While The Office ran for nine successful seasons on NBC, not every one was the same. While the episodes were all rooted at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, PA, the situations and characters consistently developed. However, of all periods of the show, the characters went through the most change soon after Season 1.
The American Office was derived from the British Office, and this is most easily seen in the first season of the show. However, as the series progressed, the American Office found its own voice and departed from its source material. This had the characters undergoing some major changes.
It’s time to head back to the beginning; Here are ten ways the characters from The Office changed after Season 1.
10 Kelly
When we first meet customer service representative Kelly, she seems put-together and quiet. However, it doesn't take long for Kelly's mild-mannered personality to change into one that's totally dramatic.
The new Kelly is emotionally charged and celebrity-obsessed. She likes to be the center of attention and is focused on boys and their affection (specifically that of Ryan). Instead of wearing muted work ensembles, her wardrobe grows brighter, glitzier, and bolder.
9 Kevin
Salesman Kevin also goes through a lot of development after Season 1, though this transition is a lot slower than Kelly’s.
Season 1 Kevin is slow and dull, but he’s not necessarily stupid; Rather, he’s lackluster. As viewers get further into the series, however, Kevin becomes more childlike and inept. He’s dumbed down a lot. You can hear it in his voice as he draws out his syllables in a simplistic manner.
8 Phyllis
Phyllis is quiet throughout the beginning of The Office. She’s continually beat-up on by Michael who makes demeaning remarks about her looks and fades into the background. However, this saleswoman has a lot of personality.
Phyllis grows to become fiery and even vindictive against Angela as the series progresses. She also later reveals her love for gossip and passion for her eventual husband, Bob Vance.
7 Jan
Viewers are first introduced to Jan during the pilot episode. As the Vice President of Dunder Mifflin, she knows how to stay composed and professional even when Micahel engages in his usual antics. This all changes early in Season 2, however.
Feeling lonely after a difficult divorce, Jan begins to take notice of Michael. Over time she sheds her put-together persona for one which is more free-spirited and erratic. Her dysfunctional relationship with Michael takes center stage.
6 Meredith
Meredith hasn’t always been a loud, sexually promiscuous, alcoholic supplier relations worker. In Season 1, she’s a reserved accountant.
Meredith gets a job change and a personality change in later seasons. Though her alcoholic tendencies are hinted at in Season 1, very little is known about her. The few times she is on-screen (like during her birthday episode) she appears to have a dull workplace personality. However, it’s not long before her edgy personal life slips through.
5 Creed
Though Creed is still mysterious at the end of The Office, his personality becomes prominent after Season 1.
In the opening episodes of the show, he is frequently seen hanging around in the background and has a casual chat with Michael on the phone once. It's not until Season 2, however, that Creed moves from being an extra to a supporting character. He proves himself to be deviant and low-key sociopathic.
4 Oscar
Oscar is another character who doesn’t get a very large spotlight until further into the series.
In Season 1, Michael makes jokes about Oscar’s Mexican heritage, which Oscar replies mildly to. His personality grows more vibrant in Season 2. He hints at his secret sexual orientation, he gets into bigger arguments with Angela, and he more openly shows his smarts.
3 Ryan
Ryan is hired on as a temp in Season 1. Acting as an audience surrogate, The Office’s writers used Ryan to introduce the rest of the employees at the Scranton branch.
Though Ryan tries to fit in at his job, he is also unenthusiastic about it. His frustration with work increases in Season 2 as he continues to get sucked deeper into the Dunder Mifflin black hole. This has him eventually grow into an obnoxious slacker.
2 Pam
Though Pam’s character becomes a lot more confident throughout the seasons, this is particularly noticeable between Seasons 1 and 2. Michael pretends to fire the receptionist during the pilot, and Pam breaks down and cries. She constantly gets teased by Michael and continues to put up with Roy’s minimal efforts in their relationship.
Though she doesn’t become instantly brave in Season 2, she begins to make more decisions for herself and starts to stand up against Michael. She has no problem getting drunk in the Season 2 opener “The Dundies” and fearlessly kissing Jim.
1 Michael Scott
Of all the characters on The Office, Michael Scott was most changed between Season 1 and Season 2. When we meet the manager of the Scranton branch, he has slicked-back hair and a nefarious attitude. He shows little regard for his employees and is self-centered and obnoxious.
Though Michael doesn’t completely lose these qualities in the next season, he was made a lot nicer so that fans could more easily sympathize with him. He was given a more engaging look and began to care deeply about his employees even if this sometimes resulted in unconventional choices. Had Michael not been revamped, the show might not have lasted for so many seasons.
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April 19, 2020 at 05:30AM
