5. The Convict

(NBC)

In “The Convict,” America came face to face with the most effective cautionary tale to ever appear on screen. For viewers flirting with a life of crime, Prison Mike arrived to scare them straight. What was his crime? He “stole, and robbed, and kidnapped the president’s son.” Crazy, right? Here’s the best part: “I never got caught neither.” (Then why did he end up in prison? Amazing.)

When we think of Andy’s romantic interests, our minds go first to Angela and Erin. But in “The Convict,” for a far-too-brief moment, Andy set his sights on Pam. When he asked Jim for help in figuring out how to win her, Jim’s intentionally awful advice to Andy made for a fantastic pick up attempt. Pam was blown away. So was I. Well done, Jim. One of your best moments of pranky sabotage.

4. Niagara

(NBC)

“Niagara” is the episode in which Jim and Pam get married. The reason they chose Niagara Falls as their wedding site was to make it difficult for co-workers to attend. This seems cruel, but go back and see their responses to Pam’s reasonable attempts to get them to officially RSVP — Jim and Pam’s co-workers can be…difficult.

In any event, Michael foiled their plans and gave everyone in the office the day off, but only if they chose to attend the wedding. Brilliant. Ended up being the show’s finest celebratory moment: the dance lines were pure joy. One of television’s all time greatest couples made it official, and they did so in an unexpected way. Beautifully done.

3. Goodbye, Michael

(NBC)

Count me among those who thought Michael’s goodbye episode should have capped the entire series. The turning off of the mic should’ve been the turning off of the show.

It’s not that the post-Michael era didn’t have its share of fantastic moments. A cast that talented and writers that inventive and hilarious were always going to continue to churn out great stuff. But Michael, I thought, was central to the dynamic of The Office in a way few other main characters have been.

A deeply touching episode. Throughout the series, Michael’s character, on occasion, veers into highly sympathetic territory. But never more so than here—notice that his stealth goodbyes focused on his coworker’s interests and personalities, not on his. In the past, parties and events and celebrations needed to be focused on his whims and wishes. He would be petulant, otherwise. The beauty of his departure here is that it signaled how much his co-workers meant to him, and here’s how we know: he didn’t feel the need to to be sent off in grand fashion with all the attention on him. He offered something meaningful to them, this time.

2. Casino Night

My wife thought “Casino Night” should have been number 1. I can’t really argue against that — I have it as the second best episode in the show’s 201-episode-deep catalogue.

That. Scene. Oh. My. God.

(NBC)

John Krasinski absolutely killed it. Heart-wrenching yet weirdly fulfilling. The Jim and Pam story-arch didn’t feel fulfilled; actually, it made viewers like me want to see it happen even more. But there’s a sense in which it was a huge relief to see Jim finally express his feelings toward Pam. The agony of watching this episode and then having to wait until the next season rolled around was intense.

1. Goodbye, Toby

(NBC)

Toby’s farewell episode does not top any lists that I’m aware of, but it certainly tops mine. There are three elements that I believe make this the show’s top offering.

The first is the introduction of Holly, Michael’s soul mate and future wife. Is there anything more Classic Michael Scott than his 180 degree turn, within one and the same episode, from bitterly dismissing her as Toby pt 2 upon first meeting her to proclaiming his undying love for her to Jim later in the episode? His attempts to flirt with her are agonizing and awkward, but hysterical all the same.

The second is the culmination of Michael’s hate for Toby, which is one of the show’s best and most enduring mini-archs. The episode begins with an exultant Michael coming in early out of sheer giddiness over Toby’s imminent departure. The exit interview is a monument; his face to Toby indicating that he better shut up should be made into t-shirts. Later on, his rendition of Supertramp’s “Goodbye Stranger” (changed to “Goodbye Toby”) is pure, triumphant release.

Third, Dwight’s playful “hazing” of Holly gives us one great storyline. Holly is told Kevin Malone is “slow,” which, as you’re watching, actually makes you wonder whether it’s been true all along and you just hadn’t noticed. Here’s the hilarious part: Kevin’s character doesn’t actually have to be stretched toward “slowness” to make the storyline work: all the moments that reinforce Holly’s belief are normal Kevin moments. It doesn’t come across as contrived at all. “That’s a button.” Good Lord that’s perfect.

So there you have it: My Top 5 Office episodes. These managed to beat out other fantastic episodes, such as (in chronological order): “Basketball” (S1); “Office Olympics” (s2); “The Client” (S2); “Christmas Party” (S2); “The Injury” (S2); “Gay Witch Hunt” (S3); “The Convention” (S3); “Business School” (s3); “Beach Games” (s3); “Local Ad” (S4); “The Deposition” (S4); “Dinner Party” (S4); “Crime Aid” (S5); “Broke” (S5); “Cafe Disco” (S5); “Gossip” (S6); “Mafia” (S6); “Murder” (S6); “Scott’s Tots” (S6); “The Sting” (S7); “China” (S7); “Threat Level Midnight” (S7); “Garage Sale” (S7); “The List” (S8); “Garden Party” (S8); and “Finale” (S9).