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==Reception==
==Reception==
"The Return" first aired on January 18, 2007 in the United States on NBC. According to [[Nielsen Media Research]], the episode was watched by an estimated 10.15 million viewers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/422116621?accountid=43432 |title=Prime-Time TV Rankings; Fox plays macho and wins week's ratings war |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 19, 2007 |accessdate=January 26, 2012 }} {{subscription required}}</ref> ''The Office'' and ''[[My Name is Earl]]'' help the network finish first in the 18–49 demographic that night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/433491898?accountid=43432 |first=Benjamin |last=Toff |title=CSI vs. greys anatomy |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 20, 2007 |accessdate=January 26, 2012 }} {{subscription required}}</ref> The same day as the episode broadcast, NBC renewed ''The Office'' for a full fourth season, which came as no surprise to media pundits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/269475744?accountid=43432 |title=No surprises at NBC |work=[[The Province]] |date=January 19, 2007 |accessdate=January 26, 2012 }} {{subscription required}}</ref>

[[AOL TV]] writer Michael Sciannamea called Andy the "most obnoxious sitcom character in the last few years". Sciannamea enjoyed seeing more of Angela's and Michael's personalities, and believed Andy was a "short-timer" to the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2007/01/19/the-office-the-return/ |title=The Office: The Return |first=Michael|last=Sciannamea |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |date=January 29, 2007 |accessdate=January 25, 2012 }}</ref> Dahl agreed with Sciannamea 's initial assessment of Andy, declaring the character was "one of the most devastatingly annoying characters on television". Dahl also liked Dwight's scenes at Staples, and wrote that series was becoming "more and more difficult to write about. It's really funny. Consistently funny. Great episodes, week after week, breed little in the way of discussion [...] We have to appreciate greatness while it's here. ''The Office'' is in the midst of a historic run of consistently great episodes. Bask in it."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-office/the-office-the-return-3210.aspx |title=The Office: The Annoying Andy |first=Oscar |last=Dahl |publisher=[[Buddy TV]] |date=January 19, 2007 |accessdate=January 25, 2012 }}</ref>
[[AOL TV]] writer Michael Sciannamea called Andy the "most obnoxious sitcom character in the last few years". Sciannamea enjoyed seeing more of Angela's and Michael's personalities, and believed Andy was a "short-timer" to the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2007/01/19/the-office-the-return/ |title=The Office: The Return |first=Michael|last=Sciannamea |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |date=January 29, 2007 |accessdate=January 25, 2012 }}</ref> Dahl agreed with Sciannamea 's initial assessment of Andy, declaring the character was "one of the most devastatingly annoying characters on television". Dahl also liked Dwight's scenes at Staples, and wrote that series was becoming "more and more difficult to write about. It's really funny. Consistently funny. Great episodes, week after week, breed little in the way of discussion [...] We have to appreciate greatness while it's here. ''The Office'' is in the midst of a historic run of consistently great episodes. Bask in it."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-office/the-office-the-return-3210.aspx |title=The Office: The Annoying Andy |first=Oscar |last=Dahl |publisher=[[Buddy TV]] |date=January 19, 2007 |accessdate=January 25, 2012 }}</ref>


Revision as of 01:07, 27 January 2012

"The Return (The Office)"

"The Return" is the thirteenth 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, 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 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 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.

Production

"The Return" was written by Michael Schur, Lee Eisenberg, and Gene Stupnitsky, while executive producer Greg Daniels directed and Dean Holland edited.[2] The original title of this episode was "Oscar's Return".[3] The change to a more generic "Return" reflects the fact that two employees return to the office.

