Let’s Settle Which Episode Is Best
Since we have all this time with Office on vacation (and because I love polls), let’s take this time to evaluate the whole Office series so far. Below I will list the title of all the episodes that have aired. Your simple task is to decide which one is your favorite. (You can always use the Episode Recaps category if you need a refresher.)
As I look thru this list, I am reminded of a ton of great laughs. I’m also surprised that I can pretty much tell you, scene for scene, what happens in each episode. I’ve never had a TV show that I followed so closely.
But enough about me. Make your choice. If you feel like you have to justify your answer, do so in the comments. I’m really excited to see which episode comes out on top.
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December 20th, 2006 17:47
I thought long and hard about this poll, but in the end my vote went to Casino Night. It was just an overall great episode - a great Pam/Jim prank, Dwight being a super nerd (and wearing his dead grandfather’s tuxedo, no less).. of course, the major plot changes like Jim’s transfer and the kiss (well, I guess he didn’t really transfer until the end of the season). There were also some great lines in there, like Creed telling us how he would donate the money to the soup kitchen he goes to. Brilliant.
Haha, and Creed stealing chips from everyone.
December 20th, 2006 17:57
Well this was a tough I thought long and hard and went through the list. I realized I, like Brian, know pretty much what happens in every scene of every episode.
I think we should have an Office Trivia Match or game or something that we can all compete in to determine which one of us has the most Office Knowlege out there.
Don’t you guys agree with me?
December 20th, 2006 18:07
wow. this was really tough. i finally voted for “The Dundies” because it was the episode that made me really fall in love with Pam (even though she was drunk).
December 20th, 2006 18:25
i voted for the client. reasons?
1. jan & michael hook up!
2. jim and pam have a cute “date”
3. agent michael scarn
4. one of those episodes where you really love michael in the end and you don’t get alot of those.
overall though- though choice. oh and i am so in for an office triva game! totally!
December 20th, 2006 19:09
I chose e-mail survellience.
Improv Class
Karaoke
Michael Scared of the IT guy.
December 20th, 2006 19:30
That is really a hard one (that’s what she said)….Best episode can be based on so many things - how to decide? Best Michael moments, best Dwight moments, best JAM moments, best one liners from supporting cast? In the end I picked Drug Testing because it has Dwight at some of his very best, Michael too, the rest of the characters get to shine during Dwight’s interogations (”chug, chug, chug”), and when the jinx ends, well, it may be my very favortie JAM moment (yes, even more than the kiss). And how can you beat an episode with that many occurances of the word “urine”????
December 20th, 2006 19:43
I went for Casino Night, but my close runners up would have been Conflict Resolution and The Client. Agent Michael Scarn, you’ve lost some weight.
December 20th, 2006 19:54
Basketball….. Dwight tearing off his shirt and proclaiming his team was skins clinched it for me.
The first time I saw this episode I was on a plane and had to stop watching I was laughing so hard.
(The one scene I laughed the hardest during was when Dwight gave his speech in Dwight’s Speech… thinking of Jim’s tips as he actually presented the speech had me gasping for air)
Best show ever…. I hope it never ends!!
December 20th, 2006 20:42
….. wow, I sorry that this has nothing to do with this post but can someone please tell me that the two waitresses at Beneihana’s are differnt than the two that Michael and Andy bring back to the office…. I think I might go insane if someone doesn’t help me out on this one…. thanks
December 20th, 2006 21:08
The Alliance. It shows some wonderful manipulation of Dwight by Jim. I laugh every time I think of Dwight “hatching” out of the cardboard box down in the warehouse! But this is only one of my favorites. I changed my mind three or four times before I actually voted!
December 20th, 2006 21:15
Since Brian loves polls so much, I think we should all vote on the best scene in the office to date and even the best scenes between Jim/Pam Dwight/Michael Jim/Dwight …etc
Anyone agree?
December 20th, 2006 21:21
Chris, I think that is a great idea and I will keep that in mind for future polls. If you guys like them as much as I do…I’m for it.
