Sitcomdle

Episode guide

Essential Episodes of The Office

NBC, 2005 to 2013

Our 19 character guides for The Office point to 72 key episodes across 9 seasons. Of those, 24 turn up in two or more guides, so they come first, followed by every episode in air order.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

The essentials(24)

Episodes that matter to more than one character, the most shared first.

  1. Season 9, Episode 24

    "Finale"

    In 10 guides
    • Dwight Schrute: Dwight marries Angela at Schrute Farms, with Michael returning as his best man.
    • Jim Halpert: Jim serves at Dwight's wedding and leaves Scranton with Pam for a new life in Austin.
    • Pam Beesly: Pam reveals she has put the house on the market so the family can move to Austin.
    • Creed Bratton: Creed is found hiding in the office, sings a farewell song, and is arrested.
    • Erin Hannon: Erin meets her birth parents at a documentary panel and dances with Pete at Dwight and Angela's wedding.
    • Kelly Kapoor: Kelly reunites with Ryan at Dwight's wedding and the two run off together.
    • Kevin Malone: Kevin is revealed as a bar owner and reconciles with Dwight.
    • Ryan Howard: Ryan reunites with Kelly at Dwight's wedding and the two run away together.
    • Stanley Hudson: A retired Stanley returns from Florida for Dwight and Angela's wedding.
    • Toby Flenderson: A fired, adrift Toby returns for the wedding and shares an emotional dance with Pam.

  2. Season 4, Episode 18

    "Goodbye, Toby"

    In 6 guides
    • Andy Bernard: Andy proposes to Angela at Toby's farewell party, stealing Jim's moment.
    • Holly Flax: Holly arrives as Toby's replacement and makes an instant connection with Michael.
    • Kevin Malone: Dwight convinces new HR rep Holly that Kevin is intellectually disabled, and Kevin thinks she is flirting.
    • Phyllis Vance: Phyllis takes over Toby's farewell party and later catches Angela with Dwight.
    • Ryan Howard: Ryan's corporate career collapses when he is arrested for fraud.
    • Toby Flenderson: Michael throws a lavish farewell party for Toby, mostly out of joy that he is leaving.

  3. Season 1, Episode 2

    "Diversity Day"

    In 4 guides
    • Michael Scott: Michael's own offensive comedy routine forces a corporate diversity training that he insists on running himself.
    • Jim Halpert: Jim loses a big sale to Dwight but ends the day happy when Pam falls asleep on his shoulder.
    • Kelly Kapoor: Kelly debuts by slapping Michael after his offensive impression during a diversity exercise.
    • Toby Flenderson: Toby makes his first appearance, and Michael kicks him out of the diversity meeting.

  4. Season 2, Episode 22

    "Casino Night"

    In 4 guides
    • Jim Halpert: Jim confesses his love to Pam and later kisses her in the empty office.
    • Pam Beesly: Jim tells Pam he loves her, and after turning him down she kisses him back.
    • Creed Bratton: Creed cheerfully admits to stealing poker chips at the office charity night.
    • Kevin Malone: Kevin reveals his poker skills at the office charity casino.

  5. Season 3, Episode 24

    "The Job"

    In 3 guides
    • Jim Halpert: Jim abandons a corporate job interview, drives back to Scranton, and asks Pam to dinner.
    • Jan Levinson: Corporate fires Jan and hands her job to Ryan Howard.
    • Ryan Howard: Ryan lands the corporate job and immediately breaks up with Kelly.

  6. Season 5, Episode 11

    "Moroccan Christmas"

    In 3 guides
    • Angela Martin: Phyllis reveals Angela's affair with Dwight to the office during the Christmas party.
    • Meredith Palmer: Meredith's hair catches fire at the party, and Michael stages an intervention.
    • Phyllis Vance: Phyllis exposes Angela's affair with Dwight to the whole office.

  7. Season 1, Episode 1

    "Pilot"

    In 2 guides
    • Jan Levinson: Jan comes to Scranton to warn Michael that the branch may face downsizing.
    • Ryan Howard: Ryan starts his first day as the branch's new temp while the documentary crew rolls.

