TV was forever changed with the release of The Office on March 24, 2005. While the NBC mockumentary sitcom remains one of the most beloved in pop culture history, it had a shaky start. The pilot episode sees the documentary crew arriving at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, PA. The regional manager of the location is none other than the eccentric Michael Scott.
While the pilot episode did a lot right, it also did a lot wrong. We’re here to look at the perfect and not-so-perfect parts of The Office pilot now.
Perfect: It Introduced The Scranton Gang
The pilot had around 23 minutes to introduce The Office’s main players, and that’s not nearly enough time to explore all of their quirks and charms. Thankfully, episode 1 still did a good job of establishing the basics.
We learn right away that Jim is an unmotivated young salesman, Dwight is his competitive high-strung counterpart, and Pam is the sweet receptionist who likes to make art. Though we spend a lot less time with other characters like Angela and Kevin, we still get hints of her obsession with cats and his love of food. The details are there.
Not Perfect: Michael’s Character Was Too Obnoxious
Season 1 Michael Scott is a very different man than Season 2 Michael Scott. At the beginning of the series, Michael is introduced as an obnoxious, egotistical manager who cares little about his employees and a lot about what they think of him.
Michael has no problem slicking back his hair, fake-firing Pam, and imitating Hitler. Though Michael’s character still makes a lot of mistakes in later seasons, the writers make him easier to empathize with. He becomes an unconventional boss rather than a flat-out bad one.
Perfect: It Set Up The Location
While many fan-favorite episodes take place at locations including Michael’s condo, Chilli’s, and Niagra Falls, the series is centered at the Scranton Dunder Mifflin office. Thankfully, we’re grounded here from the start.
The pilot not only takes place in this location but shows what it’s like: full of not-too-exciting work and a boss who thinks he’s amazing.
Not Perfect: It Imitated The U.K. Original
One of the biggest criticisms of the Office’s pilot is how closely it tried to copy the plot of the U.K. original. In fact, it recycled many of the same jokes and characters.
Michael spreads rumors of the branch closing like regional manager David Brent does in the U.K. Office. Ryan Howard is hired on like the original’s temp, Ricky Howard. Even Pam is accused of stealing Post-it Notes, exactly like her U.K. counterpart Dawn.
This made the series look like it could turn out to be a watered-down rip-off, especially since much of the U.K. humor didn’t as universally translate to American audiences.
Perfect: It Started Running Jokes
Despite the humor being painfully dry at times, the pilot did manage to introduce many memorable gags.
Michael begins claiming he’s the world’s best boss as supported by his “World’s Best Boss” mug, Dwight insists he’s the assistant regional manager instead of the assistant to the regional manager, and Jim sets up his first of many pranks to come; He puts Dwight’s stapler in jello.
Not Perfect: Where Was The Heart?
The first episode is dull when put next to those that came after it. It has a lot of cringey humor, but it doesn’t have a lot of heart.
While the jokes are what makes The Office funny, the sweet moments of the series like when Michael goes to Pam’s art show or when Jim cuts his tie before his wedding are what makes it memorable. The pilot didn’t contain the type of emotion that let viewers latch onto its characters.
Perfect: It Created A Problem
If a pilot should accomplish one thing, it’s this; viewers should want to know what happens next, thus going on to the second episode. Thankfully, The Office pilot created intrigue.
The rumors of downsizing have audiences wondering whether the Scranton branch will have to cut its staff. Additionally, Pam and Jim clearly have chemistry, but there are obstacles in their way of being together. Will they ever find a way to date? More on that later…
Not Perfect: The Quality Was Low… On Purpose
The whole first season contains a look more akin to the U.K. Office; the colors are dull and the video is shaky. However, as the tone of the show got brighter in later seasons, so did the video quality.
While the camera crew doesn’t go anywhere, the footage of post-season 1 episodes is crisper. Though this early stylistic choice wasn’t bad, it definitely wouldn’t have supported the more engaging narratives of later seasons.
Perfect: Jim And Pam’s Romance Was Appealing
Getting back to the whole Jim and Pam thing, these two get a near-perfect start together. They’re cute and awkward, and when compared to the later versions of themselves, you can see just how far they’ve come.
Additionally, for much of the episode, it seems that Pam and Jim are dating. However, the writers throw in the twist toward the end; Pam is engaged to someone else, warehouse worker Roy. This helped viewers get invested in the Jim-Pam relationship, knowing that in one sense, it was a forbidden love.
Not Perfect: Not A Lot Happened
Though the pilot introduces the characters, establishes the location, starts some solid running jokes, and strongly executes Jim and Pam’s romance, it doesn’t do a lot else. Episode 1 doesn’t have much going on.
As aforementioned, Ryan is taken on as a temp, and yeah, we learn what Pam’s favorite flavor of yogurt is (it’s mixed berry). That being said, The Office pilot doesn’t feel essential to the plot. If one were to skip the opening episode, they wouldn’t miss out on much.
