The One Where Michael Leaves - Synopsis

Synopsis

Michael takes George Michael to start a new life in Phoenix, without saying goodbye to the family. When he realizes that the impact of his departure might have been lost on them, he returns to inform them that he is leaving. Gob and Lindsay speculate that Michael needs them more than they need him. Michael is frustrated that no one is taking his "I'm out of here" seriously, because he is out of there. Seriously. On the road once again, Michael gets pulled over; the police inform him that George Sr. has been caught. Michael decides to return a second time, to tell his father he is leaving.

The police have actually arrested George Sr.'s twin brother, Oscar. Family lawyer Barry Zuckerkorn tells Michael he can't leave the state without paying bail, so Michael goes looking for the company checkbook. At the office, Gob is redecorating; Michael learns from him that Lucille has the checkbook. After Michael leaves, Gob starts making holes in the drywall with a sledgehammer; he finds a briefcase containing a contract between George Bluth and Saddam Hussein. Lindsay and Tobias decide to try an "open marriage", and Lindsay immediately makes what she thinks is a date (it's actually an appointment with a realtor). Tobias spots a flyer and attends what he thinks is a support group for depressed men, but it's a performance of the Blue Man Group. He decides to audition.

Lucille is questioned by a Michael Moore-type documentary filmmaker, who inquires about the family's patriotism, asking whether she'd ever enlist her son or daughter in the Army. She immediately signs Buster up. Michael realizes he must ask the family for the bail money. Tobias leaves for the theater to audition for the Blue Man Group, but is run over by Barry Zuckercorn. At the hospital for the second time in two days, the family pours out their troubles and begs Michael for help. Dr. Fishman (aka Dr. "Wordsmith") makes another confusing announcement, and the police try to arrest Oscar, thinking he is George Sr. Michael explains the mixup, and "Oscar" leaves. Then, the real Oscar walks in; the other one was George Sr. in a wig. He has stolen the briefcase containing the Saddam Hussein contract. In the final scene, Gob comforts Michael by saying, "You've made a huge mistake."

Read more about this topic:  The One Where Michael Leaves