I didn't know that the first moment I sat down to watch "The Office" that Michael, Dwight, Jim, Pam and so many other characters would quickly earn a special place in my heart and forever change me. I laughed and cried, and most of all, I watched as each person of that office grew, becoming completely different people. There are so many times in "The Office" where I knew I'd never forget the show, but here are my 41 all-time favorite moments.
1. When Dwight insulted women everywhere
Dwight is known for being very blunt in his opinions, but in the episode "Diversity Day", when Pam tries to make him guess his race by giving him the clue that he might not be a good driver, he immediately asks if he's a woman.
2. When Michael wouldn't leave Amy Adams alone
Amy Adams played Katy in "Hot Girl," a saleswoman who tried to sell bags out of the office's conference room. Of course, Michael thought that he had found his soulmate and did everything in his power to make her his girlfriend. If you remember, though, she later develops a relationship with Jim, causing Pam to get a little more jealous than she should have been.
3. When Pam got drunk at the Dundies
Drunk Pam is the best Pam in my opinion, and she was the star when she partied at Chili's in the episode "The Dundies." She partied so much, in fact, that she was banned from ever coming to a Chili's again. A few months ago, though, Chili's announced that she was finally allowed to come back.
4. When Jim and Pam hosted the first "Office Olympics"
Remember "Flonkerton?" The episode "Office Olympics" really showed how the people of the office could get along with each other, and when Michael returns from his condo, Jim giving him the gold medal is the best moment of the episode.
5. When Ryan started the fire
And in that episode ("The Fire"), Dwight wouldn't stop singing because of how much he hated Ryan.
6. When Michael and Dwight fought each other
They fought each other many times, but in "The Fight," Dwight wanted to show off his skills in front of his sensei. It didn't go so well.
7. When the office found the script to Michael's movie
Poor Dwight didn't know what was coming his way in "The Client." It was only when the typo in his name caused his name to show up as "Dwigt," that he finally knew how Michael felt. On the other hand, Michael was having a good time meeting the new client.
8. When Michael and Jan scored a big client
It wasn't the fact that in "The Client" they gained a large client that was memorable; it was the fact that they ended up realizing they liked each other.
9. When the office threw their Christmas parties each year
From a Moroccan-themed party to Belschnickel making a guest appearance, the parties at the office each Christmas were unforgettable. Each year was really different, and it was probably alcohol that got the team through each one.
10. When Michael's carpet smelled worse than anything in the world
It was Todd Packer's fault the whole time! I seriously thought that Jim did it, but the real question in the episode "The Carpet" is what was making that terrible smell? Honestly, it would probably be better if we didn't know, considering Packer was the culprit.
11. When Dwight was "Salesman of the Year"
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Michael had been "Salesman of the Year" more than one time! Poor Dwight was so nervous about giving that speech in "Dwight's Speech," and I think that this was one of the first times that I started to appreciate his character. It made me happy that in the end, he had the crowd on his side.
12. When Jim told Pam that he loved her
"Casino Night" was one of my all-time favorite episodes of the show. It was scary to see how Pam would react to what Jim would say, but I feel like we all waited long enough. The big kiss at the end was the best way to end that episode, but I was worried about what would happen with Roy.
13. When Michael forced Oscar to kiss him
No words for this. One of the most awkward scenes of "Gay Witch Hunt" and of the whole show.
14. When Phyllis had her wedding
Technically, it was exactly Roy and Pam's wedding plans. And Michael was just another story. I'll admit that I was angry with him in "Phyllis' Wedding" because he stepped out of line.
15. When Dwight saved Jim
Roy was a terrible person, so when he found out that Pam and Jim had kissed when he was still engaged to Pam, I knew that something bad was going to happen. Dwight in "The Negotiation" was a hero, but his story started blowing up way too quickly.
16. When Michael wanted to break up with Jan
It was heartbreaking to hear his story at the mall in "Women's Appreciation" because it showed how Jan was a crazy person who was ruining their relationship. I was interested, at that point, to see what Michael's next move would be.
17. When Pam finally spoke up
Pam Beesly was once the quiet receptionist who let anyone step on her, but in "Beach Games," she finally spoke up. I bet that for fans everywhere, this was a special moment because after this episode, she completely changed. When listening to her talk in the first episode compared to the last one, she really becomes an outgoing and tough woman.
18. When Jim and Pam started dating
There's a lot of Pam and Jim in this list, but hearing them finally open up about their relationship in "Fun Run" was a dream-come-true. I was so happy that after three seasons, the two finally had the opportunity to get together. Also, I was so glad that Karen was gone!
19. When Dwight beat the website
Dwight truly lived up to his title as "Salesman of the Year" because not even the new Dunder Mifflin website could sell more paper than he could in "Launch Party."
