The Office - The Complete First and Second Series

Rating:
Summary: Skip this Edition for the One Including Specials (Plus Eggs)
Review: [No spoilers; Egg info below]

If you're considering purchasing The Office on DVD, this is not the edition to buy. There is a better and more satisfying set available for purchase.

The writers of this award winning mockumentary decided not to tie everything up neatly but preferred to leave most of the issues created over the span of the show's two seasons mostly unresolved. In this way the show is more like life and its imperfect messiness than the typical sitcom which wraps up neatly at the end of each half hour. Although the final episode of the final season is considered one of the funniest, it can also be one if the most painful because of the emotional investment a viewer has given to the characters over the course of two years. Situations certainly come to a head in the final episodes and to avoid any spoilers, I'll just say most of the action comes to an inevitable point. As it would be impossible for even a casual viewer to suspend their disbelief long enough to believe the action in the office could possibly continue on it's present course, the series, after two years, more than 24 international awards including two Golden Globes, and two painfully funny situation filled seasons, ends its two season run in an inevitable crash and burn.

The 'balm of Giliad' for the emotional wounds inflicted upon the viewer from said crash and burn comes in the form of 'The Specials.' The mockumentarians revisit the objects of their office documentary three years after we last left their lives. Most of the questions left in the mind of the viewer are answered or at least visited and closure is available for all. The two-part Special series gives hope that well . . . there's hope. When the season ending makes you want to slit your wrists in despair, the Specials will make you reconsider. In fact, without spoiling anything, some parts will make you cheer.

Basically what you want to buy is "The Office The Complete Series and Specials." It will arrive in a black package rather than the white package found here. If you've already purchased this set, sans Specials, have no fear; The Specials are also available for separate purchase. I linked both "The Office Special" in addition to "The Office - The Complete Collection (First And Second Series Plus Special)" sets above in the "Our Customers' Advice" section for your convenience.

DVD Hidden Features AKA Easter Eggs
Many DVDs these days have hidden extra features to fox and frustrate you for days on end as you try to work out how to activate them. The Office DVDs are no exception. Below you will find out how to access the extras on the series one and series two discs.

Disc 1: Freelove Freeway -- Go to the main menu and when the phone rings amidst the background office noise, hit enter on your remote. Voila! You should be greeted with talented songsmith David Brent performing Freelove Freeway.

Disc 2: Who Cares Wins -- Go to the Slough by John Betjemen scene. Wait for the room to go dark and then hit enter on your remote. You will be rewarded with the full length Peter Purves training video featured in Episode Four

One note -- there were rumors that an American version of The Office was in the works but that idea has since been tabled. Considering that most of the 'quirks' that made David Brent such an awful boss would be fodder for lawsuits here in the States, an American version would certainly be less edgy, appealing, and or funny and the decision was made not to make one State side. We'll just have to enjoy the Brit version instead.