"The Merger"
Jim and Pam see each other for the first time in months during "The Merger".
Episode No.	36
Prod. Code	308
Airdate	November 16, 2006
Writer(s)	Brent Forrester
Director	Ken Whittingham
The Office Season 3 September 2006 - May 2007 The Office (known in Britain as The Office: An American Workplace) is an Emmy Award-winning American television comedy about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. ... Image File history File links TheMerger. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Screenwriters, scenarists or script writers, are authors who write the screenplays from which movies and television programs are made. ... Brent Forrester is an american television writer. ... A television director is usually responsible for directing the actors and other taped aspects of a television production. ... The Office (known in Britain as The Office: An American Workplace) is an Emmy Award-winning American television comedy about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Gay Witch Hunt The Convention The Coup Grief Counseling Initiation Diwali Branch Closing The Merger The Convict A Benihana Christmas
List of all The Office 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. Gay Witch Hunt is the first episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... The Convention is the second episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... The Coup is the third episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... Grief Counseling is the fifth episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... Initiation is the fifth episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... Diwali is the sixth episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... Branch Closing is the seventh episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... The Convict is the ninth episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... A Benihana Christmas is the tenth episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... The main cast of The Office The following is a list of episodes from the NBC television series, The Office. ... The Office (known in Britain as The Office: An American Workplace) is an Emmy Award-winning American television comedy about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Synopsis

Pam congratulates Toby on a road race but Dwight questions the merit of the accomplishment and says he could finish a mile faster on a skateboard. He brags that he outran a black pepper snake just last week and reveals in an interview that his speed falls between that of "a snake and a mongoose ... and a panther." Outside, Dwight stretches as he plans to run around the building in his suit and dress shoes. Pam purportedly times him, but admits her "timer" is a digital thermometer, and excuses herself back inside. Pam Beesly from The Office Pamela Beesly is a fictional character on the US television sitcom The Office, played by Jenna Fischer. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a fictional character on the NBCs The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. ...

In Stamford, the office is being packed up in anticipation of the move to Scranton. Jim high-fives Karen and briefly wears a paper hat reading "Stamford R.I.P." made by Andy, and a stack of the hats are seen in a recycling bin. Andy questions Jim about his new supervisor, Michael Scott, but Jim plays it close to the chest. Andy threatens to crush Jim if he gets in his way and rolls away a PC from Josh Porter's office. Jim Halpert is a fictional character on the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBCs The Office portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original United Kingdom version of The Office. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Pam returns with two paper grocery bags full of supplies to which Michael instructs her to arrange the conference room "as though you are trying to impress an older man way out of your league." In an interview she professes excitement over the merger of Stamford employes into the Scranton branch, including the return of her old friend (Jim). Kevin is given the job to shred the company documents from Stamford, which he relishes in doing. As he demonstrates the power of his shredder from Staples, Kevin gets carried away and accidentally shreds his credit card. As Michael is putting nameplates on the desks for the new people, Dwight suggests that they fire Tony Gardner to consolidate power. Kevin Malone is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. ... A shredder is a machine that tears objects into smaller pieces. ... Credit cards A credit card system is a type of retail transaction settlement and credit system, named after the small plastic card issued to users of the system. ... Belgian and Dutch street name plates on the border Name plate on a bridge in Krakow, Poland A name plate is an item that displays someone’s name. ...

In a parking lot interview next to his Nissan Xterra, Andy 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". Indeed, he echoes Michael's "Aloha" greeting and refers to his "nifty gifty" bag, which contains mostly pencils and coupons to local Scranton "hot spots". Meanwhile, Dwight instructs Jim not to mess with him, as he is six months older and smarter. Jim gapes at Dwight's forehead, freaking him out. The Nissan Xterra is a compact SUV based on the Nissan F-Alpha platform, and shares many similarities with the Nissan Frontier pickup. ...

Dwight introduces himself to Andy and each man believes the other shall report to him in the office hierarchy. Andy mentions his title contains the word 'director' which outranks a 'manager' on a film set and question Dwight if he knows about film. Dwight states he knows everything about film since he has seen over 240 films.

