It looks like Andy is about to make a major comeback on "The Office." The recently fired boss made his play to get back at Robert California in the 23rd episode of the season, titled "Turf War." As it turns out, Andy is enlisting the help of another former Dunder Mifflin employee in his quest to regain his job. This episode clearly set up some interesting points for the season finale. Here is a look at what happened on the May 3 episode of "The Office," and how it might impact the finale.
Andy bounces back.
After a drunken Robert closes the Binghamton branch, the salesmen all scramble to take over the new clients. It turns out that one of the company's biggest clients is in play, and Robert is making sure that the salesmen stay away until he figures out who deserves to make the pitch. An opportunistic Andy takes advantage by rushing to meet with the client. He ends up selling him, and uses his new leverage as an attempt to get his job back. Robert scoffs at his blackmail attempt, leading Andy to seek another buyer. That buyer turns out to be former boss David Wallace. Andy offers him a chance to invest in Dunder Mifflin once again, and Wallace seems more than interested.
Jim and Dwight work together.
"The Office" is always at its best when Jim and Dwight try to be partners. That was the case in this episode, and the majority of the laughs came from them. The two team up to try and land the big client before a Syracuse salesman does. Dwight does his best to try and stall the other guy, but his efforts don't get him anywhere. In the end, all three are beaten out by Andy. The episode ends with the guys talking about their dreams, and the Syracuse salesman gives them a dose of reality. He says that Robert is running the company into the ground, a sentiment that seems to change Jim's mood.
Robert's strange voicemail.
During his drunken evening, Robert leaves a voicemail for Nellie that he doesn't remember. She tells him that her answer is "Yes, yes, yes, yes, and never." Desperate to figure out what he said on the phone call, Robert enlists Pam to help him. She ends up stealing Nellie's phone, and the two listen to a series of depressing voicemails regarding her money problems and failed adoption attempts. Feeling guilty, Pam erases the messages before they get to Robert. She ends up warming up to Nellie a little bit after that.
What does it all mean?
The fact that Andy stole a major client on his own is pretty similar to what happened with Michael Scott when he was fired during the fifth season. David Wallace was on the other side of that feud, but now he is on Andy's side. Will he become the new boss of Dunder Mifflin? What will become of Robert, who seems to be on a downward spiral? How will Jim handle the idea that the company might be going away? It looks like it will be a busy season finale, and this episode did a great job of setting it all up.
