TV 101 The Office: How Bears, Beets, and Battlestar Galactica Changed Our Lives

By their nature, TV 101 Articles will contain small spoilers about each episode, if you don’t wish to be spoiled, just read episode names

Gone, but not forgotten.

After nine seasons, last Thursday NBC aired the final episode of The Office. Although the show’s final seasons weren’t nearly as good as its glory days, it was very bittersweet to see it go. Entertainment has a funny way of mirroring real life. Some things come along just at just the right time.

The American version of The Office will always be a very important to us. It premiered in 2005, and we were very different people then than we are now (thankfully). At the time I was 19 and Jeff 17, and since then we've both gone through too many changes to even resemble those kids. For myself, through going away to college, bonding over Office Nights with friends, starting my first job in theatre, moving to LA and back – there has always been a new episode (good or bad) of The Office. Watching the final episode had a bit more poignancy for me because as I was watching it, it was with a sense of finality in my own life.

Through the years there have been a bunch of great characters on that show, but the main focus has always been on Michael Scott (Steve Carell), Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Pam Beesly (Jeena Fischer) Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), and eventually Andy Bernard (Ed Helms). It’s through these characters that we follow the story of the show. I've always been a fan of Jim, he’s the character I relate to and he is the eyes I watch the show through. So in the finale, when Jim finally gets to move on from this job to go after his dream, it really hit home for me. That’s what good characters are, people we can see ourselves in. That’s what made The Office great.

By the end The Office had fallen off in ratings, and had struggled for a long time with quality. Some of the cast members had moved on (including Carell) and the rocky finish was a way of showing that the series had run its course and that it was time to move on. The 9^th and final season was actually a revival of sorts, it took two entire seasons, but The Office finally rebounded from losing Carell. If you haven’t seen the final season, it’s worth a watch. But when the show was going strong (seasons 2-5 in our estimation) it was as groundbreaking as any show on American TV. Although The Office is a remake of a British show of the same name (created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant who both serve as EP’s on the American Version), the American version grew to eclipse it's namesake. 

When The Office debuted in ’05 with its six episode first season, it barely survived. The ratings weren't good, partly due to the fact that the show was almost a carbon copy of the British series, which was far too dry and dark for an unprepared American audience. However, The Office was the first show saved by the internet. It’s numbers on NBC.com and iTunes single-handedly saved the show and allowed it, in season 2, to find its own voice. Full of awkward moments, inappropriate jokes, office pranks, and heart, season 2 had all the things that made the show amazing. Jim and Pam have become one of the most enduring and most loved couples in all of TV history, Dwight and Angela were as on again off again as any sitcom romance, and Michael was pure love. Michael cared about everything so much, too much in fact, and that’s where the best comedy of The Office comes in.

The Office was one of the first sitcoms to not have a laugh track. It focused on long form storytelling rather than episodic arcs, and it was the very first sitcom to successfully be done documentary style. Since then this style has been copied everywhere, most successfully by Parks and Recreation and Modern Family.

I think I've rambled on enough about why the show was great and how much it means to us personally, just let us repeat that this series finale is very bittersweet. The show was well past its prime and needed to end but it’s always hard to see something that was so great go away. But change is inevitable and behind every ending is the start of a new chapter. Before we close the book on The Office let’s look back on what we think are the 9 best episodes.

#9. Beach Games/The Job – S3 Ep22 & 23

Plot: These episodes aired as an hour and a half block and focus on several members of the Scranton team preparing to interview for an opening at the corporate office. In the first half, assuming he’s a shoe-in, Michael uses “beach day” to find out who will be a good replacement for him as regional manager. In the second Michael names a successor while Jim and Karen interview for the corporate job themselves.

What Makes it Great: This episode really has the perfect blend of comedy and story. There are some amazingly broad moments, such as the sumo-suit fights, as well as a very heart-felt moment of self discovery when Pam finds the confidence in herself to be honest. Also, you gotta love the entire office breaking into “The Flintstones Theme Song.”

Memorable Lines/Moments: At the end of Beach Games Pam gives one of the best speeches in the entire show, all about where she stands and what she’s ready to do. It’s both funny and heartfelt. At the end of The Job is a moment that all Office fans were craving, and Jim and Pam were finally in place to give it to us. Jim finally asks Pam out on date.

#8. Goodbye, Michael – S7 Ep22

Plot: As the office gets ready for Michael’s last day at Dunder Mifflin, Michael keeps his true last day a secret in order to make it easier on everyone. Meanwhile Deangelo accompanies a nervous Andy on a visit to an old client who would only sell to Michael.

What Makes it Great: During the final 4 seasons, this show could be described as “hit or miss” at best. But every once in a while The Office would remind us of what made it great. This is the final episode with Steve Carell, and to some the last good episode the show ever did. Goodbye, Michael is the culmination of Michael Scott’s entire story and is actually a very simple goodbye to the shows lead. It’s a very subtle episode for a show not known for its subtly.  

Memorable Lines/Moments: In an episode filled with goodbyes, it’s the final one that stands out. Pam rushes to the airport to get to say goodbye to Michael, and sometimes no line is the best line. SinceMichael has already taken off his “documentary” mic and is heading to the plane, when Pam catches up to Michael only the two actors will ever know what was really said.

Josh’s #7 – Jeff’s #2. Office Olympics – S2 Ep3

Plot: Ready to finalize his deal on a new condo, Michael is away the office while his staff comes together for a round of Olympic style games.

What Makes it Great: This is one of the defining episodes of The Office. It happens early in the series and firmly establishes every relationship in the show, some great office games are created, and Dwight trying to talk Michael out of buying his condo is priceless. Also Jim and Pam could not be cuter.

