Just how rewatchable is The Office? Well, consider the fact that the question most often asked by fans when the iconic comedy series comes up in conversation isn’t “Have you watched The Office?”, but instead, “Do you watch The Office?”, even though the show has been out of production for a decade.
The Office was the most-watched series of 2020 on any streaming platform because of its addictive humor and the relatability to everyday life. Amidst the chaos of downsizing and losing sales, Dunder Mifflin saw life in its romances, eccentric characters and relationships that had built over time. The Office has the perfect harmony of casting and humour that leaves viewers asking for more after the first watch.
20. “Dinner Party”
“Dinner Party” is a rare specimen where putting-a-hat-on-a-hat works as Michael and Jan’s dinner with their colleagues turns into a multi-tiered delicacy of disasters. How many dinners climax with a quarrel on multiple vasectomies? The episode balances dark and cringe humour as the characters brace for an uncomfortable infinity. What makes the episode stand apart is the sense of closure it brings to the Michael-Jan debacle. The lingering awkwardness in the corrosive couple faces a mirror that is equally disturbing and satisfying. What stays with the viewer is the authenticity of the dysfunctional relationship and its eventual collapse. The episode is also historic in its own way for having no rewrites in the writer’s room, making it a destined winner in comedy.
19. “Diversity Day”
Written by B.J Novak,“Diversity Day” is beyond the debate of has-it-aged-well? It is the comedy in its premise that makes the episode soar. Michael is coached on diversity but takes the matter into his own hands with a more offensive pursuit. At the center of the story is Michael’s innocence and childlike oblivion in public narratives, which ends with a much-deserved slap on his face. The episode can also claim its ranks because it gets diversity right. Beyond having diverse writers and characters, the episode portrays the complexities of a multicultural nation and its fixation on being a salad bowl or a melting pot of hybrid identities. Comedy is never born out of convenience, and “Diversity Day” makes a meal out of it.
18. “Threat Level Midnight”
The brilliance in the episode is the metanarrative of a film within a film and great actors playing horrible actors. There is an unsaid sorcery behind intentional bad filmmaking. When irony flirts with comedy, inhibitions are set free and imperfections feel human. As films such as The Room and Troll 2 enjoy cult status for being bad films, Michael’s “Threat Level Midnight” further legitimizes this niche subgroup of cinephiles. The episode is cautious of mocking Michael while elevating his innocence. His film just like the series is really a peak into his world of doing what he loves with the people he loves the most.
17. “The Negotiation”
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This episode has stood the test of time by blending dark humour with the awkwardness of corporate relations. A lot happens in the episode, starting with a heroic move by Dwight and then Michael’s estimation of his value in the company. Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series, “The Negotiation” is memorable for highlighting the cruel nature of the corporate world. A salary negotiation for an employee turns into a grave realization for Michael as he realizes his own worth. Michael Schur, has woven threads of comedy and lust into a complete marvel of an episode, with many of the prime characters having their own aha moments.
16. “The Dundies”
“The Dundies” serves as a fitting start to the second season of The Office. Taking a much lighter turn than the episodes in the first season, the episode delves into corporate awards and the much-talked-about absurdity of such events. Michael is the most excited, though, as he prepares for a supposedly glittery night, at least in his mind. Ably assisted by Dwight, the two embark on an embarrassing display of awkward moments and some offensive activity. Other characters in the show seem to fight their own battles, taking the opportunity of an award night in the sleepy town of Scranton. Directed by Greg Daniels and written by Mindy Kaling, the episode sets the perfect tone for the show’s upcoming seasons.
15. “Office Olympics”
A much talked about episode till today, “Office Olympics” is a unique episode which combines the tones of real estate in America and, well, the Olympics! Michael finally decides to own an apartment of his own, taking Dwight along to meet his broker. Dwight investigates for loopholes while office shenanigans take shape in the absence of the boss. The episode stands out as a bonhomie of friendship and sportsmanship, with each one in the office making a mark with their creativity. One gets to witness several heartwarming moments in “Office Olympics,” as sparks fly and emotions run amock. Nancy Carell makes a guest appearance in this episode written by Michael Schur.
