A lot happened in nine seasons of The Office. The documentary crew for Dunder Mifflin Scranton snagged everything from relationship ups and downs to arguments in the workplace. And while the concept of working at a paper company sounds kind of boring, the Scranton branch was anything but.
Workers like Jim, Michael, and Dwight proved that it never hurts to have an alliance in the office. Having someone that can support and protect them in a tough situation is a definite plus. But not every alliance is noticeable. Some of these characters team up time and time again while others do it on the down-low. Regardless of how often or infrequently these characters become allies, who knew that selling paper would even require them?
Dwight & Jim
It's no secret that Dwight and Jim loathed each other from time to time, but every once in a while a glimmer of friendship appeared. They formed an alliance in the episode of the same name when the Scranton branch was rumored to be downsized. Jim supported Dwight when he was about to be fired for his work at Sabre's Tallahassee store. And even Dwight protected Jim and co. when Roy tried to physically attack him.
These two friends have had more arguments than friendly conversations but there was always an unspoken alliance between them — even when they were pranking each other.
Dwight & Angela
When Dwight and Angela were a couple, there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other. Creating an unspoken alliance in the office was hard for the pair because no one at Dunder Mifflin knew that they were an item. One of the biggest things that Dwight did for Angela to protect her career was to take a bullet for her when she forgot to mail in tax documents to corporate.
Dwight drove to corporate to drop off the forms himself so that his lady wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Due to suspicion, Michael fired Dwight when he wouldn't relay his real reason for being at corporate that day. Angela returned the favor to save Dwight's reputation and get him rehired.
Pam & Jim
When aren't these two allies for each other? Pam and Jim have been allies on The Office for nine seasons. The beauty about this partnership is they didn't always need to make a pact to protect each other from a certain coworker — they just did it instinctually. Pam supported Jim when he was up for regional manager and co-manager, and Jim made sure Michael knew that Pam had what it took to be a saleswoman for the Scranton branch. These two also came together often whenever they wanted to prank or defend Dwight.
Darryl & Erin
Darryl and Erin don't have too many scenes together but there was a bond between the two that could be felt by viewers. When Darryl got the job with Athlead, he was leaving the Scranton branch earlier due to Philly traffic but didn't want the others to know.
Erin supported her friend's new career and helped him escape the office without others noticing. She went above and beyond to make everyone think Darryl was always in his office working hard when he was really in Philadelphia doing another job. It seems like an opportunity missed that viewers didn't get more Erin and Darryl time.
Michael & Erin
It took Michael some time to get used to Erin. After years of having Pam as his go-to lady in the office, having someone new was hard for him. Eventually, Michael's views on Erin changed when she told him that she saw him as a father figure in her life. The idea of acting as someone's dad delighted Michael and their friendship grew.
Whenever Michael needed someone in the office to help him on the down-low, Erin was there. Pam used to be that person but she eventually grew tired of his odd requests. Erin, however, didn't mind — she loved teaming up with Michael.
Phyllis & Stanely
Phyllis and Stanely weren't seen interacting as much as Pam and Jim or even Michael and Dwight, but they were always sitting near each other and supporting each other in their own way. After all, who knew Stanely better than Phyllis? She backed him up when Michael claimed he was having an affair, and the two teamed up when Jim needed their help at work when he was starting his new venture with Athlead. Stanley and Phyllis didn't say much but their looks at each other proved they had each other's backs when the office went awry.
Kelly & Ryan
Kelly and Ryan weren't just allies; they were also enemies. These two fought and made up as much as Dwight and Jim — the only difference was that Kelly and Ryan were in a romantic relationship. She was one of the only people there for Ryan when he came back to Dunder Mifflin as a temp after being fired and arrested for fraud. Likewise, as much as Ryan hated to admit it, he didn't want Kelly to leave Dunder Mifflin when other opportunities for her arose. But as much as these two supported each other against others, they were also quick to tear each other apart. Classic Kelly and Ryan.
David Wallace & Jim
David Wallace and Jim seem like a strange pair for an alliance but it proves that these two had a lot in common while in different chapters of their lives. David was the CFO of Dunder Mifflin and a father of two. Jim, on the other hand, was a long-term salesman at a small branch with a complicated love life until he and Pam finally started dating.
It was in "Cocktails" where an unstated alliance formed between the two new friends and colleagues. David supported Jim against Dwight, even getting behind his decision to start a new career with Athlead. Their alliance with each other was proven in "The Negotiation."
Pam & Nellie
Nellie did not start off on the right foot at Dunder Mifflin, but once her colleagues got to know the real her, her softer side began to shine. It was Jim and Dwight who saw the good in Nellie after helping her move into her house. They heard about her breakup from her ex-boyfriend and how hard it was for her. It humanized her in their eyes. From there on, Pam gave Nellie a chance and the two backed each other up. With Nellie not being a US citizen, she needed Pam's help with driving on the right side of the road. In return for Pam's nice deed, Nellie gave Pam more freedom at work.
Dwight & Michael
Is there a greater alliance in The Office than the one between Michael and Dwight? Michael's dedication to Dwight wasn't as strong as Dwight's was to Michael but they did help each other in their times of need. Dwight gave Michael his urine for a Dunder Mifflin drug test, they went to David Wallace's house together to save the branch, and they came together against the warehouse workers. If one of them needed help in the office, all it would take is a quick glance and the other would know.