The Underrated Perfection of "The Deposition" - The Office

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The Office episode "The Deposition" is one of Season 4's best. Featuring Michael Scott's most brutal interactions with Dunder Mifflin corporate, thanks to Jan's lawsuit, in this video I review it all.
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Special thanks to Andrew Elliott (Stalli111: / stalli111 ) for editing this video.

[@captainmidnight]

What do you think of The Office season 4? To try everything Brilliant has to offer for free for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/midnight You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription

[@ts7844]

Get rid of the intro. Listen to your audience.

[@Vivi_9]

@@ts7844 no it's iconic

[@laatrommi]

toby asking for a copy of michael's diary makes me laugh every time. also i love how david wallace always looks around for the camera right after he sees michael all throughout the show. not sure who wanted this done but it's clearly something they made a note to do every time and it's always great.

[@ericlayton8888]

“What do you want me to say? He’s a nice guy.” That’s when I realised I loved David Wallace

[@matthewsawczyn6592]

That final exchange between Michael and David is one of my all time top Office moments

[@EalainEP]

I always like the fact that micheal sides with Dunder mifflin because unlike jan, David actually vocalised that he thinks micheal is a nice dude and at the end of the day all micheal really wants is love and acceptance

[@fuzzybanana0123]

That's why he's such a good salesman...he wants everyone he's selling to, to like him. So he's funny, friendly, etc. You wouldn't trust a salesman who is just selling to you, you trust them if he's funny and likeable and just a regular/goofy person. The Chili's episode is the prime example of this. He gets (I forget the client's name) to laugh, sing, etc. They're just dudes hanging out, and then they do the deal. At least that's my theory lol.

[@halkitchen1838]

And the ultimate tragedy is that David Wallace is just manipulating him, just in a different, more mundane way to Jan

[@EalainEP]

@halkitchen1838 not with the "he's a nice guy" comment, at the end of it all David genuinely does like micheal and that likeness gives micheal a lot of leeway with his antics that would normally result in others being more heavily reprimanded

[@OneRedKraken]

@@halkitchen1838 Jan report pictured Michael as an irredeemable incompetent idiot. Whereas David even though he didn't feel Michael was up for the corporate job, still appreciated him for what he is doing in his current position.

[@joeconcepts5552]

Yes, Wallace does manipulate him a little bit but then Michael makes him feel guilty about it.

[@ryanseiffert9328]

The deposition episode perfectly sets up dinner party. It sets up Michael and Jan dysfunctional relationship to make dinner party an A+ episode.

[@marvinlewis0479]

This was always one of my favorite episodes because the of the quote Michael has at the end succinctly explaining why he sided with Dunder Mifflin over Jan: “You always expect to be screwed over by your company, not your girlfriend.”

[@Adam-xi1dz]

From the first scene where Michael tries to get Jan to shut up so he can talk to the camera and the subsequent put the top down and her hair is absolutely incredible

[@mathiaslingerfelt3849]

This episode is such an emotional roller coaster. The way both sides treat Michael is so heartbreaking it makes my eyes tear up a little. And yet some of the funniest lines of the show are on this episode, and I literally laugh out loud more than once every time I rewatch it.

[@knyght27]

My favourite episode of The Office! I love it when Michael stands up to Jan. And when David refuses to say anything bad about Michael

[@rorylynch7775]

5:35 in the office ladies podcast, they mention that Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant specifically suggested to Greg Daniels that Micheal could be a silly, irritating buffoon, but to have glimpses of him actually being a good salesman to distinguish him from David Brent

[@lovecraftianleviathan8918]

Bro, you didn’t have to say how old the episode was. You didn’t have to.

[@Nash117]

I took that personally

[@Ironorchids]

Real

[@Asian-Hawaiian-Orian]

The acting by Steve is insane in this episode. But gotta also give a shout-out to Andy Buckley. During the roller coaster of emotions from Michael Scott, while they embarrass him, then he still defends them - Andy Buckley, all within a minute he goes from being a little angry at Michael, to feeling bad, to being proud of Michael. And he does this all without saying anything. A great acting.

[@ItsBoFoSho]

This might be my favorite episode. The "that's what she said" during the deposition makes me giggle every time

[@xyro3633]

I've always considered the fact that, despite his flaws, Dunder Mifflin still allowed Michael to interview for the corporate position, despite not actually considering him. It shows that they at least cared enough to give him a chance.

[@mankytoes]

I think it's the opposite- they're just stringing him along, letting him think he could be promoted further when there's no chance of that happening.

