dark humour. Michael is being replaced, he is being treated shabbily, yet he does not want to go out without a fight. To retaliate he wants to start his own company which has little chance of succeeding. But selling is his life, it is what he knows best, for Michael is a leader who has his workers' back because he is a worker himself. Such loyalty is a rare quality, which is why Michael is such an endearing character. He cares.
