by So many debates have occurred over the last decade of what was “The Best Office Episodes?” While many people cannot deny the NBC hit was one of the greatest comedies off all time, there is surprisingly a lot of debate of what episodes rank as the very best of the 9 seasons show. It will vary depending on who you speak with, but as an avid fan myself, I thought I would give my selections as the 15 best.
Rather than ranking them 15th best to very best, and instigating even more debating, I thought it would be easier and fairer simply to list them in chronological order. So, with any further ado, here are the 15 Best episode of The Office.
Season One Episode Two – Diversity Day
Original Airing March 29. 2005
Description via IMDb – A special consultant is hired to teach racial tolerance and diversity at the office. Michael implies this was his idea, when in fact it was his behavior that necessitated the training.
Reason for greatness – Oh my, talk about an episode that would never fly amongst todays Woke generation. This is pure comedy gold and a sign in just their second episode of how awkward and over the top this show would grow to be. Michael fumbles through training as he remarkably is blind to how offensive he is being. This is the first time however in which the viewer see’s that his, “heart is in the right place”, no matter how horrible he may seem to be. This is a trend the show would carry with it for many years to come.
Season Two Episode One – The Dundies
Original Airing September 20, 2005.
Description via IMDb – It’s time for the `Dundies’, Dunder Mifflin’s annual awards banquet, and the staff must endure the excruciating performance of their inept MC, boss Michael Scott.
Reason for greatness – This is yet another example of, “heart in the right place” Michael Scott no matter how offensive some of the awards were. Case in point, Kevin winning the “You Don’t Want to use the Bathroom after him” award. This show is the first sign of how good this show will become as it kicks off one of its best seasons. It is also another thick layer being built of the love saga between Jim and Pam. A subtle kiss from Pam to Jim causes him to name it the, “Best Dundies Ever”.
Season Two Episode Seven – The Client
Original Airing November 8, 2005
Description via IMDb – Michael and Jan try to land a new client by taking him out to Chili’s. Back in the office Jim finds a script written by Michael called `Threat Level: Midnight’, and the workers cannot resist acting it out.
Reason for greatness – This is when the viewer starts to see just how swift Michael Scott can be, no matter how foolish he may come across. He lands a huge client during a time when the company badly needs it, simply by being himself and taking the client (Tim Meadows” to Chili’s for an Awesome Blossom and some baby back ribs. In the process, he also ends up spending the night with Jan at his apartment. Every male viewer wants to be Michael Scott during this episode, and who thought we’d ever say that?
Season 2 Episode 11 – Booze Cruise
Original Air Date – Jan 5, 2006
IMDb Description – Michael takes the staff on a motivational cruise aboard a party boat, but they seem to be distracted by among other things a limbo contest, and Pam and Roy set a wedding date.
Reason for greatness – Three episodes in one season should tell you just how great this year was, and why it was the launching point for this show. This one is as simple as sitting back and laughing as Michael has plan after plan diverted by an overbearing Sea Captain who is simply trying to do his job to entertain everyone while Michael goes into business for himself time and time again. Jim’s true feelings for Pam become apparent as well.
Season 2 Episode 22 – Casino Night
Original Air Date – May 11, 2006
IMDb Description – Dunder-Mifflin holds a casino night in the warehouse to benefit charity. While Michael faces the task of juggling two dates, Jim is forced to ponder the reality of transferring to the Stamford branch and what a future away from Scranton may look like.
Reason for greatness – It is only right an epic season would have an incredible finale. I’ll keep this one short and simple, the episode ends with the ultimate cliff hanger as Jim finally tells Pam his true feelings and kisses her. Meanwhile, Michael Scott comes out smelling like roses with two women vying for his love.
Season 3 Episode 10 – A Benihana Christmas
Original Air Date – December 14, 2006
IMDb – Michael gets in trouble when he sends out an inappropriate Christmas card, and tensions mount on the party planning committee when Angela vetos every idea that Karen comes up with, causing Karen to create a bootleg committee with Pam.
Reason for greatness – While everyone would agree that each seasons Christmas episodes are good, but perhaps, this was easily the best! It is an hour long and has several twists and turns, but sad Michael is truly classic.
Season 3 Episode 24 – The Job
Original Air Date – May 17, 2007
IMDb description – The office is still buzzing from the events of their day at the beach. A job opening in corporate pits coworker against coworker as Michael, Jim and Karen all head to New York for final interviews.
Reason for greatness – This season finale had everything as Jan gets fired, Michael has a horrendous interview for her job, and in the end, we finally get the Pam and Jim romance we always wanted. This was the definition of a season finale!
Season 4 Episode 13 – Dinner Party
Original Air Date – April 10, 2008
IMDb Description – Pam and Jim run out of excuses and must go to Jan and Michael’s house for dinner. When Dwight learns that Angela and Andy are also invited to dinner, his jealousy gets the best of him.
Reason for greatness – THE GREATEST EPISODE IN SHOW HISTORY! This is widely regarded for the best episode in show history and for good reason! Between Dwight and some old lady who used to babysit him crashing the party, to Jan’s candle room and Michael’s tiny flat screen tv, this is not stop awkard hilarity. The segment of charades is so well done, words don’t justify it. This episode should be a study for Sitcom 101. It is just soooo good!
Season 4 Episode 18 – Goodbye Toby
Original Air Date – May 15, 2008
IMDb Description – Michael wants a huge goodbye party for Toby, and turns to Phyllis to help plan it when Angela refuses. Dwight and Meredith harass Holly, the new HR representative.
Reason for greatness – Back-to-back seasons with an amazing finale! This one has everything from Toby’s departure and Michael demanding the biggest party ever for it, with thousands of his own dollars, to the debut of Holly Flack and Andy proposing to Angela. We also find out Jim was planning on proposing to Pam.
Season 5 Episode 20 – Broke
Original Air Date – April 23. 2009
IMDb Description – Michael’s new company has a hard time making early-morning deliveries; the office struggles to get expense reports in on time when Angela enforces the company policy.
Reason for greatness – Perhaps the second-best episode in show history. Shockingly, Michael’s own paper company is putting Dunder Mifflin out of business and it has them scrambling for answers to the point they offer Michael a buyout. Unknown to them, the Michael Scott Paper Company is on the verge of BK, so all of this leads to hilarious negotiations and Michael once again coming out smelling like a rose!
Season 6 Episode 4 – Niagara
Original Air Date – October 8, 2009
IMDb Description – The office mates travel to Niagara Falls to celebrate Jim and Pam’s wedding. Michael, Dwight and Andy want to hook up with wedding guests, and Jim lets a secret slip at the rehearsal dinner.
Reason for Greatness – Pam and Jim’s wedding has finally arrived and it as hilarious and disastrous as you would expect. From Pam’s highly religious Grandmother finding out Pam’s pregnant, to Michael Scott explaining why sex without a condom feels so good, and it just gets worse from there. It maybe one of the most romantic episodes however as Jim and Pam end up getting married on the Maid of the Mist with a beautiful backdrop. A truly special episode until the end when we find out Michael sleeps with Pam’s mom.
Season 6 Episode 12 – Scott’s Totts
Original Air Date – Dec 3, 2009
IMDb Description – Michael realizes that he cannot keep a decade-old promise to pay college tuition for a several children. Jim hopes an Employee of the Month award will raise spirits amidst rumors of Dunder Mifflin going out of business.
Reason for greatness – Michael fails to deliver on a promise to a bunch of inner school children, that if they complete High School, he will pay for their college. Need I say more?
Season 7 Episode 20 – The Garage Sale Engagement
Original Air Date – Marc 24, 2011
IMDb Description – When the staff hold a garage sale in the warehouse, Dwight decides to find out what he can get by only trading and starts off with a thumbtack. Meanwhile, Michael decides to ask Holly to marry him.
Reason for greatness – This is the one where Michael and Holly get engaged, and we also find out Michael is leaving the show, even before the season ends. It came from out of nowhere, but it was impactful and that is why it is on the list. That a long with Jim convincing Dwight he traded him magic seeds.
Season 7, Episode 22 – Goodbye Michael
Original Air Date – April 11, 2011
IMDb Description – Michael hopes to have a drama-free day to say his goodbyes. Meanwhile, Deangelo and Andy try to make sure Michael’s clients don’t leave Dunder Mifflin as well.
Reason for greatness – It’s Michael’s last episode and it as emotional as Hell. Impossible not to get a bit choked up in the final moments as Pam hugs him goodbye.
Season 9, Episode 24 – The Finale
Original Air Date – July 3, 2013
IMDb Description – The Dunder Mifflin staff field questions about the documentary before attending Dwight and Angela’s wedding at Schrute Farms.
Reason for Greatness – After so many other Series Finale’s failed to live up to the hype such as Seinfeld and The Soprano’s to name a few, this one did! In fact, not only was it the perfect sendoff, but it also wrapped everything up in a tiny bow.
Dwight gets married to Angela. We see emotional and hilarious parts of the documentary. The “Nard Dog” lands his dream job at Cornell, Michael Scott returns and Jim lands his dream job with Athlead, while Pam and he move to Philly.
Already extremely emotional, Creed Bratton singing “All The Faces” as the last talking heads roll out, puts a lump in everyone’s throat. Damn, I’m getting a little emotional just writing this. The perfect ending to one of the greatest shows in TV history!
