The show fell apart in the middle of season 3. This would've made more sense:
- The Stamford vs. Scranton rivalry should've went on that entire season. The finale should've been about Scranton finally being closed (which is what the premise of the entire series is). The season 4 premiere should've been about Josh Porter's leaving the company, meaning Scranton would stay open. The show barely touched on Stamford being the "better" branch", which would've been enough material for season 3.
- The Jim + Karen storyline was a bit rushed. It should've started towards the end of season 3, and carried over to season 4 when the Stamford people came to Scranton. Season 4 should've been what the second half was season 3 was. Pam/Karen tension, Pam/Jim no longer being close buddies, things like that. At some point in the season, Pam desperately wants to quit, but Jim talks her out of it. Pam suspects Jim still has feelings for him because of that.
- The Season 4 finale should've been about Jim possibly taking the corporate job and deciding between Karen and Pam. I liked Ryan being the one getting the job, but what they did to his character was ******ed. Literally threw his character in the trash. The old Ryan had such a good comedic relationship with Michael, and anything now seems forced. Jim not taking the job should go as planned.
- Season 5 (which should be the final season) should have the original cast, plus Andy. Jim and Pam are slowly starting to get closer, until Roy finds out about the kiss. Roy attacks Jim, and any sort of momentum going on with Jim and Pam is destroyed because Pam said "it was just a kiss" and that "it meant nothing".
- The series should end with Jim deciding to leave for New York to pursue writing, but only going if Pam decides to go to New York for art with him. They decide to go together and finally end up a couple. During the season, Michael finds the woman of his dreams (Holly), but she gets fired by David Wallace. Michael is heartbroken, but doesn't know Wallace fired him. Towards the end of the season, Wallace offers Michael a great job in corporate, until Michael finds out the truth about Holly's firing. He declines the job, quits Dunder Mifflin, and leaves Scranton to be with Holly.
I also agree that UK > US, but the British version had a huge advantage in that the show was a mere 14 episodes long. However, the US version has a hugeadvantage in that Jenna Fischer's **** are amazing.