Some things are still relevant, even if they ended in 2013. For a show like "The Office," you'd imagine it would have more of a cult following than an extremely wide and diverse influence on its massive audience. Honestly, I don't know how but less than a year later I've already raced my way to the last season on Netflix. So before I dissolve into tears over it ending, I'd like to explain, through GIFS, the emotional journey that is "The Office." Major spoilers ahead if you're one of the few dweebs who still hasn't at least sampled the glory that is this show.
1. Wondering if this is even worth it.
Like Jim, you understand the premise, and you follow it, but really? Following the life of a paper company, Dunder Mifflin, and its people. I mean, how could that be entertaining, not to mention funny?
2. Discovering Dwight.
Dwight Schrute is a special brand of comedy, and by special, I mean absolutely brilliant. At first, your thoughts border on, "Who is this massive creep?" But then they turn to admiration, for his confidence, his crazy and even his beloved beet farm. Yep, you read that correctly, beet farm. I mean, Dwight may be weird, but he's just the right kind of weird, and he has so many moments that made me choke on my own laughter, I don't even know where to start, or finish. So just watch him and enjoy.
3. Dwight and Jim's messed up friendship.
Dwight and Jim claim to hate each other for the majority of the show. But by at least season four, you just know that it's not true. Two people, who put so much time and effort into getting each other's attention literally cannot hate each other. Seriously, Jim has spent hours, and a ton of money, to prank Dwight. If that's not love, then what is?
4. Becoming a proud crew member of the S.S. Pam/Jim Ship.
This. THIS. This couple, this epic romance is why I started watching the reputable comedy show that is "The Office." Because let me tell you, I've never watched one before, as I find most modern comedy misses the mark. But this romance suckered me into watching the whole FREAKIN' show, and I'm so glad I got to grow with Jim and Pam. From a dream, to impossible, to improbable, to possible, and finally to highly probable, Jim never gave up on Pam, and we never gave up on Jim. Because we knew that a guy who could be content with a day, simply because the girl he was into fell asleep on his shoulder, was so going to get the girl. Not because he was charming. Not because he was cuter than her current fiancé (but props to Chris Pratt, who went from young and cute to hot to boot!). He would get the girl because he loved her, and even back then, it was obvious she loved him, because they were friends. And all great couples are first and foremost, best friends.
5. Is Michael Scott funny or cruel...?
Michael Scott is the show. He is the heart and soul of "The Office," and while you're still unsure about whether the people in the office like each other, Michael Scott brings them together through the camaraderie of having to deal with a kind of insane boss. Michael Scott is the unifier, the leader and the soul of Dunder Mifflin. While he may be crude and childish, when I say "I love Michael Scott," I can see Steve Carrell saying with a not-ironic, happy smile, "That's what she said."
6. Realizing just how screwed up Creed's character is.
Creed wasn't even supposed to be a permanent character in "The Office," but viewers found him so weird and curiously funny that the show decided to make him a solid member of the cast. And let me tell you, some of the quietest, funniest jokes are made by Creed - because he's a kleptomaniac, possibly a drug lord, maybe a cult leader and definitely a violent criminal of some kind, but he's also cute and endearing like an old, senile uncle. It's a strange combination, but it works so well.
7. Rooting for Ryan even though you kind of hate him.
Ryan Howard wears many hats over the course of this show's nine seasons - these include new guy, annoying and entitled millennial, brief addict, wannabe hipster and cruel on-again, off-again boyfriend to garrulous Kelly Kappur. And while he's the bad guy, and deservingly so, in most situations he finds himself in, he's an indispensable part of the show, if only to satirize the people like him we inevitably meet in our lives. It's okay to be young and stupid and opinionated - as long as you admit it.
8. Relating to Kevin.
Kevin is a slob and a goof at times, and most definitely a cookie monster. But sometimes I love his simplicity. I admire how he's okay with people thinking less of him because he's not concerned with fueling his pride. He simply wants to play games, eat good food and get a few laughs in the day. And sometimes, that's all you need.
9. Appreciating Toby...while hating him as much as Michael Scott did.
Toby Flenderson is just…sad. He’s that miserable guy who you kind of pity but also know who has no right to be so miserable, because nothing is stopping him from being content. If only he could get better. In a way, it’s a stunning satire of depression, and in another it’s a sad picture of American discontent. I don’t know what to say, but maybe Michael hates Toby because he’s what we could become if we stop trying. Maybe we still love him because one day we hope he tries again.
10. Loving Meredith, Stanley and Phyllis - because the old-timers still got it!
Vulgar, weirdly sexual, lazy and at times just plain unhelpful, I don't really see why, by ordinary standards, this trio should be appealing. But they ended up being an integral part of the show - amusing, endearing and the kind of character where you just shake your head and laugh at their lifestyle (looking at you, Meredith). Falling asleep at the office, or getting excited for Pretzel Day, these guys were some pretty amazing people to watch.
11. Embracing how though all the people in the office definitely have dreams and other ideas, they've made a life at Dunder Mifflin, and they've made a family there too.
No one wants to be a paper salesman when they grow up (except maybe Dwight), but someone’s got to do it. With these people, it doesn’t break them. They don’t fall into the middle class doldrum, don’t have mid-life crises - they build a home in their bullpen of cubicles. It’s beautiful, how we see the life that can flourish in a small, dull, gray-tone office space, and find those laughs that most people have every day. It may not seem like much, but when you remember most Americans live and work in a space like this, it’s a heartening sight.
12. Loving how they reluctantly love each other, and it's not even a question.
Like I said, it’s happily surprising to see the Dunder Mifflin crew consider themselves family. Most people come home to their families to complain about their coworkers, but these guys sometimes they come to work to talk about their families. Sometimes they help each other deal with their families. And you just know that for some, they are each other’s emergency contacts. For some, elaborate pranks can be forgiven because you’re basically brothers. For some, you literally made a family through one of the most underrated TV romances ever. For some, comedy may not be serious acting. I’ll admit that’s what I used to think, and then I saw how much these dumb, normal, crazy office people made me feel - and I changed my mind.
13. Realizing you are most certainly going to miss it.
"The Office" has a run time of 71.5 hours, but at the end, I could definitely sacrifice that time again. It was completely and utterly worth it, even though it left me in tears. Thanks Dunder Mifflin, you've been amazing.