I also like the idea of a trivia game. We had a little one a while back, but I’d love to pit our Office knowledge against each other.
PS, I chose “The Fight” as my favorite episode. There are so many thing about it that I love!!!
December 20th, 2006 21:56
I gotta give it to Casino Night. I’ve never seen a season finale that awesome. My jaw was on the floor for a good hour after the show aired.
December 20th, 2006 21:57
I’m all for more polls and games!
December 20th, 2006 22:03
I voted for Christmas Party…maybe some sentimentality for it because it was the first episode I ever saw, but I think it has some great lines - “Yeah, it was meant for Kelly.” “I got the foot massager….I’m really excited to use it…” “We called this “Nasty Christmas” ” and of course “TAKE THAT, SADDAM!”.
Other runners up were the Injury and Health Care.
DwightK
December 20th, 2006 23:18
I chose Email Surveillance. Why? 2 reasons
1. I will always cherish it as my first Office Experience. After that episode I downloaded all of season one and the ones of season 2 that I hadn’t seen thus far.
2. The opening prank between Jim and Dwight still has me rolling on the floor. “Forget everything you know about fitness excercises” “Done”
December 21st, 2006 00:27
Jenny, you’re right. The girls are different, I saw that too. I think the ones at the restaurant are actual Benihana’s workers, and the girls at the party were actresses.
December 21st, 2006 01:45
I know exactly what you mean. My first episode was “Boys and Girls” and after that I was hooked. I soon managed to get my hands on the season one dvd and then bought what they had of season two on itunes. This was a pretty big deal for me since I am a broke college student and the $30.00 I spent is a small fortune. Plus, my university limits the amount of data you can download and I almost reached my limit; a few more megabytes and they would have cut off my internet access for over a week (totally woulda been worth it).
I actually voted for “Casino Night” because I’m a hopeless romantic, but I will always have a special place for B&G. I think it does a great job displaying the Jim/Pam/Roy dynamic, even if it is lacking the classic “Jim and Pam: Partners in Crime” aspect that we all love. And come on, this episode has a ton of funny stuff. The warehouse guys are always a blast and I still crack up when I watch Kelly ask Jan about second base.
But like I said, I had to vote for CN. There were so many funny moments: the coat rack, Afghanistanannies, all the reasons why the boy scouts couldn’t come, Kevin pulling a Ringo, Creed the thief, dink n’ flicka, Michael “dropping a duce” (I could go on and on, but you’ve all seen it). But it’s not just the laughs that made this episode so special, it’s also the tears (the one that fell down Jim’s face, as well as the hundred that I shed). The scene at the poker table is magical, the confession nearly killed me and kiss left me speechless. For a show that’s such an outstanding comedy, The Office has more heart they any stupid drama on TV.
Oh, and for the person who asked: The girls that Michael and Andy bring to the party are in fact NOT the ones they were checking out at the restaurant, but actually a completely different pair. I think we are suppose to assume that they struck out the first time (and possibly the second and third times, who knows) before they were actually able to find girls willing to go back to the party with them.
December 21st, 2006 02:27
Although I seem to be in the minority, I went with Sexual Harrassment.
Although it’s loaded with great moments, one of my favorite scenes ever is Michael vowing not to say “that’s what she said” and then Jim baiting him perfectly (”Man, that is gonna be hard. Are you sure you can go all day? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling.” followed by one of Michael’s loudest and best “That’s what she said!” And then explaining to Jan when she gets mad “Oh, you just didn’t think of it first”. Priceless!!)
And who could forget when Jan first walks in to the office that day… (”DARRELL BANGED HER!!!……..and he’s about 90% sure.)
But, in all honestly, choosing one favorite episode is like trying to polish a turd. It’s just impossible.
December 21st, 2006 05:47
The injury. Hands down. The opening scene, when Dwight barfs all over his car…I’ve never laughed so hard at a television show. Jim squirting water at Michael and Dwight.
“You can’t fire me! I don’t work in this van!!”
