The CBS comedy DMV wrapped up the first part of its season with a holiday episode full of big chances and even bigger interruptions. In Season 1, Episode 9, titled “The Next Window,” the crew from the East Hollywood branch traveled to a holiday party at the Sacramento headquarters, known as “Big Sac.” For Colette, the event was her best opportunity to finally tell coworker Noa how she feels. But the night took an unexpected turn for everyone, changing the game for their jobs and their personal lives.
The Road Trip to Big Sac and Colette’s Plan
The episode saw Barb, Colette, Noa, Gregg, and Vic make the six-hour drive from Los Angeles to Sacramento for the California DMV’s holiday party. The long car ride was especially important for Noa, who had recently broken up with his girlfriend, Mary. For Colette, played by Harriet Dyer, this trip was her moment. She saw Noa’s new single status as a “window” that was open, but she knew it might not stay open for long.
Colette’s goal was to impress Noa and help him get over his breakup, all while trying to show her own interest without seeming desperate. The writers of the show placed her in a difficult spot, wanting to explore what happens when someone has to choose between being a good friend and going after what they want.
“We wanted to put Colette in that spot of, what do I do here? The window is open, do I take the high road? Should I be a friend?” said co-showrunner Matt Kuhn.
As the party went on, Colette decided to take the high road. Instead of making a big romantic move, she gave Noa sincere advice about his situation with Mary. This choice made Noa see her in a new light, as someone with valuable insight, and the two shared a sweet dance together. It seemed like her patience and kindness were finally paying off.
Barb’s Big Save and a New Ally
While Colette was focused on Noa, branch manager Barb had a much bigger crisis on her hands. The entire reason for the trip was to save the East Hollywood DMV from being shut down. Consultants have been evaluating which local branches to close, and Barb was desperate to persuade the big bosses in Sacramento to keep her team employed.
Barb’s plan, however, went very wrong. In her eagerness to talk to the director, she accidentally tackled him at the holiday party. Just when it seemed her actions had doomed the branch, help came from an unexpected place.
Enter Sally, played by special guest star Leslie Jones. Sally is the director’s executive assistant and immediately stepped in to manage the chaotic situation. The show’s creators described Sally as “a Barb plus, someone who’s more Barb than Barb,” and said that the famously optimistic manager had finally met her match.
By the end of the party, Sally promised Barb that she would put in a good word with the director regarding the future of the East Hollywood branch. This hint suggested that Barb’s team might be safe from termination, at least for now.
A Bittersweet Return and a Closed Window
The episode’s emotional climax happened when the group returned home to East Hollywood. Feeling encouraged by their connection at the party, Colette was ready to confess her feelings to Noa as they got out of the car. But in a moment the show’s bosses called “bittersweet,” Colette’s window was slammed shut.
Waiting in the parking lot was Noa’s ex-girlfriend, Mary. She had come to rekindle their romance, and the two immediately got back together, right in front of Colette. Colette was left heartbroken, her chance gone just seconds before she could take it.
Other Office Stories: Gregg, Vic, and Kevin
The holiday episode also continued stories from the previous week. In Episode 8, titled “Splash Fountain,” Gregg had bonded with a customer service representative named “Kevin” while trying to order a new chair. Unbeknownst to Gregg, “Kevin” was actually an AI helpline, not a real person.
Vic discovered the truth but, seeing how happy the friendship made Gregg, decided to impersonate the AI to keep his friend from feeling silly. In Episode 9, Gregg finally learned the truth about “Kevin.” Co-showrunner Dana Klein mentioned this storyline was inspired by a real, confusing experience.
“I still don’t know to this day if I spoke to AI or an actual human, but it was a very funny thing,” Klein said.
When to Watch and What Comes Next
DMV Episode 9, “The Next Window,” aired on Monday, December 8, 2025, at a special time of 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The episode is available to stream on Paramount+. Viewers with a Paramount+ Premium subscription could watch it live or on-demand after it aired. Those with the Paramount+ Essential plan could access the episode on-demand starting Tuesday, December 9.
This episode served as the midseason finale. New episodes of DMV will return with the second part of Season 1 on Monday, February 23, 2026, at its regular time of 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
As for what’s next for Colette and Noa, the show’s creators plan to explore their relationship further, but as friends. “We want to explore them getting to know each other a bit as friends in the second part of the season,” Dana Klein shared.
