The Office

Initially, “The Office” was an outstanding sitcom that was tough to overlook the raw truths of its first season upon re-watching. Originating in 2005, “The Office” marked the first international adaptation of the British series with the same name, which was brainchild of Ricky Gervais. The American version soon joined the ranks of great sitcoms and surpassed its British predecessor. Characters like Michael Scott (equivalent to David Brent), Dwight Schrute, Pam Beesly, and Jim Halpert were among the many memorable figures introduced by “The Office” cast.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that my initial dive into the world of “The Office” was less than stellar during its first season. It wasn’t celebrated for housing some of the show’s most brilliant episodes, and while it improved significantly over time, the flaws in season 1 remain etched in the collective memory of viewers. Yet, despite these shortcomings, revisiting “The Office” season 1 is still an experience worth having. However, one cannot ignore the raw, unpolished aspects that were part of its journey to greatness.

7. The Treatment Of Katy Was Problematic

It Was Unnecessary For Her Storyline With Jim

In “The Office”, while there are numerous awkward episodes, one that crossed the boundary was the “Hot Girl” episode from season 1. This installment features Katy, played by Amy Adams, who is a traveling handbag saleswoman. Michael developed feelings for her, and she made herself comfortable in the conference room, drawing attention from various employees. Unfortunately, this led to an uncomfortable conversation among the male characters about who was more attractive between her and Pam. To make matters worse, many of the men tried to win her affection by pursuing her romantically.

It’s aggravating that all this unwarranted behavior from Katy serves no purpose in advancing her character, but instead creates tension between Jim and Pam. Jim is one of the few characters who avoids the game of trying to win her heart on a date, yet he develops a genuine bond with Katy and they become a couple. The decision to portray her as a target of harassment while she’s simply doing her job makes “Hot Girl” an uneasy viewing experience.

6. Dwight Stealing Jim’s Client Was Fair

Sales Is A Competitive Game

In “Diversity Day” episode of The Office, Jim was about to renew a profitable deal with one of his clients. However, due to Michael’s chaotic training session, Dwight managed to snatch the contract away from him. This scene was designed to portray Dwight as an irritating coworker, yet it effectively developed his character. Despite this unfair situation, Jim recognized that Dwight was the top salesman at Dunder Mifflin and understood that working in their sales team required a strong competitive spirit.

Regardless of Dwight, as a salesman, Jim understood that it was a contest. Although there were many aspects in “Diversity Day” to be annoyed about, the fact that Dwight got credit for the sale instead of Jim was still annoying. Jim had to assert himself, walk away from Michael’s seminar, and perform his duties. The staff knew Michael’s character and found ways to get their work done, just like Dwight did, so why didn’t Jim do the same? Viewers empathized with Jim, which was understandable, but it was unfortunate how Dwight was portrayed.

5. Michael Should’ve Been Fired For The Basketball Game

Dunder Mifflin Scranton’s Regional Manager Was Incredibly Disrespectful

In the initial season of “The Office,” Michael Scott swiftly showcased his ineptitude as a boss. An episode that often goes unnoticed is “Basketball.” It was startling to see Michael encourage competition among his employees, essentially forcing them to play basketball instead of working over the weekend. What made this situation more absurd was Michael’s tendency to pigeonhole his colleagues based on stereotypes. For instance, he assumed Stanley was good at basketball due to his race, initially barred Phyllis from participating, and made inappropriate comments about Pam being a cheerleader because of her physical attractiveness.

In an often-overlooked instance by viewers of “The Office”, it’s remarkable, even for Michael’s character, that he manipulated working on the weekend to fulfill a personal desire – showcasing his basketball skills to the warehouse crew. He insinuated that the other team was hostile, merely to conceal his embarrassment from this failed attempt, which contradicted his belief in their collective unity as a family.