An elated Kelly hugs Jim and informs him there is a lot she must catch him up on, and proceeds to tell him about the babies Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes and Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie had. Jim then asks Kelly what's new with her and she replies, "I just told you." This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Tom Cruise (born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962) is an Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and film producer. ... Kate Noelle Katie Holmes[1] (born December 18, 1978) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB teen drama Dawsons Creek from 1998 to 2003. ... William Bradley Brad Pitt (December 18, 1963) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor. ... Angelina Jolie (born Angelina Jolie Voight on June 4, 1975) is an American film actress, a former fashion model and a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency. ...

Michael plans an orientation in the "banquet room", but stops Meredith from drinking champagne, and beseeches Kelly not to eat the snacks, telling her to treat it like beef. When informed she eats beef, he says to treat it like poisoned beef, because the snacks are for guests. In a familiar manner, Karen gives Jim a stick of gum and Pam notices. Michael plays a videotape he has created called "Lazy Scranton" featuring himself and Dwight rhyming over the music of Saturday Night Live's "Lazy Sunday". Jim says the video treat reminds him of his orientation film: "The Scranton Witch Project." The viewer is shown a brief clip of that film, which features Michael illuminated by a flashlight saying he "gets so scared when people don't label their personal food." While it is clear that everyone is bored, Michael says that he thought the video would be an "A" or an "A+"; then, he remembered that there is an "A++". Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a weekly late night 90-minute American comedy-variety show based in New York City which has been broadcast by NBC nearly every Saturday night since its debut on October 11, 1975. ... A screencap of Lazy Sunday from Saturday Night Live showing the infamous crazy delicious moment. ...

In the coffee room, Pam notes that Jim has purchased a bottle of water from the vending machine instead of grape soda that he used to frequently purchase while at Scranton. Jim simply replies "I'm evolving, Pam." which to note, his sleeves are buttoned up. Pam then questions when Jim is going to tell her everything and if he is interested to go for a coffee after work. Jim replies not tonight since he is still settling in and then Michael walks in the room, making things more awkward.

In a series of vignettes, Stamford transplants are distracted by their new Scranton coworkers: Ryan by Hannah's open use of a breast pump; Karen by Phyllis's perfume from metropolitan Orlando; Martin by Creed's feet-up, boisterous phone conversation. In an interview, Stanley questions the audacity of "these new people" and mentions he's silently sat downwind from Phyllis's stinky perfume for years. Ryan Howard, played by B.J. Novak, is a fictional character on the US television sitcom The Office. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Nickname: The City Beautiful, O-Town, 407 Location in Orange County and the state of Florida. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The integration portion of Michael's orientation finds four new employees sitting in chair on the banquet room table. The boss and Dwight try to force hefty, skeptical Tony up on the table, and he quits instead. Jan later calls Michael and yells at him for firing Tony when he tried to quit (an impulsive decision Michael made after feeling insulted by Tony's attempt). She complains that because Michael fired Tony rather than letting him quit like he wanted to, Dunder Mifflin has to pay him severance. Michael initially uses Dwight as a scapegoat by saying "Bad advice from my number two." of which Jan corrects him and says Jim is actually going to be the number two. This is eventually brought into a meeting between Michael, Dwight, Jim and Andy and culminates in yet another battle between Dwight and Andy for Michael's respect. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The scapegoat was a goat that was driven off into the wilderness as part of the ceremonies of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in Judaism during the times of the Temple in Jerusalem. ...

After Tony leaves the room, Hannah walks out, agreeing Michael is unprofessional. A short while later, Michael runs to the conference room and tells everyone to go down to the parking lot because someone has let the air out of all their tires. The employees rush down to see what is going on and Michael blames Bob Vance Refrigeration employees. Martin notes Michael's tires remain fully inflated, but Michael says he was left an evil note under his windshield wipers reading, “You guys suck! You can never pull together as one and revenge us. That is why you suck!” Michael suggests stealing all of the refrigerators from Bob Vance in retribution. Everyone shakes their heads in disbelief at what Michael has done. Once again, Pam noticed Karen causally touching Jim's back with her hand as they walk away. Later, all the employees are shown talking to each other and getting along due to a common interest: Michael as an unprofessional boss. Michael watches from his office and comments how a common enemy has brought the Stamford and Scranton employees together (all of which is now the result of his, uncharacteristically clever, plan).

