NBC's The Office: Therapy for Life

When you create a team made up of an inappropriately witty boss, an uptight accountant, an overconfident salesman, and an alcoholic supplier relations representative (to name a few), one is likely to expect this combination to be your average American workspace. NBC’s The Office is this and so much more. Throughout its nine seasons, this TV show has provided numerous comical learning experiences. As an avid Office fan myself, I have come to the conclusion that above all this riveting mockumentary promotes and encourages healthy, functional relationships. After being a loyal consumer for over ten years I have observed how directors, writers, producers, cast and crew have brought this to fruition. The Office inspires good relationships through its portrayal of relationships between characters and spurring loyalty within relationships of viewers.

For those unfamiliar with The Office it may be beneficial to understand the basic storyline. After all, how will you be able to understand how this show promotes healthy relationships if we just jump into my argument before giving you a basic backstory. The show follows a mediocre paper supply company, Dunder Mifflin, in a small town in Pennsylvania. The introductory season starts with a small cast and as seasons progress we are slowly acquainted with more and more characters. One is able to follow the working dynamic of the employees of Dunder Mufflin and how their own relationships progress and digress. Each character has their own story, their own strengths and weaknesses. In the end, the wide range of emotions and personalities creates an addictive storyline to follow.

Traditional documentaries often times focus on relationships between people. Whether it be personally or amongst many. As viewers we are mere observers left to interpret and learn. As a mockumentary, The Office provides viewers this opportunity. The characteristics of the genre itself is what I’d first like to dive into. Episodically we are introduced to various aspects and occurrences that affect the dynamic of the lovely bunch that makes up Dunder Mifflin Scranton. For example, the questionable love triangle between Dwight Schrute, Angela Martin, and Andy Bernard. If we consider the ups and downs of this relationship there is a lot to be learned. Originally on the down low for quite some time, Dwight and Angela maintained a secretive relationship keeping it from most in the office. Ding ding! Red flag! Lesson #1: if love is intentionally hidden, I concur it is not true love.

Later in the relationship when Dwight and Angela have a falling out over a murdered kitten (long story), it doesn’t take Angela very long to move on to another man. Her intention? To make Dwight jealous. Ding ding! Red flag! *Ahem loyalty issues. Lesson #2: Establish loyalty, people!

Enter Andy Bernard. After a broken engagement to Andy, another secret affair with Dwight, and plenty other odd details that do not need to be mentioned at this time, Angela and Dwight get married. Ding ding! Not a red flag, but wedding bells. Lesson #3: True love triumphs all! This is just one example to prove how watching The Office and observing the odd relationships portrayed provides meaningful lessons.

As an avid fan, it is inevitable for me to not address personal experiences I’ve had with this show. Recently, I had an experience where The Office promoted loyalty and honesty between my now-husband and I. While we were dating I introduced him to The Office. We watched it faithfully together, sometimes substituting it for homework, which I actually recommend. Why? Quality time. Anyway, I digress. One night we were watching the second to last episode of the entire series. To add some suspense, the very next morning I was leaving on a trip to the South Pacific for three weeks. I asked him to promise me to not watch the episode until I returned home. I knew it was a lot to ask of him, but I had to be there for his reaction. Throughout that trip, the few times we talked he assured me he hadn’t broken our promise. As soon as I returned to wifi-filled America, we watched the final episode. The wait was well worth it. Our loyalty and honesty with one another is now much stronger. I wouldn’t be lying if I said this helped in deciding to marry him and form that new relationship.

In conclusion, NBC’s The Office portrayal of a second-rate paper supply company not only comedically entertains its viewers, but also gives them opportunities to analyze relationships between characters and learn what they can do to improve their own relationships with others. The dysfunctionality between the characters, when looked at more closely proves to be not much more dysfunctional than our own non-fictional relationships.