Lots of ups and downs with this one. I really liked the scene at the start. Jim feeling kind of stuck but at the same time going to reassure Pam. The glare at Dwight was perfect. Really sweet that they can share a tender moment with each other and be vulnerable like that.

The flashback was a ton of fun too. That was one of the better pranks. Pam just so easily sliding in as partner-in-crime was delightful. No wonder he played the pranks for her laughter.

The scene there at the airport was a great way to show how change happens. Micheal leaving and Pam's news. Lots of feelings but all in all good feelings. Great job on the emotional content of this one.

The fact that they just threw this scene out there in China with no follow up drives. Me. BONKERS. So I'm glad you're digging into it a little more, and how it plays into their ultimate Season 9 arcs, *and* how they got there in the first place. (I'd love to see you do more with Pam's frustrations, too - feels like that got VERY short shrift. Sorry. Restraining.)

This look into their past and the *real* reason for Jim's pranks and stagnation is very sweet - I love the calls forward to Niagara, and the way this ends up explaining a lot of his later lack of progress. He's been tied up in Pam so long that once he has her, it's not clear what drives him anymore... and there's so much going on with their marriage and promptly having two kids, so much change, that he doesn't really see it clearly.

And I love throwing in Pam's discomfort with change she can't control with Michael's departure. That probably won't come back to haunt them. Right?