Brent is as embarrassing and pompous as ever, forcing an autograph on a bemused passer-by out shopping. And after another tepid reception from a leery nightclub crowd, Brent tells his agent Pete that he wants to go on Michael Parkinson's show. Some chance.
Meanwhile, Gareth, played by Mackenzie Crook, is revelling in his new-found authority, organising the Christmas party with a staff brainstorming session.
Brent is saddened to learn that he is 'no longer welcome' at Wernham-Hogg after yet another run-in with his bitter rival Neil. And he admits from a motorway lay-by that his new office is, in fact, his car - although he has picked up a new friend: a dog called Nelson.
He has also embarked on a disastrous round of Internet dating. One encounter quickly goes wrong after he starts discussing breasts.
Disclosure of these details will jolt the BBC which had gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the plot under wraps. The episodes were filmed amid tight security over six weeks in August and September in Teddington, West London, and Spain - which doubled as Florida.
But, in an amazing blunder worthy of David Brent himself, the scripts were accidentally posted to beauty salon owner Jo Hiley, 26, at her home in Saffron Walden, Essex, although they had been meant for a BBC technician called Andy.
She said: 'I'm a huge fan of The Office so it was bizarre when these scripts came through my front door. I'm a bit scared that people will blame me for letting this slip.'
Gervais admitted that even The Office's stars did not know the outcome of the series. 'The actors didn't get the full scripts unless it was absolutely necessary,' he said.
Fans will be delighted to learn, however, that most of the Wernham-Hogg team are still there.
But Dawn, played by Lucy Davis, has left the company for a new life with fiance Lee in Florida. She returns to Slough for Christmas, when her passion for Tim, played by Martin Freeman, is undimmed, despite her new baby.
A major highlight of the new shows is Brent's appearance at a nightclub's Blind Date-style contest, dressed as Austin Powers. Needless to say, he isn't picked and is barracked by the audience.
But there is hope when Brent becomes smitten with another date, Carol, who remains seemingly oblivious to his many shortcomings.
The show ends at the Christmas party. Brent has a final look round his old office before poignantly turning off the lights and leaving for the last time.
There is one additional surprise - and it is a big one, too. But to find out what it is, you will have to tune in . . .
Gervais has said: 'The Office is a finite piece of work so the end will be a summing-up to tie up all the loose ends. I wasn't tempted at all to do a third series - I knew it wouldn't be as good and it would taint series one and two as well. The specials are the best thing I've ever done.'
The Office will be broadcast on BBC1 at 10.15pm on Boxing Day and 10pm on December 27.
