Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
The Swindon employees arrive in Slough after their branch closes, and Brent has a new boss in Neil Godwin. Neil clearly explains his authority while Brent tries to make the relationship sound more equal. Tim, now promoted, approaches work with unusual seriousness and argues that his paid position gives him more standing than Gareth's team-leader title. He also keeps Dawn at a distance, cutting short the easy conversations they previously shared.
Brent wants the newcomers to see him as an entertainer, but his welcome speech has the opposite effect. Neil can make the staff laugh without forcing it, while Brent responds with offensive jokes and increasingly strained explanations. Jennifer and Neil have to speak to him about his behaviour. Brent treats their objections as a failure to understand his humour and keeps trying to justify himself to the people he has already made uncomfortable.
Rachel, one of the new arrivals, catches both Tim's and Gareth's attention. Their attempts to speak to her turn into another argument about which of them has the right to pursue her. Tim eventually relaxes his new professional manner enough to invite Dawn to wind Gareth up with him. Their familiar friendship returns, but it creates a tense scene when Lee finds them dancing together. Lee pushes Tim away from Dawn in front of the office, abruptly ending the moment.