[@fernandapastre9834]

I always thought that they were being condescending

[@SirEriol]

But they never gave him a chance. It was just to make him feel valued. There is an amazing episode of Freaks and Geeks (redundant statement, I know, all 18 episodes are fantastic) where Lindsay Weir is "allowed" to ask the Vicepresident of the USA any question she wants, because she is the brightest student in her district and she represents the Voice of Young America. She doesn't want to, because Lindsay is in a place where she doesn't want to be defined by her academics, until someone else calls her out on her bullshit and she understands how big of an oportunity this actually is. Only her question is rejected, and a literal agent of her country tells her that no, this is just a public performance, her question is something the goberment would never actually speak about and instead is handed the "suggestion" of "golly gee, my hometown sure is neat. What's your favourite place to eat when you visit Detroit, Mr. Vicepresident?" Now, I won't spoil the ending of the episode because my girl Lindsay sure is a clever gal, but the thing is, there was never an actual opportunity there. It was the illusion of respect that was actually insulting. But she got rejected upfront and they told her why. Michael was never supposed to know he never had a chance. And he would not get an opportunity to undermine the people who wrong them. Sure, it was nice of me to show my dog a juicy, savoury cut of my beef stake. That won't change the fact that I only did so because I was going to eat it regardless. Sorry for the long-ass reply, I was on Reddit and I forgot to switch the way I express myself for a KZbin comment format xd If you the reader have not watched Freaks and Geeks, go for it! Easily Top 5 Favourite Cancelled TV Shows. So much more we could have gotten, but damn, is it a satisfactory experience!

[@johnswizzle4442]

​@@SirEriolliterally sounds like the plot of a that '70s show episode lol that predated freaks and geeks

[@chrisrae2238]

But he wasn't considered a serious candidate

[@justingerald]

Honestly this is one of the funniest episodes of the whole show. I was just out of college and very unemployed and miserable. This episode was such a treat for me.

[@matiamrobbins3036]

To be fair to Michael, Toby does try to connect with him, but he requested a copy of Michael’s diary and was reading it right in front of him. I could understand Michael not being very receptive

[@kashhusain8154]

This was a good choice of topic. Definitely one of the best episodes. Also an appropriate thumbnail.

[@GreayWorks]

I actually started rewatching some of the early seasons of the Office and I think comparing the acting in that to modern sitcoms kind of reveals why I can't get into stuff like The Good Place, B99, Ghosts or Abott Elementry. I don't think they're bad shows by any means but so many of the characters feel like they're performing if that makes sense, like the actors know what they're saying is funny, it's not breaking the fourth wall it's leaning on it.

[@aribailey8405]

I agree with all of these except Abbott!! I will admit the pilot for Abbott is a little rocky, you can tell theyre kind of nervous - but they really come into their own and find an individual groove of comedy that works BRILLIANTLY! I would definitely give it another go, its a hilarious show. I cant wait for season 4!!

[@SirEriol]

I mean, the characters in The Good Place _are_ always performing. That's... Kind of how they got there and stayed there for a long ass time.

[@Ms.gnomer]

The tone is overly self aware & tongue-in-cheek

[@zoemcfly]

you should try english teacher its so good

[@maetamonxg7718]

Few shows do the mundane comedy like Office does.. I didn't think Parks and Rec pulled it off as well either, though it is also a good show, and probably the closest in setting.

[@aribailey8405]

Most brutal episode for me is Prince Family Paper. I can usually excuse or at least understand Michaels behaviour to the point that Scotts Totts doesnt even bother me! He loves children, he truly wanted to pay for their college and would have if he had the money! But Prince Family Paper ... he was so cruel. So manipulative. So intentional with the way he DESTROYED this family business full of lovely and kind people, all for a "good job Michael." And nothing else. The absolute worst of Michael Scott. Then he has the GALL to call them looking for a job after he quits Dunder Mifflin?? And that heartbreaking message about 40 years of service and bankruptcy?? THAT WAS MICHAELS FAULT! A DIRECT RESULT OF HIS ACTIONS, AND HE DID IT ON PURPOSE! I hate that episode, its the most unforgivable thing he did in the entire show.

[@fuzzybanana0123]

I mean is his defense he is really remorseful all throughout that PFP episode. Even when Wallace calls him and tells him he did an awesome job (which Michael craves....to be liked and praised), he really kind of squirms. He did go through with it, yeah, but I never got the sense he did it with any intention whatsoever.