14. “Goodbye Toby”
Probably the best season finale in the entire show, “Goodbye Toby” is spread across two episodes in Season 4. As the title suggests, Toby is leaving the office, leaving someone the happiest in the office. A gala party is thrown, while the new HR in office succumbs to a huge conspiracy involving Kevin. It turns out as one of the funniest episodes of The Office, as proposals, misunderstandings, and a major pregnancy dominate as lifelines of the show. People are caught red-handed doing illegal activities in the office, while the ending reveals another huge shock for the viewers. Paul Feig directs this masterpiece which still comes across as a major rewatchable episode.
13. “The Job”
This heartfelt episode, ends up as the perfect ending to the much-acclaimed season. Paul Lieberstein & Michael Schur team up as writers to carve a season finale that leaves the viewers in splits. Enticing Michael at the beginning of “The Job” with her antics, Jan seals the future of her relationship with a confused Michael. The hunt for the most suitable candidate for the corporate job in New York gets intense as a slew of candidates interview for it. With Dwight unleashing his own plans for the Scranton branch with Andy by his side, the episode unravels into a series of comedic encounters. It finally ends on a sweet note, presenting fans with the most awaited moment of the entire season.
12. “Money”
“Money” gets sensitive about Michael’s spending habits making it amazing fodder for comedy. Michael takes the lead throughout the episode, standing out as one of Steve Carell’s finest performances in the show. Living with an unemployed and unreasonable Jan in the recent past and the coming future, Michael is heading towards the brink of bankruptcy. He reaches out to Oscar for help, who discovers astonishing trends in Michael’s spending habits. On the other hand, Jim and Pam explore Dwight’s beet farm. Written and directed by Paul Lieberstein, Money touches upon the grave issue of mounting credit card debt but gives it an extremely humorous twist. Michael declares bankruptcy quite literally, making it one of the most quoted and hilarious moment in television comedy.
11. “Diwali”
Written by Mindy Kaling, the episode explores some discomfort between the characters and Michael’s cultural curiosity and unawareness about the Indian culture. Kelly invites the entire office to a Diwali party, which generates a curious yet hilarious discussion in the office regarding the history of the festival. Michael decides to take his new girlfriend to the party, played by Steve Carell’s real-life wife, Nancy Carell. The Diwali gathering turns out be an awkward affair with an impromptu proposal. A completely different scene unfolds in the Stamford branch between Jim, Karen and Andy. “Diwali” made The Office one of the first shows to depict any Indian festival in television making it a direct outcome of having a diverse writer’s room.
10. “Christmas Party”
“Christmas Party” involves Michael setting out to form his own rules to spice up a boring office Christmas party. Written by Emmy and BAFTA-winning director Charles McDougall, the episode witnesses the Christmas party being ruined by Michael as he turns the traditional game of secret Santa into a game of Yankee Swap when he ends up gifting an expensive gift to Ryan. The rules of the game are changed, Michael is blamed, and the party ends up being disastrous. This is one of the first episodes in The Office, which subtly shows the most immature side of Michael, which continues to define the show in the subsequent episodes. One can rewatch this episode again for the sweet moments between Jim and Pam as their relationship shows early signs of being serious.
9. “Broke”
“Broke,” directed by Steve Carell himself, is the 25th episode in the fifth season. The episode views Michael, Pam, and Ryan running their own paper company, capturing clients from Dunder Mifflin on the way. Jim continues to witness tense relations with Charles, played by Idris Alba. David Wallace grows wary of the Michael Scott Paper Company while Michael tests his negotiation skills eventually. The episode gives an interesting take on Michael’s entrepreneurial skills and his loyalty to his friends. Receiving highly positive reviews at the time of its release, Broke is tense and takes the risk of bringing business to the forefront of the plot. Steve Carell was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in this very episode.
8. “The Duel”
Editor Dean Holland wears the directors cap in this episode, which turns out as a defining moment for Andrew Bernard. Infidelity remains the central theme of the episode, with the equation between Andy, Angela and Dwight heating up. Several scenes were reportedly improvised in this episode, which finally puts an end to the lingering relationship between Andy and Angela. Michael and David Wallace have a brief conversation, with Michael being at his usual best. “The Duel” was noted for its references to the looming financial crisis in America in 2008, while it also served as the point where the perception towards Andy changes in the show and Angela too finds her most awaited arc in the episode.