Memorable Lines/Moments: Seeing that Michael has had a rough day Jim awards Michael the gold medal for closing ceremonies in the first of many moments where the members of the office realize that sometimes all Michael needs is a little love. It’s touching and funny, and one of the first really great episodes. Jeff’s Note: This was the first episode that grabbed my heart and turned me into a die-hard fan. It made me cry, it made me laugh. All the best in entertainment. I was chasing this episode from then on.

#6. Product Recall – S3 Ep19

Plot: Michael tires to be proactive during a watermark crisis, but only makes the situation worse. Meanwhile, Angela has trouble being apologetic with customers and Andy discovers a secret about his young new girlfriend.

What Makes it Great: Product Recall is one of the first really great Andy episodes, it’s the story with Jim and Andy in the high school where this episode shines. This episode also features possibly the best Jim/Dwight prank of all time where Jim impersonates Dwight in the cold open.   

Memorable Lines/Moments: The cold open of the episode features one of the most immortal lines of the entire series. Where a culmination to the debate of which bear is the best bear (after “False, black bears”) was not good enough, Jim as Dwight concludes that “Fact: bears eat beets. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.” This episode also features a second great mock of a co-worker when after Andy revels that he uses the term “beer me” in every day language Jim gets out the car, looks to the sky and say “Lord, Beer Me Strength.”

#5. Dwight’s Speech – S2 Ep17

Plot: Michael coaches Dwight on giving a speech after he is named salesman of the year for Dunder Mifflin. Meanwhile Pam plans her wedding.

What Makes it Great: This episode is here because of pure comedy. Jim gives Dwight a list of public speaking tips based on Italian dictator Mussolini and then Dwight delivers them perfectly to a very supportive crowd. It’s nothing short of comedy gold. The smaller story of Pam and Jim is very good and showcases what the early part of their relationship was all about. 

Memorable Lines/Moments: Dwight’s speech is all gold. “Blood alone moves the wheels of history” Awesome… just awesome.

#4. The Injury – S2 Ep 12

Plot: Michael suffers an injury at the hands of his George Forman grill that distracts the staff from the real injury in the office, Dwight’s concussion.

What Makes it Great: The glory of this episode is that beyond being hilarious at every turn it also studies the duality of Michael and Dwight. It’s fascinating to see Michael be the selfish child who craves attention to the point where he distracts from the selfless Dwight who actually injures himself trying to help Michael. It’s a study in contrast that is amazing to watch.

Memorable Lines/Moments: The scene where Jim and Michael take Dwight to hospital is possibly the single funniest scene in the entire show, and yet we have 3 more episodes to talk about. The line “You can’t fire me, I don’t work in this van” is still a part of my vernacular and on one of my favorite t-shirts (thanks Jeff!)

Josh’s #3 – Jeff’s #7. The Initiation – S3 Ep5

Plot: Dwight takes Ryan (the newest salesman) to his beet farm to initiate him now that he no longer a temp. Meanwhile it’s Pretzel Day and Pam fights a losing battle to get Michael to work.

What Makes it Great: A pure comedy episode that opens up the universe and explores some of our minor characters. We finally get to see a vulnerable side of Dwight and Ryan, as well as getting more of the Stanley character. The jokes all land in this episode, which is hard to say in most shows, so in this episode it’s a wonderful treat. Jeff’s Note: This ranked lower for me than Josh, but I love the fact that we see Michael’s value. He looks like a misbehaving child all day, but before leaving for the day has signed a massive new account. Michael is the manager for a reason, and that is the fact that he is the greatest salesman in the entire company.

Memorable Lines/Moments: The first time we see Dwight’s beet farm, and as Ryan plants some seeds into the ground Dwight says “And just as you have planted your seed in the ground. I am going to plant my seed in you.”   

2. The Dundies – S2 Ep1

Plot: The time has come for the annual Dundies and Michael Scott is the only person who is actually looking forward to it.

What Makes it Great: This is one of the best episodes of the series because it reinvented the entire show. The Dundies is the episode that showed how this show would be different from the British version and it ensured the show’s survival. Michael Scott had a heart, he liked his job and the people he worked with. Because of this, and the improved writing, this series proved it was own independent entity. It added heart to the characters and set everything on its path.  It also really set in motion the greatest love arc in the series. Jim and Pam have their first real moments of connection – in a Chili’s.

Memorable Lines/Moments: It’ very hard to pick just one moment of this episode, it could be the end of the show, the “Tiny Dancer” montage, or it could be Pam stepping up to bail Michael out, but I think what stands out the most is Pam acceptance speech for “whitest sneakers” which ends with the great line “So, finally, I wanna thank God, because god gave me this Dundie and I feel God in this Chilli’s tonight.”

#1. Casino Night – S2 Ep22

Plot: In the season two finale, Michael holds casino night for all Dunder Mifflin employees and everyone gets more than what they bargained for.

What Makes it Great: It hits all the right notes. It’s funny, dramatic, entertaining, captivating and is storytelling of the highest quality. Casino Night delivers on an episodic level and a long term story level. For a Jim and Pam fan like me, this is the episode that we love and hate at the same time. It’s a culmination of the entire season while giving just a hint of what we really want, our couple to be happy: even if only for a fleeting moment.

Memorable Lines/Moments: the end of this episode is Office legend and all-around amazing. Jim and Pam’s kiss is everything it should be. Hopeful, yet full of questions, with just a peek at what’s in store. Given the fact that he’s planning to leave Scranton, kissing an engaged woman just days before her wedding is a bold move for Jim, bold move. Yet you can’t help but root for him. Plus this episode boasts the best line of Tobey hatred ever: “I hate, so much about the things that you choose to be.”