The Office (TV Series) The Alliance (2005) User Reviews

Jim and Dwight

[MaxBorg89 · 9/10 · 19 September 2009]

The US version of The Office continues to distance itself from the brilliant UK original by having more openly exaggerated sit-com scenarios (it is an NBC show, after all) with what is arguably the funniest episode of the short inaugural season: The Alliance, which shows another side of the endlessly hilarious Jim/Dwight conflict.

With the downsizing rumors still in the air, Dwight suggests that he and Jim form a secret alliance so that neither of them will have any problems. Of course, Dwight reveals his trust issues to the camera crew, and boy, are they justified: the moment the "alliance" kicks off, Jim starts planning various schemes at his co-worker's expense. Meanwhile, Michael keeps coming up with ways to distract his staff from the gossip-induced paranoia.

Like the previous episode, The Alliance is 20 minutes of comedy gold, based primarily on the spot-on interactions between John Krasinski and the superb Rainn Wilson, who almost do an even better job than Martin Freeman and McKenzie Crook in the British prototype. The "best gag" award, however, has to go to Steve Carell for when he explains why he shouldn't tell his staff about the downsizing: "As a doctor, you wouldn't tell a patient they had cancer." A masterpiece

The Alliance (#1.4)

[ComedyFan2010 · 9/10 · 27 December 2018]

Dwight decides to form an alliance with Jim because of downsizing. Michael wants to make the office happy by throwing a month early surprise birthday party for Meredith.

Wonderful episode. The whole alliance thing was a wonderful idea. Jim and Dwight together are hilarious. The whole thing of Dwight in the box was pretty good. I wish Roy didn't walk in on Jim and Pam, I would want to see Dwight spy as well. But he did dye his hair!

The birthday story was also good. Poor Meredith! All the jokes that Michael did for her were just mean, and he thinks he is just a comedy king. But this is what made it for us funny to watch

8

[Edvis-1997 · 8/10 · 24 October 2021]

It was very cringe episode to watch which makes it interesting but I want a little bit more dark humour or just jokes, so far, The office didn't disappoint me.

Good one

[zhyarTheChosen · 8/10 · 24 February 2020]

Really love this series I am watching it almost every day

Downsizing Alliance

[ZegMaarJus · 8/10 · 19 February 2024]

This Episode begins with Michael and Dwight, they are talking about the downsizing of the Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company Office in Cranston. Dwight wants to form an alliance with Jim because of the downsizing at the office. Michael tries to create a birthday surprise for Meredith, she turns 46. Michael and his staff celebrate Meredith her birthday at the office. Jim tells Roy that he was messing around with Dwight. Nice Episode of The Office Season 1, great to see Dwight and Jim their alliance. But it turned out to be a disaster for the both of them. Looking forward how they will work together next time!

Often lacklustre but with flashes of brilliance

[gizmomogwai · 6/10 · 8 December 2009]

This episode, The Alliance, is part of the US Office's first season- six episodes that don't get much love. Although I liked some of these episodes (like Diversity Day), I can understand a lack of enthusiasm for this one.

Given fear of downsizing, Michael decides to lighten up the office by throwing a birthday party- despite the fact that the next birthday is a month away. Meanwhile, Dwight deals with the downsizing by suggesting an "alliance" with Jim.

Much of the episode is kind of dull, there's little to laugh at besides Dwight's water bottle. Michael makes a reference to Donald Trump, but it's hard to see why I should care and if anyone else will in twenty years. He also makes a Star Trek reference that isn't very funny. Nevertheless, I can appreciate how imperfect a month-early birthday party is, and Pam's question as to what the "alliance" really means is a valid one.

Towards the end, the episode does provide some laughs. The birthday girl's reaction, including to a cake she can't eat for medical reasons, is good. The downsizing joke is awkward. The fact that it's the temp's actual birthday is a humorous twist. The charity subplot also has a nice twist when Michael learns he's donated a lot more than he thought. It's not the greatest TV episode, but it does indicate the show has potential.

The First Chaotic Episode

[jonniedylanoliver · 7/10 · 18 May 2020]

2 brilliant plots: Michaels Party-planning and Jim and Dwights Alliance. We start to see more of the office's opinion of Michael and the start of Jim's major pranks on Dwight. Also we see the struggles with Jim's love for Pam. Enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.

it was okay

[sudarshan-52058 · 6/10 · 2 June 2021]

Jim pranking dwight is not even funny. It's funny for jim and pam but not us audience.

Least favorite episode of the season

[bencarr-97919 · 7/10 · 23 January 2024]

This was my least favorite episode of season 1. It's still the office so it's worth watching just not up to standard of the rest of the show. Not the funniest prank on Dwight- it seemed a little too drawn out and then ended in awkwardness. Best parts of the episode were Michael and Dwight interacting which sadly didn't happen enough in this episode. Also, in the extended cut the scene with Toby and the whiteout always makes me laugh. But watching Michael spend half the episode thinking about what to write in the card is just not the best plot line. Again is it worth watching, sure. Probably in my bottom 10 episodes though.