Broke (The Office)

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Broke is the 25th episode of The Office’s fifth season and the 97th overall. It aired on April 23, 2009. Steve Carell directed the episode (his directing debut) and Charlie Grandy wrote it. It ends the six-episode Michael Scott Paper Company story arc.

Plot in simple terms:
- Michael runs the Michael Scott Paper Company, which is broke, and tries to hide this as Dunder Mifflin offers to buy them because Michael’s team has won over many clients.
- At Dunder Mifflin, Charles Miner ( Idris Elba) tries to fix the losses, and David Wallace returns to help Scranton.
- Jim, Pam, and Dwight participate in the negotiations. Jim pretends he’s unsure if Michael would want a buyout, while Dwight makes outlandish suggestions.
- Eventually Dunder Mifflin offers to buy Michael’s company for $60,000. Michael initially rejects, then agrees after a talk with David, but with conditions: he wants his old job back and to hire Pam and Ryan as salespeople with full benefits.
- David agrees to Michael’s terms. The episode ends with Michael reclaiming the job and Charles leaving Scranton, with Michael pushing back on Charles’s impact.

Cast and arc notes:
- This episode marks the end of Idris Elba’s six-episode arc as Charles Miner. He would return later in the series.
- The show released three cut scenes from the episode online later.

Reception and impact:
- In its first airing, Broke drew about 7.21 million viewers and earned a 3.7 rating among adults 18–49 (the season’s lowest 18–49 rating up to that point) and a 4.0 rating among 18–34s.
- Critics gave the episode strong praise, highlighting the Michael Scott Paper Company storyline and Michael’s victory moment. Some wished the arc had lasted longer, but many felt the wrap-up was satisfying.
- The episode was rated highly by fans, winning a top spot in a season-five poll on OfficeTally (9.17/10).
- Charlie Grandy received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Screenplay – Episodic Comedy. Steve Carell used this episode in his Emmy submission for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.