Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
The Swindon staff move into Slough, bringing Neil Godwin as David Brent’s new boss. Neil wins over the employees with the ease and competence Brent wants them to see in him. Brent instead alienates the newcomers with offensive jokes and reacts badly when they prefer Neil’s management. Tim has accepted his promotion and begins taking work more seriously, putting distance between himself and Dawn. His relationship with newcomer Rachel makes Dawn jealous, while Gareth resents Tim’s authority and also competes for Rachel’s attention.
A consultancy offers Brent paid work as a motivational speaker. He treats it as recognition of his talents, but his improvised performance disappoints its audience and distracts him from his actual responsibilities. Neil confronts him over missed work, including an employee’s unpaid wages. On Red Nose Day, Brent tries to outdo Neil’s dancing with his own routine. After another neglected report, he challenges management to run the office without him, certain the staff will protest. Neil and Jennifer respond by making him redundant.
Brent initially presents his departure as an opportunity, even while an industry journalist interviews him about leadership. Then the consultancy drops him too. With both futures collapsing, he begs Neil and Jennifer to reverse the dismissal, but the decision stands. Dawn gives notice to move to Florida with Lee. Tim breaks up with Rachel and tells Dawn privately how he feels. She hugs him but chooses to stay with Lee, leaving Tim at Wernham Hogg as Brent’s time in charge ends.