AlthoughThe Officeis regarded as one of the most successful sitcoms ever,its first season leaves much to be desired,but that doesn’t mean viewers should skip over it. The NBC mockumentary comedy series, developed by Greg Daniels, is based on Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s British show of the same name. It revolves around the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, where Steve Carell’s Michael Scott is the regional manager.Michael and many other funny characters inThe Officeare among the most memorable fictional figures in TV history, which is partly why the show was such a triumph.
A follow-up series toThe OfficetitledThe Paperis in the works for Peacock. Greg Daniels co-created the upcoming mockumentary sitcom with Michael Koman. While it will take place in the same universe as the original show and feature the same documentary crew, it will follow a new set of characters working at a declining newspaper in the Midwest. The cast ofThe Paperincludes Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Alex Edelman, and more.
Unfortunately,The Office’s defining momentsdon’t come until after season 1. Whether it’s Jim confessing his feelings for Pam on Casino Night or Dwight lighting a fire to teach his colleagues about fire safety, almost every memorable scene in the NBC mockumentary sitcom happens from season 2 on. Nevertheless,The Officeseason 1 is still important for different reasonsand fans should watch it (despite the fact it’s objectively the worst season).
The Office Season 1 Sets Up Many Of The Show’s Most Important Character Dynamics
Jim & Dwight’s Iconic Feud Is Introduced
Part of whyall six episodes ofThe Officeseason 1are so important is because they set up many character arcs and dynamics. For example,Jim’s crush on Pam is teased, Jim and Dwight’s feud is introduced, and so on.If it weren’t forThe Officeseason 1, many of the storylines featured in season 2 wouldn’t make sense. Of course, viewers might be able to pick up on the relationship dynamics, the characters' personalities, and more as time went on. But, it would just be easier to watch the show’s first six episodes, which establish this fictional universe quite well.
The Office Review: The Legendary Workplace Comedy Just Misses Out On Perfection
Despite being 19 years old, The Office remains one of the best-loved and well-realized workplace sitcoms ever made. However, the series isn’t perfect.
Almostevery main character inThe Officeis properly introduced in season 1 (aside from the ones who arrive afterward or Michael, whose personality changes significantly in season 2).The audience gets first impressions of Dwight, Jim, Pam, Stanley, Kelly, Ryan, Phyllis, Oscar, Meredith, Angela, Kevin, Darryl,and so on. First impressions can be critical to understanding fictional characters, after all.
The Office Season 1 Has The Infamous Basketball Episode
If you ask anyone who has watchedall nine seasons ofThe Office, they would likely all admit that the sitcom’s first season is among the weakest. The later seasons after Carell left the show also aren’t regarded asThe Office’s best. However, it’s much easier to skip over season 1’s six episodes than 24 or 25 episodes. Despite this,The Officeseason 1 has its fair share of memorable momentsworth watching.
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Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Greg Daniels
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Mindy Kaling
June 22, 2025
One ofthe best running jokes inThe Officerelates to Jim pranking Dwight, and season 1 features the first one. No one can forget when Jim encased Dwight’s stapler in jello in the pilot (partly because the scene is in the sitcom’s opening title sequences).The Officeseason 1 is also the beginning of Jim and Pam’s will-they-won’t-they relationship,one ofthe best slow-burn romances on TV. Plus, season 1 contains “Basketball,” the episode featuring the iconic basketball game between the office workers and the warehouse workers.
The Office’s First Six Episodes Are Worth Sitting Through For What Comes Next
Season 2 & On Is Peak TV
Yes,The Officeseason 1 might be tough to get throughfor some. However, that just makes viewers appreciate how much superior season 2 is.The NBC show’s quality gets infinitely better after season 1,and sitting through six not-so-great episodes can make the audience enjoy the greatness that follows so much more than they would if they just started with season 2. Ultimately, it’s not worth it to skipTheOfficeseason 1 for multiple reasons, making it required viewing for new and old fans alike.
The Office
Cast
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
