The Office - Where do we go from here?

Stop reading here unless you want to be completely spoiled for last night's episode of The Office, "Murder".

"Murder" was an excellent episode of The Office. It was outlandish, ridiculous, but nothing unbelievable (*cough* Michael driving into a river because his GPS told him to *cough*). Some highlights of the wacky side of this episode include; Dwight getting into a physical fight with... himself. Andy asking out Erin, and then somehow managing to screw it up even after she says yes, Angela as Voodoo Mama JuJu, a stand off at fake gunpoint between Michael, Dwight, Andy and Pam, and tons of really bad southern accents. It was also one of the most somber episodes we have been treated to in a long time.

The game for which this episode was titled incorporated the entire ensemble of the characters in the office as they each took on a role for the game. The ensemble cast and the magic that happens when they all interact is one of the aspects of the show that truly make it special, reminiscent of such classics as "Office Olympics". This episode was very office based and allowed all the characters to have a role in the main plot.

But here's the bad news, rumours have been circulating that Dunder Mifflin will be declaring bankruptcy. Despite their efforts neither Jim or Michael manage to get a response from the frantic corporate office in New York. Things go from bad to worse when David Wallace tells Jim that Dunder Mifflin is likely to be insolvent by the end of the year, then he hangs up.

This is jarring not only for Jim who now alone holds the harsh reality of the future of the company, but for us as Office viewers. What does the end of Dunder Mifflin mean for the show? Realistically, it would mean the end of the series. I wouldn't have a problem with a carefully planned end of the series (although I would miss it terribly). I don't see how the writers can get out of this one without a completely unrealistic "saves the day" moment, I also cannot imagine how the series could continue as we know it if the company goes under. Perhaps a reemergence of the Michael Scott Paper Company?

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. Where do you think the show will go from here? And does this mean we're nearing the end of The Office?