  8. Season 2, Episode 1

    "The Dundies"

    In 2 guides
    • Michael Scott: Michael hosts his annual office awards show at a Chili's, and Pam has the night of her life.
    • Pam Beesly: After arguing with Roy, a tipsy Pam wins a Dundie and ends a joyful night at Chili's by kissing Jim.

  9. Season 3, Episode 1

    "Gay Witch Hunt"

    In 2 guides
    • Andy Bernard: Andy debuts at the Stamford branch, where Jim tries and fails to make him the new Dwight.
    • Oscar Martinez: Michael outs Oscar to the office, and the company gives him a paid vacation and a car.

  10. Season 3, Episode 5

    "Initiation"

    In 2 guides
    • Ryan Howard: Dwight puts Ryan through a bizarre hazing at Schrute Farms before his first sales call, which goes badly.
    • Stanley Hudson: Pretzel Day comes to the lobby, bringing out a rare smile from Stanley.

  11. Season 3, Episode 14

    "The Return"

    In 2 guides
    • Andy Bernard: A ringing phone hidden in the ceiling drives Andy to punch a hole in the wall.
    • Oscar Martinez: Oscar comes back from vacation to a Mexican-themed welcome party from Michael.

  12. Season 4, Episode 1

    "Fun Run"

    In 2 guides
    • Angela Martin: Dwight puts down Angela's sick cat Sprinkles, and she ends their relationship.
    • Meredith Palmer: Michael hits Meredith with his car, and she ends up being treated for rabies.

  13. Season 4, Episode 3

    "Dunder Mifflin Infinity"

    In 2 guides
    • Creed Bratton: Creed dyes his hair with printer ink to seem young and keep his job.
    • Kelly Kapoor: Kelly tries to win Ryan back by telling him she is pregnant, and it backfires.

  14. Season 4, Episode 13

    "Dinner Party"

    In 2 guides
    • Michael Scott: Michael and Jan host a dinner at their condo that turns into a public unraveling of their relationship.
    • Jan Levinson: Jan and Michael's dinner for their coworkers turns into a public collapse of their relationship.

  15. Season 5, Episode 4

    "Baby Shower"

    In 2 guides
    • Holly Flax: Jan tells Michael not to date Holly, which convinces him to ask her out.
    • Jan Levinson: Jan arrives at her office baby shower with newborn Astrid and warns Michael away from Holly.

  16. Season 5, Episode 6

    "Employee Transfer"

    In 2 guides
    • Darryl Philbin: Darryl helps move Holly to Nashua and teaches a heartbroken Michael the blues.
    • Holly Flax: Corporate moves Holly to Nashua, and she and Michael decide to break up.

  17. Season 5, Episode 12

    "The Duel"

    In 2 guides
    • Andy Bernard: Andy learns about Angela and Dwight, and the two men settle it with a duel in the parking lot.
    • Angela Martin: Andy and Dwight duel over Angela, then both walk away from her.

  18. Season 5, Episode 14

    "Stress Relief"

    In 2 guides
    • Dwight Schrute: Dwight stages a fire drill so chaotic that Stanley has a heart attack.
    • Stanley Hudson: Dwight's fire drill gives Stanley a heart attack.

  19. Season 6, Episode 4

    "Niagara"

    In 2 guides
    • Jim Halpert: Jim and Pam secretly marry on a Niagara Falls tour boat before their chaotic church wedding.
    • Pam Beesly: Pam marries Jim on a Niagara Falls boat before their official wedding.

  20. Season 6, Episode 22

    "Secretary's Day"

    In 2 guides
    • Erin Hannon: Michael lets slip that Andy was once engaged to Angela, and Erin asks Andy for space.
    • Kevin Malone: Oscar's video comparing Kevin's voice to Cookie Monster's sweeps the office.

  21. Season 7, Episode 11

    "Classy Christmas"

    In 2 guides
    • Darryl Philbin: Darryl brings his daughter Jada to the office Christmas party.
    • Holly Flax: Holly returns to Scranton to cover for Toby, still attached to A.J.

  22. Season 7, Episode 19

    "Garage Sale"

    In 2 guides
    • Michael Scott: Michael proposes to Holly in the office surrounded by candles.
    • Holly Flax: Michael proposes to Holly in the office surrounded by candles, and she says yes.