20. When Michael was one with the wild
It was literally only a few hours (maybe even less), but in "Survivor Man," Michael had no idea what he was doing when Dwight did. Maybe that's one other thing Dwight could be useful for besides selling paper.
21. When Jan lost all control
In "Dinner Party," the true, evil Jan was finally revealed, making me worried about how safe Michael really was. Thankfully, he came to his senses and put up a good fight against her.
22. When Michael saw the chair model
Rest in peace, chair model. We will all never forget you, especially Michael in "Chair Model."
23. When Holly first arrived
It was obvious that she and Michael were meant to be together in "Goodbye, Toby." Also, thank goodness Toby was leaving for a bit. He was starting to get really weird. Who knows where Holly and Michael would be today?
24. When Pam had to stay in New York City
It was tough for everyone watching "Business Trip" because she and Jim had already been apart for a few months. This was when their relationship was starting to have a bit of a rough patch, but in the end, it was nice to see her come back home early.
25. When Andy finds out about Angela and Dwight
It was going to happen at any moment because Angela wasn't going to get married to Andy. She and Dwight belonged together, and in "The Duel," Dwight wouldn't stop fighting for her, using his car to push Andy into the bushes.
26. When Stanley had a heart attack
"Stress Relief" was probably my favorite two episodes combined because of how hilarious it was. My favorite scene was especially when Michael thinks that he knows how to sing "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees but instead sings "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
27. When Michael started his own paper company
"Dream Team" showed how Pam, Ryan and Michael had to go through a lot of trouble to get their paper business going, but in the end, the amount of money they were bought out for was a lot more than I'd expected.
28. When Jim and Pam got married
Their wedding at the church may not have been perfect, but it was definitely one to remember. The best part was watching all of the office folks dancing down the aisle; it was fun to see some of the meanest people in the office having fun in "Niagara: Part 2."
29. When Michael couldn't pay for college
Not for his college, but for the college tuition of so many students after promising them that he would. This was an upsetting episode because those children trusted him to cover for their education. It's tough to imagine how much they worked to get money in "Scott's Tots."
30. When Pam had their first child
It was so nice to see Jim and Pam starting their own family in "The Delivery: Part 2."
31. When Michael decided to go to Mexico
He found himself rethinking what he truly wanted, and that led him onto a bus heading to Mexico. In "Christening," Michael made a big mistake getting on that bus because it did not plan on making any stops.
32. When Holly, Dwight and Erin had to find Michael
In the episode "The Search," the amount of ease with which Holly was able to find Michael proved that she was meant to be with him and not with her current boyfriend. At that point, I hoped that she was seriously reconsidering her decision to stay in her current relationship.
33. When "Threat Level Midnight" was finally made
"Threat Level Midnight" was such a great episode because I waited for that movie to be made ever since I saw the episode where they read the script for it. Thank goodness it was turned into a real movie.
34. When Michael proposed to Holly
It was the sweetest way to propose, too. "Garage Sale" was probably an emotional episode because that was the first time that it was mentioned that Michael would be leaving Scranton.
35. When Michael left Scranton
It was tough to watch "Goodbye, Michael." I honestly didn't believe that he was actually leaving Scranton to move to Colorado with Holly, but after the next few episodes passed, I knew that we probably wouldn't see him again.
36. When Andy sang at Dwight's garden party
It was another really awkward few minutes because it was obvious in "Garden Party" that Andy's dad preferred singing with his brother much more than with him. Also, when Dwight kept calling out Jim's daughter as "Peepee Halpert," I couldn't stop laughing.
37. When Dwight had appendicitis in Tallahassee
"Tallahassee" was slightly gross to watch, but there was nothing graphic. It was just tough to imagine how much it must've hurt when Dwight was presenting only a few hours after he had his appendix removed.
38. When Andy and Erin got together again
They both finally got what they wanted! I was really happy for them in "Get the Girl," but toward the end of the show, I was starting to have lots of second thoughts about whether Andy was really a good boyfriend or not.
39. When the whole office worked in a bus for a day
And they got pie at the end of "Work Bus!" Whenever the accounting team needs calculations quickly, they'll have to make sure to mention food when asking Kevin.
40. When Pam and Jim had a huge fight
I love and hate "Customer Loyalty" because it shows that Pam and Jim aren't an impossibly-perfect couple, but this fight put a huge gap between them. Still, today, I'm not sure whose side I was on because both of them had big issues in misunderstanding each other.
41. When the team went separate ways.
The last episode, "Finale," was heartbreaking for me. I could not stop crying when I saw Michael appear at the wedding. The show was actually ending. I went back a few days later and watched the first episode, and I can safely say that the journey that these characters went on was much more touching than I thought it would originally be.
