Branch Closing
Encyclopedia
"Branch Closing" is the seventh episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). It was first aired on November 9, 2006 on NBC
. It was written by Michael Schur
and directed by Tucker Gates
. It is the first episode to have a "Producer
's Cut" on NBC.com
, with deleted scene
s edited into the full episode and broadcast on the website. This uncut episode is the version included on the Season 3 DVD set.
In this episode, the Scranton branch has varied reactions to news that their branch will close. Michael and Dwight head to the CFO's house to convince him not to. When head of the Stamford branch Josh announces he is quitting, the plans are changed.
informs Michael
that the Scranton
branch will close, with a few people transferred to Stamford
and the rest laid off
. Michael takes the news badly, and soon spills the beans to the rest of the office prematurely. Michael and Dwight
decide to confront the CFO
at his home, while Ryan
takes this opportunity to break up with Kelly
.
Stamford branch manager Josh reveals that he has leveraged the situation to obtain a better position at Staples
, throwing the restructuring into disarray. The new plan is to close Stamford instead, and Jan offers Jim
the number two position in Scranton, but he is reluctant to accept it.
The Scranton branch is relieved when they hear they are saved, and Kelly is thrilled that she and Ryan don't have to break up after all. When Michael and Dwight get the news, they celebrate their success, unsure exactly how they accomplished it.
After agonizing over the decision, Jim accepts the position and suggests to Karen
that she join him in Scranton. In a talking head interview, Karen admits that even though she does not think he is "into her", she is "kind of into him".
Meredith
remembers an agreement to have sex with a coworker on the final day of employment, but she can't remember who it is. The former coworker calls, and Meredith follows through with agreement, even after learning the branch is not closing.
Creed
sells electronics and furniture from the office, making $1,200 from several deals throughout the day.
Single scenes: Andy
has a plan in case he gets laid off; Ryan admits that Kelly has a strange power over him.
Changes: Pam and Jim's talking head interviews about the closure are different.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. It was written by Michael Schur
Michael Schur
Michael Herbert Schur is an American television producer and writer, best known for his work on the NBC comedy series The Office and Parks and Recreation, the latter of which he co-created along with Greg Daniels...
and directed by Tucker Gates
Tucker Gates
Tucker Gates is an American television director and producer. He has directed several episodes of the J. J. Abrams shows, Alias and Lost, including the very last episode of Alias...
. It is the first episode to have a "Producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
's Cut" on NBC.com
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, with deleted scene
Deleted scene
In Entertainment, especially the film and television industry, Deleted scenes are parts of a film removed or censored from or replaced by another scene in the final "cut", or version, of a film...
s edited into the full episode and broadcast on the website. This uncut episode is the version included on the Season 3 DVD set.
In this episode, the Scranton branch has varied reactions to news that their branch will close. Michael and Dwight head to the CFO's house to convince him not to. When head of the Stamford branch Josh announces he is quitting, the plans are changed.
Synopsis
JanJan Levinson
Janet "Jan" Levenson is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. Though her last name is commonly misspelled as "Levinson", NBC spells it as "Levenson". Her counterpart in the UK version is Jennifer Taylor-Clarke...
informs Michael
Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
that the Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
branch will close, with a few people transferred to Stamford
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
and the rest laid off
Layoff
Layoff , also called redundancy in the UK, is the temporary suspension or permanent termination of employment of an employee or a group of employees for business reasons, such as when certain positions are no longer necessary or when a business slow-down occurs...
. Michael takes the news badly, and soon spills the beans to the rest of the office prematurely. Michael and Dwight
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
decide to confront the CFO
David Wallace (The Office)
David Wallace is a character in the American television show The Office and was the chief financial officer of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, before being fired in late 2009 after the company was bought by Sabre. He is portrayed by Andy Buckley.- Character history :David Wallace was...
at his home, while Ryan
Ryan Howard (The Office)
Ryan Bailey Howard , played by B. J. Novak, is a fictional character on the US television sitcom The Office. He is based upon Ricky Howard from the original version of The Office , but his role is significantly expanded and he is a main character.-Character profile:Little is known about Ryan's...
takes this opportunity to break up with Kelly
Kelly Kapoor
Kelly Rajnigandha Kapoor , is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. She is played by Mindy Kaling, who is also a writer and producer for the show....
.
Stamford branch manager Josh reveals that he has leveraged the situation to obtain a better position at Staples
Staples, Inc.
Staples Inc. is a large office supply chain store, with over 2,000 stores worldwide in 26 countries. Based in Framingham, Massachusetts, United States, the company has retail stores, serving customers under its original name in Austria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Norway,...
, throwing the restructuring into disarray. The new plan is to close Stamford instead, and Jan offers Jim
Jim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
the number two position in Scranton, but he is reluctant to accept it.
The Scranton branch is relieved when they hear they are saved, and Kelly is thrilled that she and Ryan don't have to break up after all. When Michael and Dwight get the news, they celebrate their success, unsure exactly how they accomplished it.
After agonizing over the decision, Jim accepts the position and suggests to Karen
Karen Filippelli
Karen Filippelli is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. She is played by Rashida Jones. She is loosely based on the character of Rachel from the original UK version of the show, in that she transferred during the merger of the two branches, and became romantically...
that she join him in Scranton. In a talking head interview, Karen admits that even though she does not think he is "into her", she is "kind of into him".
Producer's cut
The Producer's Cut contains two new story lines and other minor additions and changes.Meredith
Meredith Palmer
Meredith Elizabeth Palmer is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. She is played by Kate Flannery. She is an original character and has no equivalent in the British version of the show, The Office....
remembers an agreement to have sex with a coworker on the final day of employment, but she can't remember who it is. The former coworker calls, and Meredith follows through with agreement, even after learning the branch is not closing.
Creed
Creed Bratton (character)
Creed Rowland Bratton a.k.a. "William Charles Schneider" is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. Confusion may arise from the fact that the character is played by and partially based on the musician of the same name, Creed Bratton...
sells electronics and furniture from the office, making $1,200 from several deals throughout the day.
Single scenes: Andy
Andy Bernard
Andrew "Andy" Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. The character is highly insecure, yet egotistical, constantly mentioning his education at Cornell University...
has a plan in case he gets laid off; Ryan admits that Kelly has a strange power over him.
Changes: Pam and Jim's talking head interviews about the closure are different.
External links
- "Branch Closing" at NBC.com