"Livin' the Dream" is the twenty-first episode of the ninth season of the American comedy television series The Office and the 197th episode overall. It originally aired on NBC on May 2, 2013. The episode guest stars Michael Imperioli as Sensei Billy, and was initially scheduled to air in its half-hour timeslot, before being expanded to a full hour.
The series—presented as if it were a real documentary—depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. In the episode, Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) decides to pursue a career as a professional actor, and quits his job at Dunder Mifflin. Meanwhile, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) finally receives his black belt in karate from his new sensei (Imperioli) and, on the recommendation of Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), is promoted to Regional Manager of the Scranton branch. Jim reconnects with Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer), and makes it clear that he will choose her over Philadelphia.
The episode received a 1.8/5 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, ranking third in its first half-hour timeslot and fourth in its second, marking a slight increase in the ratings from the previous episode. "Livin' the Dream" received mostly positive reviews from television critics. Critical praise mainly went towards the dynamic between Jim, Pam and Dwight, particularly for the former two's reconciliation and the latter's promotion. Andy's subplot, meanwhile, received more mixed reviews.
Synopsis
CEO David Wallace (Andy Buckley) plans to fire Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) due to his missing work for acting gigs. However, Andy tells David he is resigning to pursue his dreams of stardom full-time, and David is relieved to not have to dismiss him. Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) finally receives his black belt in karate from his new sensei, Billy (Michael Imperioli). Seeing Dwight's tenacity and devotion, David is inspired to make Dwight Andy's replacement.
Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) has returned to Scranton full-time, saying he has realized that he cannot devote himself to both his family and his new job, and has decided to go "all in" on his family since that is what makes him most happy. David asks Jim his opinion on promoting Dwight, and Jim says that, despite Dwight's various eccentricities, he deserves the job and will be a great manager. Dwight is elated that he has accomplished his dream; proudly exclaiming the news to the office. He appoints Jim the new assistant to the regional manager. Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson) informs Jim that Athlead has found a buyer and wants them to do a promotional tour around the country for three months. With undisguised regret, Jim says he will not do the tour because he cannot put his wife Pam (Jenna Fischer) through that, unaware that Pam is listening in.
Everyone in the office tells Andy that quitting is a foolish move and he has no chance of achieving stardom. Andy eventually goes back on his decision, and David allows him to stay on in a sales position. However, mere hours later Andy feels that he is sticking with his Dundler-Mifflin job only because it is safe and that he has to take a shot at achieving fame. Fearing his conviction will falter a second time, he decides he cannot simply quit, but get fired. To do this, he initially tells Toby (Paul Lieberstein) to enter falsified and incriminating information in his record. After this fails, he attempts to grope Toby. Andy eventually resorts to shouting obscenities at David and defecating on his car, which is successful at getting him fired. Andy bids farewell to his coworkers with an unexpectedly moving rendition of "I Will Remember You", prompting them to comment to the documentary crew that he may have star potential after all.
Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey) had gotten divorced, and is evicted from her studio apartment after her cats were taken away by Animal Control. She considers living in a tent in the woods, prompting Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nunez) to offer her to stay with him until she gets back on her feet. She accepts with gratitude. As they set off to take Angela's things to Oscar's place, Oscar mentions her marriage to Robert Lipton and she breaks down into tears, saying "I love him." However, she denies she still has feelings for Robert and confesses she was talking about Dwight, and Oscar comforts her as she cries.