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The Office’s Darkest Theory Reveals Why Dunder Mifflin’s Employees Became So Bizarre

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One of the most cherished sitcoms of this century, airing approximately 20 years ago, remains incredibly popular today. The upcoming Greg Daniels-produced spinoff series, “The Office: Paper,” is set to debut in September. Over the course of its nine seasons, the original series focused on a struggling paper company called Dunder Mifflin, zeroing in on the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch. The format mimicked a documentary, capturing both workdays and personal lives within the office through camera crews. This comedy series is unadulterated, as even the most dramatic storylines were presented with humor. There are also emotional moments, such as Michael Scott’s farewell as the “World’s Best Boss” and the resolution of the show’s most prominent romantic duo, Jim and Pam, tying the knot.

Although some scenes may seem far-fetched, the emotional authenticity lends a sense of reality to the series, making it feel like a genuine documentary capturing the everyday lives of ordinary individuals. Many find comfort in the mundane, finding it relatable or calming. However, others can’t help but scrutinize beneath the surface, revealing the hidden depths and complexities that lie beneath the comedic facade of The Office. Fans often delve deep into the show’s intricacies, which fuel the darker theories that emerge from the characters, setting, and plot.

The Office is No Stranger to Dark Theories

The program offers numerous speculations, spanning from minor ones such as the conjecture that Jim may have been unfaithful to Pam with her temporary replacement, Cathy, during her maternity leave in Season 8, to more profound theories. For instance, some propose that Dwight, who is depicted as having a questionable intellect and is often portrayed as the worst accountant at Dunder Mifflin, might be faking his lack of intelligence and actually possesses hidden genius, using this facade to embezzle money from Dunder Mifflin undetected. Other viewers speculate that the documentary team saved Dunder Mifflin from closing down by purchasing large quantities of paper to keep the company afloat.

Then, we have the enigmatic figure of Creed Bratton, who boasts a lively and puzzling secondary life. He frequently shares snippets about his past on the show, leading many to believe that his real name is William Charles Schneider, discussing his involvement in cults as both a leader and a member, even courting Squeaky Fromme, a Manson Family cult member, which strengthens the belief that he was part of The Family. However, the most notorious rumor circulates around the seemingly ordinary HR representative and Michael Scott’s sworn enemy, Toby Flenderson – some believe he is none other than the Scranton Strangler, a local serial killer.

In Season 6 of “The Office,” the Strangler plotline was introduced, and it’s striking how well the puzzle pieces align. Back in Season 4, Toby left Dunder Mifflin for Costa Rica, but his utopia crumbled when he suffered a neck injury shortly upon arrival in the country. The Scranton Strangler resurfaced just after Toby returned to the city, and given the nature of his crimes – strangulation with neck injuries – it’s evident that Toby might be under suspicion.

During the series, it’s clear that Toby has feelings for Pam, but she’s involved with Jim and they have a happy relationship, even during the Strangler’s murder spree, where he claimed a life on the day their child is born. In the episode titled “Viewing Party,” there’s a high-speed chase, reminiscent of a car spotted in the Dunder Mifflin parking lot, which marked the end of the Strangler’s crime wave. Interestingly, Toby isn’t present when the office watches the news, yet his phone rings directly, indicating someone was trying to contact him specifically. Later, it’s surprising that Toby, of all people, becomes a juror in the case. He frequently expresses remorse for imprisoning an innocent man, George Howard Skub, and even visits him in prison. However, during one of these visits, Toby is attacked brutally, suggesting that Skub might have realized Toby was actually the perpetrator.

A Few Throaway Comments Exploded With Fans

In a different perspective, while Paul Lieberstein is known for his role as Toby Flenderson in “The Office”, there’s another intriguing theory about the show that doesn’t revolve around a serial killer. This theory delves into the unique, often absurd personalities of each character throughout the series. The divisive and unpredictable character of Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, sets the tone from the very first episode, with his mix of good intentions, inappropriate behavior, problems, and blissful ignorance about the world. Dwight Schrute, the devoted Assistant to the Regional Manager and beet farmer, portrayed by Rainn Wilson, stands out due to his unconventional upbringing, survival instincts, loyalty to authority, and inflexible mindset. Even Stanley Hudson, who appears grumpy and keeps to himself, adds an intriguing dimension to the show.

