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"She’s not even kind of a bitch!" Maybe Al Qaeda WOULD like Pam if they got to know her.

"the real Jim Halpert is not the Jim Halpert I met in Stamford." Too true. And very much their problem in canon. I like hearing from a Karen who's less determined to make this work... and I'm interested in what happens next with her and Ryan.

I'm enjoying the exploration of what a less-fraught Pam/Karen friendship might look like here.

"(They probably use “jellybean” now as some sort of sexual euphemism.)" Lol.

Ah, Roy. You almost have to feel bad for him here. Almost.

Author's Response:

Yeah, maybe Al Qaeda would LOL

Karen has a difficult journey here.  I actually have something with "Business School" for her and Ryan, but I decided to do less than what I originally planned.  Kelly & Ryan's comedic repertoire will still take center stage, but no doubt there's a kinship between him and Karen.  Pam and Karen's friendship, meanwhile, will deepen as the story continues.

I'm SO glad you appreciate that line.

Lastly, this won't be the end for poor Roy, "almost feel bad" is the best way to describe his story.

Thanks for the review! 

A very interesting look into Karen's mind in this world. Still thinking there could have been a chance for her and Jim but realizing that it would never happen once she saw how well Jim and Pam fit each other. Her thoughts about the rest of the people from Scranton seem on point for her as well.

The episode was quite a lot of fun. Rather than the tension of canon there's the subtle tension of how Roy will react to Pam. Especially if he gets word that Pam and Jim are a thing now. Their brief exchange about wrapping paper seemed like Roy wanted to try and rekindle something. It felt like Pam was doing her best to be nice to him but at the same time also not trying to give him any false hope.

Angela's thoughts were fascinating to read. She still comes across as uptight and judgmental for sure. She's not shy in what she thinks about how she sees Pam acting. Yet for all her judgement, Angela is very logical. Probably why she's an accountant. So even though she realizes that Pam and Jim are diametrically opposed to how she would view the world, she can also see how Pam and Jim fit well together. That she sees that as admirable is a nice thing to bring out. It may be hidden under a lot of layers of other things, but she does get Pam and Jim for sure.

Nice job.

Author's Response:

Thank you!  Yeah, Karen's attitude towards the rest of the employees is mostly "tolerable" at best.  And I figured that she'd pick up quickly that her actually seeing Jim and Pam together would put everything into perspective.

That's exactly what I wanted to go for with that moment.  Rather than it being the catalyst for them getting back together, it's instead a more awkward interaction where there is still genuine affection but the love has clearly gone.

I always saw Angela as more accepting than people give her credit for.  She's definitely a judgmental shrew who gets better as time persists, but she's not heartless and could see the good in anyone if she tries hard enough.

Thanks for the review!