While The Officeconsolidated its place in television history after an incredibly successful nine-season run, there were legitimate questions about the show’s direction after Michael Scott’s departure. Steve Carell left The Office in season 7, naturally leaving a massive void to fill. Michael Scott’s absence left a mark on the series, and new characters such as Robert California (James Spader) and Jo Bennett (Kathy Bates) were introduced to fill it. Alongside Carell, a number of The Office‘s main actors left the show prematurely, but their withdrawal rarely affected the quality of the series.
Season 9, episode 31, “Finale,” is testimony to this with an impressive 9.8/10 rating on IMDb. The finale effortlessly brought to a close character conflicts while giving the main characters of The Office a perfect ending. The series dynamics had to change following Michael’s exit, and through combining long-standing members of the series with secondary characters, it finds a new purpose while maintaining the humor at the heart of the series.
10. The Introduction Of Robert California
Season 8, Episode 1, “The List.”
Robert California is introduced as the first replacement for Michael Scott at the beginning of the penultimate season, although audiences were not particularly receptive to California’s character when the eighth season aired. Since then, Robert California has become The Office‘s most underrated character. As the CEO of Sabre, California is only present for one season of The Office, but he makes a notable impression on the paper company and its workers alike.
There are many standout moments owing to Spader’s portrayal, but his introduction in episode 1, “The List,” establishes the intensity of his character immediately. This episode conducts interviews for Michael’s job under the supervision of Jim, HR representative Toby, and Sabre’s coordinating director, Gabe.
California unnerves Jim with his unorthodox and peculiar approach to the interview, and later has the same effect on Dwight, who is sitting in the building’s lobby, as he leaves. It’s an incredibly effective introduction to Spader’s character that becomes even funnier in the following episodes once California returns as the company CEO, in retrospect of his initial disinterest in the company.
9. Andy Convincing David Wallace To Buy Back Dunder Mifflin
Season 8, Episode 23, “Turf War.”
“Turf War” is Robert California’s final episode, and the last one to feature Gabe as a regular character. There are a number of plot lines here, including the regular escapades between Jim and Dwight, but the return of David Wallace is the episode’s standout. Andy reconnects with the former CFO with a proposition for him to buy back Dunder Mifflin. David goes ahead with the purchase in the following episode and pays off Robert California.
This is definitely one of the more overlooked moments in The Office‘s later seasons, but it’s a significant turning point for both characters, nevertheless. Andy had a weak run as the office manager, but this negotiation with David is his finest moment. Andy rarely displays initiative, but this moment is exactly that, while proving that he truly cares about the direction of the company and his colleagues.
Andy firmly believes that the business would be better under David’s supervision, which creates a nice completion to David’s character growth, too. David’s return is more rewarding after his rocky exit, and as the individual who often championed Michael, it was good to see his character back on course.
8. Oscar’s Secret Affair With The Senator
Season 9, Episode 7, “The Whale.”
Angela announces that she has married the Senator over the summer at the beginning of season 8, after an on-again, off-again relationship with Dwight. It is the episode “The Whale,” where Angela suspects her husband may be having an affair. The events that transpire are tense as Oscar joins Angela in her investigation, and worries she may be onto them both.
Oscar’s affair with the Senator may be an unusual entry on this list, but the trio’s love triangle is one of the more interesting post-season 7 storylines. Oscar had always been an integral character, but the affair involved him in one of The Office‘s central stories.
This meant that Oscar became one of the strongest characters in the last two seasons after Michael left. Angela discovers the pair’s affair in “The Whale,” which ended up resulting in an incredibly strong bond with Oscar. The affair was the birth of a genuine friendship, which was one of the most wholesome aspects of the show, especially after Angela and Oscar’s strained working relationship from the first season.
7. Wallace Appointing Dwight As The New Regional Manager
Season 9, Episode 21, “Livin’ the Dream.”
From season 1’s debut, fans had plenty of time to accept the fact Dwight would likely never run the branch, which makes this moment all the more satisfying. His authoritarian approach to management meant that Dwight made some unfavorable choices in earlier seasons that hindered his chance at becoming Regional Manager.
With Michael’s absence and all the other former Sabre executives out of the picture, it was the perfect moment to appoint Dwight as Dunder Mifflin’s new manager.
With Michael’s absence and all the other former Sabre executives out of the picture, it was the perfect moment to appoint Dwight as Dunder Mifflin’s new manager. David Wallace was the more appropriate choice to appoint him, having accompanied him throughout his journey.
His previous actions, while regrettable, underscore his character development and the worthiness of the role. In a manner completely becoming of Dwight, he climbs on a table to announce his new position and his colleagues celebrate his promotion alongside him. It’s very touching, especially when Jim enters the room and shares a hug with his ‘arch nemesis.’
6. Dwight Proposing To Angela
Season 9, Episode 22, “A.A.R.M.”
Jim and Pam’s relationship is unquestionably the most popular in The Office, but Dwight and Angela were destined for each other since the first season. The pair encountered a great deal more hardships in their relationship than Jim and Pam, and this ultimately made audiences question whether they would end up together.
