7.6/102,730 votes#1 - Downsize
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/9/2001
David Brent, manager of the Slough branch of Wernham Hogg paper merchants, is told that it might be closed down. He makes the rash promise of No Redundancies...
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.0/102,330 votes#2 - Work Experience
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/16/2001
A new girl arrives on work experience. The day is brightened up even more by a doctored picture of David Brent that's been e-mailed around the office. Cue Gareth Keenan Special Investigator...
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.0/102,220 votes#3 - The Quiz
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 7/23/2001
Tim is 30 today and receives some special gifts. Dawn wants to organize after-work drinks for him but it's also the annual quiz night. Brent & Finchy see it as a point of honour that they win. The only real competition comes from Tim & Ricky...
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.8/102,542 votes#4 - Training
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 7/30/2001
Wernham Hogg, Slough branch are having a training day. Rowan, an outside consultant tries his best. Dawn has other things on her mind...
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
7.8/102,052 votes#5 - New Girl
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/13/2001
Brent decides to take on a new secretary despite the spectre of redundancies in the Slough branch. He can choose between some bloke that's turned up for interview and a pretty young blonde. The day is rounded off with a trip to Chasers nightclub...
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.1/102,010 votes#6 - Judgement
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/20/2001
Jennifer arrives to give the final decision. The Slough branch is to be merged with Swindon and some people will lose their jobs, and David has been offered Jennifer's job, which he accepts.
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
The Best Episodes of The Office Season 1
Every episode of The Office Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Office Season 1!
Nightmare boss. Tedious colleagues. Pointless tasks. Welcome to Wernham Hogg. Fancy a tea break with David Brent? Classic comedy from the archive.
Genre:Comedy
Network:BBC Two
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Downsize" is the best rated episode of "The Office" season 1. It scored 7.6/10 based on 2730 votes. Directed by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and written by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, it aired on 7/9/2001. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Work Experience".