Judgement: The Office: Series 1

Judgement SYNOPSIS:

David fires the very forklift operator he hired only weeks ago due to the cutbacks but then introduces his new secretary to all the staff. Shortly after he berates Tim on his decision to leave when attempting to change Tim's mind.

Jennifer Taylor-Clark arrives to give David the cutbacks verdict, she is being made a partner and the board have voted in favour of David Brent taking her old job as U.K. Manager. His decision to take the job means Slough branch will be closed and those not made redundant will be merged with Swindon branch.

David doesn't hesitate to take the job instead of remaining loyal to his staff alienating them all when he tells them of the decision and boasting of his promotion. Gareth is very upset at the news of the old team breaking up.

All is depression among the staff at the end of financial year party until David Brent makes the surprise announcement he turned the job down in favour of Neil so Slough will take over Swindon instead. Although Malcolm has evidence of Brent's failed medical as the real reason and Tim decides to stay when offered a promotion.

Judgement CAST & CREW

Stars:

David Brent: Ricky Gervais
Tim Canterbury: Martin Freeman
Gareth Keenan: Mackenzie Crook
Dawn Tinsley: Lucy Davis
Stirling Gallacher: Jennifer Taylor-Clark
Oliver Chris: Ricky Howard
Joel Beckett: Lee
Sally Bretton: Donna
Robin Hooper: Malcolm
Nicola Cotter: Karen Roper

Featuring:

Ewen MacIntosh: Keith
Ben Bradshaw: Ben
Angela Clerkin: Jackie
Jamie Deeks: Jamie
Jane Lucas: Sheila
Alexander Perkins: Ralph
Emma Louise Manton: Emma
Philip Pickard: Phillip
Neil Fitzmaurice: Alex
Yvonne D'Alpra: Joan
Ron Merchant: Gordon the cleaner

Production Staff:

Writers - Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant
Directors - Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant
Producer - Ash Atalla
Executive Producer - Anil Gupta
Executive Producer - Jon Plowman

Judgement REVIEWS:

Goldby

David Brent sums it all up at the end of Judegment ; "You work for 50 years, you get the golden handshake, rest a couple of years then you die." Pretty bleak but then so's the man himself as he sells out his employees and work colleagues for a job offer that will close his branch down.

It really underlines what a nasty, underhanded guy David Brent is. Okay we've already seen all his other endearing traits but next to this the other traits are just pissy social faux pas. Here he really takes the cake, eats it, then farts it at his employees and nearly follows through..

The verdict comes in on redundancies and it's Brent's people who'll suffer with him taking up a new post with the survivors having to go to Swindon. Am sure some bosses may have done this in past history but maybe not as fast as Brent did after guffing on all series about loyalty to his staff. Lack of social skills aside the worst thing a boss could do is tell them his promotion is the reason they're out on the street.

Brent makes a good admission though, anyone in his position would have been hard pressed to say no to such a good offer. Shows the skill in Gervais acting and his and Merchant's crafty writing. Nice bit o' continuity too showing the same bloke (Neil FItzmaurice who plays Jeff on Peep Show) being fired at the beginning of this episode was being hired in the opening of Episode 1.

But it all winds up nicely in the final scenes when David Brent appears to have had a change of heart and saved his workers from the chop when he announces he's not taking the promotion. Even Donna and Ricky are chuffed for him except for Malcolm who has information on Brent failing the medical being the real reason he doesn't get the top job, funny how we never see Malcolm again after this series.

