1 [Report This]Date: August 14, 2021 09:28 pm Title: How the DVD Was Made
It is interesting that we see that conversation end so abruptly in canon... the show frequently gets away with cuts to talking heads where it sort of appears like we're seeing the characters' inner monologues, but in this format we know it's implied that this discussion with the crew happened sometime later. This is an interesting attempt to fill the gap, and I think makes sense in context, that Jim *tried* to communicate directly with Pam first before going in for the big Jim gesture and to demonstrate the ways in which he has genuinely rethought his commitment to Athlead.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
The show does do that a lot, which is certainly a brilliant technique to flesh out the characters and build the story. In this instance, though, with the Athlead arc's resolution so rushed to culminate in a satisfying ending - on top of Dwight and Andy's stories wrapping up - there's very little done on-camera that implies he tried to tell her how happy he really is; "I've been trying to tell you how I feel" makes more sense if one assumes there was a much bigger talk offscreen.
As for his commitment to Athlead, my view is that Pam is right in that part of him will always want it, but the stress of running a new business could get to anyone, especially considering he was juggling another job alongside it being 3 hours away. Many see it as him attempting to appease Pam, but I prefer to look at it as disillusionment.
Thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 13, 2021 02:02 pm Title: How the DVD Was Made
Ah, this was a great look into a proper conversation between those two, which definitely felt like it was missing in season 9 (and agreed on the investment never coming up again!) I really liked the more realistic view of Jim’s job here too, because it did feel like he was stressed a lot of the time about it (but again, the show didn’t really dig into that). And this line from Jim was just lovely: “Just know that I’m always exactly where I need to be as long as you’re right here with me.” Not that the DVD on the show wasn’t very sweet, but him actually telling her those things did feel like it was missing - so having it here works so well!
Author's Response:
Many thanks for the compliments!
Yeah, I wanted to present how much of a double-edged sword Athlead was. A lot of people nowadays - especially young adult fans - criticize Pam because the show paints it as her keeping him from his dream (especially after all the times he supported her), when it's far more feasible that he missed Pam and his family and Athlead just wasn't worth it anymore. Besides, he really did turn into just the *worst* person because he was so determined to make it work, even though she was hesitant about leaving Scranton from the start (which also frustrates me but that's neither here nor there).
As kind of a gesture as the DVD was, it was basically just a clip show; there wasn't much context as to why this was the "big Jim gesture" he decided on. So I thought it'd be fun to make it clear that he's showing her everything she's given him and what that means to him. And pointing that out aloud drives the point home.
Thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2021 10:17 pm Title: How the DVD Was Made
Wow, this was inspired by my chapter? I'm touched!
You did a great job filling in this convo. I agree, they never rehashed the investment which is annoying, but I assume since they were investors that's how Jim was able to jump back into Athlead a year later without skipping a beat.
I really like how you allowed Jim to explain to Pam the ways in which this opportunity wasn't as great as we were supposed to think it was. She was also not privy to how important this was to him (nor were we)! Jim had years and years to articulate his desire to move on from DM and never really did beyond a passing joke here and there, so the fact that he finally went all in when he had a wife and two small kids is just a big yikes, in my opinion. And a lot of what Jim did in S9 felt OOC to me, I did not care for the way it framed Pam as the bad guy.
Anyway, all of that to say... we needed a scene like this for Jim to take a little responsibility. You did a great job!
Author's Response:
Thank you! And thank you for the inspiration as well.
The fact that Jim could jump back in at a moment's notice was really odd, so the investment answers that question, too. You hit the nail on the head with that.
THANK YOU. Legit my biggest gripe with this whole storyline that had so much potential. And I have no qualms with his motivation whatsoever, but framing Pam as the unreasonable one in the finale was awkward to watch, especially considering she was given no warning or time to prepare for any of this and it was sprung on her. Of course she would back him up 100% if he just told her how he felt about his job. Communication is their biggest weakness as a couple, but after two kids you'd think it wouldn't be THIS bad.
Thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2021 09:32 pm Title: How the DVD Was Made
Nice way to flesh out the time between Jim and Pam outside and Jim's talking head. Feels like a good way to bridge that gap. In the show we see Pam kind of emotional outside, but then when she sits down to watch the video she's calm and collected again. I always figured there was more to their discussion to help her get to that point. This helps get there. Nice job.
Author's Response:
Much appreciated!
Yeah, that was odd to me, too. Filling in gaps like these is fun, just to see how certain moments could have panned out. And this storyline in particular feels so rushed that creating certain fics like this one is easy.
Thanks for the review!
1 [Report This]Date: August 12, 2021 09:32 pm Title: How the DVD Was Made
It's really nice to see this conversation fleshed out. For such a heavy subject it was over & done quickly on the show. It did irk me that the investment was never mentioned but not as much as the talk about Pam not allowing Jim to follow his dream. Jim never mentioned this was his dream in all the years at DM. Jim didn't even start the company and hadn't taken any steps to work towards it until his friend did. Then he downplayed it all to Pam. Pam was shocked at the big fancy offices, all the employees, etc. No wonder she felt left behind. Also I'm glad you mentioned "living the bachelor life was fun". When he had said that sitting in the Philly apartment I cringed. Can you tell this storyline struck a nerve?
Excellent writing and I enjoyed this.
Author's Response: Appreciate the compliments! And trust me, I wrote and am rewriting NGU because the storyline irked me that much. The concept of the dream couple having marital issues for the final season is brilliant, but the execution just fell flat on its face for me. While I accept explanations like ‘He probably mentioned he wanted to go into sports marketing off-camera’ and ‘Some time away from home can be healthy,’ the way he went about everything was all wrong and, IMO, just completely out of character.
The subject itself was also the basis for “Why Pam Gave Carol Stills a Call” and this can be considered a companion piece. Pam’s insecurities make sense, especially if she found out he desperately wanted more for his life than just Dunder Mifflin, so I wanted to present that, yeah, Athlead wasn’t the dream job he was expecting, which is why he appreciates DM far more than he did. The fact that he made his own wife feel inadequate doesn’t come as much of a shock.
Thanks for the review!