The Return (The Office episode)

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The Office (US)

"The Return" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the US version of The Office. It aired on January 18, 2007, 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

While Dwight settles for a job at Staples, Andy tests the last nerve of his coworkers, particularly Michael and new deskmate Jim, to whom he shows off his cell phone ring tone. Michael welcomes Oscar back to the office by asking the Party Planning Committee to throw a Mexican-themed fiesta. Jim tries to enlist Karen's help in pulling a prank on Andy, but she is busy with Dwight's former clients. Pam, however, is a ready accomplice. With her help, Jim hides Andy's cell phone in the ceiling above Andy's desk. Michael's rejection of Andy's friendship, combined with Pam and Jim's prank of continually calling his "lost" phone, pushes Andy over the edge, and he punches a hole in the wall in frustration. This—combined with learning from Angela that Dwight went to Corporate to deliver an important document—causes Michael to realize that he made a mistake in forcing Dwight to resign, and he goes to Staples to get him back. At the party, Karen confronts Jim, asking him if he still has feelings for Pam. After several seconds of silence, Jim answers, "Yes." Karen gets up and walks out, visibly upset.

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 erroneously tells Oscar that Dwight has died, and that his funeral was 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.

Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

For a list of songs featured in this episode, see List of songs featured on The Office.

• 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.
• NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly played Dwight's first interviewer.^[3] Reilly was a strong supporter of The Office during its first season, despite low ratings.
• The gray "Battlestar Galactica" t-shirt that Dwight wears upon returning to the office is not the same shirt that he was wearing as he left Staples.
• The Dwight "rescue" from Staples by Michael (while "Up Where We Belong" plays in the background) resembles the ending of An Officer and a Gentleman.
• When Oscar asks what happened to Dwight, Creed responds with unrelated events from "Grief Counseling".
• In "Launch Party", Dwight's uses leads that he stole while at Staples in a (successful) quest to outsell Dunder Mifflin Infinity on its first day of operations.

References

1. ^ NBC (2007-01-05). "Updated Listing for NBC's 'The Office' 01/18-07". Press release.
2. ^ NBC (2007-01-02). "Updated Listing for NBC's 'The Office' 01/18-07". Press release.
3. ^ Adalian, Josef. "NBC's Reilly guests on 'The Office'", Variety, 2007-01-18. Retrieved on 2007-01-19. 

External links

• The Return at NBC.com
• Memorable Quotes From "The Return" at QuotesFromTheOffice.com