And, this episode finally gives the George Forman Grill a purpose.
This is definately the episode I watch the most.
December 21st, 2006 06:49
This is like asking me to pick my favorite child–I love them all! I’ve had some really good laughs just reading these comments. And I’m excited because my brother-in-law’s birthday is on Christmas, and we’re giving him Season 2! He’s never seen it, so you can imagine my excitement at what is about to happen. I’ve been thinking about all those season 2 episodes and imagining how funny they were the first time I saw them.
I’m going to have to choose Casino Night, because I still remember how shocked I was when Jim confessed to Pam.
Dinkin’ Flicka!
December 21st, 2006 07:12
I suspect someone pumping votes for The Injury!
It was a great episode, but I had no idea so many people thought it was the best. I could be wrong though!
December 21st, 2006 07:43
Meg, You know you have a favorite kid that gets in trouble less than the others. WE won’t tell them. =)
Adam, I actually hear from a lot of people that The Injury is at the top of their list. I guess this poll is showing that to be true.
December 21st, 2006 07:49
I voted Benihana Christmas, personally. I think it was just a really funny episode overall, and there was a lot of time to give all the characters a little more airtime than usual. I like that there was more interaction between characters who don’t talk as much too. Just made for an interesting viewing.
December 21st, 2006 08:12
Im the only one to vote for the pilot so far?
Come on that episode is classic.
December 21st, 2006 08:16
I had to go with Casino Night, I guess that one is the only episode I can watch over 30 times and still laugh my head off, and also come close to tears. It’s got the comedy and the sentimentality all strung together, and that makes it perfect.
However, it was a VERY close tie with The Injury. I was “this” close to choosing that one, but in the end had to go with Casino Night. But I also believe The Injury was the first one I ever saw - and from then on became hooked.
December 21st, 2006 08:29
Wow..this is BEYOND difficult. It’s gotta be between “Casino Night” and “Benihana Christmas”. “The Dundies” is the first episode I ever saw and it’s true, your first has a special place in your heart. ( Damn, that was corny but it’s true.) But I have to go with………………………………………………………………………….
“Casino Night”. “Benihana…” is hilarious but “CN” is one of the best season enders I’ve ever seen. The JAM stuff is off the charts in that one….
December 21st, 2006 08:34
I was stuck between Casino Night and The Injury but went with Casino night. I must have good taste in comedy
December 21st, 2006 08:45
Compaing the new episodes (including season 2) to the first season, I really don’t care much for the first season. I can’t get over the huge difference between Kelly, and even Pam from the pilot. I don’t know. I voted Casino Night because so much happened in that episode. It’s easily a classic.
December 21st, 2006 09:25
I voted for Casino Night although I *loved* Conflict Resolution (the ’special’ file in New York, the nickels-in-the-handset prank, etc. Fabulous!)
What you have to understand about the Pilot is it is pretty much the same (I mean scene-for-scene) as the British Pilot. The writers hadn’t even found their characters yet.
December 21st, 2006 10:38
“polishing a turd” Mike, you just made my officeless Thursday!
Thanks Man.
Yall rewatch Benihana Christmas tonight, its even better the 2nd (3rd,4th,10th) time around.
December 21st, 2006 11:30
I voted for Diversity Day because of one line. This line is CONSTANTLY used by me and my friends when we go to restraunts
“maybe some spa-get-i”
December 21st, 2006 14:03
casino night. for all the reasons above. it just gets all the really small things right as well.
December 21st, 2006 15:31
I had no choice, I had to go with The Dundies.
It is one of my favorite episodes ever. It is so wierd how most of us are still so attatched to seasons one and two. Barely any one of us are voting for season three. I don’t think season three has been bad or anything, but I think seasons one and two will always have a special place in my heart. For me, so far, only a couple of season three episodes are up there on my list of favorites. I miss the Jim and Pam dynamic. Hopefully after last thursday we might be getting a bit more of JAM… I miss them….
