Spoilers from this episode beyond the cut.

Things that happened

We pick up from the events of last episode: Dwight’s working at Staples and Andy Bernard is trying desperately to be Michael’s new best friend. Best of all, though, Oscar is back from his gay-cation. Michael gets progressively more annoyed with Andy’s brown-nosing, which prompts Andy to only try harder. Jim, sensing an opportunity, plays a prank on Andy (cell phone in the ceiling) that sees Andy just completely lose his mind and, eventually, punch through dry wall. Everyone at Dunder-Miflin is so exasperated by Andy that they pretty much realize they want Dwight back, and so Angela confesses to Michael the real reason for Dwight’s New York trip and, after a beautiful reunion at Staples, Dwight is rehired and returns to the office just in time for Oscar’s Mexico-theme welcome back party.

Things that were good

• I’m loving how Michael’s character has progressed over the last few episodes. He’s still the same guy, but now he’s delivering his terrible jokes and puns with this kind of steely calm. It’s like now that he has Jan (sorta), he doesn’t need friends so desperately. It’s a great character arc, and the Andy character has really helped bring it to the forefront.
• Jim and Pam. They’ve put the whole story on the back burner for a lot of this season, but that was a great moment in the conference room at the end of the episode.
• Jim telling Ryan that he liked him better when he was a temp. And then Ryan agreeing with him.
• So many other little touches: Angela being amazing. Dwight’s job interview techniques. Michael deciding that Oscar’s Mexican-ness is his most important quality (as opposed to his gayness). Andy reeling in the Big Tuna. Andy saying “Get my beer on. Get my Lost on.” Andy’s ringtone.

Things that were not so good

• Was this Andy’s last episode? I would assume so — they could do one more with him, I guess — which means the Stamford staff has dwindled down to just Karen remaining. I kind of wish they had kept at least one person, just to show a little bit of progression and not wrap things up so neatly. Because I’m assuming Karen will be gone by the end of the season.
• Not enough Creed. I hear there’s a great Creed moment included in the Producer’s Cut on nbc’s site but they won’t let me view it because I’m not American enough for them. What the hell is that about?

Worth watching if…

You’ve been watching The Office this season. I really think the whole Stamford arc — these last 14 episodes — as funny as they were watching them every week or so, would be even better watching them back-to-back. There’s so many little callbacks and so much character progression, especially from Michael and Jim, that I think they’ll play great on DVD back-to-back. As a standalone episode, it’s still funny, but even more than is normal with this show, this is an episode that is funniest when taken in sequence.

In Five Words

Officially funnier than Arrested Development.

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