  23. Season 7, Episode 22

    "Goodbye, Michael"

    In 2 guides
    • Michael Scott: Michael spends his last day in Scranton saying quiet goodbyes before leaving for Colorado.
    • Holly Flax: Michael leaves Scranton to join Holly in Colorado.

  24. Season 9, Episode 21

    "Livin' the Dream"

    In 2 guides
    • Dwight Schrute: Dwight earns his black belt and is finally promoted to regional manager.
    • Andy Bernard: Andy walks away from Dunder Mifflin to chase a career in show business.

Every key episode by season(72)

Season 1(4 episodes)

  1. Season 1, Episode 1

    "Pilot"

    An essential, in the guides for Jan Levinson and Ryan Howard. Read the notes

  2. Season 1, Episode 2

    "Diversity Day"

    An essential, in the guides for Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Kelly Kapoor, and Toby Flenderson. Read the notes

  3. Season 1, Episode 4

    "The Alliance"

    • Meredith Palmer: Michael throws Meredith a birthday party a month early, and his card joke falls flat.

  4. Season 1, Episode 5

    "Basketball"

    • Darryl Philbin: Darryl's warehouse team takes on Michael's office squad, and the warehouse wins the standoff.

Season 2(9 episodes)

  1. Season 2, Episode 1

    "The Dundies"

    An essential, in the guides for Michael Scott and Pam Beesly. Read the notes

  2. Season 2, Episode 5

    "Halloween"

    • Creed Bratton: Facing the axe, Creed convinces Michael to fire Devon instead.

  3. Season 2, Episode 7

    "The Client"

    • Jan Levinson: Michael wins over a major client at Chili's, impressing Jan enough that the night ends with a kiss.

  4. Season 2, Episode 9

    "Email Surveillance"

    • Angela Martin: Pam first notices odd moments between Angela and Dwight.

  5. Season 2, Episode 10

    "Christmas Party"

    • Phyllis Vance: Phyllis knits Michael a Secret Santa gift he snubs, then introduces her boyfriend Bob Vance.

  6. Season 2, Episode 11

    "Booze Cruise"

    • Meredith Palmer: Meredith makes the most of the company boat party, including a visit to the captain's cabin.

  7. Season 2, Episode 12

    "The Injury"

    • Dwight Schrute: A concussion from a car crash makes Dwight unusually kind and helpful for one strange afternoon.

  8. Season 2, Episode 13

    "The Secret"

    • Oscar Martinez: Dwight spies on Oscar playing hooky with his boyfriend Gil but misses what he is seeing.

  9. Season 2, Episode 22

    "Casino Night"

    An essential, in the guides for Jim Halpert, Pam Beesly, Creed Bratton, and Kevin Malone. Read the notes

Season 3(12 episodes)

  1. Season 3, Episode 1

    "Gay Witch Hunt"

    An essential, in the guides for Andy Bernard and Oscar Martinez. Read the notes

  2. Season 3, Episode 3

    "The Coup"

    • Dwight Schrute: Dwight secretly goes to Jan to take Michael's job, and Michael turns the tables on him.

  3. Season 3, Episode 5

    "Initiation"

    An essential, in the guides for Ryan Howard and Stanley Hudson. Read the notes

  4. Season 3, Episode 6

    "Diwali"

    • Kelly Kapoor: Kelly invites the office to a Diwali celebration, where her parents size up Ryan.

  5. Season 3, Episode 14

    "The Return"

    An essential, in the guides for Andy Bernard and Oscar Martinez. Read the notes

  6. Season 3, Episode 16

    "Phyllis' Wedding"

    • Phyllis Vance: Phyllis marries Bob Vance while Michael tries to run the show.

  7. Season 3, Episode 17

    "Business School"

    • Pam Beesly: Pam's art show is a letdown until Michael arrives and buys her drawing of the office building.

  8. Season 3, Episode 18

    "Cocktails"

    • Jan Levinson: Jan and Michael attend David Wallace's party as an official couple, and the cracks start to show.

  9. Season 3, Episode 20

    "Safety Training"

    • Darryl Philbin: Darryl runs a warehouse safety session and helps talk Michael down from the roof.

