The Office cast who make them truly enjoyable. The employees of Dunder Mifflin Scranton are some of the greatest sitcom characters ever, and their respective personalities continue to boost The Office’s ever-growing popularity.

However, The Office’s funniest episodes aren’t always considered the best, at least not according to IMDb’s ratings system. There is a lot of debate among viewers over which episode of The Office is the best, and with hundreds to compare, opinions always differ. That being said, "Finale" is the show's highest-rated episode, although it may not be the best one.

"Finale" Isn't The Office's Best Episode (Despite Being The Highest-Rated)

The Office’s Ending Is Brilliant & Emotional, But It Isn’t The Funniest Episode

At the moment, The Office’s finale is the highest-rated episode on IMDb. “Finale” is a truly great episode of TV, and a fitting ending for each of the characters. It’s heartwarming to see Angela and Dwight’s relationship in The Office finally get a happy ending, Jim and Pam make plans for a better future, and Michael Scott returns. There are plenty of comical moments, but “Finale” is really pure emotion. Even things that are supposed to be a joke tug at the heartstrings, like when Erin meets her biological parents or when Dwight and Michael reunite.

Of course, “Finale” is a historical episode of The Office, and not just because it’s the last. Several storylines get good resolutions, and many loose ends are tied up. We find out more about Michael in The Office finale, who has the family he always wanted with Holly, for example. Most importantly, “Finale” demonstrates just how incredible Dwight’s character development is throughout The Office, especially how relaxed he is as Regional Manager and as a father to Phillip.

However, this doesn’t make it the best or funniest episode of The Office. Yes, it reflects on the growth of the show and the characters in general, and is lore-heavy, but that isn’t what the show is about. At its core, The Office is a classic situational comedy, which focuses on the day-to-day working lives of the characters. Several episodes encapsulate The Office as a whole better than the finale, but one stands out.

"Stress Relief" Is The Actual Best Episode Of The Office

The Jokes Just Do Not Stop In This Two-Parter

While there are a lot of factors to consider, “Stress Relief” is ultimately the best episode of The Office. There are so many iconic moments in the two-part bumper episode to , and it’s quite easy to believe they’re from different seasons because so much happens in such a relatively short span of time. Dwight’s fire drill, one of The Office’s best cold opens, is a legendary moment throughout the entire show and one that audiences don’t forget quickly. Stanley’s stress machine constantly beeping at Michael, as well as the roast, are both hysterically funny scenes, too.

There’s also The Office’s fake Jack Black and Cloris Leachman movie in “Stress Relief,” as well, which plays a part in the storyline about Pam’s parents' split. Barely a second goes by without another joke, and this episode highlights the best parts of certain characters. Dwight’s attitudes towards health and safety, Michael’s need for his employees to respect him, and Stanley’s struggles with his boss are all significant to the plot in “Stress Relief,” for example. While “Stress Relief” is a great standalone episode, it also sets up future lore, and Stanley’s heart attack is a recurring topic after this.

“Stress Relief” is the perfect episode to show new viewers because it represents the show as a whole. It demonstrates Michael’s unprofessionalism and cringey behavior, the staff’s exasperation over his actions, and how quickly the average day at Dunder Mifflin Scranton can be derailed. It is the quintessential episode of The Office.