After the problem of Sabre printers catching fire is leaked to the press, Jo launches an investigation to determine who the leak was. Michael finds out the sources first but is reluctant to inform Jo out of fear for the safety of his employees’ jobs.
Tropes
- Actor Allusion: After Jo gets a copy of the mystery novel Toby is writing on his work computer, she criticises several plot holes, much to his irritation. This isn't the first time a character played by Kathy Bates has offered a writer unsolicited and unwanted writing advice.
- Arson, Murder, and Lifesaving: Jo catches that Michael knows about the whistleblower after he unconvincingly asks Jo to let them continue their work.
- Brutal Honesty: Dwight when he tells Nick why they didn’t bother getting to know him and why his Teach for America gig is a waste of time. Predictably, Nick gets pissed off and verbally lashes out.
- Call-Back: When Angela insists that Andy’s the leak, Michael finds her too biased to believe due to her failed engagement.
- Everybody Did It: Jo is trying to find the one source who leaked the information to the press, and everyone immediately zeroes in on Andy being the leak. But then Michael finds out that multiple people ended up being leaks, including Pam, Darryl, Kelly, and indeed Andy. Even ex-CFO David Wallace admits to having spread around rumors in order to spite his former company.
- Her Code Name Was "Mary Sue": We only get a little hint, but it seems to be implied that the main characters of Toby's mystery novel are heavily based on himself ("a man who hates people") and Pam (the "maid" [receptionist] he is in love with).
- Immediate Self-Contradiction: "There will be no further questions." Are there any questions?
- Karma Houdini: Darryl, Pam, Kelly and David Wallace turn out to be leaks in addition to Andy, but only Andy’s role is publicly confirmed so he’s the only one who receives any spite from his coworkers.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: After being ignored and disrespected by his coworkers, Nick the IT guy angrily criticizes their flaws and actions before leaving.
- The Scapegoat: Jo initially wanted Michael to 'fall on the sword' by speaking to the media about the printers, but Michael willingly did it after bonding with Jo.
- Smash Cut: The camera crew quickly cuts away from David Wallace as he starts trying to pitch his "Suck It!" vacuum on-air.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Andy gets nothing but abuse from angry coworkers for going public about the printers until the end when Erin tells him how brave she thinks he was.
