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"The Merger" is the eighth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series ''The Office'' and the show's 36th overall. It was written by consulting producer Brent Forrester and directed by Ken Whittingham. It first aired on November 16, 2006, as a special "super-sized" 40-minute (including commercials) episode on NBC. The series depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton and Stamford branches of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. In this episode, the two branches are merged. Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) have an awkward reunion, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) tries to make his new employees feel welcome, and a rivalry begins between Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and Andy Bernard (Ed Helms). The episode featured recurring guest stars Helms, Creed Bratton, Rashida Jones, Wayne Wilderson, Mike Bruner, and Ursula Burton. According to Nielsen Media Research, an estimated 8.63 million viewers watched "The Merger" on its first broadcast. Critical reception to the episode was mainly positive, with many reviewers spotlighting Helms and his character in particular as highlights. ==Synopsis== The Scranton and Stamford branches prepare for the upcoming merger. Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) professes excitement over the merger, mostly because of the return of Jim Halpert (John Krasinski). Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) 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." A rivalry between Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and Andy begins over the No. 2 position in the office. At the welcoming party, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) plays a videotape he has created called "Lazy Scranton", which features him and Dwight rhyming over the music of ''Saturday Night Lives "Lazy Sunday". Michael embarrasses overweight new employee Tony Gardner (Mike Bruner) by attempting to push him onto a table with the rest of the new employees; this causes Tony to quit. However, an angered Michael fires him instead, unintentionally entitling him to severance pay. Michael learns that Jim is the No. 2 in the office, which prompts Andy and Dwight to argue over who is No. 3. After a plan to unite the employees goes awry, they find that they have a common interest: their contempt of Michael. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Merger (The Office)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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