Written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Joss Whedon, the episode originally aired in the United States on November 1, 2007, on NBC.
The episode marks the return of season three recurring actor Rashida Jones, who plays Jim's former girlfriend Karen Filippelli, now Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Utica.
In revenge, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) and Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) trick Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) into traveling to the company's Utica branch, where the group attempts to play a prank on Karen.
Meanwhile, Pam Beesly, Oscar Martinez, and Toby Flenderson form a "Finer Things Club", discussing literature, music, and the arts.
"Branch Wars" was the second Office episode directed by Joss Whedon, the creator of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly.
[5] Oscar Dahl, a senior writer for BuddyTV, gave the episode a favorable review and stated that "Tonight's Office was possibly the funniest of the season.