9 reviews
The US version of The Office continues to distance itself from the brilliant UK original by having more openly exaggerated sit-com scenarios (it is an NBC show, after all) with what is arguably the funniest episode of the short inaugural season: The Alliance, which shows another side of the endlessly hilarious Jim/Dwight conflict.
With the downsizing rumors still in the air, Dwight suggests that he and Jim form a secret alliance so that neither of them will have any problems. Of course, Dwight reveals his trust issues to the camera crew, and boy, are they justified: the moment the "alliance" kicks off, Jim starts planning various schemes at his co-worker's expense. Meanwhile, Michael keeps coming up with ways to distract his staff from the gossip-induced paranoia.
Like the previous episode, The Alliance is 20 minutes of comedy gold, based primarily on the spot-on interactions between John Krasinski and the superb Rainn Wilson, who almost do an even better job than Martin Freeman and McKenzie Crook in the British prototype. The "best gag" award, however, has to go to Steve Carell for when he explains why he shouldn't tell his staff about the downsizing: "As a doctor, you wouldn't tell a patient they had cancer." A masterpiece
With the downsizing rumors still in the air, Dwight suggests that he and Jim form a secret alliance so that neither of them will have any problems. Of course, Dwight reveals his trust issues to the camera crew, and boy, are they justified: the moment the "alliance" kicks off, Jim starts planning various schemes at his co-worker's expense. Meanwhile, Michael keeps coming up with ways to distract his staff from the gossip-induced paranoia.
Like the previous episode, The Alliance is 20 minutes of comedy gold, based primarily on the spot-on interactions between John Krasinski and the superb Rainn Wilson, who almost do an even better job than Martin Freeman and McKenzie Crook in the British prototype. The "best gag" award, however, has to go to Steve Carell for when he explains why he shouldn't tell his staff about the downsizing: "As a doctor, you wouldn't tell a patient they had cancer." A masterpiece
- ComedyFan2010
- Dec 26, 2018
- Permalink
It was very cringe episode to watch which makes it interesting but I want a little bit more dark humour or just jokes, so far, The office didn't disappoint me.
- Edvis-1997
- Oct 23, 2021
- Permalink
- ZegMaarJus
- Feb 18, 2024
- Permalink
- zhyarTheChosen
- Feb 23, 2020
- Permalink
- gizmomogwai
- Dec 7, 2009
- Permalink
2 brilliant plots: Michaels Party-planning and Jim and Dwights Alliance. We start to see more of the office's opinion of Michael and the start of Jim's major pranks on Dwight. Also we see the struggles with Jim's love for Pam. Enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.
- jonniedylanoliver
- May 17, 2020
- Permalink
- sudarshan-52058
- Jun 1, 2021
- Permalink
This was my least favorite episode of season 1. It's still the office so it's worth watching just not up to standard of the rest of the show. Not the funniest prank on Dwight- it seemed a little too drawn out and then ended in awkwardness. Best parts of the episode were Michael and Dwight interacting which sadly didn't happen enough in this episode. Also, in the extended cut the scene with Toby and the whiteout always makes me laugh. But watching Michael spend half the episode thinking about what to write in the card is just not the best plot line. Again is it worth watching, sure. Probably in my bottom 10 episodes though.