Ep 17. Threat Level Midnight
- TV-PG
- February 17, 2011
- 22 min
-
9.3 (10,656)
Michael Scott has spent many years trying to get his passion project, the action film script "Threat Level Midnight," off the ground. He has cast all of his Dunder Mifflin colleagues in various roles, but it has remained an unfinished project for years. However, in this episode, Michael finally premieres his movie for his coworkers.
The episode begins with Michael excitedly bringing in a TV and a DVD player to the office for his big premiere. He sets up a red carpet and even hires a black-tie waiter to serve refreshments. At first, the employees are hesitant to watch Michael's movie, since it was filmed over several years, and many of them have seen it in bits and pieces. But when Michael explains that this is the final cut, everyone agrees to sit down and watch.
As the movie begins, it's clear that this is going to be a wild ride. It starts with Michael introducing himself as the hero, "Agent Michael Scarn," who is tasked with stopping his arch-nemesis, Goldenface. The movie is low-budget and ridiculous, with cheap special effects, terrible acting, and a nonsensical plotline. But Michael is completely invested in the movie, and his passion shines through in every scene.
As the employees watch the movie, they can't help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all. Each person takes turns making fun of the dialogue, the fight scenes, and the cheesy music. But amidst the laughs, they start to notice that there's something surprisingly heartfelt about the movie. Despite its flaws, Michael has poured his heart and soul into it, and it's clear that he truly loves making movies.
Throughout the movie, there are various inside jokes and references to previous episodes of the show. For example, Jim and Pam play a married couple who are brutally murdered by Goldenface, and Stanley's character is a disgruntled janitor who constantly complains about his job. The employees are delighted to see themselves and their coworkers on screen, and they cheer on a particularly funny scene in which Dwight's character tries to perform a magic trick.
As the movie reaches its climax, Michael's coworkers realize that this movie is more than just a silly passion project. It's a reflection of who Michael is as a person – he's goofy, naive, and a little bit delusional, but he's also incredibly loyal and committed. Michael's coworkers are touched by his dedication and loyalty, and they give him a standing ovation as the credits roll.
After the movie ends, the employees gather around Michael to give him feedback on the movie. They're all supportive and encouraging, and they tell Michael how much they enjoyed watching it. Even Dwight, who has been critical of the movie in the past, is moved by Michael's commitment to his vision.
As the episode concludes, Michael is ecstatic about the premiere, and he expresses his gratitude to his coworkers for supporting him. He's still a little bit delusional about the movie's potential for success, but he's also humbled by the experience. Ultimately, the movie is a testament to Michael's creativity, his passion, and his love for his coworkers.