 " Branch Wars " was the second Office episode directed by Joss Whedon , the creator of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly . Whedon had previously directed the third season episode " Business School " . The episode was the seventh Office episode written by Mindy Kaling , who also acts for the show as customer service representative Kelly Kapoor . " Branch Wars " marked the return of Karen Filippelli , who was a regular as a member of the Dunder Mifflin Stamford branch , and later Dunder Mifflin Scranton in the third season . Her last previous appearance was the fourth season premiere Fun Run , although she only appeared in one scene . Utica salesman Ben Nugent , although not appearing on screen , is heard via a telephone conference and shares the same name as Kaling 's former real @-@ life boyfriend , Benjamin Nugent . 
