The Office (UK) Episode Guide

1 :01x01 - Downsize

First aired: Jul/09/2001
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Guest star: Neil Fitzmaurice (Alex), Paul Sharma (Sanj)

Despite the fact that David is told either his branch or a competing branch will be downsized, he has nevertheless brought in a temp worker, Ricky. David then gives him a little tour of the office in order to familiarise him with both the work and his new colleagues.

2 :01x02 - Work Experience

First aired: Jul/16/2001
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Guest star: David Schaal (Glyn)

Despite the impending cut-backs and the prospect of redundancies, David has nevertheless decided to take on another new employee: the daughter of his best friends. While showing her around, David is livid to discover a sexist, pornographic image being circulated around the office. Gareth is put in charge of getting to the bottom of it. Meanwhile, Jennifer pops in for an update on how David has initiated cost-cutting measures.

3 :01x03 - The Quiz

First aired: Jul/23/2001
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais

Tim's thirtieth birthday becomes overshadowed by the annual office quiz night: an important event for David as it gives him a chance to showcase his stunning intellect. This also marks the first arrival of Chris Finch, Brendt's mate and partner for the quiz. Ricky's previous quiz experience shakes David's confidence a bit, but Finchy is more than self-assured of victory.

4 :01x04 - Training

First aired: Jul/30/2001
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Guest star: Peter Purves (Himself), Lucy O'Connell (Woman in video), Richard Hollis (Man in video), Vincent Franklin (Rowan)

Although David brings in an outsider, Rowan, to hold a training seminar focussing on motivation and customer handling techniques, he [David] can't help but get involved and take charge. At the same time, Dawn is going through a bad patch with Lee, and Tim sees it as a window of opportunity to get closer to her.

5 :01x05 - New Girl

First aired: Aug/13/2001
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Guest star: Nicola Cotter (Karen Roper), Ellen Collier (Girl in nightclub), Tiffany Stevenson-Oake (Girl in nightclub), Robin Ince (Stuart Foot)

David has once again ignored the calls to cut costs and has decided to hire himself a new secretary. Meanwhile, Tim has decided to pack it in and go back to uni; while he's working out his notice, however, things are a bit awkward between himself and Dawn. Lastly, the men decide to hit the clubs . . . err . . . club, as they go on the prowl for some female companionship.

6 :01x06 - Judgement

First aired: Aug/20/2001
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Guest star: Nicola Cotter (Karen Roper), Ron Merchant (Cleaner), Neil Fitzmaurice (Alex)

It's judgement day at Wernham Hogg. It's time to find out the long anticipated news of which branch – Slough or Swindon – has been chosen to be 'downsized'. Yet, no matter which one it is, it'll still be a sad day indeed, as redundancies are a guarantee.

7 :02x01 - Merger

First aired: Sep/30/2002
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais

David lays down a chilled out, 'let's get to know each other' type of vibe at the Swindon staff welcoming party, two weeks after the end of the previous episode. The office dynamics start to change completely as the new members join the crew, not to mention the new boss, Neil, hanging around David the whole time.

8 :02x02 - Appraisals

First aired: Oct/07/2002
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

It's time for David to give the annual staff appraisals. Meanwhile, the office is still unsettled emotionally: David is jealous about Neil's grip on the Swindon employees and his inability to motivate them; also, Tim and Rachel get a bit closer, much to the chagrin of Gareth and Dawn.

9 :02x03 - Party

First aired: Oct/14/2002
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Guest star: Jennifer Hennessy (Jude), Tom Goodman-Hill (Ray), David Schaal (Glyn)

David is reaching new heights in his jealousy of Neil, including imitating his style. David is also putting more irons in the fire as he agrees to do a series of of professional motivational speeches for quite a lot of lolly. Lastly, it's Trudy's birthday, and things get a little wild around the office.

10 :02x04 - Motivation

First aired: Oct/21/2002
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Guest star: Richard Wills-Cotton (Speaker #2), Che Given (Speaker #1), Jennifer Hennessy (Jude), Tom Goodman-Hill (Ray), Matthew Holness (Simon)

It's the first management training seminar for David, and he is cool and relaxed about the venture. Neil, on the other hand, is not so sure about it, since this new side job might start taking up too much of his time. Tim and Rachel seem to be an item, striking jealousy in Dawn and disappointment in Gareth.

11 :02x05 - Charity

First aired: Oct/28/2002
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Guest star: Stephen Merchant (The Oggmonster), Bruce MacKinnon (Jimmy The Perv), Hugh Parker (Photographer)

Red Nose Day in the office, as everyone helps 'raise money for people who are starving to death.' On this day of joy, however, Neil comes down hard on David for his consistent negligence, but David doesn't respond too well to that accusation.

12 :02x06 - Interview

First aired: Nov/04/2002
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Guest star: Tom Goodman-Hill (Ray), Olivia Colman (Helena), Ron Merchant (Cleaner), Stephen Merchant (The Oggmonster)

David's final days at the office are not quite what he expected; instead, the growing sentiment is one of apathy. Meanwhile, in a completely unrelated incident, Dawn has handed in her resignation, causing waves in Tim's world.

Christmas Special (1)

First aired: Dec/26/2003
Writer: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Guest star: Paul Ferguson (Himself), Emma Louise Manton (Office Employee #3), Steve Brody (Peter), Elizabeth Berrington (Anne), Howard Brown (Himself), Martha Howe-Douglas (Office Employee #2)

The first of a two part Christmas special, in which we catch up with those from The Office documentary from two years or so prior: the office, as it is now, seems devoid of fun; David Brendt is a mobile salesman; and Dawn is enjoying life with Lee in America.

Christmas Special (2)

First aired: Dec/27/2003
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Director: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Guest star: Emma Louise Manton (Office Employee #3), Martha Howe-Douglas (Office Employee #2), Sandy Hendrickse (Carol), Steve Brody (Peter), Elizabeth Berrington (Anne), David Schaal (Glyn), Ron Merchant (Gordon)

The final half of the Christmas special and the end of the series sees David and Gareth trying their best to get David hooked up with a woman for the Christmas party. Also – surprise, surprise – Dawn stops by the office and catches up with the gang.