[@parisolivarious]

@@fuzzybanana0123Prince Family Paper is the only episode I skip

[@ernestomoreno4409]

Michael wasn't going to go through with it with corporate, Dwight pushed the button for him.

[@davejohnson-i9s]

Remorse or not, that's still the end goal of all capitalism. It's happening right now, in real life, with no slow down, rollback, or pause. The goal of all capitalism is not ethics or community-- it's to maximize profits at all costs.

[@DeeRio9546]

@@fuzzybanana0123squirm or not he still ruined a family business of kind good hearted people for really no good reason except a good job.

[@sohrab4246]

Just rewatched this episode recently. This was peak Office.

[@Thrillhou]

Still do not understand why people spent real hours out of their actual human lives to watch this show.

[@sohrab4246]

@ 😂

[@Thrillhou]

@@sohrab4246 simpsons reference!

[@lost_times]

Honestly, considering how well Michael did with the merge, my opinion is that Wallace had a tiny bit of doubt in his mind and maybe even wanted to promote Michael, but Karen brought him back to "real life". Michael did get great results and there's even an episode (The Duel, season 5) when he asks Michael about how he does it and all. Obviously Michael doesn't know how he does it and he also screws up a lot (The Golden Ticket and The Stress Relief episodes are just after that one and before he hires Charles) so promoting him would be bad and Karen reminds him of that.

[@dcaseng]

David Wallace was always a decent guy, even when Michael gave him countless reasons to fire him.

[@phoqueme]

The way that Toby's actor is the one who came up with most of the scenes where Toby is bullied is just hilarious

[@osufan3513]

You’re more needed than ever in a KZbin slop of AI bullshit just recapping episodes. I appreciate you and your work 💕

[@Wyattoons]

In my mind this episode also eventually leads to the big paper company war arc in season 5. While obviously Michael winds up on DM’s side here, he remembers what they did. He remembers how the company treated him and what Wallace said about him in that deposition. It’s not enough to make him turn on the company yet, but it’s a domino. And as we see through most of season 5 he gets kicked around more and more. So imo this is more or less where that whole arc starts.

[@mariacargille1396]

I really appreciate you breaking up the critical videos with a more positive one! I'm not really a sitcom person, but I'm always happy to listen to someone highlight excellence even in a sphere I don't have experience in. Just a note for maximal clarity and flow: the expression is to overstay a welcome. Out-stay did still read to me, but it definitely tripped me up for a moment, trying to figure out why it sounded off. XD

[@accountablehog]

I throw myself on the mercy of the deposition.

[@ryspace420]

Love your videos. Onwards and upwards

[@skunkjo3195]

I think one of your other Office videos was how I first found the channel! Keep up the good work

[@TheGoldenApex]

As an office fan this video was great, I lowkey forgot all about that episode, now I’m excited to watch it again

[@endrankluvsda4loko172]

Woot, shout out to me for being a long-time subscriber! And I love these in depth analysis of The Office and Community. I could watch them all day lol. Thank you for sharing!

[@caseyhart4999]

When Michael shoves Toby’s tray off the lunch table is one of the funniest moments of the whole series honestly lol.

[@supersomethin9522]

the scene in this episode where jan and michael talk with the lawyers is my all time favorite part in the whole show, it’s so funny

[@dereksullivan703]

What is interesting is that Captain says this is the best 1-2 punch of back to back episodes and while they are technically back to back due to the writer's strike six months goes by between the episodes.

[@Armadill0h]

God, The Office stays golden to this day. Just talking about some of these scenes are enough to crack me up.

[@Jeremy-ot6pb]

My favorite joke from the entire series comes from this episode when Toby tries to relate to Michael and help him out and Michael just silently shoves Toby's lunch on the ground. It's so perfectly done

[@MichaelKolesarKoleslaw]

I agree with you. The A plot of this episode is masterful but I can do without most of the whole ping pong B plot. Toby laughing at the line about Ryan during the deposition as well as him saying "Can you make it eleven?" both make me laugh just thinking about those moments.

[@ericdaniel323]

I still remember watching this when it aired. I laughed embarrassingly hard at Michael pushing Toby’s food off the table.

[@ikarusxv]

The sequence Survivor Man - The Deposition - Dinner Party is the peak of the show

[@chewy_bucca]

Another Captain Midnight Office Video YES PLEASE 😭🥰

[@bpcgos]

Im hook with the office since I first try to watch it , its such a perfect example of what we use to get back in the day and what we lose now

[@Lionhearted626]

There’s so many great things about the office. So much clever and talented and evocative writing.