Then president of NBC Entertainment Kevin Reilly played Dwight's first interviewer.[2][4] Ed Helms noted in the audio commentary that his mother had trouble watching a string of episodes because they found his character so annoying. Helms recorded his cell phone ring on his own computer, and actually bloodied his knuckles while punching the wall, something that took five or six takes. Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson had difficulty with their reuniting scene and had to stage in several different ways; imaging and photographic equipment, materials and services company Kodak sponsored the scene. As part of the episode is set in one of their stores, office supply chain Staples Inc. watched the episode carefully to ensure they were not portrayed negatively; they were particularly afraid that Dwight's manner of quitting was disrespectful to the company.[2] At the time "The Return" aired, no one was certain Helms would be returning.[2] In early February, NBC confirmed Helms had been hired on as a series regular for the rest of the year,[5] with the actor returning in the season's nineteenth episode, "The Negotiation".

"The Return" was later rebroadcast with "Traveling Salesmen" as a combined hour-long episode, on March 15, 2007. NBC inputted previously unaired and re-edited scenes into the episode, which was perceived by one commentator as a method to "boost the ratings during the content dearth known as repeat week, giving its replays a creative twist".[6] Greg Daniels explained that in addition to the attempt to attract a larger audience, "it's about giving something extra to our wonderful fans…their loyalty must be rewarded somehow, and we don't have the budget for 10 million muffin baskets."[6]

Cultural references

Andy tells Michael he is going to "get my Lost on", a reference to the ABC science fiction drama series. Andy sings The Cranberries' 1994 hit song "Zombie", which was the most annoying son Helms and Krasinski could come up with. Dwight returns wearing a Battlestar Galactica sweatshirt.[2]

Reception

"The Return" first aired on January 18, 2007 in the United States on NBC. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was watched by an estimated 10.15 million viewers.[7] The Office and My Name is Earl help the network finish first in the 18–49 demographic that night.[8] The same day as the episode broadcast, NBC renewed The Office for a full fourth season, which came as no surprise to media pundits.[9]

AOL TV writer Michael Sciannamea called Andy the "most obnoxious sitcom character in the last few years". Sciannamea enjoyed seeing more of Angela's and Michael's personalities, and believed Andy was a "short-timer" to the series.[10] Dahl agreed with Sciannamea 's initial assessment of Andy, declaring the character was "one of the most devastatingly annoying characters on television". Dahl also liked Dwight's scenes at Staples, and wrote that series was becoming "more and more difficult to write about. It's really funny. Consistently funny. Great episodes, week after week, breed little in the way of discussion [...] We have to appreciate greatness while it's here. The Office is in the midst of a historic run of consistently great episodes. Bask in it."[11]

References

  1. ^ "Updated Listing for NBC's 'The Office' 01/18-07" (Press release). NBC. 2007-01-05.
  2. ^ a b c d e Krasinski, John, Rainn Wilson, Rashida Jones, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Dave Rogers (editor) (2007). Audio commentary for "Traveling Salesman/The Return" (DVD). The Office: Season Three Disc 3: Universal Studios Home Entertainment.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. ^ "Updated Listing for NBC's 'The Office' 01/18-07" (Press release). NBC. 2007-01-02.
  4. ^ Adalian, Josef (January 18, 2007). "NBC's Reilly guests on 'The Office'". Variety. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
  5. ^ "People: It's elementary: Fox plans `5th grade'-level quiz show". The Journal Gazette. February 2, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2012. (subscription required)
  6. ^ a b De Leon, Kris (March 12, 2007). "A New Treat from The Office". Buddy TV. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  7. ^ "Prime-Time TV Rankings; Fox plays macho and wins week's ratings war". Los Angeles Times. January 19, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2012. (subscription required)
  8. ^ Toff, Benjamin (January 20, 2007). "CSI vs. greys anatomy". The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2012. (subscription required)
  9. ^ "No surprises at NBC". The Province. January 19, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2012. (subscription required)
  10. ^ Sciannamea, Michael (January 29, 2007). "The Office: The Return". AOL TV. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  11. ^ Dahl, Oscar (January 19, 2007). "The Office: The Annoying Andy". Buddy TV. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
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