The Office Rewatch - Season 2

Season 2 is where I really fell in love with The Office. Episode 2 ("Sexual Harassment") is the first episode I ever saw. I was so intrigued that I stuck with it and eventually went back and watched the episodes I had missed. This season pushes Michael Scott past that annoying and inappropriate boss we met in season 1. Though "The Dundies" and "Sexual Harassment" concentrate on these lesser parts of his personality, episodes like "Office Olympics" and "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" remind the audience that he's really a lovable character. He wants to be married and have a family, but he's never had the chance. 

The same happens with Dwight. He's still the big weirdo from season 1, but we get to learn more about his devotion to Michael. "Dwight's Speech" proves he really has a talent for selling paper, if that exists. His relationship with Jim develops both of their characters without forcing it on the audience. They don't sit around and talk about their hopes and dreams, but their hostility towards each other has the same effect somehow.

The season also pushes the relationship between Jim and Pam. For 22 episodes they try to fight their chemistry and feelings for each other until they can't any longer. I sort of hate Pam during this season because she's having her cake and eating it too. Did she really expect to keep Roy and Jim? You can't have both. I understand her hesitation completely, though, so it's hard to be mad at her. I like that other employees start calling her out about it. Her relationship with Jim is so natural and obvious, so it's only right that other people would notice. Episodes like "Office Olympics", "Email Surveillance", and "The Secret" keep pushing them further and further past the line. Every episode makes you think it's finally going to happen and Jim is finally going to say something. IT NEVER HAPPENS. Until "Casino Night". 

If you want to convince someone how great the show is, show them "Casino Night". It gives insight into all of the characters and highlights the most important storylines of the show. So maybe some people don't love John Krasinski (why are you reading this?). This episode is some of his best work. Realistically, the writers deserve most of the credit for Jim's speech at the end. How do you say no to that, Pam? Or do you? CLIFFHANGER ALERT. Enjoy thinking about that all summer. Thank God for Netflix. 

This season is The Office at its best, so it's really hard to choose the best episode. If you're looking to catch up on the plot quickly, though, these are the best episodes to hit the highlights: 

"The Dundies"

"Sexual Harassment"- too hilarious to skip 

"The Client"

"Christmas Party" - they have the best Christmas episodes. 

"Booze Cruise"

"The Secret"

"Conflict Resolution"- too hilarious to skip 

"Casino Night"

**"The Injury" is also one of my favorite episodes, even if it doesn't further the plot.