Episode 7 of *The Paper* kicks off with Ken playing the role of work-hour watchdog, closely monitoring how much time his staff spends away from their desks outside of official working hours. Ken proudly shows the camera crew a mouse tracker he's secretly installed on his tablet, a tool designed to track which employees are clocking up the most inactive hours during the workday. Undeterred, Travis unveils a clever mouse-nudging gadget to the team, a device crafted to throw Ken off the scent—and it seems to do the trick. Ken, none the wiser, believes he's successfully intimidated his employees into being more productive.
The episode then shifts focus to Marv and his entourage making an unexpected appearance on the TTT floor. Ned, feeling self-conscious under his boss's watchful eye, stages an intense, fake discussion in the conference room to distract Marv. Impressed by Ned's apparent dedication, Marv commends him, only to be met with Ned's overly animated laughter.
Meanwhile, Ned attempts to extend an olive branch to Mare, but his apology is met with a swift rejection as she tosses his apology note into the trash. Adam, trying to lighten the mood, informs Marv that TTT has already penned his obituary for future use, a revelation that visibly rattles Marv. Despite his seniority, Marv's presence casts a long shadow, intimidating everyone on the floor.
Esmeralda pulls Ned aside to share some surprising news: Marv has given the green light to all the stories he had previously rejected, urging Ned to publish them. Furious at Esmeralda for bypassing him, Ned confronts Marv directly. As Marv and Ned engage in a tense conversation, Ken whispers to Esmeralda that Ned is gunning for his job, fueling the office gossip mill as employees speculate wildly about what the two are discussing.
Inside the conference room, Ned finally confronts Marv, telling him in no uncertain terms that he's overstepping his bounds.
Marv exits the room, offering apologies to Ned and declaring his affection with a heartfelt "I love you." Ned follows suit, also professing his love for Marv, but this time, his words resonate throughout the office, catching the attention of all the employees. The air is soon filled with whispers and chuckles as the group begins to discuss Ned's awkward public declaration, teasing him mercilessly and leaving him visibly defensive.
Desperate to clear the air, Ned attempts to approach Mare for a conversation, but she coldly refuses to engage. Feeling cornered, Ned turns to the team, urging them to work diligently to remain in Marv's good graces. Meanwhile, Ken and Esmeralda sneak away for a private discussion, revealing their knowledge that a man named J. Autumn Reed is set to replace Marv. They hatch a plan to orchestrate Marv's dismissal, their voices hushed with conspiracy.
Their scheme is nearly derailed when Nate, the janitor, inadvertently overhears their conversation. Panicking, Ken and Esmeralda hastily promise Nate a promotion in exchange for his silence, their eyes darting nervously around the room.
Upstairs, during a team meeting, Ned extends an invitation to Marv to join the discussion. The employees, sensing an opportunity, eagerly fawn over Marv, their flattery making Ned feel increasingly marginalized and intimidated. When Marv inquires about the progress of the story, Ned's frustration boils over, leading to a heated outburst. Marv, ever the peacemaker, tries to diffuse the tension by encouraging Ned to ask Mare out on a date.
Later, Nate approaches Esmeralda and Ken with a revelation: the camera crew is fully aware of their plot against Marv. The pair scramble to concoct excuses, their faces flushed with panic. Meanwhile, Ned submits the story to Marv, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Marv, sensing Ned's unease, urges him to trust his instincts. In a moment of vulnerability, Ned confesses to Marv that he feels like he's obstructing their path. Marv, taken aback, offers a sincere apology to Ned before exiting the room. The employees, quick to judge, label Ned as mean-spirited, while Marv's assistant pulls him aside for a stern talking-to, demanding that he rectify the situation.
The employees approach Ned with a sense of urgency, their voices tinged with concern as they inform him that pushing Marv too far could prompt the irate publisher to pull the plug on the newspaper altogether. Undeterred, Ned theorizes that Marv's ire stems from the recent obituary and floats the idea of crafting a more flattering tribute to lift his spirits. The entire team rallies together, pooling their talents to compose a glowing obituary in Marv's honor.
Meanwhile, Ken and Esmeralda, seizing an opportunity, confide in Marv that Nate, the diligent janitor, has been indulging in drugs that have clouded his judgment, leading him to spin elaborate and baseless conspiracies. Touched by their plea, Marv takes it upon himself to pray alongside Nate, invoking divine guidance to steer him back onto the path of recovery. The sight leaves Ken and Esmeralda wide-eyed and astounded.
When Ned attempts to present the newly penned obituary to Marv, his efforts are met with a firm rebuff. Marv, with a twinkle in his eye, reveals that he had no intention of shutting down the paper simply because someone had dared to disrespect him. Instead, he urges Ned to shake off his gloom and persist in his arduous endeavors with renewed vigor.
As the episode draws to a close, Ned and Mare, their differences now behind them, engage in a heartfelt text conversation, their words bridging the gap that had once threatened to divide them.