In the points made earlier, Toby functions as Michael Scott’s least favorite antagonist at Dunder Mifflin Scranton. This is because his primary job duty involves monitoring and reining in Michael’s actions, often thwarting many of his schemes. For example, he criticizes Michael’s idea to invite Boy Scouts to his casino night in the Season 2 finale, which resulted in the well-known line “Why are you the way you are?” and the response “I hate so much about the things that you choose to be.

It’s clear that when Toby voiced his worries about radon in the building, people didn’t give him credibility. His first mention of radon was during Season 5, episode “The Surplus,” where he proposed using excess budget funds for testing the building instead of debating over new chairs or a copier. His idea was met with resistance. In Season 6’s “The Chump,” Toby reiterated his concern by informing the team about the radon test kits scattered around the office, urging them not to discard them due to the serious nature of radon. Unsurprisingly, Michael made a fart joke, further expressing his dislike for Toby, and subsequently, a montage showed Michael tossing each test kit he found.

In essence, certain viewers think Toby’s earlier warnings about high radon levels in their office building at Scranton Business Park were accurate. The “Work Bus” episode from Season 9 humorously portrays Toby’s safety concerns and Jim convincing Dwight about the dangerous wiring affecting fertility. Although radon wasn’t the main focus of that episode, it lends credence to Toby’s hypotheses since it suggests the office building wasn’t completely safe. Fans often associate the radon issue with the characters’ behavior changes, as they seemed to intensify and become more extreme versions of themselves, a phenomenon known as Flanderization. This is a common occurrence in TV shows and sitcoms where characters’ basic traits become oversimplified and exaggerated until they resemble caricatures. Some fans of The Office use instances of this trope within the show to bolster their theory about radon exposure effects.

The Theory Kind of Makes Sense… With One Caveat

It’s been suggested that long-term exposure to radon at the Scranton office might have contributed to a slow deterioration of cognitive abilities and changes in personality among its workers. For example, Dwight Schrute initially came across as a peculiar but competent employee, however, as The Office progressed, his actions became increasingly reckless and foolish. From forming alliances to survive company downsizing without recognizing he was the subject of humor, to aiming tranquilizer darts at his coworkers and sliding down the stairs, Dwight’s behavior grew more destructive as the series unfolded.

In much the same way, Kevin initially appeared humorlessly bland in the series, and it seemed he was losing some of his mental acuity. People point out an episode where he ran over a turtle and tried to mend its shell with office supplies, expecting it to miraculously survive. Andy Bernard is another character often mentioned in this context, as his behavior became more unpredictable, and his persona underwent a significant transformation within just a few seasons. Michael Scott, however, remains an exception, according to the theory, because when he departed from Dunder Mifflin for Colorado, it allowed his brain time to recover from years of stress.

Radon is a radioactive gas that’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and it poses serious health risks. There’s a theory suggesting that prolonged exposure to radon might lead to neurological issues, including certain types of brain cancer. This theory hints at the symptoms exhibited by characters in The Office. However, it’s important to note that while radon is associated with lung cancer, there’s limited scientific evidence linking it directly to brain cancers. Even if radon were found to cause brain tumors or cancers, it would be highly unlikely for multiple people to develop identical tumors showing the same behavioral symptoms.

In other words, if we exclude radon from our discussion, the theory becomes more believable. It’s known that long-term exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to Hypoxemia and Hypoxia, which are conditions characterized by a deficiency of oxygen in the blood and tissues. Symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and unusual behavior have been observed in people affected by this, sometimes without them being aware of it. However, this theory is not flawless because Michael’s trip to Colorado wouldn’t regenerate his brain cells. Another potential issue is that while carbon monoxide poisoning usually leads to lethargy, the employees in Scranton seem unusually energetic. Therefore, other theories have been proposed, such as harmful substances in the paper or chemical leaks from Vance Refrigeration. It’s also speculated that someone might have been manipulating the characters for entertainment purposes, be it Creed Bratton or the documentary crew. Regarding Michael, many agree that his marriage to Holly Flax likely contributed to his maturation, or perhaps he adopted the idea that “drugs are cool” during his time in Colorado.

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2025-05-21 03:52

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