After years of friendship and flirtation, it was really surprising that Erin and Andy broke up twice on The Office. In a series that has some grand office relationships at the forefront, such as Jim and Pam or Michael and Holly, it did feel like Erin and Andy had what it took to be among some of the Scranton branch's best couples. They may not have known each other as long as Jim and Pam had, but Erin and Andy did share the same lighthearted and playful dynamic.
However, beneath their silly jokes and songs, there were a lot of issues that weren’t addressed out of immaturity. In a sense, Erin and Andy had to grow up as individuals before they were able to grow as a couple, which was noticeable when Andy became even more unlikeable in season 9. While the couple had glimmers of ending up together, it just seemed it wasn't meant to be, with writers changing their plans several times due to creative decisions and scheduling conflicts.
Erin First Broke Up With Andy In Season 6 For Being Dishonest
After flirting and liking each other from afar, Andy asked out Erin in season 6, episode 10, “Murder.” The only problem was that the two were in the middle of a role-playing game and Erin didn’t know he was serious. A few episodes later in “The Delivery,” Andy asked Erin out again (this time via fax) and it worked. The two were finally a couple. However, their smitten views of each other didn’t last when Erin found out that Andy was once engaged to Angela Martin from ing. Erin and Andy were never going to make sense after this discovery because Erin felt Andy was dishonest and couldn’t trust him.
Given that Erin had also spent quite a few episodes getting close to some office workers, such as Kelly and Ryan, it wasn't surprising she was also angry towards them as well since it did make her think they didn't care for her as much as she did for them. On the other hand, this was also a perfect example of poor timing and miscommunication since Andy did reveal that he was going to tell her, but he didn't know how too. It was a really tough situation that evoked sympathy all around.
Erin Ended It A Final Time When Andy Abandoned Her
When Erin and Gabe broke up in season 7, episode 21, "Michael's Last Dundies", it was obvious Erin had feelings for Andy (who was now the manager of Dunder Mifflin). The only problem was Andy had a girlfriend named Jessica. While they continued to be friends afterward, their relationship took a romantic turn when she traveled to Florida with a few from Scranton Branch and decided she was going to stay there. It was a decision that devastated Andy but it turned into a delightful storyline as Andy realized he loved her and went to get her back (season 8, episode 18, "Last Day In Florida").
Unfortunate for Andy, their relationship didn't last long as Erin was soon left disappointed when Andy sailed off to sea in the wake of his parents' divorce (allowing Ed Helms to depart to film The Hangover Part III). This then led to her growing closer to office worker Pete and breaking up with Andy in season 9, episode 15 "Couples Discount". It was upsetting to see the two torn apart after the writers spent so long building them up, but since Helms was away for so long, it did make sense from a writing standpoint (and did have some benefits too since Erin found some independence and strength in their ending on The Office).