1

This is a fascinating take on Toby, and I think pretty on the mark based on what we knew at the time you wrote it. (There's material in later seasons that shed a different light on him, I think, but this felt right for the Goodbye, Toby era insecure/unhappy/willing to put up with Michael's crap/increasingly creepy Toby - they leaned a lot more on the idea of him as pathetic and self-pitying as the years went on, and there was always that sense in later seasons that he kinda felt like he COULD make a change which doesn't line up with this... but honestly, I kinda like this better. And it shows a love of character understanding that didn't come through in the writing for him.)

Anyways, there are some fascinating touches - the idea that Michael initially liked him and turned on him because he resented the fact that the relatively uncool Toby was more appealing than him is very different, and you've actually found a way to reconcile his relationships with Jim and Pam and his character history with the deleted scenes from Season 2 in a way that makes sense with what we see on screen - i.e. that their close relationship with him sort of collapsed as we entered the documentary era. Your description of the farce in three parts is genius, and very telling of how this would all look from his perspective - I particularly appreciate the way you've handled the fact that Toby clearly doesn't actually believe that his attempts at wooing Pam are going to work.

And I really like the fact that you've tagged Toby's meltdown to monumental changes in his family life that are completely canon consistent that we never see, as opposed to the idea that he's just that gone on Pam.

You've also managed to make Toby not particularly likable but sympathetic - enough so that the fact that his Costa Rica flight ultimately revealing itself as just a means to give up without confronting the reality of it really hurts.

Anyhow, I doubt you'll ever read this, but in short: yes, I liked it, and yes, I think you hit Toby on the head - and made him feel like a real guy.

This fic is so well-done and I mean this in the best possible way when I say I can't reread it. Because Toby has (had) always been my favorite character on the show and even this last season, while in my opinion he was slowly becoming unhinged for reasons other than just Pam), I still wanted him to snap out of it and have something good to happen to him. Of course I ship him with Kelly so I'm probably not the best judge of things. But this fic, especially the Toby/Sasha sections is so plausible it's almost painful, because I don't want this to happen to him.

Just a great job.

You captured Toby perfectly.  I loved his former lunches with Jim and Pam and the idea of a fleeting Three Musketeers dynamic.  His deteriorating relationship with Sasha was pitch-perfect, and I loved the mantra that knowing Toby Flenderson = not liking Toby Flenderson.  Great job, all around.  I feel a little heartbroken for him.

Author's Response: Thank you for the review. The feeling of being heartbroken for Toby is what inspired this whole thing--him fleeing and jumping the fence was pretty much the saddest the show has ever made me, even if I was cracking up the whole time.

9

Oh, dang girl! This is amazing!

I think you've nailed Toby, and this was in some ways heartbreaking and in others just cool and perfect.

Fantastic job!!

Author's Response: Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!

Wow.  So much to love about this.  You have done so much more with Toby than simply give him that 'hangdog mopey look'.

Love the explanation of how Toby ends up in Scranton -- far enough away to not run into April & her new husband at the Starbucks.  Ouch.

And your explanation of why Michael hates him is terrific,  (second only to a slash story I read a while back).  I also love how you explain the deleted scene from the Fire about him sitting next to Jim and how that friendship went to hell.  No wonder he jumped the fence.

He’s happy when he’s alone, because no one gets sick of him and upgrades to someone better after a while.  That is sad, beautiful and pathetic all at the same time.  Nicely done, pessimistress.  Hope you functioned ok today!

10

Wow, this was really good. I was not liking Toby very much this season. You've just made me feel bad for him because I can really see him feeling like this. Great job.

Author's Response: Thanks for reviewing! I love the feedback.

Nice, nice job with this fic.  I'm going to rec it on the forums.  Really explains where his head was at during the last episode.

Author's Response: A review and a rec? You're too kind. Thanks for the support!

This was a great read! I loved it. It really meshed nicely with Night Out and what may have been going through his head. Thank you!

Author's Response: And thank YOU for taking the time to review! I appreciate it.

10

Wow.  Excellent fic.   So many great lines, but I think I loved these best: 

*"It’s a farce in three parts, with special guest appearances by that oblivious doofus Roy Anderson.

* ‘If we’re ever in Costa Rica,’ she writes, ‘I’ll make sure to warn you so you can avoid us as effectively as I’m sure you’re going to avoid the Vance’s (of Vance Refrigeration) when they’re in town.’

Also, loved your paragraph on Phyllis informing Toby that Jim and Pam eloped and Toby's resultant feelings. 

Well done!