| "The Merger" | |||
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| The Office episode | |||
Jim and Pam are reunited for the first time since the events of Casino Night during "The Merger". |
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| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 8 |
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| Directed by | Ken Whittingham | ||
| Written by | Brent Forrester | ||
| Production code | 308 | ||
| Original air date | November 16, 2006 | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
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| List of The Office (U.S. TV series) episodes | |||
"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.
The Scranton and Stamford branches prepare for the upcoming merger. Pam (Jenna Fischer) 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 Season Three DVD contains a number of deleted scenes. Notable cut scenes include:
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.
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