DWIGHT IS ASSIGNED A SPECIAL PROJECT

“SPECIAL PROJECT” – After Dwight gets assigned a special project at Sabre headquarters in Tallahassee, he and Andy try to decide which Scranton employees get to go with him. Meanwhile, Pam returns from her maternity leave. Two-time Emmy winner James Spader, Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson and Ellie Kemper also star.

Ashamed, Jim admits his guilt to Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) who, although upset, understands Jim’s plight. He, therefore, agrees to help Jim cover up his story by telling the now-suspicious office workers that he drove Jim to the court house every morning. Soon, Jim and Andy begin disagreeing whether or not they should continue the charade or admit the truth. Jim eventually does the latter, much to the chagrin of his fellow co-workers.

To smooth things over, Jim and Pam bring in their children, Cece and Phillip respectively, to present pictures that they drew for the co-workers. It is heavily hinted that Jim and Pam drew the pictures themselves to appease their co-workers, but before the members of the office can berate the couple, Cece and Phillip begin crying loudly, creating a cacophony that forces Pam and Jim to leave early. The office workers admit that they understand the stress of having children, and ultimately, don’t fault Jim for his behavior.

Meanwhile, Angela (Angela Kinsey) and her husband, the state senator welcome, their new baby, also named Phillip. Oscar, Kevin, Erin, and Gabe all visit Angela at the hospital. According to Angela, the baby was born prematurely, but due to the size, Oscar correctly deduces that Angela lied about the date of conception. Angela admits that the baby was conceived a month before her wedding, but makes him promise not to tell anyone. Oscar later breaks his promise to Dwight, who barges in on Angela and her husband and begins thoroughly examining the child.

When the senator leaves, Dwight confronts Angela about the child, claiming that it is his. She refutes his claim, but Dwight leaves satisfied, telling the attending nurse to call of the baby’s circumcision. The episode ends with Dwight marveling at his new-found fatherhood.

“Jury Duty” is the thirteenth episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show’s 165th episode overall. The episode aired on NBC in the United States on February 2, 2012.

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JIM RETURNS FROM JURY DUTY-JACK COLEMAN GUEST STARS

“JURY DUTY” – After Jim returns from jury duty, Dwight questions him on every detail of his case. Meanwhile, Angela and the senator (guest star Jack Coleman) welcome their new baby. Watch a sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper and Zack Woods also star.

The two flirt outrageously whenever Andy is close by, although it seems to do little to help Erin. In a last-ditch effort, Erin and Dwight challenge Andy and Jessica to a game of Chicken. Dwight and Erin make it their mission to not go undefeated, however, Dwight passes out in the water, ending the game. Erin later finds Andy’s missing ring and gives it back.

Meanwhile, Robert gives everyone a tour of his massive home. Robert spends most of the time opining about the parties he never had. He offers everyone a free bottle of wine from his wine cellar and the staff proceeds to get drunk. During these escapades, Jim is always trying to find an excuse to leave the party and return to his wife and kids. However, Robert insists that Jim continue along with the tour. Finally, Robert realizes that he is hosting one of the parties he never had, at which point he jumps into the pool completely naked, followed by Gabe and Ryan, who have each been battling to impress him. Jim takes this as his cue to leave, sneaking away before anyone notices he’s missing.

“Pool Party” is the twelfth episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show’s 164th episode overall. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on January 19, 2012.

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ROBERT’S LAST HURRAH

“POOL PARTY” – After Robert (two-time Emmy Award winner James Spader) decides to sell his mansion following his divorce, Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) suggests that he have a office pool party. Erin (Ellie Kemper) tries to make Andy (Ed Helms) jealous by flirting with Dwight (Rainn Wilson). Meanwhile, Robert gives everyone a tour of his massive home. Watch sneak peeks from tonight’s episode:

John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson and Zach Woods also star.

Andy, encouraged by Darryl (Craig Robinson) and Jim (John Krasinski), decides to take the entire office to Philadelphia in an attempt to win the money and make up the sales growth difference. At the bar, which turns out to be a gay bar called the Liberty Well, Andy divides the office into three teams Dunder Mifflin A-Team (Jim, Darryl, Andy, and Ryan), Dunder-Mifflin B-Team (Stanley Hudson, Phyllis, Creed, and Kathy), and the “Just For Fun” team (Kevin, Kelly, Erin, and Meredith). Oscar refuses to join Andy and stays on his original team.

Initially, the Dunder Mifflin A-Team does well until they soon falter. However, much to Andy’s surprise, the “Just For Fun” team (calling themselves The Einsteins) ends up doing much better than expected, due to the group’s trivial knowledge on a variety of issues. Humorously, the team misses the answers to a handful of common questions, including one about their namesake. They make it to the final round against Oscar’s team and eventually win thanks to Kevin’s correct answers.

Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) heads down to Florida to meet with Robert California at the Sabre headquarters to discuss a possible manager position. While sitting in the waiting room, Dwight talks to Gabe, who describes himself as the “toilet of the company” who flushes all the unwanted items away. Robert then tells Dwight that he can’t meet with him but will have him meet with Bill, another executive, much to Dwight’s frustration.