Jim sits in his Toyota Corolla and receives a call from Karen to meet up. He quickly ends the conversation as he sees Pam and runs over to say the day had been awkward and that he feels he should tell her he is seeing someone. She denies awkwardness and states that they'll always be friends. This page is about the auto sedan Corolla manufactured by Toyota. ...

Kevin uses the shredder to make a salad. Dwight and Andy trade numerous barbs on a downward elevator ride. Andy disses Dwight's Trans Am, which is defended as classic American muscle. Andy praises his luxurious, rugged, Japanese Xterra, but Dwight says the vehicle's name isn't even a word and makes little sense. Salad Platter Salad is a term applied broadly to many food preparations that are a mixture of chopped or sliced ingredients. ... The Pontiac Firebird was a pony car built by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors and was manufactured from 1967 until 2002. ...

Trivia

• The Daily Show correspondents Ed Helms and Steve Carell reunite in this episode, a first for alums of that program, although Helms and Rob Corddry guest-starred separately on Arrested Development. Incidentally, Helms took over many of Carell's segments on the Daily Show after Carell left.
• This episode references Saturday Night Live twice: Michael's orientation film parodies "Lazy Sunday" and Michael and Andy perform Haddaway's "What Is Love" and other elements of A Night at the Roxbury.
• Jim remarks that the orientation film he watched on his first day was a parody of The Blair Witch Project.
• Michael misattributes the question "Can't we all just get along?" to "the Reverend King" when it was actually stated by Rodney King.
• Andy inhabits Oscar's desk, as the character is purportedly taking a three-month company-sponsored vacation with his roommate, Gil. Actor Oscar Nunez is currently filming a pilot for Comedy Central.
• Staples paid to place a red-and-white-logo shredder in the episode, with scenes of Kevin using and praising it before accidentally shredding his own credit card with it. A web page on Staples website was set up to denote the appearance of the shredder on the show as well as a cast autographed unit is to be auctioned on eBay with proceeds benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Staples is written as the main competitor of Dunder-Mifflin on the show and has been previously mentioned numerous times including in "The Convention" and "Branch Closing". The real units have the logo stamped on outer metal shell of the shredder only with no color.
• Hooters received yet another mention in "The Merger".
• The version of this episode available for purchase on iTunes is missing both scenes featuring Kevin and his paper shredder, most likely because the Staples product placement agreement may not have included distributable episodes.

The Daily Show (currently The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) is a Peabody- and Emmy-winning half-hour American satirical news television program produced by and run on the Comedy Central cable television network. ... Ed Helms on The Daily Show. ... Steven John Carell (born August 16, 1963) is an American Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated actor and writer, currently starring in the American version of the television sitcom The Office. ... Rob Corddry (born on February 4, 1971 in Weymouth, Massachusetts), sometimes credited as Robert Corddry) is an American comedian known best for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. ... Arrested Development is a character-driven Emmy Award-winning American comedy television series that ran from November 2, 2003 to February 10, 2006, about a formerly wealthy and habitually dysfunctional family. ... Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a weekly late night 90-minute American comedy-variety show based in New York City which has been broadcast by NBC nearly every Saturday night since its debut on October 11, 1975. ... A screencap of Lazy Sunday from Saturday Night Live showing the infamous crazy delicious moment. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Night at the Roxbury is a 1998 comedy film based on a recurring skit on televisions long-running Saturday Night Live. ... The Blair Witch Project is a low-budget American horror film released in 1999. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... Rodney King Rodney Glenn King (born April 2, 1965 in Sacramento, California) is an African American criminal who plunged into the national spotlight after his violent arrest by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was videotaped by a bystander, George Holliday. ... Oscar Nunez is an American actor who had small feature film roles in The Italian Job and Glory Road. ... Comedy Central is a cable television channel in the United States. ... Staples, Inc. ... eBay headquarters in San Jose eBay North First Street satellite office campus (home to PayPal) eBay Inc. ... The Convention is the second episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... Branch Closing is the seventh episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). ... right|Hooters Calendar Girl Melissa Poe in traditional orange and white uniform Hooters is the trade name of two privately held American restaurant chains: Hooters of America, Inc based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Hooters, Inc. ...

References