The Tim Dawn dynamic continues too as Tim reveals he's staying thanks to David promoting him and it's something Dawn doesn't seem to pleased about nor Lee when who winds up Tim with threats about asking his girl friend out. Awkward, funny and melancholy that's the office pie as Brent would put it and all the actors are the fruit. 9/10

Favourite bits:

Gareth, Brent and the fired workers tense discussion about elves plus the appearance of Gordon the cleaner

Most Cringe worthy:

Brents reveal to staff on the good news and irrelevant news

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Judgement: The Office: Series 1 Judgement SYNOPSIS: David fires the very forklift operator he hired only weeks ago due to the cutbacks but then introduces his new secretary to all the staff. Shortly after he berates Tim on his decision to leave when attempting to change Tim's mind. Jennifer Taylor-Clark arrives to give David the cutbacks verdict, she is being made a partner and the board have voted in favour of David Brent taking her old job as U.K. Manager. His decision to take the job means Slough branch will be closed and those not made redundant will be merged with Swindon branch. David doesn't hesitate to take the job instead of remaining loyal to his staff alienating them all when he tells them of the decision and boasting of his promotion. Gareth is very upset at the news of the old team breaking up. All is depression among the staff at the end of financial year party until David Brent makes the surprise announcement he turned the job down in favour of Neil so Slough will take over Swindon instead. Although Malcolm has evidence of Brent's failed medical as the real reason and Tim decides to stay when offered a promotion. Judgement CAST & CREW Stars: David Brent: Ricky Gervais Tim Canterbury: Martin Freeman Gareth Keenan: Mackenzie Crook Dawn Tinsley: Lucy Davis Stirling Gallacher: Jennifer Taylor-Clark Oliver Chris: Ricky Howard Joel Beckett: Lee Sally Bretton: Donna Robin Hooper: Malcolm Nicola Cotter: Karen Roper Featuring: Ewen MacIntosh: Keith Ben Bradshaw: Ben Angela Clerkin: Jackie Jamie Deeks: Jamie Jane Lucas: Sheila Alexander Perkins: Ralph Emma Louise Manton: Emma Philip Pickard: Phillip Neil Fitzmaurice: Alex Yvonne D'Alpra: Joan Ron Merchant: Gordon the cleaner Production Staff: Writers - Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant Directors - Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant Producer - Ash Atalla Executive Producer - Anil Gupta Executive Producer - Jon Plowman Judgement REVIEWS: Goldby David Brent sums it all up at the end of Judegment ; "You work for 50 years, you get the golden handshake, rest a couple of years then you die." Pretty bleak but then so's the man himself as he sells out his employees and work colleagues for a job offer that will close his branch down. It really underlines what a nasty, underhanded guy David Brent is. Okay we've already seen all his other endearing traits but next to this the other traits are just pissy social faux pas. Here he really takes the cake, eats it, then farts it at his employees and nearly follows through.. The verdict comes in on redundancies and it's Brent's people who'll suffer with him taking up a new post with the survivors having to go to Swindon. Am sure some bosses may have done this in past history but maybe not as fast as Brent did after guffing on all series about loyalty to his staff. Lack of social skills aside the worst thing a boss could do is tell them his promotion is the reason they're out on the street. Brent makes a good admission though, anyone in his position would have been hard pressed to say no to such a good offer. Shows the skill in Gervais acting and his and Merchant's crafty writing. Nice bit o' continuity too showing the same bloke (Neil FItzmaurice who plays Jeff on Peep Show) being fired at the beginning of this episode was being hired in the opening of Episode 1. But it all winds up nicely in the final scenes when David Brent appears to have had a change of heart and saved his workers from the chop when he announces he's not taking the promotion. Even Donna and Ricky are chuffed for him except for Malcolm who has information on Brent failing the medical being the real reason he doesn't get the top job, funny how we never see Malcolm again after this series. The Tim Dawn dynamic continues too as Tim reveals he's staying thanks to David promoting him and it's something Dawn doesn't seem to pleased about nor Lee when who winds up Tim with threats about asking his girl friend out. Awkward, funny and melancholy that's the office pie as Brent would put it and all the actors are the fruit. 9/10 Favourite bits: Gareth, Brent and the fired workers tense discussion about elves plus the appearance of Gordon the cleaner Most Cringe worthy: Brents reveal to staff on the good news and irrelevant news Return from Judgement to The Office or Return to the Old TV Shows home page Copyright 2010 Old TV shows.com	Home Dr Who Classic Fawlty Towers Spaced The Office