Ep 1. Christmas Special, Part 1

The Office (U.K.) season 3 kicks off with a two-part Christmas special, Part 1. The episode follows David Brent, the manager of the Wernham Hogg paper merchants, and Tim Canterbury, his subordinate, as they navigate through a number of Christmas-themed workplace events.

The episode begins with Brent trying to organize the perfect Christmas party for his employees, which is not going well given that a lot of his plans fall apart. He is struggling to find a suitable venue and caterer, and his attempts to spread Christmas cheer fall flat. Meanwhile, Tim has finally accepted that nothing is going to happen between him and his office crush, receptionist Dawn Tinsley, and decides to focus on his job instead. However, when they meet again, old feelings resurface.

Things take a turn for the worse when Brent, who is desperate for some recognition, decides to audition for the Christmas talent show. His performance is disastrous, and things only get worse when he tries to hit on the judges. At the same time, Tim finally gets up the courage to tell Dawn how he feels, but she responds in a way he doesn't expect.

As the episode ends, Brent's attempts at Christmas cheer have failed miserably. He has had to cancel the Christmas party due to lack of interest and, feeling lonely, has turned to online dating. Tim, meanwhile, is left with the realization that he will never be more than friends with Dawn.

Overall, the episode is a mix of humor and heartbreak. Brent's attempts to be the life of the party are both cringe-worthy and hilarious, while Tim's unrequited feelings for Dawn are relatable and touching. The episode sets the stage for the second part of the special, which promises to resolve these storylines and add some holiday cheer to the mix.