  10. Season 3, Episode 21

    "Product Recall"

    • Creed Bratton: Creed's skipped quality checks let an obscene watermark slip through, and he shifts the blame.

  11. Season 3, Episode 23

    "Beach Games"

    • Pam Beesly: After a coal walk, Pam tells Jim in front of everyone that he was the reason she called off her wedding.

  12. Season 3, Episode 24

    "The Job"

    An essential, in the guides for Jim Halpert, Jan Levinson, and Ryan Howard. Read the notes

Season 4(8 episodes)

  1. Season 4, Episode 1

    "Fun Run"

    An essential, in the guides for Angela Martin and Meredith Palmer. Read the notes

  2. Season 4, Episode 3

    "Dunder Mifflin Infinity"

    An essential, in the guides for Creed Bratton and Kelly Kapoor. Read the notes

  3. Season 4, Episode 7

    "Money"

    • Dwight Schrute: Jim and Pam book a night at the Schrute Farms bed and breakfast while Dwight mourns his breakup with Angela.

  4. Season 4, Episode 10

    "Branch Wars"

    • Stanley Hudson: Karen tries to recruit Stanley to Utica, and he quietly uses the offer as leverage.

  5. Season 4, Episode 13

    "Dinner Party"

    An essential, in the guides for Michael Scott and Jan Levinson. Read the notes

  6. Season 4, Episode 15

    "Night Out"

    • Toby Flenderson: Toby touches Pam's knee, panics, and announces he is moving to Costa Rica.

  7. Season 4, Episode 16

    "Did I Stutter?"

  8. Season 4, Episode 18

    "Goodbye, Toby"

    An essential, in the guides for Andy Bernard, Holly Flax, Kevin Malone, Phyllis Vance, Ryan Howard, and Toby Flenderson. Read the notes

Season 5(11 episodes)

  1. Season 5, Episode 1

    "Weight Loss"

    • Jim Halpert: Jim proposes to Pam at a rainy highway rest stop.

  2. Season 5, Episode 3

    "Business Ethics"

    • Meredith Palmer: Meredith cheerfully confesses how she gets discounts from a supplier during an ethics seminar.

  3. Season 5, Episode 4

    "Baby Shower"

    An essential, in the guides for Holly Flax and Jan Levinson. Read the notes

  4. Season 5, Episode 6

    "Employee Transfer"

    An essential, in the guides for Darryl Philbin and Holly Flax. Read the notes

  5. Season 5, Episode 9

    "Frame Toby"

    • Toby Flenderson: Toby returns, and Michael and Dwight try to get him fired by planting fake drugs.

  6. Season 5, Episode 11

    "Moroccan Christmas"

    An essential, in the guides for Angela Martin, Meredith Palmer, and Phyllis Vance. Read the notes

  7. Season 5, Episode 12

    "The Duel"

    An essential, in the guides for Andy Bernard and Angela Martin. Read the notes

  8. Season 5, Episode 14

    "Stress Relief"

    An essential, in the guides for Dwight Schrute and Stanley Hudson. Read the notes

  9. Season 5, Episode 23

    "Michael Scott Paper Company"

    • Erin Hannon: Erin starts as the new receptionist and catches the eye of both Dwight and Andy.

  10. Season 5, Episode 25

    "Broke"

    • Michael Scott: The struggling Michael Scott Paper Company bluffs Dunder Mifflin into buying it out and rehiring its staff.

  11. Season 5, Episode 26

    "Casual Friday"

    • Kevin Malone: Kevin spills his famous homemade chili all over the office floor.

Season 6(4 episodes)

  1. Season 6, Episode 4

    "Niagara"

    An essential, in the guides for Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly. Read the notes

  2. Season 6, Episode 13

    "Secret Santa"

    • Phyllis Vance: Phyllis gets to be the office Santa, and Michael does not take it well.

  3. Season 6, Episode 21

    "Happy Hour"

    • Oscar Martinez: Oscar arranges a happy hour with the warehouse staff so he can flirt with Matt.

