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The Merger (The Office)
Encyclopedia
"The Merger" is the eighth episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). It aired on November 16, 2006, as a special 40-minute episode on NBC
.
In this episode, the Scranton and Stamford branches are merged. Jim and Pam have an awkward reunion, Michael tries to make his new employees feel welcome, and a rivalry begins between Dwight and Andy.
) professes excitement over the merger, including the return of Jim
(John Krasinski
) (throughout the episode they interact in a friendly but awkward manner). Andy
(Ed Helms
) proclaims he'll be the No. 2 man in Scranton in six weeks time through "name repetition, personality mirroring and never breaking off a handshake."
A rivalry between Dwight
(Rainn Wilson
) and Andy begins over the number two position in the office. At the welcoming party, Michael plays a videotape he has created called "Lazy Scranton", which features him and Dwight rhyming over the music of Saturday Night Live
s "Lazy Sunday
".
Phyllis helps Karen investigate the source of a terrible smell, and they realize that Karen smelled Phyllis' perfume. Phyllis states that it was a present from Bob Vance, and is offended when his name means nothing to Karen, and says "You have a lot to learn about this town, sweetie". Karen later makes amends (thanks to Jim's assistance) by asking Phyllis if Bob Vance owns Vance Refrigeration.
Michael embarrasses hefty new employee Tony by attempting to push him onto a table with the rest of the new employees; this causes Tony to quit. However, an angered Michael fires him instead, unintentionally entitling him to severance pay. Michael learns that Jim is the number two in the office, which prompts Andy and Dwight to argue over who is number three.
After a plan to unite the employees goes awry, they find that they have a common interest: their contempt of Michael. Jim tells Pam that he is seeing someone (referring to Karen). Dwight and Andy trade barbs on the way out of the office.
The original broadcast contained a small subplot involving Kevin and a new paper shredder
from Staples. It was removed from the episode for the DVD release and is not contained in the deleted scenes.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
.
In this episode, the Scranton and Stamford branches are merged. Jim and Pam have an awkward reunion, Michael tries to make his new employees feel welcome, and a rivalry begins between Dwight and Andy.
Synopsis
The Scranton and Stamford branches prepare for the upcoming merger. Pam (Jenna FischerJenna Fischer
Regina Marie "Jenna" Fischer is an American actress and director. She is most widely known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Pam Halpert on the NBC situation comedy and mockumentary The Office, and has also appeared in several films, including Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,...
) professes excitement over the merger, including the return of Jim
Jim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
(John Krasinski
John Krasinski
John Burke Krasinski is an American actor, film director, and writer. He is most widely known for playing Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office...
) (throughout the episode they interact in a friendly but awkward manner). Andy
Andy Bernard
Andrew "Andy" Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. The character is highly insecure, yet egotistical, constantly mentioning his education at Cornell University...
(Ed Helms
Ed Helms
Edward Paul "Ed" Helms is an American actor and comedian known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as Andy Bernard on the US version of the sitcom/mockumentary The Office and for his role as Dr. Stu Price in The Hangover films.- Early life :Helms was born and raised...
) proclaims he'll be the No. 2 man in Scranton in six weeks time through "name repetition, personality mirroring and never breaking off a handshake."
A rivalry between Dwight
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
(Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson
Rainn Dietrich Wilson is an American actor and comedian. He is primarily known for his role as the egomaniacal Dwight Schrute on the American version of the television comedy The Office...
) and Andy begins over the number two position in the office. At the welcoming party, Michael plays a videotape he has created called "Lazy Scranton", which features him and Dwight rhyming over the music of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
s "Lazy Sunday
Lazy Sunday
"Lazy Sunday" is a song and short video by American comedy troupe The Lonely Island, released on December 17, 2005, broadcast on Saturday Night Live as the second Digital Short...
".
Phyllis helps Karen investigate the source of a terrible smell, and they realize that Karen smelled Phyllis' perfume. Phyllis states that it was a present from Bob Vance, and is offended when his name means nothing to Karen, and says "You have a lot to learn about this town, sweetie". Karen later makes amends (thanks to Jim's assistance) by asking Phyllis if Bob Vance owns Vance Refrigeration.
Michael embarrasses hefty new employee Tony by attempting to push him onto a table with the rest of the new employees; this causes Tony to quit. However, an angered Michael fires him instead, unintentionally entitling him to severance pay. Michael learns that Jim is the number two in the office, which prompts Andy and Dwight to argue over who is number three.
After a plan to unite the employees goes awry, they find that they have a common interest: their contempt of Michael. Jim tells Pam that he is seeing someone (referring to Karen). Dwight and Andy trade barbs on the way out of the office.
Deleted Scenes
The Season Three DVD contains a number of deleted scenes. Notable cut scenes include:- Kevin and Angela react to Jim's return.
- When Jim and Pam start goofing around, Ryan asks them to stop so he can get work done.
- Karen notes that she and Meredith have the same thermosThermosThermos may refer to:* A vacuum flask generically known as a "thermos"* a brand of domestic vacuum flask made by Thermos L.L.C.* Thermos , an ancient Greek city, the capital city of the Aetolian League...
. Meredith offers to share her alcohol. - Andy introduces himself to Kevin.
- Michael says that if Phyllis and Karen start hanging out, they will start sharing the same menstrual cycleMenstrual cycleThe menstrual cycle is the scientific term for the physiological changes that can occur in fertile women for the purpose of sexual reproduction. This article focuses on the human menstrual cycle....
. - Hannah and Meredith fight over desk space.
- Michael believes that differences are the reason that people can't all get along.
- Michael performs a magic trick, and Andy and Dwight suck up.
The original broadcast contained a small subplot involving Kevin and a new paper shredder
Paper shredder
A paper shredder is a mechanical device used to cut paper into chad, typically either strips or fine particles. Government organizations, businesses, and private individuals use shredders to destroy private, confidential, or otherwise sensitive documents...
from Staples. It was removed from the episode for the DVD release and is not contained in the deleted scenes.
External links
- "The Merger" at NBC.com