However, Robert manipulates the situation by secretly calling Gabe and instructs him to not to speak with Bill either, but to have Gabe listen to Dwight’s pitch and then reject him. Dwight, after being told by Gabe that he is not wanted as a manager, physically grabs a hold of, and twists Gabe’s arm and forces him to be taken to Robert’s Florida condo.

Initially, Robert tries to spare Dwight’s feelings, but eventually turns him down by telling him he’s a better salesman and his drive and energy would be wasted in a manger’s position. Dwight then returns to Scranton.

“Trivia” is the eleventh episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show’s 163rd episode overall. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on January 12, 2012.

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ANDY TRIES TO FIND A WAY TO MEET HIS GOAL OF DOUBLING SALES

“TRIVIA” – When Oscar (Oscar Nunez) joins a trivia night contest, Andy (Ed Helms) decides to get the whole office involved. Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) visits Sabre headquarters to explore other job opportunities. Watch sneak peeks from tonight’s episode:

James Spader, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper and Zach Woods also star.

Andy becomes concerned about Erin’s behavior, not least because Robert California has revealed that his marriage is ending and spends a good deal of the party hanging out with Erin. When Andy has to drive a drunken Meredith home, he sees Erin getting into Robert’s car and he follows them with a look of panic on his face. However, he covertly witnesses Robert being a gentleman and sending Erin off to her apartment with a hug and words of encouragement, and drives away with a smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Jim’s (John Krasinski) pranking has caused Kathy to ask Andy to move her to a different desk. In turn, Andy sternly tells Dwight and Jim to quit their childish behavior. He tells them that the next one to pull a prank will lose their Christmas bonus, and the target of the prank will get the prankster’s share. Unfortunately, Andy’s plan backfires, as both Dwight and Jim attempt to frame the other. Jim loudly releases his credit card information hoping Dwight will steal it and buy something ridiculous. However, Dwight orders a $200 dollar bouquet of flowers for Pam. Dwight then proceeds to put a porcupine in his desk and blame Jim.

However, a verbal slip-up causes him to inadvertently reveal his intentions. Jim, in retaliation, defaces a picture of his daughter, CeCe, and blames Dwight. After Andy mentions that defacing a picture is a fireable offense, Jim admits he staged the crime. Andy admits to Jim that he’s nixing the bonus-loss plan, he just wants their behavior to not interfere with their job performances. Jim promises Andy to tone the jokes down and tells him he will tell Dwight. Meanwhile, Dwight continues to deface his own property, writing “Jim is awesome” on his car and “Idiot” on his forehead. Jim, smirking, tells the camera that he needed to tell Dwight something, but can’t quite remember.

“Christmas Wishes” is the tenth episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show’s 162th episode overall. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on December 8, 2011. It was written by co-executive producer Mindy Kaling and was directed by Ed Helms in his directorial debut.

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ANDY GRANTS EVERYONE’S HOLIDAY WISHES

“CHRISTMAS WISHES ” – Andy (Ed Helms) tries to make this year’s Christmas the best ever by granting each person’s holiday wishes. Meanwhile, Robert California (two-time Emmy Award winner James Spader) tries to drown his sorrows at the office party. Watch sneak peeks from tonight’s episode:

Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, Craig Robinson, Ellie Kemper and Zach Woods also star.

Andy asks everyone in the office treat her poorly to drive her out, which makes everyone uncomfortable as they like her, but end up doing so nevertheless. When Susan notices their behavior, she talks to Robert, who asks Andy to discuss the issues with Susan in the conference room and leaves. Susan eventually realizes it was Robert’s idea to drive her away. When they call Robert out, he vehemently denies it. Andy claims that Jim also heard him say he didn’t want her working at the office, which Jim overhears, prompting him to quickly escape.

Being blocked by the security gate, Jim runs all over the building, but Andy and Robert catch up to him, forcing him to come clean. He doesn’t come clean, but says that he enjoys working with his wife Pam. Andy and Jim leave the conference room and after a short while, Robert and Susan leave. In the parking lot, Andy apologizes to Susan and after brief small talk, Susan asks Andy out on a date, leaving him surprised.

Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) opens a gym in the building, which intrigues Darryl (Craig Robinson), who’s been looking to lose weight to impress the new female warehouse worker Val. When Darryl sees the gym, it is only filled with his farming equipment as exercising equipment. Darryl says he needs actual equipment, which Dwight finally gets, but sees that Darryl is barely using it. Dwight asks more employees to join to help motivate Darryl to exercise harder.

During a bench-press, Dwight refuses to spot Darryl unless he says his motivation to working out. Darryl finally says it’s to impress Val, though Dwight confuses her with male actor Val Kilmer.

“Mrs. California” is the ninth episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show’s 161st episode overall. The episode aired on NBC in the United States on December 1, 2011.

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