  4. Season 6, Episode 22

    "Secretary's Day"

    An essential, in the guides for Erin Hannon and Kevin Malone. Read the notes

Season 7(10 episodes)

  1. Season 7, Episode 2

    "Counseling"

    • Toby Flenderson: Toby tries every trick he knows to get Michael to talk during mandatory counseling sessions.

  2. Season 7, Episode 6

    "Costume Contest"

    • Darryl Philbin: Darryl takes his idea straight to corporate, and Michael is furious.

  3. Season 7, Episode 8

    "Viewing Party"

    • Erin Hannon: Erin hosts a party at Gabe's place, and Michael realizes she sees him as a father figure.

  4. Season 7, Episode 9

    "WUPHF.com"

    • Ryan Howard: Ryan scrambles to save his failing social network, which Michael has heavily invested in.

  5. Season 7, Episode 10

    "China"

    • Oscar Martinez: Oscar corrects Michael, turns out to be wrong, and the office will not let him forget it.

  6. Season 7, Episode 11

    "Classy Christmas"

    An essential, in the guides for Darryl Philbin and Holly Flax. Read the notes

  7. Season 7, Episode 15

    "The Search"

    • Kelly Kapoor: Kelly and Ryan reveal they secretly married and are already getting divorced.

  8. Season 7, Episode 19

    "Garage Sale"

    An essential, in the guides for Michael Scott and Holly Flax. Read the notes

  9. Season 7, Episode 22

    "Goodbye, Michael"

    An essential, in the guides for Michael Scott and Holly Flax. Read the notes

  10. Season 7, Episode 24

    "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager"

    • Creed Bratton: Jo Bennett names Creed acting manager because of his seniority.

Season 8(4 episodes)

  1. Season 8, Episode 1

    "The List"

    • Andy Bernard: Robert California picks Andy as the new regional manager.

  2. Season 8, Episode 11

    "Trivia"

    • Kevin Malone: Kevin's underdog team surprises everyone by winning a bar trivia contest.

  3. Season 8, Episode 13

    "Jury Duty"

    • Angela Martin: Angela gives birth to her son Phillip, and Dwight suspects the baby is his.

  4. Season 8, Episode 19

    "Get the Girl"

    • Erin Hannon: Andy drives to Florida to win Erin back, and she returns to Scranton with him.

Season 9(10 episodes)

  1. Season 9, Episode 1

    "New Guys"

    • Kelly Kapoor: Kelly quits to move to Ohio with Ravi, and Ryan follows.

  2. Season 9, Episode 6

    "The Boat"

    • Oscar Martinez: Kevin overhears Oscar's secret about Angela's husband.

  3. Season 9, Episode 8

    "The Target"

    • Phyllis Vance: Phyllis and Stanley agree to cover Jim's duties after he buys them a lavish lunch.

  4. Season 9, Episode 10

    "Lice"

    • Meredith Palmer: Meredith takes the blame for an office lice outbreak and shaves her head.

  5. Season 9, Episode 11

    "Suit Warehouse"

    • Darryl Philbin: Darryl interviews at Jim's new company and gets the job.

  6. Season 9, Episode 15

    "Couples Discount"

    • Erin Hannon: Erin decides to break up with Andy after his long absence so she can be with Pete.

  7. Season 9, Episode 19

    "Stairmageddon"

    • Stanley Hudson: Stanley refuses to take the stairs to a sales call, so Dwight knocks him out with tranquilizer darts.

  8. Season 9, Episode 21

    "Livin' the Dream"

    An essential, in the guides for Dwight Schrute and Andy Bernard. Read the notes

  9. Season 9, Episode 22

    "A.A.R.M."

    • Angela Martin: Dwight proposes, and Angela finally tells him he is Phillip's father.

  10. Season 9, Episode 24

    "Finale"

    An essential, in the guides for Dwight Schrute, Jim Halpert, Pam Beesly, Creed Bratton, Erin Hannon, Kelly Kapoor, Kevin Malone, Ryan Howard, Stanley Hudson, and Toby Flenderson. Read the notes

Seen them all? Test yourself with the The Office trivia quiz, or meet the The Office characters.

Play today's Sitcomdle

More episode guides

Other NBC sitcoms and shows from the 2000s.

The Office charactersAll 34 showsEvery sitcom character A to Z