[@Llamalamp26]

as much as the transition to the ad was very smooth it also made it feel like the video just kinda ended without an actual conclusion

[@andrewiangillies]

Toby giggling in this episode is one of my favorite 'Office' moments.

[@edd4131]

You should discuss the Penguin. I would love to hear your thoughts. Favorite piece of DC media in a minute.

[@Jmm9667]

Great job captain midnight! Nothing like a 9 minute video to fit a 90 second ad into ❤

[@leobien0717]

We almost at 700k that’s wild I remember when you made the first guardians review. Congrats on the growth.

[@nkthmpsn3712]

I really like your positive/analytical videos

[@TheGeekyAmreeki]

17 years...WTF.

[@epicfail9271]

As someone that couldn't get into this show, I'm here for your commentary

[@platinumspike9578]

Don’t know how long I’ve been subbed, but this guy puts out bangers and I keep coming back

[@TrappyJenkins]

The ping pong plot was a nice change of pace. And gave us the great musical moment "Hey hey, you you, I dont like your boyfriend, casuck he sucks at ping pong

[@nickalicious2335]

My friend Pat, took a turn.

[@davidmylchreest3306]

This has the all time best "That's what she said".

[@idanlewenhoff2295]

The A plot is so good and well done its hilarious

[@benjiemation]

We’re here for you brosef

[@Madison-dx9cr]

Yes! This has always been one of my favorite episodes!

[@Ryan-nm8pw]

I can't put my finger on it but I just can't stop watching your videos. I have no idea who you are or why your opinions should matter, yet somehow I always feel engaged and oftentimes with a fresh perspective on the media I consume. If I had to guess I think your content, to me, has value as a reprieve from the "youtuber face clickbait" that even good channels tend to adopt. Your titles always accurately the video's content, your analysis is thoughtful and critical without ever becoming reactionary or inflammatory. That doesn't mean you don't have opinions, nor should it. Nothing is worse than a "everyone has a good point" guy, but you always take a more thoughtful approach with evidence based opinions you've clearly spent time mulling over rather than following the herd. Anyways, hope you crush that sub goal, you definitely deserve it.

[@SanIldeBaby]

This episode is an absolute masterpiece

[@michaelmccray3207]

This is by far my favorite episode of the office this and dinner party are the season 4 peak of the show

[@TravJam317]

Even the extended scenes from the Superfans episode is super solid. It's too bad that they had to cut a lot of that to make room for the B-plot.

[@boxculture]

100% this is actually my favourite episode

[@poentecontente]

your content is so good, I'll always be watching, no matter what you talik about. Cheers

[@parisolivarious]

“Mr. Scott do you realize you just contradicted yourself. I did? Yes you did. Can I go to the bathroom? No. I really have to I've been drinking lots of water. You went five minutes ago. That wasn't to go to the bathroom that was to get out of a question. You still have to answer it. First can I go to the bathroom. No.” Cracks me up every time 😂😂😂

[@calebford6318]

Mister midnight, I am eagerly awaiting to hear your take on the penguin sir. 🙏🏼

[@DmitriVanderbilt]

Keep making content that you are passionate about (as opposed to algorithm chasing) and you will be rewarded with an audience that is also passionate vs. A bored one that was just handed to you "Authenticity" is the new media currency of the future.

[@jimcat68]

I keep forgetting that this episode also had the ping-pong B-Plot. Honestly all of those scenes could disappear and the episode wouldn't lose a thing.

[@Tom361E]

I've always just put on this episode and Dinner Party if I wanted to re-watch some of the best episodes glad I wasn't the only one.

[@LoveStallion]

Season 4 is an incredible set of episodes, all the more impressive considering it was curtailed due to a writers strike. I believe this was the last episode produced before the strike and Dinner Party was the first episode to air once the strike ended and production resumed.

[@rebeccarobbe8346]

I'm glad that you did a positive episode! I told my husband that I was thinking about unsubscribing because all the negativity was wearing on me

[@jt99sharky]

Had to click immediately your last office video on scott’s totts got me from hating that episode to now it’s my favorite haha!

[@captainmidnight]

Hell yeah

[@gregorymoore2877]

It's one of the few things that makes Stanley laugh.

[@yossi1410]

Great pick. Extremely underrated episode.

[@Blackpearlmatt]

I’m sorry 17 years old? Cannot believe it’s already that old

[@squishyazalea9970]

can you do a breakdown of a parks and rec episode. more office ones too! i just want to see more of your opinions on parks as well. i also love brooklyn nine nine if that means anything

[@Lorien.-.]

