Changes: Livin' the Dream

Revision as of 03:52, 13 November 2017

"Livin' the Dream" is the twenty-first episode of the ninth season of the American television comedy series "The Office" and is the show's 197th episode overall. It aired on May 2, 2013.

In this episode, Andy attempts to get enough strength to quit his job and pursue his dream as an actor. Dwight receives his black belt in karate from his new sensei (Michael Imperioli). Jim returns to Scranton and spends time with Pam.

Synopsis

Chief Executive Officer David Wallace talks to the camera crew about him informing Andy that he was on real thin ice after Andy was lying to him saying that he was in Dunder Mifflin, but was really on his boat for three months. but after learning that Andy was gone for a week, he informs the camera crew that "the ice gets thinner and thinner and you fall into the water, which means he's fired". Although, Andy attempts to get enough strength to quit his job and pursue his dream as an actor and talks to David about it in his office before he even had the chance to fire Andy. He changes his mind twice about it, but eventually he makes up his mind and leaves the office. As a goodbye, Andy serenades the rest of the office employees, who initially dismissed Andy's dream as a giant mistake, with a beautiful and moving rendition of Sarah McLachlan's song "I Will Remember You".

Meanwhile, Dwight receives his black belt in karate from his new sensei. Seeing Dwight's tenacity and devotion, David is inspired to promote Dwight to the regional manager. Jim returns to Scranton and spends time with Pam. Dwight then appoints Jim the new assistant to the regional manager. Darryl informs Jim that Athlead has found a buyer and they are set to travel around the country for three months. Jim tells Darryl he cannot leave Pam for an extended period of time. Pam is seen overhearing their conversation in the bathroom.

Angela is evicted from her studio apartment after cats have been taken away from her by Animal Control, and that she is considering living in a tent in the woods, prompting Oscar to offer her a chance to stay with him. And in the end of the episode, Angela breaks down into tears informing Oscar that she still loves Dwight.

Cultural references

Stanley compares Andy to Lil' Romeo.

Connections to previous episodes

Amusing details/Trivia

The official Office Darryl Philbin "GetGlue" sticker was released alongside this episode.
As of this episode, all five of the new employees transferred from the Stanford branch have left the Scranton branch for good:
- Tony Gardner announced he was quitting, prompting Michael to fire him instead in The Merger.
- Martin Nash quit in the episode The Convinct after his colleagues learned of his past and Michael made a big deal out of it.
- Hannah Smoterich-Barr filed a complaint against the company and left (off screen) between the episodes A Benihana Christmas and Back From Vacation.
- Karen Filippelli transferred to the Utica branch between the episodes The Job and Fun Run (as seen in a flashback in the Fun Run episode) after breaking up with Jim.
- And finally, after having been sent to anger management between The Return and The Negotiation, having been fired in Angry Andy and hired back in Free Family Portrait Studio, and being AWOL between The Boat and Couples Discount, Andy Bernard quits in this episode to pursue an acting career.

Cast

Main Cast

Supporting Cast

Guest Cast

Michael Imperioli as Dwight's Sensei
Andy Buckley as David Wallace

Gallery

Dwight got his black belt
Angela is passing through a rough patch
Pam and Jim reconnecting
Dwight Schrute is the new office manager!
Andy makes a choice about his career
Andy sings his farewell to he office
Andy takes a dump on David's car
Darryl has an offer for Jim

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 **[[Martin Nash]] quit in the episode [[The Convict|The Convinct]] after his colleagues learned of his past and [[Michael Scott|Michael]] made a big deal out of it.
 **[[Hannah Smoterich-Barr]] filed a complaint against the company and left (off screen) between the episodes [[A Benihana Christmas]] and [[Back From Vacation]].
-**[[Karen Filippelli]] transferred to the Utica branch between the episodes [[The Job]] and [[Fun Run]] (as seen in a flashback in the latter episode) after breaking up with [[Jim Halpert|Jim]].
+**[[Karen Filippelli]] transferred to the Utica branch between the episodes [[The Job]] and [[Fun Run]] (as seen in a flashback in the Fun Run episode) after breaking up with [[Jim Halpert|Jim]].
 **And finally, after having been sent to anger management between [[The Return]] and [[The Negotiation]], having been fired in [[Angry Andy]] and hired back in [[Free Family Portrait Studio]], and being AWOL between [[The Boat]] and [[Couples Discount]], [[Andy Bernard]] quits in this episode to pursue an acting career.