The Office (US Version) [Spoiler Codes Please]

[Rowan Sjet]

In my ongoing quest to rent every "great" TV show I have not yet watched, and while waiting for more Frasier, Sopranos and Babylon 5 to turn up, I've started on the US version of The Office.

I borrowed my flatmate's copies of the UK version about a year ago, and absolutely loved it, but wasn't too keen to try the US version, like I would be cheating or something! In the end though, I was worn down by all the little comments I read around the web, about how good it was. Just finished the season 2 episode "Christmas Party" (planning to watch the next two later tonight), and it definitely lives up to the standard set by it's older brother.

So what do you all think of it? If you want to talk about later episodes than ones I've watched, feel free, but please use spoiler codes when you do. There are a few things I already know happen later on like

Spoiler: For Example

Jim and Pam get engaged

but the less I'm spoiled on, the better.

 

[Broccoli]

The first three seasons are top notch (although, season 1 is an oddity). I think season 4 is terrible (although, it has its moments - the season finale is fantastic). Season 5 starts out pretty strong, but dips more as we go along.

 

[Mr Light]

I love the Office USA very much. The first season (which was only six episodes) is completely forgettable though, they were clearly finding their feet still. I've loved every season since though, and don't follow the people who say it's sucked in the last 1-2 years. I still laugh my ass off all the time and love the characters.

 

[Spot's Meow]

Yeah, season 1 sucked, but everything after that has been awesome. One of the funniest characters is Creed.

 

[shivkala]

I beg to differ, I felt the first season was half and half. "Diversity Day," "Basketball," and "Hot Girl" were really enjoyable, the others, not as much.

Though, I will concede the eponymous girl in "Hot Girl" may have made the episode more enjoyable than it actually was.

 

[Broccoli]

I love the Office USA very much. The first season (which was only six episodes) is completely forgettable though, they were clearly finding their feet still. I've loved every season since though, and don't follow the people who say it's sucked in the last 1-2 years. I still laugh my ass off all the time and love the characters.

I didn't say it sucked; I just don't think the show is a clever as it once was. There are moments where the show is still very, very funny. However, I felt that much of the story arcs in seasons 4 and 5 seemed really forced.

Spoiler: Comments on Seasons 4 & 5

I hated the whole Michael/Jan story. I wanted to claw my eyes out when she and Michael were living together. I was so happy when they broke up, but then they brought her back at the end of season 4 and made Michael her bitch again. ugh.

The Jim/Pam together is great, but it seems like they don't know what to do with them now that they are together. They are trying to hard to find ways to create conflict where none is really needed. For example, the whole "will Pam be pissed because Jim bought a house" and "did Jim break up Pam's parents" and "Pam has to go for another three months for school! How will Jim survive?" and "Jim wussed out popping the question to Pam because of Andy", among others. It is at the point where I don't care if they get married or not.

I also despised the whole Andy/Angela/Dwight story arc. They dragged it out too long to the point of unbelievability. And it ended in such a anti-climatic way. Given the fact they kept it up for nearly a season, I was expecting a more satisfying end to it.

I did, however, love the Holly arc.

I beg to differ, I felt the first season was half and half. "Diversity Day," "Basketball," and "Hot Girl" were really enjoyable, the others, not as much.

Though, I will concede the eponymous girl in "Hot Girl" may have made the episode more enjoyable than it actually was.

Season 1 is an oddity mostly because it is only 6 episodes long. I think those 3 episodes are classics too. I would also add in "The Alliance". Dwight in the box was hilarious. You can't really criticize the pilot that much as it pretty much is a direct port of the British version of the pilot. In all, I would say there is only 1 clunker of the short run season. Not a bad record, imo.

 

[Kail]

Great show. I enjoy the US version a lot more than the UK, and I'm a big britcom fan.