Throughout the duration of “A.A.R.M,” Dwight battles with his feelings as he draws his relationship to an end with the neighboring farmer, Esther. Jim ultimately helps Dwight make his decision, which leads to one of the most entertaining proposals not only in The Office, but in the entirety of sitcoms.
Dwight and Angela’s proposal is an indicator of how far they’ve come, after beginning their relationship in secret at the beginning of The Office. It was surprisingly touching, earning its spot in the best moments of the season, but it serves as the clarification needed on the paternity of Angela’s baby, Phillip, which confounded viewers over a number of episodes.
5. Kevin Finds A Better Career For Himself
Season 9, Episode 23, “Finale.”
As the newly appointed Regional Manager, Dwight had to make tough decisions, including layoffs. While this may seem harsh, it is necessary for Kevin’s best interests. In truth, Kevin was a terrible accountant, and he became increasingly difficult to defend. This moment came full circle after Oscar uncovered over staffing in accounting when he was tasked with making cuts earlier on in the series.
As shown during “Finale,” Kevin leaving Dunder Mifflin was beneficial as he finds his calling as a bar owner in Scranton and reworks things with his former boss, Dwight. One cut storyline in The Office season 9 explains how Kevin bought his bar after he was fired from Dunder Mifflin.
While some theories speculate that Dwight fired Kevin to prevent him from being arrested for insider trading, Kevin’s dismissal is more reflective of his longstanding incompetence as an accountant and was long overdue in the grand scheme of Dunder Mifflin’s productivity.
4. Ryan And Kelly Running Away Together
Season 9, Episode 23, “Finale.”
After Kelly and Ryan’s ‘will they? won’t they?’ relationship throughout The Office, it is nice to see Ryan finally come to terms with his feelings for her. It was also a very fitting moment for both their characters to disregard their responsibilities and run away together, as they were known for their recklessness and spontaneity. During Dwight and Angela’s wedding, Ryan leaves his child behind with Nellie, who is set on adopting the baby. Ryan’s repeated failures to mature highlight his lack of character growth, despite ample opportunities.
Regardless, it would be difficult not to enjoy any aspect of Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak’s on-screen relationship, and their ending was even more appropriate considering The Office stars’ real relationship inspired their characters’ dynamic. The pair were writers for the show for many years, and during their time provided some of The Office‘s best episodes, such as “Local Ad,” and “Niagara.”
3. Erin Meets Her Birth Parents
Season 9, Episode 23, “Finale.”
Erin was involved in multiple plot lines throughout The Office‘s final seasons, but Erin’s backstory was more upsetting than others. The receptionist was seen to have multiple personal conflicts, but her lack of parental role models always took precedence. At often times, Erin turned to Michael as a paternal figure. Though reluctant at first, his relationship with the upbeat receptionist flourished.
Erin may not have featured in as many seasons as its legacy characters, but reuniting with her birth parents was a testament to how important she had become over the course of the series. From her introduction to the show, Erin made her struggles with foster care very clear.
During the panel of the documentary in the finale, her birth parents surprise her with their appearance, hoping to make up for lost time. It is definitely one of the more unexpected moments in the finale, and it happens at the one moment that Erin least expects it. The fact that she is surrounded by her friends who encourage her to acknowledge what is happening makes the moment even more special.
2. Pam Paints A New Mural For The Warehouse
Season 9, Episode 23, “Finale.”
Pam unveils her mural for the warehouse in The Office‘s finale. After being vandalized by one of the warehouse workers, Frank, Pam creates a new painting which is far more meaningful. It features every character from The Office, as well as multiple buildings and landmarks from Scranton, PA. The finale is full of so many wonderful moments, that this is arguably one of its most underrated ones.
The painting is not only representative of Pam’s enduring journey as an artist, but of the office as a whole.
The painting is not only representative of Pam’s enduring journey as an artist, but of the office as a whole. The mural epitomizes the found family trope, and it is perfect Pam was assigned the task by Nellie, who wanted to boost the office morale. It’s safe to say that Pam’s mural did that and much more, and the newfound saleswoman was right to be proud of herself as the final product was outstanding.
1. Jim Surprises Dwight As His Best Man With Michael Scott’s Attendance
Season 9, Episode 23, “Finale.”
Technically, this final moment does include Steve Carell, but Michael Scott’s return in the final episode still stands the test of time as one of the best moments in sitcom history. The Office’s finale could have been ruined by Carell’s cameo, but thankfully, the writers understood the importance of giving their remaining characters satisfying endings.
Jim’s last prank on Dwight is one of the most memorable moments of the show, and the long awaited return of Michael Scott was enacted perfectly. The episode seamlessly resolved the friendships of the main characters and provided a satisfying closure.
It also subtly suggested that the cast members remained connected after the show’s conclusion. It was revealed Michael was living happily with Holly in Colorado, and their two sons. Although Holly is not present at Dwight and Angela’s wedding, Michael’s quiet contentedness speaks volumes to how happy he was after his departure from The Office in season 7. It really is Jim’s “best prank ever.”
