The Return (The Office)

"The Return"
The Office episode
Andy snaps and punches a hole in the wall.
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 14
Directed by	Greg Daniels
Written by	Michael Schur Lee Eisenberg Gene Stupnitsky
Production code	314
Original air date	January 18, 2007
Episode chronology
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List of The Office (U.S.) episodes

"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.^[1] It was written by Michael Schur, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky and directed by Greg Daniels.

Synopsis

Having quit Dunder Mifflin, Dwight 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 and Pam play a prank on him 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 firecrackers, 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 he punches the wall in a fit of rage.

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 was actually meant for him.

Finally, when Karen sees 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. 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".^[2] 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.^[3]

Producer's Cut

Like "Branch Closing", 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 Bass.
• 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.

References

1. ^ "Updated Listing for NBC's 'The Office' 01/18-07" (Press release). NBC. 2007-01-05. http://www.nbcumv.com/entertainment/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20070105000000-updatedlistingsfor.html. 
2. ^ "Updated Listing for NBC's 'The Office' 01/18-07" (Press release). NBC. 2007-01-02. http://www.nbcumv.com/entertainment/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20070102000000-updatedlistingfor.html. 
3. ^ Adalian, Josef (2007-01-18). "NBC's Reilly guests on 'The Office'". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957762.html. Retrieved 2007-01-19. 

External links

• The Return at NBC.com