1 post tagged “the office”
I wasn't interested in the American version of The Office until I started reading that the Jim/Pam-will they/won't they relationship was absolutely smoking hot. A good will they/won't they storyline is officially my Achilles heel when it comes to TV and movies, particularly if the relationship is based on a friendship bursting with sexual tension.
Cases in point:
1. Right now whatever's
going on with Addison and Kurev on Grey's Anatomy is pretty hot. They
have an established rapport and a nice little flirtation. But they're
not close; they're not really friends.
2. Jim and Pam are basically
guilty of "emotional cheating" (I have only just learned of this
concept after watching a recent Today Show segment about whether men
and women can truly be friends). During Seasons 1 and 2 of The Office,
Jim and Pam are so connected to each other on an emotional level --
they are more than just flirtation, even though that flirtation is
DELICIOUS -- that you can totally feel what's at stake in their
relationship. Pam will never be able to be with Roy on that level;
likewise for Jim's new lady, Karen (SHE'D BETTER NOT, THAT BITCH).
The other reason I love their dynamic is because they are both so painfully aware of their feelings for each other, and how the universe is JUST SO COMPLETELY AGAINST THEM RIGHT NOW.
Whew, sorry...
Seriously,
though, I hate storylines where one character is oblivious to the
other's feelings and intentions until one day there is this grand
gesture made and this character is like, "Holy crap. I HAVE been
totally in love with this person for like, EVER!" And then they live
happily ever after and all that.
I've been trying to figure out why I'm so into "Jam" (a.k.a. Jim and Pam) lately, because for real, it's like porno to me (see also: Mulder and Scully, ca. 1994). Am I secretly hoping for one of my dude-friends to confess his undying love for me, complete with single tear, a la Jim during the Season 2 finale (Hi Craig! Hi Dana! Hi Jimmy! Step on up...)? Lord, no.
I think it's the reality-based fantasy that appeals to me. Most romances that tug at my heartstrings are so far-fetched that, while I can definitely shed a few tears while watching them unfold, I acknowledge the preposterousness of the whole scenario (see: Gosling, McAdams, The Notebook). But with Jim and Pam, there's just enough reality (I've experienced my share of awkward friendships) mixed with the fantasy (the fact that they both allow their flirtation and "emotional cheating" and escapades to reach the chemistry-filled level that they do, something I've never done) that really floats my boat.
In any event, I'm Team Pam all the way. And if you have John Krasinski's phone number, PM me why don't you?
Now watch this video and cry like I do:
