The Office (2005 — 2013)

The Office (2005–2013) is a US sitcom that follows the daily work lives of office employees at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It aired on NBC for nine seasons, from March 24, 2005 to May 16, 2013. Adapted from the British series of the same name by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, it was created for American television by Greg Daniels. While its short first season received mixed reviews, subsequent seasons, particularly Steve Carell’s performance, were highly praised by critics. The show’s characters, content, structure and tone diverged greatly from the original British version. These standout seasons appeared on numerous end-of-year ‘best TV shows’ lists and earned multiple awards, including a Peabody Award in 2006, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe for Carell’s performance and four Primetime Emmys (including Outstanding Comedy Series) in 2006.

Season 1 (2005). In its first season, the series presents six episodes, making it the shortest of the show. We are introduced to Dunder Mifflin’s staff as branch manager Michael Scott leads a tour for a documentary crew and new temp Ryan Howard. During this time, we see salesman Jim Halpert develop feelings for receptionist Pam Beesly. Together, they pull pranks on their colleague Dwight Schrute, despite Pam’s engagement to warehouse employee Roy Anderson. As rumors of downsizing from headquarters begin to spread, the office is filled with tension and fear. However, Michael chooses to ignore or downplay the situation in an effort to boost employee morale.

Season 2 (2005–2006). The second season of the series consists of 22 episodes, including a ‘super-sized’ episode lasting 28 minutes. Background workers from the first season are now featured as secondary characters, several of whom start to form romantic connections. Michael has a brief encounter and spends the night with his boss, Jan Levinson, but their relationship does not progress further. Meanwhile, Dwight and Angela’s secret romance blossoms, while Kelly develops feelings for Ryan and they begin an on-and-off dating situation. As Roy finally sets a date for his wedding to Pam at a company booze cruise, Jim becomes disheartened and considers transferring to the Stamford branch in Connecticut. However, in the season finale, he confesses his love for her.

Season 3 (2006–2007). The third season of the show includes a total of 25 episodes, with 17 half-hour episodes, four 40-minute ‘super-sized’ episodes, and two one-hour episodes. It begins with a flashback to the season two finale, ‘Casino Night’, where Jim kissed Pam and confessed his love for her. After Pam affirms her commitment to Roy, Jim temporarily transfers to Dunder Mifflin’s Stamford branch. However, the Stamford branch is eventually forced to merge with the Scranton branch by corporate. This merger is taken very seriously by Michael. Along with several other Stamford employees who all end up quitting early on, saleswoman Karen Filippelli (whom Jim starts dating) and Andy Bernard join the Scranton branch through this merger. Following her broken engagement to Roy, Pam is now single, leading to complex dynamics between her, Jim, and Karen.

Season 4 (2007–2008). NBC initially ordered 30 episodes for the fourth season, but due to the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, only 19 were produced. This included a mix of nine half-hour and five hour-long episodes. Karen left the Scranton branch after her breakup with Jim, taking on the role of regional manager at Utica branch. Meanwhile, Jan moved into Michael’s condo with her candle business but their relationship ended during a dinner party with Pam, Jim, Andy, Angela and Dwight. After Dwight’s well-intentioned yet crude method of putting down Angela’s sick cat without her permission, she began dating Andy instead, leaving Dwight heartbroken. Ryan was now living in New York City and tried to modernize Dunder Mifflin with an online sales website. However, he soon found out that David Wallace favored Jim and attempted to sabotage his career. As a result of misleading shareholders and fraudulent sales numbers related to the website, Ryan was arrested and fired from his position.

Season 5 (2008–2009). The fifth season includes 28 half-hours of content, split into 24 half-hour episodes and two hour-long episodes. During one episode that aired after Super Bowl XLIII, Jim asks Pam to marry him at a gas station between Scranton and New York City where they meet for a visit. Despite moving to New York, Pam decides to come back to Scranton where Jim purchased his parents’ house for them. Meanwhile, Ryan avoids jail time and is sentenced to community service. He bleaches his hair and begins working at a bowling alley. Michael starts a romantic relationship with Holly but their happiness is cut short when she is transferred to the Nashua branch in New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Andy discovers Dwight and Angela are still seeing each other and both men leave her. The new Vice President Charles Miner implements strict management practices which cause Michael to quit in protest. In response, Michael starts his own paper company in the same building as Dunder Mifflin, inviting Pam and Ryan to join as salespeople. However, his business is not sustainable and Dunder Mifflin’s profits are soon at risk.

Season 6 (2009–2010). In the sixth season, there are a total of 26 half-hours worth of content, which includes 22 half-hour episodes and two hour-long episodes. During this season, significant events take place, such as Jim and Pam getting married and welcoming their daughter Cecelia Marie Halpert. Meanwhile, Andy and Erin develop feelings for each other, but their natural awkwardness creates obstacles when Andy tries to ask her out during a murder-mystery game. Jim also receives a promotion as co-manager. The future of Dunder Mifflin is uncertain as rumors of bankruptcy swirl around, ultimately leading to the company’s acquisition by printer company Sabre Corporation during the Christmas season. While some executives are let go, the Scranton branch remains due to its relative success. In light of these changes, Michael Scott becomes the highest-ranked employee at Dunder Mifflin. And in the season finale, Dwight purchases the office park.

Season 7 (2010–2011). The seventh season includes a total of 26 half-hours, with 21 episodes lasting 30 minutes, one longer episode and two hour-long episodes. This marked the end of Steve Carell’s time playing Michael Scott, as NBC chose not to extend his contract. Zach Woods, who plays Gabe Lewis, was made a regular cast member from this season on. The relationship between Erin and Gabe causes tension for Andy as he tries to win her back. Holly, Michael’s ex-girlfriend, returns to Scranton to temporarily take over for Toby who is serving on the ‘Scranton Strangler’ trial jury. Michael and Holly rekindle their romance and get engaged. In a surprising turn of events, Michael announces he will be moving to Colorado with Holly to assist her aging parents. Jim and Pam adjust to parenthood while Angela begins dating state senator Robert Lipton and gets engaged off-screen in the finale.

Season 8 (2011–2012). The eighth season of the show has 24 episodes, with a new addition to the cast: James Spader as Robert California, the new CEO of Dunder Mifflin/Sabre. In light of Robert’s arrival, Andy is promoted to regional manager and puts in a lot of effort to impress him. This includes asking Dwight to be his second-in-command. Both Pam and Jim are expecting children – their second child, Phillip – at the beginning of the season. This coincides with actress Jenna Fischer’s real-life pregnancy. Angela is also pregnant with her first son, named Philip, who is believed to be fathered by State Senator Robert Lipton, though it is hinted that Dwight may actually be the biological father. Meanwhile, warehouse foreman Val catches Darryl’s attention. As part of a special project for Sabre, Dwight travels to Tallahassee, Florida with Jim, Ryan, Stanley, Erin, and temp Cathy Simms. However, it becomes clear that Cathy has other plans – she intends to seduce Jim.

Season 9 (2012–2013). The 25 episodes of the final season see a lot of changes among the characters. After completing Outward Bound manager training, Andy reverts to his old, arrogant self and leaves both Erin and the office behind to sail around the Caribbean with his brother following his parents’ breakup. During this time, Erin develops a relationship with new customer service representative Pete, who joins the team alongside fellow newcomer Clark, replacing Kelly who moves to Ohio with her new husband. (Ryan also moves to Ohio for reasons unrelated to Kelly.) Meanwhile, Jim is offered an exciting job opportunity at Athlead, a sports marketing company in Philadelphia, by an old college friend. Darryl also joins the company, but unfortunately, the distance and time commitment strain Jim’s marriage with Pam. Angela has her own struggles to deal with as she discovers her husband’s affair with Oscar while also navigating her lingering feelings for Dwight, who inherits his family’s beet farm. Dwight receives even more good news when he is chosen by David Wallace to be the new manager after Andy quits to pursue an acting career which quickly fizzles out following a humiliating performance on a viral web sensation similar to American Idol.