Season 1 (2005) Season one aired between March 24 and April 26, 2005. It originally debuted as a
midseason replacement for
Committed. It carried over general plot ideas from the earlier British series created by
Stephen Merchant and
Ricky Gervais, and particularly the threat of wholesale downsizing. However, only the pilot was a direct adaptation of one of the UK version's episodes. This season introduced the main characters, and established the general plot as a documentary crew is recording the lives of the employees of the fictitious
Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. In a
mockumentary format, it shows
Michael Scott (
Steve Carell), regional manager of the Scranton branch office, as he tries to convince the filmmakers of the documentary that he presides over a happy, well-running office. Meanwhile, sales rep
Jim Halpert (
John Krasinski) finds methods to undermine his cube-mate,
Dwight Schrute (
Rainn Wilson); receptionist
Pam Beesly (
Jenna Fischer) is trying to deal with Michael's insensitivities and flubs; and the temporary employee
Ryan Howard (
B. J. Novak) is acting mostly as an observer of the insanity around him. NBC initially ordered only six episodes for the season, then in September ordered seven more. On November 3, 2005, NBC ordered an additional three, and in the end it had ordered a full season of 22 episodes. The second season storyline further delved into the fear of company downsizing, along with the introduction of new characters and developing some of the minor ones—especially that of Dwight. As Michael begins a relationship with his boss
Jan Levinson (
Melora Hardin), Pam and Jim's relationship becomes one of the focal points of the season. Their compatibility becomes more obvious as Jim's feelings for Pam continue to grow, while she struggles with her engagement to warehouse worker
Roy Anderson (
David Denman).
Season 3 (2006–07) Season three premiered on September 21, 2006, and ended on May 17, 2007. It featured 25 episodes, including two hour-long episodes, six "super-sized" episodes, and guest directors such as
J. J. Abrams,
Joss Whedon and
Harold Ramis. The season marked the move of main character
Jim Halpert from Scranton to Stamford, and also introduced
Rashida Jones as
Karen Filippelli, and
Ed Helms as
Andy Bernard (both members of Dunder Mifflin Stamford) as recurring characters. Helms would later be promoted to series regular. The main plot for the early episodes of the season deals with a recurring problem in seasons one and two—the problem of company downsizing—while in the latter half of the season, inter-office relationships also became a major plot point.
Metacritic, which assigns normalized ratings out of 100 to critics' reviews, calculated an average score of 85/100 based on five collected reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".
Season 4 (2007–08) NBC ordered a full fourth season of
The Office consisting of 30 episodes, which included five one-hour specials. However, the
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike shut down production for nearly five months in the middle of the season (between the episodes "
The Deposition" and "
Dinner Party"). Because of the shutdown, the fourth season of
The Office only consisted of 19 half-hour episodes, ten of which were paired as five separate hour-long episodes. The season premiered on September 27, 2007. Season four marked the departure of Karen Filippelli as a regular character, although she appeared for a few seconds in the first episode, "
Fun Run"; and was featured as the regional manager of the Utica branch in the tenth episode, "
Branch Wars". Relationships emerged as the main theme of the season, with Jim and Pam's rising, as well as Michael and Jan's and Dwight and Angela's declining. Technology was another theme as the office staff struggled with initiatives introduced by Ryan to modernize the company.
Season 5 (2008–09) On April 10, 2008, NBC ordered a fifth season consisting of 28 half-hour episodes, four of which were paired as two hour-long episodes. The season premiered on September 25, 2008. This season highlighted Michael's roller coaster relationship with corporate, as he is first praised and rewarded for impressive numbers despite the economic downturn. However, when a new boss is hired Michael feels slighted by his controlling manner. The theme of the beginning and middle of the season was mostly personal relationships with Dwight, Angela, Andy, Jim, Pam, Michael, Jan, and Holly. However, the theme transformed into career growth, as Ryan, Pam, and Michael set up the Michael Scott Paper Company, Pam and Michael go on a lecture circuit, Charles takes Jan's and Ryan's job, and Jim has trouble getting on with Charles. The last few episodes of the season focused on relationships once again, with major events taking place in Jim and Pam's relationship, and also with Holly and Michael.
Season 6 (2009–10) On January 15, 2009, it was announced that NBC renewed the series for a sixth season, consisting of 26 half-hour episodes, four of which were paired as two hour-long episodes. The season premiered on September 17, 2009. Story arcs in the sixth season include Jim becoming co-manager with Michael of the Scranton branch, Michael dating Pam's mother, Dwight attempting to get Jim fired, and Dunder Mifflin facing an uncertain future due to rumors of insolvency, eventually becoming part of a larger corporation called Sabre. The season also prominently features the long-awaited wedding between Jim and Pam, as well as the birth of their first child.
Season 7 (2010–11) On March 5, 2010, NBC officially announced that it had renewed
The Office for a seventh season, consisting of 26 half-hour episodes, four of which were paired as two hour-long episodes.
Steve Carell confirmed the season would be his last on the series. The season premiered on September 23, 2010. The seventh season of
The Office largely revolves around the character development and departure of Michael from the series. After Toby is called for jury duty, Holly returns, causing Michael to once again pursue her, despite her being in a relationship. After eventually proving himself to her, the two get engaged, but Michael decides to move to
Boulder, Colorado to help Holly take care of her elderly parents. After Michael leaves, the office is forced to choose a new manager.
Season 8 (2011–12) On March 17, 2011, NBC renewed
The Office for an eighth season, consisting of 24 episodes. This season focuses on
Andy Bernard becoming manager of the Scranton branch, before being replaced as manager by Nellie Bertram (
Catherine Tate) midway through the season.
James Spader also became a regular cast member, playing the role of
Robert California, the new CEO of Sabre. Also, Jim and Pam welcome their second child. The eighth season of
The Office largely centers around the antics of the new Sabre CEO, Robert California. Initially, he appears calm, collected, and calculating. However, as the season progresses, it becomes obvious that his management style is slowly destroying the company. Dwight—along with Jim, Stanley, Ryan, Erin, and
Cathy (
Lindsey Broad)—travel to Florida to help set up a Sabre Store, where
Nellie Bertram (
Catherine Tate) is introduced. Eventually, former CFO of Dunder Mifflin David Wallace buys back the company, firing California.
Season 9 (2012–13) On May 11, 2012, NBC renewed
The Office for a ninth season, which was later announced to be the final season. The season consists of 25 episodes. The ninth season largely focuses on the relationship between Jim and Pam Halpert. After Jim decides to follow his dream and start a sports marketing company in Philadelphia, Pam begins to worry about moving, and the couple's relationship experiences stress. Meanwhile, Andy abandons the office for a three-month boating trip, and eventually quits his job to pursue his dream of becoming a star. Dwight is then promoted to regional manager. • denotes a "super-sized" 40-minute episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 28 minutes). • denotes an hour-long episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 42 minutes). • denotes an extended 75-minute episode (with advertisements; actual runtime around 52 minutes). == Ratings ==