branch closing seventh episode season american comedy television series office 35th overall written executive producer directed edited version episode aired november nbc later night longer producer cut edition released deleted scenes edited episode broadcast website uncut episode version included season dvd set series depicts everyday lives office employees scranton branches fictional dunder mifflin_paper_company episode scranton branch varied reactions news branch close michael_scott steve_carell dwight_schrute rainn_wilson head house convince head branch announces employees find company plans changed according nielsen_media_research estimated million viewers watched branch closing broadcast critical reception episode positive reviewer opining combines character driven humor presenting major change advances stories characters result funny enjoyable realistic half hour synopsis informs michael_scott steve_carell scranton branch close people transferred rest laid michael takes news badly soon tells rest office prematurely michael dwight rainn_wilson decide confront home office ryan_howard takes opportunity break tries remember promise sleeping day work begins selling office equipment profit begins thought retiring branch manager reveals situation obtain better position staples throwing restructuring disarray new plan close instead jan offers jim_halpert john_krasinski number position scranton reluctant accept scranton branch relieved hear saved kelly thrilled ryan don break michael dwight news celebrate success believing erroneously accomplished decision jim accepts position suggests join scranton talking head interview karen admits think kind production branch closing written executive producer directed myspace blog actress jenna_fischer urged readers watch episode declaring stuff michael dwight absolute funniest thing touching entire episode amazing wait episode featured recurring guest stars ed_helms episode marks appearance series night episode aired released producer cut contained additional scenes extra footage shown broadcast executive vice president nbc digital entertainment new media explained kind real bonus fans office natural continually pushed envelope digital landscape seeing incredible audience reaction evolving digital extensions programming favorites weekly blog post guide actress kate wrote producer cut isn cool think office fans going dig love characters fun work version contained new story lines minor additions changes including meredith remembering agreement sex final day employment creed selling electronics furniture office andy having plan case gets laid ryan admitting kelly strange power reception branch closing aired nbc united_states november according nielsen_media_research watched estimated million viewers episode broadcast march normal timeslot receiving viewership million people rating share adults aged consistent repeat series thursday nights episode retained percent adult audience lead earl branch closing received generally positive reviews television critics ign rated making season episodes deemed masterpiece explained episode perfect example office best written comedy currently air episode combines character driven humor presenting major change advances stories characters result funny enjoyable realistic half hour felt poor economy episode surely hit home number people added shows michael soul ended save day highlighted stanley reaction branch closure positive element criticized ryan kelly storyline entertainment_weekly columnist lauded episode writing want major players mix unexpected twist little revelation short term promise jim pam reunion pleased emphasis jim way wonderfully conflicting emotions michael west believed writers great job creating sense crisis resulted scranton branch instead absorbing trusted guy fans original knew going end way television pity graded branch closing
Branch Closing