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Toby's distinctive personality—a blend of awkwardness, kindness, and subtle annoyance—initially appeared in the episode revolving around Meredith's birthday. In this episode, Michael Scott is supposed to sign a birthday card but spends the entire scene struggling to come up with words, revealing an obsessive desire to get the message just right. The actor notes that this scene established a recurring theme: Michael’s often hilarious yet unintentional meanness.

How the Michael-Toby Tension Began

A key element of Toby’s role in the series is his inexplicable but persistent dislike from Michael Scott. The actor explains that this dynamic was never plotted from the start. Instead, it developed naturally over time.