The Office: Every Christmas Episode Ranked From Worst To Best

In the first of two, two-part Christmas specials. A Benihana Christmas hilariously combines the realism of the first couple of seasons and injects just enough absurdity to the mix in order to find the perfect flavour.

In this double bill, directed by the legendary Harold Ramis, Michael is broken up with by Carol because he superimposed his face over her ex-husband's in a picture of them and their children on a skiing trip. To cheer him up Andy Bernard gets him to go to Benihana for lunch, so Michael brings Dwight & Jim along too. This results in Andy & Michael asking their young waitresses to come with them back to the office Christmas party, and Dwight being ostracised by the group when he is sat away from them at the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Pam & Karen team up so form a new Christmas party as they are unhappy with Angela's dictatorial, unilateral control over the party planning committee's traditional party.

The fallout from this episode is huge when looked at it for the rest of the season, it marks the beginning of Michael & Jan's semi-official relationship and the first time that Jim starts to step-up and take responsibility in the office. Though he still ends up messing with Dwight.

A Benihana Christmas is a brilliantly directed and written episode of The Office that serves as so much more than just an episodic chapter in the run of the show. It also covers the adventures of the other characters without Michael Scott's immediate involvement, expanding upon the show's newly brought together larger cast.