Just a note: I still haven't seen "Two Weeks," believe it or not. So I'll just discount that episode. In order from "worst" to best...
24. Employee Transfer
That cold open was EPIC, but other than that, there's more or less nothing to recommend this episode. Michael and Holly's saga was just sad and uncomfortable, and not even in a good Office awkward way, and the Halpert brothers was just a lost side plot because they were such assholes, as cute as Jim and Pam are. This episode isn't in my bottom ten of the series ever, but it's the worst episode of the season. This one, not "Moroccan Christmas," not the unfairly despised "Baby Shower." So, congrats?
23. New Boss
I did like this episode more than the hatred it seemed to receive on the boards I read, but it was one of the weaker episodes of the season. Basically, I want to punch Charles Miner in the face, and I just felt SO bad for Michael. At the time, Michael quitting seemed like some desperate attempt to throw some interest into the storyline; it ended up being a great twist, but I had my doubts at the time.
22. Dream Team
I like my Office episodes to have a touch of sadness. I do not like them to be this friggin' depressing. I thought bringing Vikrum back was a touch of genius, but it ended up being like they just threw him away to make the episode all the more dramatic. Pam's speech was sweet, but it belonged in a different, funnier episode (Pam's outburst in "Lecture Circuit, Part Two" worked much better for that reason). And the Jim side plot was sadly kind of lame.
21. Business Ethics
I just don't like Meredith. The writers have never seemed to have any story for her other than "ha ha, she's a drunk whore," and that's about the extent of her story line here. The episode just wasn't as funny as it could have been, either. And I'm not one of those crazy "OMG PAM NEEDS TO HAVE ALL THE SCREEN TIME ALL THE TIME!!!!!" people, but I missed her!
20. Blood Drive
I don't even remember this episode. Michael fell in love at a blood drive, then never saw the girl again. That's about it. In a season full of greatness, making no impact is not a good thing. OH, and there was a repulsive sex thing with the Vances (ew, ew, EWWWWW). Yeah, the more I think of this episode, the less I like it, so let's just move on...
19. Frame Toby
It says something about this season when an episode this good is ranked as low as it is. This was funny and incredibly sweet at the end, but ultimately, like "Blood Drive," I don't remember that much about it. Except Toby was back, Michael bought what he thought was pot but was some kind of salad, and Jim gave Pam a house. AWWWW
18. The Duel
It was really, really funny but again, not all that memorable. Oh, and I think this is one of those infamous episodes where ~omg jim n pam didnt talk!!!!! zomg they must h8 each other!!!!~
17. Moroccan Christmas
I like it a hell of a lot more than most people do. It's very funny. My horn can pierce the skyyy! But again, I just don't like Meredith, at all, and that storyline went nowhere. Compared to "A Benihana Christmas" or "Christmas Party," it's a relatively weak Christmas episode.
16. Prince Family Paper
I really love episodes where I get to feel sorry for Michael, though I still can't believe he actually betrayed the Prince Family Paper Company so hardcore. Poor them. :( Also, the Hilary Swank thing was just vintage Office, and adorable. This is only not higher because the other episodes were so good.
15. Golden Ticket
Maybe this should be lower, because I can hardly remember this episode. I remember Michael was competent, though, so YAY.
14. Lecture Circuit, Part Two
From here on out is GREATNESS. This wasn't as awesome as Part One, but it was still an awesome episode. The resolution of all the threads from Part One really worked, and I liked how it brought up new jokes (Pam with a chainsaw!) and unanswered questions (WHAT WAS IN HOLLY'S NOTE?!).
13. Baby Shower
This episode is really, really hated. Why? I understand the irritation at the fact that it was almost the only episode ever replayed, but seriously, is Jan so bad that everyone screams and has a pissy fit (as opposed to a hissy fit, obvi) whenever they see her on screen? I don't think so. I thought this episode managed to meld the usual humor of The Office with the occasional unbelievable sweetness that the show provides as well. It's a shame that "Wanna go out?" didn't turn into the new "Then... it's a date" but oh wellz.
12. Customer Survey
This one was a while ago and I haven't seen it since then, but if I'm remembering correctly, it was pretty hilarious. This was the one with that scene with Jim and Dwight in the car, right? OMG OMG OMG too good. The dash of angst at the end was just artificial, though. I'm all for angst sometimes (I LIKED KAREN FOR GOD'S SAKE), but that just seemed fake.
11. Heavy Competition
This was pretty hysterical, and the plot was interesting, too. The scene where Michael's like "yeah well I'm eating your sandwich, Dwight" and Dwight responds, "I KNEW YOU WOULD! THAT'S WHY I PICKED THE WORST ONE!" is among my very favorites. My friends and I quote it all the time.
Next time: WE BREAK THE TOP 10!!!!