December 21st, 2006 18:57
This is my first comment ever on LITO though I am a long time visitor to the site…I went with “The Injury”…its just one of those classic episodes I could watch again and again…never gets old…”I’ve got country crock…” …”You cant fire me, I dont work in this van…”…I loved the other picks people made though…”Email Surveillance”…”definitely in my top 5 ,so suck it”-Pam…
I would love to be a part of “Office Trivia Match”!!!
December 21st, 2006 22:26
James, always fun to see a new commenting reader. The Injury seems to be a popular one.
December 21st, 2006 22:37
If I could vote for all of them, I would. Ultimately, I went with Casino Night. I quote that one more than any other. Trivia could be fun. If they sold an Office Trivia Game, I would snap that up in a heartbeat.
Oh, and Benihana was better the second time around.
December 22nd, 2006 07:36
My favorite is EXTREMELY hard to pick but I went with The Injury. It’s the first one I ever called my favorite. I can watch that episode over and over. When Dwight is sitting there in the hospital and the doctor is talking about symptoms and says “red and swollen” and Dwight is like “That’s what she said” and then Michael gets mad. that was great. That and when Michael sticks his foot in the CAT scan machine. ha ha
But if this question were asked in a month my answer could be A Benihana Christmas because last night i rewatched it and I swear everytime it becomes funnier and funnier. It could be my new favorite with a little time.
December 22nd, 2006 13:21
The Dundies!!! C’mon. Phyllis getting “Bushiest Beaver”; Kelly getting a bowling trophy for “Spiciest Curry; Dwight taking off his shirt to give Pam CPR; Ryan the “Office Heartthrob” (”Where am I going to put my Dundie? That’s the least of my worries right now”). And the best, Pam getting hammered, falling off the stool, then yelling “Best Dundies ever!”
December 23rd, 2006 01:54
The Coup took over Casino Night for my favorite episode, Honestly, it was definitely Dwight’s best episode and the real first time we get to see all the characters in the Stamford branch with Andy, Karen, Josh, and Jim playing Call of Duty. Other nominees that definitely deserved consideration: E-mail Surveillance, Basketball, Diversity Day, The Fire, and Drug Testing
December 26th, 2006 00:32
The Dundies…I loved how Michael sang all the songs and especially Pam in this episode…also how Michael reacted when giving Ryan his award…LOL
December 26th, 2006 21:07
I had to go with Drug Testing, Jim’s fake crying in the conference room, Michael’s drug list, Kevin’s interrogation, “Now how much pot did you smoke?” Classic. And it has my favorite JAM moment when Jim finally speaks again. Ahh, I loved it! Although, Benihana, Casino Night, and Dundies were very close seconds. Too many great episodes.
December 27th, 2006 14:16
This was very hard, just shows how awesome the show is.
My favourite was The Dundies, because at the end, you know Pam and Jim belong together, you sympathize with Micheal and everyone else is just awesome too! Ryan, Stanley, Toby, Kevin, Kelly… just the smallest facial expressions are prefect!
I feel God in Chilis all the time! LOL
December 28th, 2006 18:56
apparently i must see this show completely different than everyone else. none of the top picks here are even close to my favorites.
December 28th, 2006 21:36
I just want to second Kimberly’s favorite, “Drug Testing.” I guess we were by far in the minority, but this episode is pure genius. I can easily see other episodes getting the nod, like The Injury, Casino Night, The Dundies, etc. But I really believe by the time the third season is over, the Benihana Christmas won’t even be in the top 2-3 of this season. It’s a decent episode, but I find it hard to believe it’s made people laugh harder or more often than many other episodes.
December 28th, 2006 21:49
Why not the fire? It has great Jam in it.
December 29th, 2006 00:58
hi its my first time here but i feel as if i have been here all along cause everyone here so totally gets The Office which means everybody thinks its hilarious. believe of when i say not everyone gets it. tonight for example i was cracking up throughout
January 2nd, 2007 09:43
Yes! I’m the one who knocked The Dundies out of 3rd place with a vote for
A Benihana Christmas. I loved them both, but the full hour episode tilted it for me.