4. Toby Was A Terrible HR Rep

Toby Was Pretty Useless Throughout The Show, But Especially In Season 1

In the first season of “The Office,” Toby was a rather subdued character who often blended into the background of scenes. Since actor Paul Lieberstein, who played Toby, was also one of the show’s writers and producers, it wasn’t surprising that he didn’t appear frequently. However, this explanation doesn’t excuse Toby for his lackluster job performance as Dunder Mifflin Scranton’s HR representative. In subsequent seasons, Toby was quick to quash Michael’s outlandish ideas, but not in “Diversity Day.” Instead, he allowed Michael’s racially insensitive training session to proceed without much objection.

It was obvious that Toby had withdrawn mentally from the situation much earlier, as seen even before it was explicitly addressed on the show, but when it came to instances where he could have stepped in, “Diversity Day” was certainly one of them. Despite Michael’s dislike for Toby on The Office, he continued to fulfill his duties in later seasons. Remarkably, Toby left the room mere moments prior to Michael making an offensive joke about Kelly, and given that they often sat together in the annex, it seemed unusual that Toby didn’t swiftly re-enter the conference room and halt the situation.

3. Roy Getting Upset About Pam & Jim Was Totally Valid

Roy’s Reaction To The Pair Being Touchy Was Completely Warranted

In the TV show The Office, some of Roy’s behaviors towards Jim were clearly unjustified. For instance, when Jim and Pam shared their first kiss during “Casino Night” in season 3, Roy reacted aggressively towards his romantic rival. Yet, at the conclusion of “The Alliance,” his actions may have been justified. However, it is important to note that Jim wasn’t deceiving when he disclosed that him and Pam were pulling a prank on Dwight, but there was no need for him to put his arm around her, draw her near, and hold her hand in such a way.

It might have seemed a bit over-the-top, but most folks would likely feel bewildered if they unexpectedly found their partner displaying affection towards someone else. Furthermore, it seems that only Roy had noticed Jim’s feelings for Pam at this stage, yet he generally maintained his composure due to his awareness of how valuable a friend Jim was to his bride-to-be.

2. The Office Didn’t Just Replicate The UK’s Pilot

There Were A Lot Of Parallels Between The Office Season 1 & The First Installment Of The UK Original

The pilot episode of The Office was based on the first episode of the UK version, with some modifications. However, it’s a misunderstanding to think that the entire first season was a duplicate of the UK’s. While there were significant portions from the first installment of the British original incorporated into the first season of The Office, it’s not accurate to say that all of it was a carbon copy. For instance, the looming threat of downsizing was a recurring plotline in the UK’s season 1, and this theme was also present in our show. Additionally, the UK episode “Training” had several parallels with our own “Diversity Day.

In the UK version of “The Office,” just like in “New Girl,” there are some similarities with “Hot Girl.” Instead of a handbag saleswoman being the focus, David Brent chose to hire secretary Karen because he was drawn to her, much like Michael did with Katy. As for Todd Packer, his British counterpart, Chris Finch, made remarks similar to Packer in “The Quiz” during season 1. Although the US adaptation had its distinct moments and could stand on its own, viewers may not always recognize the many parallels between the initial episodes of both versions of “The Office.

1. The Office Season 1 Wasn’t As Bad As Audiences Remember

While The Show Was Still Finding Its Feet, It Still Had Several Iconic Moments

Despite its flaws, it’s worth watching the first season of The Office. Although many people consider this season to be the weakest, there are numerous standout moments that laid the groundwork for the show’s success. For instance, “Diversity Day” showcased just how absurd Michael Scott could be, a character trait more pronounced than David Brent in some aspects. Additionally, “The Alliance” introduced the playful rivalry between Dwight and Jim, a dynamic that was present in the UK version but not explored as deeply before.

In the first season of “The Office,” the secondary characters didn’t take center stage as much, yet they had their shining moments, such as Meredith’s awkward response to her surprise party. The episode titled “Health Care” was exceptional and distinct from its UK version. Given that there were merely six episodes in “The Office” season 1, it managed to captivate audiences effectively, generating enough interest for a second season renewal. As the series progressed, “The Office” grew into one of the most popular TV shows globally; however, had it not overcome the initial hurdles in season 1, its success might not have been as significant.

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2025-06-11 01:59