Thursday's going to be fun, isn't it? That's when we get to see the worlds of Stamford and Scranton collide on The Office, as Jim returns to his old office. Pam's going to be there, and that reunion's going to be fun to see. But guess who else is coming? Karen, who has been carrying on a fun flirtation with Jim since the beginning of the season, and openly admitted to the "cameraman" on the show that she was into Mr. Halpert.It looks like people are already taking sides. Recently, my friend Claire Zulkey started a blog debate with Lindsay Robertson about which of Jim's suitors should win out. Claire's on Team Karen, citing the fact that Karen actually came out and said she liked Jim, and that the flirtation between the two seems more adult than what Jim had with Pam. Lindsay's on Team Pam, because she thinks every woman's got a shy, semi-nerdy Pam inside of them, and that's something to root for. They're even selling t-shirts that will give people a chance express their choice in the form of cotton and silk-screening.
(By the way, our Mike Canfield seems to be on Team Karen, judging by his previous comments.)
Personally, I haven't come down on either side of the debate, yet. As sweet as Pam is, I've been on the Jim side of an unrequited office romance (shameless plug: see the Novemeber issue of Jane for my essay on that topic), and I know how painful it is; I can definitely understand why Jim needed to get out of there. And Karen is not only unencumbered by a boyfriend, but she's much more up-front with Jim about her intentions (she hasn't told him, but the look on her face when Jim suggested she avoid moving to Scranton spoke volumes, even to Jim). Besides, I just want to see how the competition between Karen and Pam plays out.To their credit, the writers have made Karen, played by Rashida Jones, into a very likeable character. She's a little nerdy (remember, she played the same war game the rest of the Stamford office was... and kicking Jim's ass), but in a sexy way. Usually, you don't want to make the third person in a love triangle likeable, but I think it works here, since it delays the inevitable hook-up between Jim and Pam that might ruin the comedic balance on The Office. The longer we stay away from the whole Jim and Pam mishegas, the more we'll have a chance to see the other characters, and their stories, develop.
What team are you on? Let me know in the comments?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-15-2006 @ 2:09PM
cress d said...
PAM! PAM! PAM! PAM!
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11-15-2006 @ 2:20PM
Diego said...
Karen And Jim. Go Team Karen!!! Forget Pam, she had two chances and she missed them. She didn't even try to contact Jim after the wedding was off. Karen would make any man happy, plus she funny. y'all remember rocapads?
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11-15-2006 @ 2:41PM
mr. O said...
Word to Diego - Pam had her TWO chances. Roy is waiting along with your future...
Go Karen.
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11-15-2006 @ 2:49PM
JDub said...
It has to be Pam. Just because Roy looks good now and had been acting very sweet, he's still the guy who left her at a hockey game. And he's not Jim! Karen is a nice distraction, and they may even date, but Pam is Jim's true best friend and soul mate. Yes, I need to get a life.
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11-15-2006 @ 2:59PM
iHave: said...
good grief,
if you sunk this much time and money into the educational system we would have the most brilliantest country around.
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11-15-2006 @ 3:22PM
Tara said...
I'm routing for Pam, screw Karen. Yes, she's cute and was honest by coming out and saying she likes Jim but really girls, who wouldn't? He's adorable,witty and sensitive and I think every chick that watches the show has somewhat fallen in love with him. Jim & Pam are meant to be. Karen is just a distraction and a conflict in the plot making the show interesting. But I dont think the writers will give us the satisfaction of proving my theory until... well, my guess is the show's final episode.
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11-15-2006 @ 3:59PM
Milehighgirl said...
Pam! Pam! Pam!
Jim and Pam are soulmates and no matter what paths they take, they will eventually meet up. I'd actually like to see Jim date Karen for a little while, to make Pam admit that she's head over heels for Jim.
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11-15-2006 @ 4:26PM
Marthe said...
Pam broke his heart. So I would say Karen is the better choice. Pam is a flake. Sorry, I really like Pam, but she had her chance!!
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11-15-2006 @ 4:45PM
cress d said...
#8 Pam a flake? NO WAY! I love Pam. And so does Jim. I totally understand his reasons to leave the Scranton branch, but sometimes, things come full circle. And their relationship will(eventually). Although... I do like Karen. BUT PAM ALL THE WAY!!!!!!
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11-15-2006 @ 5:21PM
Amber said...
I say Karen now, let Pam see Jim with someone else now that she's in a position where she could actually date him. But most of all I think Pam needs time to be single and figure herself out more, after being engaged so long to Roy, before she gets together with Jim.
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11-15-2006 @ 5:25PM
Saki-kun said...
JIM AND PAM FOREVER!!! O_O
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11-15-2006 @ 5:59PM
Bex said...
It has to be Pam. Why? Because Jaren doesn't work, but JAM does!
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11-15-2006 @ 7:42PM
colleen said...
As Bob Marley said it best "We're Jamen." I don't care who gets Jim, as long as things stay funny, I'm definitely Jamen.
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11-16-2006 @ 8:39PM
Nathan said...
Pam has hurt Jim too much she had her chance, I'm going for Karen.
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11-16-2006 @ 9:47PM
Peter said...
I choose team Jim. I think he has gone through enough and deserves two women in his life.
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11-17-2006 @ 2:49AM
amy said...
TEAM KARENNNN
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11-28-2006 @ 8:00PM
Kerry said...
Pam x 20.
Yeah, Karen's likeable and all, and she was more up front. But it's harder for Pam to be up front about her feelings because she and Jim have such a history. Karen has only known Jim for like, a month, and doesn't have much to lose.
And I agree, every girl has a shy, "Pam" side of her.
Go Pam.
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1-12-2007 @ 1:48PM
lope said...
Karen all the way. I don't think Jim and Pam are soulmates at all unless in order to have a soulmate the woman has to have low self-esteem and need some nice guy to rescue her when she sees fit.
I hope to God The Office doesn't reward a woman's low self-esteem as some sort of virtue to be desired by a nice man. Please Karen is prettier and Jim would grow.
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