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Reviewer: tinydundie Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 13, 2021 09:38 pm Title: Breaking stuff

"God, why had Jim of all people given it to her? It would have been much better if someone like Phyllis or Toby had presented this teapot to her; someone nice enough to keep warm feelings to the giver, but without that sort of connection that would make her put special meanings into this item of the tea-set. But it was Jim who had made that beautiful present, and she couldn’t separate her love, regrets, and everything that she’d lost and never had from the teapot that sat so innocently on her table."

You know, it never really occurred to me what happened to the teapot during S3. I know we see it in later seasons, but what a great jumping point for angst to have this be such a constant source of trauma for Pam. I really like what you did with it!

Author's Response: Thank you, tinydundie! I'm glad you liked this story :)

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: December 03, 2020 03:50 pm Title: Breaking stuff

I really like this. It feels like a really accurate glimpse of what was going on in Pam's head at this point in Season 3 - the push and pull between wanting to move on and not wanting to let go with the undercurrent of regret at how the decisions she's made have led her here. This sort of wrestling with herself is very Pam.

And I like the choice to have her be influenced on multiple levels by her interactions with Karen during Benihana Christmas.

Happy anniversary!

Author's Response:

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad that I could turn my odd dream into something that you enjoyed :)  

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: December 03, 2020 03:50 pm Title: Breaking stuff

I really like this. It feels like a really accurate glimpse of what was going on in Pam's head at this point in Season 3 - the push and pull between wanting to move on and not wanting to let go with the undercurrent of regret at how the decisions she's made have led her here. This sort of wrestling with herself is very Pam.

And I like the choice to have her be influenced on multiple levels by her interactions with Karen during Benihana Christmas.

Happy anniversary!

Reviewer: Sam Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: October 07, 2020 12:55 pm Title: Breaking stuff

This is lovely! I really like the way you've depicted Pam struggling to find the resolve to wield her hammer - I really felt the suspense!
Jim's awkwardness when he arrived worked beautifully too.
And I laughed at Pam picturing her new existence in Alasksa :0)
Thank you!

Author's Response: Thank you so much for your sweet review, Sam! I'm glad you liked this story! 

Reviewer: Donnamour1969 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 28, 2020 01:32 am Title: Breaking stuff

This was really great. I enjoyed it a lot. Wish there was more, maybe from Jim's pov.

Author's Response: Thank you, Donna, I'm glad you like it! 

Reviewer: Kuri333 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 23, 2020 07:24 pm Title: Breaking stuff

Yay! This was beautifully done. I loved that I couldn't tell until the end if she would smash the teapot or not. Also, opening the door holding a hammer was a very nice touch.
Thanks very much for writing it!

Author's Response: Thank you, Kuri! That was a challenge to write, but I'm glad that worked out well :) 

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 22, 2020 06:59 pm Title: Breaking stuff

I really like this idea of Karen being super pragmatic & enjoying Christmas, but not really being swept away by the magic of it all.
Oh. The connection with what Karen has said to Pam and with Jim rejecting her gift. Oof. That hurts. Poor Pam.

“She placed them around the teapot like moons around a planet” This is such a beautiful image. It’s so, so heartbreaking that it all loses meaning without Jim.

“She’d burn it later.” Damn.

I don’t even have the words to describe how haunting it is for Pam to consider breaking the teapot. I love the comparison to an alcoholic returning to the bottle and I can understand why she feels that breaking it is the right thing to do. Even so, it hurts. It hurts so bad.
Much like Pam, I love that teapot and everything it stands for.

Oh boy. Talk about a misunderstanding. Karen has put this whole taking gifts back thing into her head and now Jim has shown up asking for a gift and she assumes the worst.
She’s so brave. I love that she gives him such a strong no.

‘It means everything,’ YES. So good.
Pam telling him he can’t. Oh my god. So brave.

‘Well… I’m trying to turn ‘can’t’ into ‘can’, I guess,’ Is this my new favorite line of anything ever? I think so.

I’m so, so glad the teapot remains intact!

Author's Response:

Oh, Jenna, thank you so much for such an amazing review! I'm glad you liked the story, and I truly appreciate your feedback. I have the same feelings for the teapot as you, and breaking it would be... too much.

I'm a weak woman, I guess :) 

Reviewer: DoomGoose Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 22, 2020 06:19 pm Title: Breaking stuff

That was a rollercoaster, I really thought you'd do it! I was morbidly curious if you were going to make Jim watch after Pam's outburst, but thank goodness you presented us with a balm instead. I felt like Pam's jumping to the conclusion that he was there to take the teapot back was a bit of a jump, but in the end it worked so it didn't detract from the rest of the story. This was really well done, thank you for sharing!

Author's Response:

Thank you, DG! And sorry for the rollercoaster (to be honest, it was a rollercoaster for me as well; I cried a few times writing it). 

Thank you for reading and reviewing :)  

Reviewer: Comfect Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 22, 2020 11:52 am Title: Breaking stuff

I really like this. Are you planning any followup (like, does Jim figure out what's in the pillowcase)? Not that you need followup (this is lovely) but I thought I'd ask. I like stories where Pam gets the thoughts out, and where Jim comes after her, and I loved both elements here.

Author's Response:

Thank you, Comfect! I was worried that this story had almost the same concept as my previous finished story, and I'm really glad you liked it! I think there wouldn't be any follow-ups (it was just detailed retelling of a dream after all), but I think Jim wouldn't know what was under the pillow; Pam would try to say Jim goodbye and return all of her mementos to their place :) 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: August 22, 2020 09:22 am Title: Breaking stuff

Wow, this was fantastic! You took that idea and make it something really great. All of Pam's conflicting emotions as she comes home. How she can imagine breaking the teapot but then can imagine the aftermath. Her thinking she'd burn the picture, uugh that one hit the heart hard.

Then all of a sudden for Jim to show up and they're still not on the same page about everything. So she's thrown into even more chaos. Nice Beatles referrence there too by the way.

I love that Jim just follows her inside and is so gentle. Clearly he's still pretty cautious around her especially as she's breaking down. Then of course as the real reasons for everything become clear, he's still just there for her.

And the little spark of hope that was left in the teapot seemed to land right in Jim's heart to get it beating again for Pam. That he's ready to make one of his big Jim moments and break up with Karen right there and then show that. Of course Pam is so lovely right there. Kind caring soul she is, she doesn't want to ruin Christmas for anyone. Loved that.

Great piece. Lots of big emotions, and of course the best part, the teapot stays intact and helps bring Jim and Pam together. Loved it.

Author's Response: Thank you so much, Warrior! Your review brought a huge smile to my face, and I'm delighted that you enjoyed this story! 

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