It’s honestly my favorite one

[@marygarzasvideos]

Why is Troy (Hobbit) in the lunch scene reading a copy of Michael's diary? LOL

[@frantictoast3741]

These two episodes go hand in hand. You can't really appreciate Dinner Party unless you watch The Deposition first haha

[@lj2659]

I think David Wallace is one of the best characters, ive always loved all of his scenes

[@TableCreed]

When my younger cousin was visiting, we were sitting together watching The Office and he turned to me and said "do you think this is funny?". I made my arguments as to why I think the show is funny but I challenged him to watch an episode of my choice without laughing, even grinning, to go through the whole episode without changing his expression. 'The Deposition' is the episode I happened to choose. I thought for sure it would get him to crack. Sure enough, he didn't crack. He went through the whole episode completely stone-faced. The episode relies less on slapstick humor, and takes a more subtle approach, but it builds and builds upon its simple foundations and becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

[@jonacasu5616]

Been watching since 2017 and it always brightens my day when I get a new episode notification. My favorite thing about this channel is the segways into the ads at the end of the video. Always finds a way to relate the ad product with the overall video message

[@captainmidnight]

2017 is so long! Wow.

[@daniellesteeley6122]

My favorite The Office episode too!!!

[@asorlokirunarsson9864]

There's so much pay off in this episode, and then Dinner Party was the the blow up in the aftermath

[@drhuv9252]

Make a video on Arrested Development, Captain

[@fredmendulson7515]

This one would definitely be higher for me if the B plot was better. The whole ping pong premise feels a little goofy for season 4, like something you would see in like season 6

[@disableddanny96]

That’s me! I’ve been a fan since I became disabled in 2022

[@JeanneFeisont]

Saying the Office was bad after a certain point is a red flag. It was great the whole way

[@captainmidnight]

I don’t think I would say bad per se, more like diminished.

[@dresinss]

Dinner Party is my favorite episode. Of Seinfeld.

[@sethman1591]

Honestly, screw you for saying 17 year old sitcom episode. That was really messed up.

[@Kurogane72]

Are you some sort of witch or warlock? I was literally watching this episode and pulled up KZbin right as Jim scored his first point on Darryl, and bam, here this video is in my sub feed. wtf!

[@TheWingAnthony]

You should make a video about Arcane. Love to hear your thoguhts on it

[@accountablehog]

Hey David, I think you’re a good guy too…

[@ShaneKixmiller]

The office is my favorite comedy show of all time. Well that and it’s always sunny… My boyfriend laughs all the time how I have seen this entire series from start to finish over three dozen times if not more. I’m now discovering the super fan episodes, which is like watching the series all over again for the first time. I’m really enjoying it all. The deposition is also one of my favorite episodes. The amount of cringe is almost unbearable. As I often do, I feel so bad for Michael in this episode. His most private thoughts and moments, and really his whole way of life are being put under the microscope And for a man who usually loves to have all the attention on himself, this is one time when he would rather be sitting it out and I find that to be fascinating. I just feel so bad for Michael as he gets further and further embarrassed by the deposition. But I really applaud him for standing up and doing what was right by himself and not just Jan, who only had her best intentions in mind. I could go on and on and on, so I’m not going to. I love this show and if they ever do a reunion, I will be Frontline and center. Although I felt like the office had a perfect series finale. OK… Everything in the finale was perfect except for one thing and this is always bugged me. I hate the way that Toby‘s story ended. Poor Toby! That poor man deserved to find the love of his life and to be happy. I really hated that the last we saw of him was crying on Pam‘s shoulder because he was so endlessly depressed and hopeless. I felt like Toby deserved way more in the end. That’s probably my biggest gripe about the series, lol.

[@Midlifefresh]

“17-year old, episode.” Ouch.

[@larrydavis7689]

Thanks for not saying something stupid like "micheal and Jan just aren't working for the audience so they had to change course"

[@mna2146]

Please do a video on Boston legal

[@chrisrae2238]

I love The Deposition

[@Jscarter4549]

“Talking about a 17 year old sitcom might not be everyone’s thing” - Fuck em’, it’s your channel and they’re missing out!!

[@ernestomoreno4409]

Top epsiode for the comedy alone.

[@danielskrivan6921]

I do wish you would've let some of the lines from the show ring through to show what you're talking about.

[@StarryEyed0590]

Right? Like I like this episode, I've seen it several times, I remember the basic plot, but I haven't seen it in a couple of years and don't have perfect recall of most of the interactions besides the most iconic.