7. “Golden Ticket”
This episode is a comedic ride of ups and downs as Michael decides to include a promotional offer inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. As expected, he messes up and stares at huge losses to be faced by the branch. The episode goes on to explore Michael’s double standards, witnessing a positive turn of events in the end. Mindy Kaling served as the writer for this classic episode directed by Randall Einhorn. Golden Ticket is not talked about the most but stands out for its innovative insight into Michael’s marketing tactics. One forgets that Michael might be short-sighted in most things, but is genuinely a good salesman. “Golden Ticket” is one of the rare episodes which defends Michael’s position as the Regional Manager even though he is not free of mistakes.
6. “Casino Night”
A bittersweet finale to the second season, “Casino Night” has emerged as a fan-favorite. Written by Steve Carell, Casino Night finally sees Jim and Pam opening up to each other with their feelings after a fun night at the Casino. Michael makes a big goof-up with two of his love interests, while Kevin reveals a secret talent. The episode gained wide acclaim at the time of its release, even though the makers reportedly had some differences regarding the contents of the episode. Dwight and Angela also go on to show slight hints of an emerging friendship, which takes a central seat in the show eventually. The scenes between Jim and Pam remain one of the most authentic portrayal of love, as Pam blushes and Jim looks away in a game of cards in order to hide his emotions. When it comes to the couple, the show believed in show rather than tell and this episode is quintessential of it.
5. “Goodbye Michael”
Being Steve Carell’s last episode on the show, “Goodbye Michael,” written by Greg Daniels, remains one of the most watched episodes of the show. It has heartwarming scenes of Michael with Dwight, Pam, and Jim as he makes a major life decision. The episode is replete with comical instances between the characters while being heartbreaking at the same time. Will Ferrell stars in the episode as Diangelo, while Andy goes a step higher in finally being an effective salesman. Steve Carell marked the end of an era as he decided to leave the show midway, which was the most successful project in his career at the time. The Office reached its peak because of Carell’s brilliance and making the episode fitting as the series bid adieu to the actor and his most loved character. Most actors claim many of the emotions expressed in the episode were unfiltered.
4. “The Injury”
One of the most absurd, yet insanely funny episodes, “The Injury” has been rated as one of the best episodes of The Office. Michael ends up burning his foot on a grill one morning and frantically calls the office for help. What follows is a series of unbelievably comical scenes led by Dwight and the others. The episode was critically praised for touching upon the topic of disability through absurdist humor. The episode has become a subject of internet memes over the years, with its brilliant dialogues and nonsensical comedy. The writer, Mindy Kaling, also states “The Injury” to be her favorite amongst all other episodes written by her.
3. “Booze Cruise”
Another hugely popular episode of The Office, “Booze Cruise” is directed by Ken Kwapis and written by Greg Daniels. Amy Adams and Rob Riggle star as guest actors in the episode, which views a tussle between the captain of the ship and Michael. Michael makes plans for the cruise in all good spirits, only to be overshadowed by the captain. A crazy antic frenzy ensues, with Michael making all efforts to stand out in the crowd. Panic, proposals, break-ups, dances, and mayhem are packed in this highly rated episode and the writing of the episode never feels chaotic. A surprising scene emerges at the end between Michael and Jim.
2. “Andy’s Play”
“Andy’s Play” is an episode where Andrew Bernard gets to be at the center of the episode which makes it special. The cold open starts with Andy’s theater group performing Sweeny Todd as a promotional gig to invite the staff to his play. Erin decides to babysit for Jim and Pam and Michael feels disheartened for not grabbing the role he auditioned for in the play. The performance of Ed Helms soars high in this episode as Andy gets the much deserved spotlight to show off his singing and theatrical chops. The show does not go as planned with several comedy-of-errors in place, making it a classic episode where humor comes from series of accidents all ending with smiles.
1. “Stress Relief Part 1”
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Considered to be one of the best episodes of The Office alongside “Dinner Party,” “Stress Relief” is a two part episode which has one of the most iconic cold open of the series. In the first part, Dwight tricks the office to a fake fire hazard to test if his colleagues were paying attention to his fire safety presentation. His plan goes awry when Stanley has a heart attack because of his stress. Unlike most episodes, the cold open acted as the premise of the episode rather than being a stand-alone bit. The episode is a laughter riot as the office settles for order in chaos as Michael ruins their every attempt. Jeffery Blitz won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for “Stress Relief” for capturing comedy in chaos in the documentary style.
