If you thought there was no conceivable way NBC’s “The Office” could end without one more appearance from Michael Scott, you were right.
Despite official insistence that Steve Carell was unlikely to reprise his role in the series finale, reports had recently suggested otherwise. The New York Times hinted that a moment in the finale called for a Michael Scott appearance, while TV Line said that Carell was absolutely confirmed for a cameo.
As it turned out, common sense and media gossip was correct: Carell appeared and delivered news of tremendous importance to longtime “The Office” fans — Michael Scott is a father.
Scott’s passion for falling in love and starting a family had long been at the center of the show, and it was so important that his interest in starting a life with then-fiancee Holly Flax is what led to his departure from Scranton. So when Scott shared family photos with Pam in Thursday’s finale–an album so large he needs two separate phones to hold all the pictures–every “Office” fan certainly smiled.
Scott, of course, did not show up to show off his kids but to support Dwight in his wedding. Dwight long revered Michael as a combination of a best friend, mentor and father figure, and so even though he asked Jim to be his best man, it was clear that having Michael there meant far more. In keeping with his theme of hitting Dwight with “positive pranks” ahead of his wedding, Jim made an excuse to bring Michael into the picture, and Dwight was ecstatic.
Michael was proud too — Dwight’s comment about being glad Michael came gave him one last opportunity to deliver a “that’s what she said” joke.
