1 [Report This]Date: January 13, 2021 09:32 am Title: Baby, you've been going so crazy
So I definitely should be studying for exams, but I’m a great procrastinator and decided to read some MTT fanfics.
I read all four chapters of this immediately. I cannot express in words how much I love it; I love how the scenes are still almost the exact same and sometimes with different characters (ex. Parking lot conversation with Karen) or sometimes just the exact same (ex. The bird funeral).
I’ve been reading way too many stories where Jim and Pam aren’t yet together and I was pleasantly surprised that they did start dating within the first chapters.
Lastly, I would like to applaud your ability to show the truly raw, vulnerable sides of these characters. This is one thing that I don’t think happened enough in the show. Sure, there was CN, Beach Games, and such, but I’ve always been left to wonder how they were able to resolve their issues and get together. Of course, this is what Mike Schur and Greg Daniels almost certainly intended; that fans of the show would come up with their own stories; but yours seems like it would actually fit into an AU.
Well done. Looking forward to reading more.
BlindManCassidy
Author's Response:
Goodness, high praise! Thank you so, so much!
Like I mentioned, it's similar to my other story Never Give Up (currently on hiatus, should put that in the description) because I do love reinterpreting episodes through my prose. And I think that's the hardest part for me: sometimes switching characters and putting them in different circumstances is easy, but other times really hard because I'm attempting to replicate both the characters' dialogue/personality and their respective actors' performances and delivery. I'm thinking I'm improving on that here from NGU, which is getting a MAJOR overhaul once I end its hiatus.
Yeah, not a big angst person, need a happy ending for these two. There is plenty of potential with them being together by the start of Season 3 (which many fics here have already touched on) and I wanted to do one where he's *still* in Stamford (for now), just to see how it plays out.
I applaud Gervais and Merchant for making a comedy out of something so *real*, and Daniels and Schur followed through with that. The Jim and Pam arc is compelling to viewers because it's more than will they/won't they; they're depressed, lonely, and want to be with each other but can never express it. That's why people were so happy with S4 (my personal favorite season) rolled around, because JAM finally got the resolution they deserve and are happier as a result. But there were a whole host of unresolved emotions/reactions after "The Job", especially in regards to Roy, which is what I want to focus on.
Again, appreciate all the compliments! And thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: January 08, 2021 10:55 pm Title: Baby, you've been going so crazy
This was an interesting approach having Pam be so honest with Roy about Casino Night. There are some really strong elements to this, acknowledging that Pam still has strong feelings for Roy and how much that’s played into that relationship’s survival as opposed to just letting it be fear or passivity. There’s a lot going on, too – this is a complicated conversation at the end of a long-standing relationship, and I like that we get a taste of both Roy’s explosive anger and jealousy and his hurt, and her sorrow and guilt and also that she kind of hates him. You feel bad for Roy and also totally understand why Pam’s done with him.
So, then we hit the turning point… and Pam calls him.
I thought the subtle hints of what’s ahead worked – Pam not looking for Jim as much and being happy for Roy, Jim looking in slightly better condition in Stamford. And I liked the Season shou-outs, and the clever remix of Fun Run and The Job at the end.
I’m interested to see where you go with this! Feels like there’s a lot to do with them playing out a long-distance relationship at the start. And Ryan as a secondary antagonist? Yes.
Author's Response:
Appreciate the compliments!
Like I said, I see Roy as a tragic yet unsympathetic figure (personally I consider him the main """antagonist""", at least in this half of the series). His feelings are completely rational here, but his approach goes to show that he's truly broken and needs help if he wants to be happy again. All three of the triangle have made mistakes, and will grow from them as a result (it takes Roy a lot longer than JAM, but I like to consider that instance of S9 canon in this AU). And yeah, to me, I always sensed there was some sort of strong connection there between Pam and Roy, it's just not built to last (Andy and Erin are another great example, imo). She didn't wanna dump the guy because she still loves him to an extent, but that love can only go so far, especially when you have a co-worker who relates with you far better and there's no real mature or growth in the relationship.
All I'll say on the turning point is, next chapter.
Yeah, like I said, I wanted all of those little changes to Jim and Pam's looks/attitudes to be hinted at that direction, but not explicit. And, yeah, that final moment was *really* fun to write.
They're technically four months in at this point in the tale, but I have plans for the final two leading up to the merger itself. They have a set plan, yeah, but of course the canon will get in the way. As for Ryan? Basically planting the seeds for VP Ryan earlier.
Thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: January 08, 2021 08:11 pm Title: Baby, you've been going so crazy
That was a very intense fight between Roy and Pam. I do think it's believable. She had some very charged emotions that night and that came through. Roy acts like how I would expect him to. He's comfortable in the relationship so this new threat is out of the blue and what with a few drinks in his system yeah, I can see that he'd react like that. However Pam standing up for herself like that was great. Loved to see her grow all that steel in her spine.
Nice job with the episode portions. Nice to get into some of their headspaces. I was kind of wondering what would come of that message Pam left for Jim. Lovely to see something really good seems to have come of it. Nice use of her talking head from "The Job" in there too.
Ryan as a secondary antagonist? That could be interesting for sure.
Author's Response:
Appreciate the compliments!
I really tried to channel into Roy's *worst* qualities here, because I find him to be an unsympathetic yet tragic figure, and that'll be made more clearer with them separated. And yeah, I wanted the whole Fancy New Beesly switch to be triggered by "nine years of regret" there, since that goes to show how long she hasn't been happy.
The episode was a fun ride, so developing it into text was just as fun. As for "The Job" monologue, it was actually going to be the one from "Fun Run, Part 1" instead, but this fits much better here. And yes, they're together! The message will actually be covered next chapter.
Also, I consider three "antagonists" in Season 3 (which is more of just a label, they're just bad people) are Roy, Ryan, and Jan. Ryan not so much, but his role will be extended here and it'll plant the seeds for VP Ryan Howard. Roy and Jan are both broken messes, but IMO inexcusably so. Didn't add Karen, because she has flaws, but she was a fun addition for the season; she only got a bad rap for being the JAM roadblock.
Thanks for the review!