14 Years Later, 'Stress Relief' is Still The Office's Funniest Episode

From the moment we see Dwight setting up the office for his 'simulation' fire, we know we're in for a treat. It's the type of opening to a show that immediately tells you there will be a plethora of opportunities for great quality moments.

And we're straight into them. From his attempts to get others to notice the smoke to the way they all completely ignore his calls to follow the procedure, it's classic Dwight.

Then the comedy's ramped up when Michael yells. 'Everyone for himself', later also using the hilarious line, 'Barak is president' that only he could come up with.

Then there's the cat that falls through the ceiling!!! Still LMAO!! Every. Time.

Let's not forget, though, that we're labelling this the funniest-ever episode.

So, cast your mind back to the meetings with Dwight where he refuses to acknowledge he's done wrong. Then the way that Michael tries to surreptitiously cross to the other side of the table. It's genius!

And, of course, there's Dwight's apology. Ok, so we probably all saw that coming. But when used sparingly, the obvious line becomes part of the joke.

Which brings me to two of the best comic moments of the episode – and of the entire series.

Be honest, when Michael first leaned over the dummy having been told to keep to the beat of Staying Alive, you thought him doing that would be the punchline. It was made for the character.

Instead, he launches into 'At first I was afraid, I was petrified…'. On its own, it's a pretty average line. Used in the context that it was unexpected, it's hilarious. Indeed, the whole scene is hilarious – the way that everybody gets involved in the dancing, the completely random, 'You were in the parking lot earlier. That's how I know you', to Michael's 'Do we even bother resuscitating him?'

The penultimate scene uses the same approach. As Michael walks around the bodies on the floor holding a candle, we know the show is almost over, and we expect to see it go full circle with him dropping the candle and starting a fire. But that would be too obvious. Instead, it becomes clear that Michael is the cause of the stress in the office. A fact which he subsequently describes as a 'great twist'.

It's comedy genius.

And I've not even mentioned:

• 'What does warm mean?'
• 'I forgot my purse.'
• 'I only weigh 82 pounds.'
• 'Use the surge of fear and adrenaline to sharpen your decision-making.'
• Kevin raiding the vending machine.

Essentially, what I'm saying is, if you haven't seen it in a while – or have somehow never seen it – stop what you're doing and watch 'Stress Relief' – season 5, episode 14 of The Office.