With The Office nearing its series finale at the end of season 9, the cast and crew waste no time planting the seeds for conflict in the premiere episode “The New Guys.
On the Jim and Pam front, the episode reveals that Jim rejected an offer from a college friend for an entrepreneurial sports dream-job because he didn’t think it would make sense for Pam and their child. By the end of the episode, however, Jim calls back his friend without Pam’s knowledge and accepts the position, which would require him to move to Philadelphia. Both characters comment on the monotony of their own lives, so this development looks to shake up the established order and add some much needed drama into their relationship once more. Expect Jim’s job to be the major story arc of this season.
Andy is back from leadership training and wants revenge on Nellie for taking his job last season.
Kelly leaves the show during the premiere, on her way to Miami, Ohio accompanied by her husband.
Oscar is shown speaking on the phone with Angela’s husband, Senator Robert Lipton, implying an affair is taking place that could throw the office into turmoil.
Dwight finds out that he’s not the father of Angela’s baby, and begins a rivalry with one of the new characters nicknamed “Dwight, Jr.”
Two new characters, Clark (Dwight, Jr.) and Pete (The New Jim), are introduced.
While this season is looking up, the show’s ratings are down 46 percent from last fall, with 4.3 million viewers, and a 2.1 rating with the 18-49 demographic.
The Office airs on Thursdays at 9/8c.