Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Ryan Howard is so much more than The Office’s resident “Fire Guy.” Sure, the temp turned Vice President of Dunder Mifflin famously almost burned down the office in Season 2, but he’s also known for creating Dunder Mifflin Infinity — a website best known for being invaded by a host of sexual predators — and his high-profile arrest for defrauding shareholders.
Don’t you dare ignore the complexities of Ryan Howard!
B.J. Novak was integral to the success of this feverishly-adored NBC sitcom. Not only did he portray Howard with an entertaining mix of humor and arrogance, but he was also responsible for writing and producing a number of classic episodes. Howard’s complete and utter lack of self-awareness and his tumultuous romance with Kelly Kapoor (Mindy Kaling) resulted in countless laugh out loud moments.
Is the character of Ryan Howard a paper industry wunderkind? No. No he’s not. But I’m sure we all can agree that Ryan — whose character went through so many weird, wonderful changes throughout the course of the series — is an indispensable part of the Dunder Mifflin team.
Two weeks ago we celebrated the very best of Pam “Don’t call me Pammy” Beesly. Today, we take a look back at Scranton, Pennsylvania’s most infamous temp as we revisit the 10 best Ryan Howard episodes of The Office.
"The Fire" (Season 2, Episode 4)
Before Ryan became the VP of Dunder Mifflin he was simply known as the “Fire Guy.”
Building on Michael’s obsession with the second-most popular Ryan Howard in Pennsylvania, this well-known Season 2 classic centers on a minor office fire that engulfs the office in… drama. Dwight becomes obsessed with Michael’s fondness for Ryan and, predictably, our favorite beet farmer doesn’t process his jealously in a healthy manner.
We eventually learn that (sing-song voice) Ryan started the fire.
"Valentine's Day" (Season 2, Episode 16)
The Office gave us one of the most beloved couples in television history with Jim and Pam. They also provided us with the certified trainwreck of a relationship between Ryan and Kelly. My point? The power of love is a curious thing (I came up with that phrase).
Whatever was going on between Novak and Kaling in real life helped give the two some electric comedic chemistry. Their romance begins in the Season 2 episode “Valentine’s Day” when Ryan realizes he hooked up with Kelly on February 13th.
The rest is TV history.
"Initiation" (Season 3, Episode 5)
Season 3 of The Office is such an incredible collection of episodes that “Initiation” often gets lost in the shuffle.
Written by B. J. Novak, the episode centers on Dwight’s weird and strangely adorable attempt to bond with Ryan by initiating him into the “Dwight Army of Champions,” which of course involves being abandoned at a beet farm, wrestling his cousin Mose, and a casket.
“Initiation” is a prime example of The Office’s deft ability to seamlessly combine laugh-out-loud humor (all the beet farm shenanigans) and genuinely touching moments (Dwight and Ryan throwing eggs and bonding at the bar).
Dwight: Just think. That temp agency could’ve sent you anywhere.
Ryan: I think about that all the time.
"Business School" (Season 3, Episode 16)
In order to enhance his grade, Ryan asks Michael to be a guest speaker at his school or, as Michael explains it, “a visiting professor.” Things don’t go as planned, however, when Ryan has the temerity to suggest that Dunder Mifflin could be obsolete in five to ten years.
Hell hath no fury like a scorned Michael Scott. (Michael Scarn?) Michael chooses not to fire Ryan for his insubordination — because a good manager doesn’t fire people; he hires people and inspires people — but instead chooses to exile Ryan to the annex… with Kelly.
Ryan: It’s only temporary, okay? Don’t get excited.
Kelly: I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, I won’t…
"The Job" (Season 3, Episode 23)
The tag for “The Job” is one of the most surprising twists in Office history.
Written by Paul “I’m going to Costa Rica” Lieberstein and Michael Schur, “The Job” is known for Jim interrupting Pam’s interview to ask her out on a date, which is a satisfying conclusion to the season, right? But what elevates The Office from good to classic is the show’s ability to travel that extra mile. Ryan becoming the VP of Dunder Mifflin was not only a surprising swerve, but it also opened the door to so many interesting, creative storylines.
Ryan’s emotionless “You and I are done” followed by his smug smirk into the camera was the perfect button to one of the funniest seasons in sitcom history.
"Dunder Mifflin Infinity" (Season 4, Episode 2)
Recently promoted, Ryan’s return to Scranton is met with hair tousles, rejection, teasing, and his ex-girlfriend faking a pregnancy to score a date. You know, pretty typical new boss stuff.
This episode helps sets the tone for Ryan’s ascent and eventual demise as VP of Dunder Mifflin as his attempt at dragging the paper company into the modern era via an updated website (Dunder Mifflin Infinity) is an A to Z disaster.
Ryan: You lied about being pregnant.
Kelly: Right. So?
Ryan: You really don’t understand why that might make me kinda angry?
Kelly: No.
Ryan: We’re never getting back together.
Kelly: Why not?
"Night Out" (Season 4, Episode 11)
Sure, “Night Out” features the now famous “how dare you” scene between Kelly and Ryan, but this Season 4 gem also includes so many more under-appreciated moments. Written by Mindy Kaling, the episode centers on Michael and Dwight surprising Ryan at a NYC nightclub.
One of my favorite moments from this Season 4 delight is the fact that Ryan, who’s clearly under the influence, seemingly forgets Dwight’s name.
Kelly: If I had created a website with this many problems I’d kill myself.
Ryan: Do you have a question, Kelly?
Kelly: Yeah, I have a lot of questions. Number one, how dare you.
"Weight Loss Part 2" (Season 5, Episode 2)
From temp to salesman to vice president back to temp. What a ride.
With the office at an “all-time sad,” Michael rehires Ryan as a temp. Ryan is humbled from his fall from grace as he blossoms into a better person and becomes a true inspiration.
Nope. Not at all.
Upon his return he makes a list of everyone who wrongs him and attempts to recapture the heart of Kelly Kapoor. “Scott’s Tots,” “Shareholder Meeting,” and “WUPHF.com” were difficult to omit, but you gotta love the symmetry of Ryan returning to his role as temp (and Kevin’s “Fire Guy” callback).
“I’m keeping a list of everyone who wrongs me, so when I’m back on top, they’ll be sorry.”
"Michael Scott Paper Company" (Season 5, Episode 23)
“Everyone deserves a second, second chance.”
The whole Michael Scott Paper Company arc was a shot of creative adrenaline. Written by Superstore showrunner Justin Spitzer, this brilliant Season 5 offering centers on the always entertaining Pam/Ryan rivalry. Ryan refusing to take Pam seriously, Pam wanting to be seen as an equal, and an increasingly annoyed Michael Scott hilariously stuck in the middle.
Pam: We could work from home.
Ryan: Or you could fire one of us. Whoever has less education.
"The Finale" (Season 9, Episode 23)
Yep. Of course this is how the great Ryan and Kelly saga ends.
The Office gave fans one of the best TV sitcom finales of all time. Written by Greg Daniels, our look into the daily lives of the employees at a Pennsylvania paper company concludes with Kelly ditching her husband, Ryan abandoning (and knowingly poisoning) his son, and one of the funniest, most dysfunctional couples in TV history running off into the sunset.
Kelly: I don’t know, Ryan. Baby Drake didn’t look so good.
Ryan: He’ll be fine. I let him suck on a strawberry. He’s allergic, but he’ll get over it fast. I had to talk to you.
Kelly: You gave your baby an allergic reaction just to talk to me?
*they begin feverishly making out*
Ryan did it. He finally mastered commitment.
