episode one

The Office Series 2, episode 1. First aired 30/09/2002

in this episode...

Two weeks after the announcement that Slough has been saved from the chop it is merger day and six new employees arrive from Swindon along with Neil - David's dynamic new boss. New girl Rachel immediately ignites the flames of desire in Tim and Gareth and the latters pulling technique reveals itself to be as subtle as a sledgehammer.

Unfortunately for David the Swindon contingent also consist of a black guy (Oliver) and a wheelchair user (Brenda) - problematic for a man with a terminally indelicate sense of humour. David finds himself hauled up before Jennifer Taylor Clark for exploring the outer reaches of bad taste in no time.

Brent-ism of the episode
"Some comedians will have picked on other stuff, you know been more nasty. Like he's got a little withered hand, like Jeremy Beadle - I didn't mention it. No need."

Meanwhile Tim's new Sales Manager post has gone to his head and he's becoming increasingly dismissive of Dawn. Making up for his caddish behaviour by giving her a little dance in the office results in him being pinned against a wall by Lee. A stressful day for all concerned.

too good to miss out...

Tim: "Team Leader don't mean anything mate"
Gareth: "Excuse me, it means I'm leader of a team"
Tim: "No it doesn't. It's a title someone's given you to get you to do something they don't want to do for free - it's like making the div kid at school milk monitor. No one respects it"
Gareth: "Er I think they do"
Tim: "No they don't Gareth"
Gareth: "Er yes they do, cos if people were rude to me then I used to give them their milk last... so it was warm."

Gareth: "My dad, for example, he's not as cosmopolitan or as educated as me and it can be embarrasing you know. He doesn't understand all the new trendy words - like he'll say 'poofs' instead of 'gays', 'birds' instead of 'women', 'darkies' instead of 'coloureds'."