The essential episodes of The Office

Watch these 12 in order and you've got The Office — each pick states its reason.

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · July 9, 2001 · 30m

    Downsize7.8

    Brent learns that his branch of the paper merchants might be closed down, but promises he won't allow any redundancies.

  2. 02

    S01E02 · Season 1 peak · July 16, 2001 · 30m

    Work Experience7.9

    Donna, the work experience girl, has her first day dominated by a dirty picture of her boss that's been e-mailed around the office.

  3. 03

    S01E03 · Top rated · July 23, 2001 · 30m

    The Quiz7.7

    It's Tim's birthday, but it's also the annual quiz night. Brent and Finchy vow to maintain their unbeaten record.

  4. 04

    S01E04 · Top rated · July 30, 2001 · 30m

    Training7.3

    It's staff training day. However, Brent soon starts to undermine the management consultant. It's all too much for Tim, who resigns.

  5. 05

    S01E05 · Top rated · August 13, 2001 · 30m

    New Girl7.3

    Though he's supposed to be making redundancies, Brent hires a new secretary. And later, it's beers all round as the team go to Slough's top nightclub.

  6. 06

    S01E06 · Top rated · August 20, 2001 · 30m

    Judgement7.4

    It's bad news as Brent hears his Slough branch is to be merged. Though there will be job losses, his position is safe.

  7. 07

    S02E01 · Top rated · September 30, 2002 · 30m

    Merger7.6

    Award-winning sitcom, filmed documentary-style and set in the offices of a Slough paper merchant. A group of well-trained and highly motivated personnel come over from Swindon.

  8. 08

    S02E02 · Top rated · October 7, 2002 · 30m

    Appraisals7.8

    After a disastrous fire drill, David completes the staff appraisals and then tries to improve his popularity with the ‘Swindon lot'. Gareth has his eye on the new girl.

  9. 09

    S02E03 · Season 2 peak · October 14, 2002 · 30m

    Party7.9

    David Brent is made an offer he cannot refuse, while Gareth turns on the charm and Trudy's birthday celebrations turn a little raunchy.

  10. 10

    S02E04 · Top rated · October 21, 2002 · 30m

    Motivation7.6

    Brent finds a new string to his bow and makes some easy money moonlighting, while Gareth finds a kindred spirit in a visiting IT specialist.

  11. 11

    S02E05 · Top rated · October 28, 2002 · 30m

    Charity7.5

    It's Red Nose Day, and the staff are in a charitable mood, but David Brent receives some devastating news.

  12. 12

    S02E06 · Series finale · November 4, 2002 · 30m

    Interview7.4

    David Brent says his goodbyes after being retrenched from Wernham-Hogg. Tim finally plucks up the courage to talk to Dawn before she leaves for America.

Shows like The Office

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

  1. 01Comedy·Drama·CrimeThe essential episodes of Fargo2014·FXMartin Freeman also stars·Also on Hulu8.6
  2. 02Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of The Simpsons1989–present·FOXStreaming on Disney PlusThe Simpsons is the longest running scripted show in US television history.8.1
  3. 03Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of Family Guy1999–present·FOXAlso on HuluFamily Guy follows Peter Griffin the endearingly ignorant dad, and his hilariously offbeat family of middle-class New Englanders in Quahog, RI.7.5
  4. 04ComedyThe essential episodes of South Park1997–present·Comedy CentralStreaming on Paramount Plus PremiumSouth Park is an adult comedy animation show centred around 4 children in the small town of south park.8.3
  5. 05Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of American Dad!2005–present·FOXAlso on HuluIn American Dad!, Stan Smith leads the all-American family in this animated sitcom filled with wild and crazy extremes.7.5
  6. 06Comedy·Adventure·Science-FictionThe essential episodes of Rick and Morty2013–present·Adult SwimAlso on HuluRick is a mentally gifted, but sociopathic and alcoholic scientist and a grandfather to Morty; an awkward, impressionable, and somewhat spineless teenage boy.8.7
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