“The Office” is a show that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its unique blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and engaging characters. While the show is well known for its iconic episodes, such as “Dinner Party” and “Stress Relief,” there are a few great episodes that often go unnoticed. From Michael’s hilarious shenanigans to uplifting scenes between characters, these episodes showcase the show’s variety and why it continues to be a fan favorite years after its finale. Here are the top five underrated episodes of “The Office”:

5. Koi Pond

In “Koi Pond,” (season six, episode eight), Jim goes with Michael to a sales meeting, and Michael ends up falling into a koi pond. Later, the employees find out and make fun of him, causing Michael to host a meeting about what is and isn’t acceptable to make fun of. During this meeting, Jim advises Michael to make fun of himself to deflect any further teasing. However, the situation becomes more complicated when Meredith finds a clip of the incident, revealing that Jim swerved out of the way instead of helping Michael. Michael becomes angry, but ultimately forgives Jim. This episode highlights the show’s ability to balance humor with more serious moments and showcases the complex relationships between the characters.

4. Casino Night 

“Casino Night” (season two, episode 22) is a well-liked episode that is often overlooked when discussing the show’s best moments. The episode centers around the charity casino night, which sees several characters’ relationships develop and change. A heartwarming moment comes when Jim confesses his feelings to Pam, leading to the two sharing a kiss before she rejects him for her manipulative fiancé, Roy. The episode also features a subplot involving Michael’s attempts to balance two dates, which provides plenty of comedic relief and embarrassing moments.

3. Beach Games

“Beach Games” (season three, episode 23) is a classic episode that sees Michael trying to determine who his successor will be as he prepares to leave his regional manager position. The episode is underrated because it is often overshadowed by the following episode, “The Job,” which sees Jim, Michael, and Karen interview for a job at corporate. However, “Beach Games” has its own heartwarming moments, such as when Pam realizes her potential and successfully does the coal walk, earning Michael’s respect. She also confesses her feelings for Jim in front of her co-workers, showing her growing bravery and confidence.

2. Garage Sale

In “Garage Sale” (season seven, episode 19), the Dunder Mifflin employees host a garage sale to raise money for themselves and for the party budget. Meanwhile, Michael is struggling with how to propose to Holly and seeks the help of his co-workers to plan the perfect proposal. During their conversations, Holly reveals that she wants Michael to move to Colorado with her because her father is sick. In the end, Michael proposes to Holly in a heartwarming moment, but he also reveals that he will move with her. This emotional scene marks the beginning of the end of Michael’s story arc and demonstrates the show’s ability to balance comedy with sentimentality. Another underrated aspect of this episode is Kevin outsmarting Andy and Darryl to win money, while Dwight also trades his way from a paperclip to a telescope. However, he ended up trading the telescope for a packet of Jim’s “magic beans,” which is revealed to be a prank at the end of the episode.

1. Golden Ticket

“Golden Ticket” (season five, episode 19) is a highly underrated episode of the sitcom, with a hilarious storyline that sees Michael’s brilliant idea to distribute five golden tickets promising a discount to whoever presents them go terribly wrong. Michael’s mishandling of the distribution leads to Jim losing 50 percent of his sales and the company getting into hot water. Michael tries to have Dwight take the blame for the idea, but a heartwarming moment occurs when Jim encourages Dwight to focus on his own strengths and not cover up Michael’s mistakes. This illustrates the developing relationship between Jim and Dwight, as Jim becomes more supportive and encouraging toward him. Another underrated aspect of this episode is the brilliance of Michael’s idea, which ultimately leads to their biggest seller joining Dunder Mifflin for all office supplies.

“The Office” is widely regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and for good reason. Its combination of humor, heart, and relatability has made it a beloved show that continues to attract new fans even years after its final episode aired. While some episodes are more well-known than others, there are several underrated episodes that are worth revisiting, too. These episodes all offer moments of humor and heart that make them stand out. Whether it’s Michael falling into a koi pond or Jim and Dwight’s evolving friendship, these episodes highlight the unique and memorable moments that make “The Office” a classic.