Rating: 
Summary: A British Perspective
Review: As a British expat living in LA, I've been very pleased with the American reaction to the show. It's quite interesting that most Americans find the first series better, because most British people I know prefer the second series, possibly because it's harsher and I think Brits have a darker sense of humour. But it is a great series and it manages to both cross the atlantic and stay 'British', which is a rare feat.British sitcoms traditionally have only 6 episodes in a season ('series') and Gervais said on telly that if he made a third season it wouldn't be very good and would taint the previous two (something lacking in American tv unfortunately). I think that everyone should own this dvd, just because it is so different from anything else I've ever seen (even in Britain!).
Rating: 
Summary: Ricky, what went wrong?
Review: Series One is absolutely brilliant. Heck, I still laugh wildly at scenes (Dawn's face as David explains how he could have slept on her floor if he got off at the wrong stop) that I've seen nearly a hundred times! Series Two, however, lacks continuous charm. As has been stated, David Brent starts to lose it in this series and I didn't find it funny but sad. It wasn't funny sad, it was just uncomfortably sad. That said, if you are a die hard Series One fan you must simply see Series Two as a follow-up. While you will mostly be disappointed, there are a few (and I really do mean a few) redeeming scenes (Brent giving his motivational talk and the photo shoot leading up to it--hilarious). For Series One fans this is a must but if you still need to be sold on British comedy after Series One don't waste your money because you won't get this one especially.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 for series 1 and 2 together; 4 for this one alone
Review: I agree with reviewers who have called this series more mean spirited than series 1, but I disagree that this is a bad thing. What happens in series 2 is a natural progression in the world of Wernham Hogg. Brent does indeed get what he deserves, so why does it bother us to witness that? Perhaps we want to continue to laugh at him and don't like the fact that we are forced to feel pity for him in the concluding moments of the final episode. In that moment, he's no longer fun to loathe, and his show of genuine emotion is jarring to our senses. Isn't this how we feel in real life when the co-worker (or boss) that we loved to hate is finally shown the door? Is it easy to sit and watch this person pack his boxes and be escorted from the premises? Of course not. And we don't want to see that happen to David Brent, no matter how ineffective a manager he has been. As sad and moving as the final scene is, it also fills us with hope - hope that underneath it all, David Brent is more self-aware than he has seemed, and that after begging for his job back, he might be able to turn a corner in his life. We don't know how the story will end, unless it is revealed in the Christmas special mentioned by other reviewers. I cannot rate this series with 5 stars because of the unsatisfactory way that Tim's story concluded - first with him turning down the promotion and then with Dawn inexplicably rejecting him again. If he is the everyman that most of us are supposed to identify with, we aren't left with much hope for ourselves. Still, a fine show that is a worthy addition to any DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait!
Review: I disagree with those who feel the second season was weak in comparison to the first. It was awkward and had plenty more painful moments for David Brent, but still hysterical! I'm just waiting for the special afterwards to come out on DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes the complaints will be false
Review: That line was from Season One and unfortunately, in Season Two, the complaints are true. This review only applies to Season Two of The Office.
After thoroughly enjoying Season One, I was anxiously awaiting the next installment; however, I was a bit disappointed. There was a general uncomfortable feeling that prevailed throughout all six episodes watching David falling flat on his face time and time again. Part of the appeal of Season One was watching everyone's reactions to David's hilarious ramblings. This time, you begin to find yourself pitying David rather than laughing at or with him. This reminded me of the wonderful Fawlty Towers series in which I enjoyed all but the angry American episode in which Basil was basically subjected to one uncomfortably angry confrontation after the next. All of Season Two feels very much like that one Fawlty Towers episode. There is some very effective character development however in this season with Tim and Dawn especially which I enjoyed and Gareth has some of the best lines in the series. If you have Season One, which you definately should, than it's worth buying the next one to complete the set, just realize it's not all fun and games this time around.
Rating:
Summary: Season one was the funniest show I have ever seen but...
Review: ...personally, I thought season two sucked. OK so perhaps I am in the minority but I can honestly say I thought season two of The Office was a huge disappointment. The first season was not only hilarious but it felt real. Watching it I felt I could actually see these characters getting dressed in the morning before coming to work, they were multi-dimensional and interesting to watch. That was part of what made it so successful. In season two, however, the characters became caricatures performing a series of gags that were not funny and often out of sync with their already developed personalities. The show became casted and scripted and lost any of the spontaneity of the first season. The joke of the whole season was David Brent, who was no longer socially awkward and insecure but who turned into a one trick pony, performing the same foot-in-mouth routines. The beauty of season one is that you can watch it over and over again, unlike season two, which I am eager to get rid of.
Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest shows in Ages...
Review: Well I heard tons of talk about how funny this show was and decided to check it out. It definely is one of the funniest shows of all time.
I think the 2nd Season is good, but hard to compare with the 1st Season which was outstanding.
This season has elemets of classuc literature (i.e. fall of major character) and a differennt type of comedic performace.
My only complaints is this DVD has only 6 episodes and I was hoping to see the extremely publicized Christmas Special. The outakes and deleted scenes are great. Be sure to watch Season 1 first and you may want to keep your subtitles on. Cheers.
Rating:
Summary: A real squirmfest.
Review: Oh, ouch. I had forgotten how incredibly painful this show can be. Ouch. Ouchouchouchouchouch. Ow.
Rating:
Summary: the finest comedy on television
Review: as this is a review of season 2, those who beleive that season 1 was "funnier" probably are attracted to the more traditional sitcom elements of series 1 (series 1 really hit stride in episode 4- "Freelove Freeway"). series 2 creates a timeline both tragic and hilarious. as in real life, we experience highs and lows, and series 2 showcases our favorite employees of Wernham Hogg experiencing these highs and lows- Tim's feelings for Dawn & Rachel, Dawn having to deal with Lee & Tim, Gareth chasing Rachel and dealing with the computer guy and finally, David Brent's "Greek" tragedy fall from from grace. this is a series of elegant grace and beauty, "Chaplin-esque" in it's juxtaposition (Juxstaposition Records?!?!) of humor and melancholy. for anyone interested, the X-mas specials/series finale deliver fans of this classic series a finale of touching poignancy and humor.
Rating:
Summary: Annihilated; painful.
Review: I didn't realize it at the time, but after having watched Season One far too many times, I came to really... love... David Brent. Perhaps this reveals some fault in my self, but I found him at once utterly preposterous and utterly uplifting. It's nice, in some way, to think that there are people out there who try diligently to Do The Right Thing - even, and maybe especially, though they fail miserably. Season Two was therefore extremely painful to watch. Yes, the first season is painfully awkward, but Season Two is simply painful. It is a nihilistic acomedic nonromp. It is like watching your grandmother die of cancer. Everyone, perhaps Gareth aside, loses. There is no joy, hope, happy ending, or anything of the sort to be found on this DVD. It is one hundred and eighty minutes of destruction. For whatever it's worth, the last episode had me crying. I haven't watched any of the diary of Gervais and Merchant on the disc, and perhaps they have some explanation for why they chose to end the series in this way, but after having just finished watching the last episode, I am terribly sad. If their intent was to plot the rise and eventual downfall of a hapless and sincere individual, they have succeeded. Sure, I laughed a few times, but more often than not I sat, mouth agape, terrified. Ultimately, with Season One and Two they have created a Shakespearean tragedy of the highest calibre. If you saw David as a buffoon who deserves what he gets, you will no doubt delight in his pain. I found myself empathetically toiling with the knowledge that bad things happen to decent people. Sigh.
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