Ep 9. The Surplus

In season 5 episode 9 of the hit comedy series The Office, titled "The Surplus," the employees of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch find themselves with an unexpected surplus of funds at the end of the year. The episode, which originally aired on November 20, 2008, explores both the potential benefits and pitfalls of having extra money to spend.

The episode opens with Dunder Mifflin's chief financial officer, David Wallace, informing the Scranton branch that they have a surplus of $4,300 left in their budget for the year. While this might not seem like a significant amount of money, it is enough to cause some tension among the employees as they debate what to do with the extra cash.

At the heart of the conflict is the branch's manager, Michael Scott, who wants to spend the entire surplus on a new copier for the office. His reasoning is that the current copier is outdated and frequently breaks down, causing frustration and wasted time for the employees. However, some of the other employees, including accountant Kevin Malone and sales representative Phyllis Lapin, have their own ideas about how the money should be spent.

As the debate rages on, tensions begin to rise among the employees. Jim Halpert, who has been promoted to co-manager of the branch, tries unsuccessfully to mediate the disagreement. Meanwhile, Dwight Schrute, another sales representative, sets out to sabotage the copier in an effort to prevent Michael from purchasing it with the surplus funds.

Throughout the episode, various factions emerge among the employees, each with their own ideas about how to spend the surplus. Some employees suggest using the money to purchase new chairs for the office or to fund a party. Others argue that the money should be saved for a rainy day or used to fund a new position within the company.

As the tension mounts, Michael becomes increasingly frustrated with his inability to convince the other employees to support his plan to purchase the new copier. In a moment of desperation, he calls David Wallace to ask for his support, but instead is met with resistance and criticism. With nowhere else to turn, Michael decides to take matters into his own hands and uses the surplus to purchase the copier anyway.

In the end, the episode reveals the consequences of Michael's decision and the ways in which the surplus funds end up benefiting (and hindering) the office. As always, The Office delivers plenty of laughs and cringe-worthy moments along the way.

Overall, "The Surplus" is a classic episode of The Office that showcases the strengths of the show's ensemble cast and its ability to find humor in mundane office politics. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode is sure to delight and entertain.