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The Return (The Office)
Encyclopedia
"The Return" is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the US version of The Office. It aired on January 18, 2007 on NBC
and marked the return to work of Oscar Martinez
, who had been on vacation since the first episode
of the season.
It was written by Michael Schur
, Lee Eisenberg
and Gene Stupnitsky
and directed by Greg Daniels
.
settles for a job at Staples. Andy
relishes the thought of becoming Michael
's new Number Three and begins to pester Michael for attention. When Andy begins to irritate his co-workers, Jim
, after getting no support from Karen
, recruits Pam
to play a prank on Andy by hiding his cell phone (which plays Rockin' Robin
, sung a capella by Andy himself) in the ceiling and continually calling it.
Meanwhile, Oscar
returns to the office from his leave of absence
, and Michael wants to celebrate by asking the Party Planning Committee to throw a Mexican-themed fiesta that includes firecracker
s, a chihuahua
and a donkey
.
As Jim and Pam continue to call Andy's hidden cell phone, he is pushed over the edge by the combination of Jim and Pam's prank and Michael's rejection of his friendship, and in a fit of rage puts his fist through a wall.
When Angela
finally reveals to Michael that she was the cause of Dwight's secret visit to Corporate, Michael realizes his error in forcing Dwight out and goes to Staples to ask him to return to Dunder Mifflin. Angela was worried that Michael would realize the two were involved in a romantic relationship, but Michael believes that Dwight saved Angela out of loyalty to the company. Dwight returns to the office and, much to his delight, thinks Oscar's welcome party is actually meant for him.
Karen has noticed how much fun Jim and Pam had together during their prank on Andy; she confronts Jim and asks him if he still has feelings for Pam. Jim nods as he quietly says yes and Karen walks out the room, visibly upset. Meanwhile, Corporate sends Andy to anger management, where he plans to get out of the 10-week program in 5-weeks through his usual charms: name-repetition and personality imitation.
", an extended version of "The Return" appeared on NBC.com and the iTunes Store, featuring several deleted and extended scenes. Notable additions include:
The deleted scenes of this episode may only be accessed by selecting "Play All" on the Deleted Scenes menu of the Season Three DVD or by fast-forwarding or using the skip button to skip the "Traveling Salesman" episode 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...
and marked the return to work of Oscar Martinez
Oscar Martinez
Oscar Jual Paul Martinez is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Oscar Nunez.-Overview:Oscar Martinez is an accountant at the paper distributor Dunder Mifflin. He is a first generation Mexican-American. Oscar is also openly homosexual after being...
, who had been on vacation since the first episode
Gay Witch Hunt
"Gay Witch Hunt" is the third season premiere of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's twenty-ninth episode overall. Written by executive producer and show runner Greg Daniels and directed by Ken Kwapis, the episode first aired in the United States on September 21, 2006...
of the season.
It was written by Michael Schur
Michael Schur
Michael Herbert Schur is an American television producer and writer, best known for his work on the NBC comedy series The Office and Parks and Recreation, the latter of which he co-created along with Greg Daniels...
, Lee Eisenberg
Lee Eisenberg
Lee Eisenberg is a film and television writer. He usually works with Gene Stupnitsky.-Life and career:In television, he wrote for the NBC comedy series The Office from seasons 2 to 6, and served as a co-executive producer and directed two episodes with Stupnitsky, "Michael Scott Paper Company" and...
and Gene Stupnitsky
Gene Stupnitsky
Gene Stupnitsky is a film and television writer. He usually works with Lee Eisenberg.In television, he wrote for the NBC comedy series The Office from seasons 2 to 6, and served as a co-executive producer and directed two episodes with Eisenberg, "Michael Scott Paper Company" and "The Lover"...
and directed by Greg Daniels
Greg Daniels
Gregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
.
Synopsis
Having quit Dunder Mifflin, DwightDwight 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...
settles for a job at Staples. 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...
relishes the thought of becoming Michael
Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
's new Number Three and begins to pester Michael for attention. When Andy begins to irritate his co-workers, 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...
, after getting no support from Karen
Karen Filippelli
Karen Filippelli is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. She is played by Rashida Jones. She is loosely based on the character of Rachel from the original UK version of the show, in that she transferred during the merger of the two branches, and became romantically...
