merger office merger eighth episode season american comedy television series office 36th overall written consulting producer directed aired november special super sized minute including commercials episode nbc series depicts everyday lives office employees scranton branches fictional dunder mifflin_paper_company episode branches merged jim_halpert john_krasinski jenna_fischer awkward reunion michael_scott steve_carell tries new employees feel welcome rivalry begins dwight_schrute rainn_wilson andy_bernard ed_helms episode featured recurring guest stars according nielsen_media_research estimated million viewers watched merger broadcast critical reception episode mainly positive reviewers character particular highlights synopsis scranton branches prepare upcoming merger jenna_fischer excitement merger return jim_halpert john_krasinski andy_bernard ed_helms man scranton weeks time repetition personality breaking rivalry dwight_schrute rainn_wilson andy begins position office welcoming party michael_scott steve_carell plays created called lazy scranton features dwight music saturday night live lazy sunday michael overweight new employee attempting push table rest new employees causes tony quit angered michael fires instead unintentionally pay michael learns jim office prompts andy dwight argue plan unite employees goes find common interest contempt michael production merger fourth episode series directed written consulting producer writing credit office episode featured guest appearances recurring actor ed_helms characters joined scranton branch weekly blog guide actress stated fun episode film able work variety new actors added double size double comedy like party week shooting episode season dvd contains number deleted scenes including kevin angela reacting jim return karen noting meredith offered alcohol andy introducing kevin michael telling karen eventually share cycle hannah meredith fighting desk space andy asking kevin lost weight michael performing magic trick office original broadcast contained small subplot involving kevin new paper kevin talks given responsibility work content long let documents removed episode dvd release contained deleted scenes reception merger broadcast november united_states national_broadcasting_company nbc special promotion network broadcast super sized minute episodes office rock earl according nielsen_media_research estimated million viewers watched episode adults aged earned ratings share meaning seen percent year olds percent year olds watching television time broadcast episode reached second place night demographic fourth week major networks ign rated merger indication amazing episode called opening sequence arguably funniest scene believed andy proven better source office unhappy outright product placement staples writing quality felt little compromised thing blatant product placement reality like survivor american idol great scripted comedy kinda reality level chicago_sun-times thought episode funnier praising kelly criticizing fat guy joke cited michael andy new relationship positive element television pity graded episode entertainment_weekly columnist praised fischer performance writing nice pam coming love didn jim walked ran right west highlighted explaining michael completely steve_carell vulnerability aol writer enjoyed performance believing sic andy dwight surely classic moments concluded review makes great supporting players chance shine right moments thought stanley reactions situation creed great deserves
The Merger (The Office)