, recruits Pam
Pam Beesly
Pamela Morgan "Pam" Halpert is a fictional character on the U.S. television sitcom The Office, played by Jenna Fischer. Her counterpart in the original UK series of The Office is Dawn Tinsley....
to play a prank on Andy by hiding his cell phone (which plays Rockin' Robin
Rockin' Robin (song)
This article is about the song. For the wrestler, see Rockin' Robin ."Rockin' Robin" is a song written by Leon René under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas and recorded by Bobby Day in 1958. It was Day's only hit single, becoming a number-two hit on the Billboard Hot 100...
, sung a capella by Andy himself) in the ceiling and continually calling it.
Meanwhile, Oscar
Oscar Martinez
Oscar Jual Paul Martinez is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Oscar Nunez.-Overview:Oscar Martinez is an accountant at the paper distributor Dunder Mifflin. He is a first generation Mexican-American. Oscar is also openly homosexual after being...
returns to the office from his leave of absence
Leave of absence
Leave of absence is a term used to describe a period of time that one is to be away from his/her primary job, while maintaining the status of employee...
, and Michael wants to celebrate by asking the Party Planning Committee to throw a Mexican-themed fiesta that includes firecracker
Firecracker
A firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound...
s, a chihuahua
Chihuahua (dog)
The ' is the smallest breed of dog and is so named for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Chihuahuas come in a wide variety of sizes, head shapes, colors and coat lengths.-History:...
and a donkey
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
.
As Jim and Pam continue to call Andy's hidden cell phone, he is pushed over the edge by the combination of Jim and Pam's prank and Michael's rejection of his friendship, and in a fit of rage puts his fist through a wall.
When Angela
Angela Martin
Angela Noelle Martin is a fictional character from the US television series The Office played by American actress Angela Kinsey. She is an original character, and has no equivalent in the British version of the show, The Office.-Overview:...
finally reveals to Michael that she was the cause of Dwight's secret visit to Corporate, Michael realizes his error in forcing Dwight out and goes to Staples to ask him to return to Dunder Mifflin. Angela was worried that Michael would realize the two were involved in a romantic relationship, but Michael believes that Dwight saved Angela out of loyalty to the company. Dwight returns to the office and, much to his delight, thinks Oscar's welcome party is actually meant for him.
Karen has noticed how much fun Jim and Pam had together during their prank on Andy; she confronts Jim and asks him if he still has feelings for Pam. Jim nods as he quietly says yes and Karen walks out the room, visibly upset. Meanwhile, Corporate sends Andy to anger management, where he plans to get out of the 10-week program in 5-weeks through his usual charms: name-repetition and personality imitation.
Production
- The original title of this episode was "Oscar's Return". The change to a more generic "Return" reflects the fact that two employees return to the office.
- (Former) NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly played Dwight's first interviewer.
Producer's Cut
Like "Branch ClosingBranch Closing
"Branch Closing" is the seventh episode of the third season of The Office . It was first aired on November 9, 2006 on NBC. It was written by Michael Schur and directed by Tucker Gates. It is the first episode to have a "Producer's Cut" on NBC.com, with deleted scenes edited into the full episode...
", an extended version of "The Return" appeared on NBC.com and the iTunes Store, featuring several deleted and extended scenes. Notable additions include:
- Michael welcomes Oscar back to the office.
- Creed tells Oscar that Dwight has died and that there was a funeral for a bird.
- Kelly is surprised that Oscar has never heard of Lance BassLance BassJames Lance Bass , best known as Lance Bass, is an American pop singer, dancer, actor, film and television producer, and author. He grew up in Mississippi and rose to fame as the bass singer for the American pop boy band 'N Sync. 'N Sync's success led Bass to work in film and television...
. - Jim tells Michael that Andy is a yes-man.
- Michael remembers having his butt kissed by his mother.
- Angela seeks advice from Pam.
- Extension of Michael going to Staples.
- Michael tries to get Pam to shake her chest.
- Michael asks Oscar what he thinks of the party.
- Andy goes to a mandated Anger Management program.
Deleted scenes
The Season Three DVD contains deleted scenes beyond those included in the Producer's Cut. Notable cut scenes include:- Oscar and Toby make awkward small talk.
- Michael learns that Dwight declined payment for his unused vacation. "He'd rather the company have the money."
- Andy makes up a new nickname for Michael.
- At Staples, Dwight is promoted ahead of schedule.
The deleted scenes of this episode may only be accessed by selecting "Play All" on the Deleted Scenes menu of the Season Three DVD or by fast-forwarding or using the skip button to skip the "Traveling Salesman" episode deleted scenes.
External links
- "The Return" at NBC.com