1 [Report This]Date: June 12, 2021 08:50 pm Title: Do Me a Favor, and Hang Up the Phone
Aly, why must you hurt us like this?
Keep doing it, but OUCH!
1 [Report This]Date: June 12, 2021 08:46 pm Title: Do Me a Favor, and Hang Up the Phone
*wtfaly.gif*
Ugh, the detail at the beginning of Jim having totally missed how Pam is running the house without him there stings. A lot.
You're continuing to do a good job with the ways their past in coming into play here - the way some of the unresolved resentments from their earlier years are rearing their ugly head and the way they've declined from some of their more adorable moments. And I think you're doing well portraying them even-handedly here - Pam wants impossible and unrealistic things, but she's also been forced into a situation with no good options; Jim has completely reasonable desires, but is basically asking Pam to trust him when he doesn't have a lot of deposits to withdraw from the trust bank.
I love a good Dwight-Pam moment. *sigh*
Update soon. Please don't leave Pam crying alone at Reception for too long.
1 [Report This]Date: June 12, 2021 03:11 pm Title: Do Me a Favor, and Hang Up the Phone
The thing that really struck me here is that Jim, who once knew everything about her, was unaware of the change in the schedule, even after she'd told him. That shows how very far he strayed from the man he once was.
Back when it was about not trusting the solidness of their relationship, the right thing to do was to turn the car around (which has got me thinking of a song here my musical friend- can you name it?) but this time I wished he'd kept going.
The little bit with Dwight was uplifting but the vision of Pam crying in the empty office - how could you leave us like that?
Date: June 12, 2021 12:29 pm Title: Do Me a Favor, and Hang Up the Phone
Oof. Seems the only thing going for them here is that Pam was really able to get some things out in the open to him. She's right. This isn't the Jim she fell in love with. The Jim who would pay attention to every little detail about her. Espcially if he's forgetting important things like arrangments with the kids. Hard to see them like this, that's for sure.
Dwight is offering a sliver of hope though. Knowing that she is the best thing for him and acknowledging her hurt. Nice to see that aspect of the Dwight/Pam friendship.
Date: June 12, 2021 10:18 am Title: Do Me a Favor, and Hang Up the Phone
“She wonders when her life turned into the kind of movie she just wants to turn off.”
This is a really nice line, it compliments what she says in the finale about never wanting to put the book of their story down.
I love the little interludes she has with Dwight, they’re the teeny bright spot in this angstfest (loving it btw)
1 [Report This]Date: June 12, 2021 10:12 am Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
Oh my god you’re killing me with this.
(Also, I love that Cece has a crush on a Michael)
Date: June 12, 2021 10:12 am Title: Do Me a Favor, and Hang Up the Phone
*sigh* You guys are getting really good at getting me to read angst.
You did such a good job with this phone call, aly. The way Jim is thinking about Roy is just so painful and real and I love how you hinted at it in the beginning and then had Jim make that statement: “Like you did with Roy.” Brilliant.
This might not be the right conclusion to draw, but I actually think Jim made the right decision on the U-turn. It was a beautiful, angsty parallel and you did such a good job with it.
1 [Report This]Date: June 11, 2021 02:02 pm Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
This is definitely breaking my heart a bit - the chapter title alone - but it's so so good! Pam not answering his calls and not talking to him on the phone with Cece is just gut-wrenching, and I love the way you've written Jim's genuine confusion and fear (and the fact that they've never gone to bed angry or upset with each other before, which is a really nice - and heart-breaking - touch). I am enjoying Pam standing up for herself though. Really interested to see where this goes!
1 [Report This]Date: May 21, 2021 06:48 pm Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
ALYSSA. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS THIS?! YOU ARE OUT HERE, TRYING TO BREAK US ALL!!
But in all seriousness, this was brilliant. I am ready, ready for you to hurt me again with this next chapter!
Date: May 21, 2021 03:09 pm Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
Well that left me a little broken. Pam must really be afraid of what she is feeling and how she will react to keep herself from even talking to him. That's rough...anxious to see how and if they can resolve things.
1 [Report This]Date: May 21, 2021 01:33 pm Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
It's a nice touch to have Pam not be too sure about this, and on some level kind of gutted by the fact that Jim took her word for it... this is a shattering experience and a hard choice for her, and probably not one where she was likely to experience the calm of knowing she's made a decision afterwards. She's handling this imperfectly, but she's in a terrible spot here, and getting what she asked for is going to have a cost of its own.
Dwight missing Jim too! :'(
1 [Report This]Date: May 21, 2021 08:38 am Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
It’s interesting how Jim isn’t liking his job in Philly
that much. I’m still proud of Pam for standing up for herself, however, if she’s not careful she could end up just being stubborn, which won’t help their situation. Jim and Pam both have a history of being stubborn (in canon) which caused a lot lot heartbreak for both of them. Looking forward to seeing the next chapter.
1 [Report This]Date: May 21, 2021 12:07 am Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
Wow, I gotta say I'm not really a fan of Pam here. I mean I know she's hurting and scared and confused, but to just give him the cold shoulder so hard like this? Just wow. To tell Jim he can only call to say goodnight to the kids? And when Cece asks when he'll be home and he has to tell her he does't know? I mean, just rip out my heart and stomp on it. Again, I know Pam is hurting and I know Jim has caused a lot of that pain, but still.
Great writing to bring all that out.
1 [Report This]Date: May 20, 2021 10:05 pm Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
I almost stopped reading twice, and that’s when you know you’ve got it made in the angst world.
1 [Report This]Date: May 20, 2021 08:33 pm Title: And You're Not Here, To Get Me Through It All
"He can hear her cooing to Phil, and he thinks he can hear water running. He wonders if she’s doing dishes or about to give the kids a bath. He wishes he didn’t have to wonder."
Watch your feet, my heart is shattered on the floor.
I think you did a really good job of showing that Pam needs space and time but also that she's sad and still a little unsure. But ooooof, it hurts!! I'm so excited and nervous to see where this one goes next.
1 [Report This]Date: May 04, 2021 07:24 am Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
"The suffocating silence is back. It surrounds her like a fog, the only thing visible is Jim and his tear-stained cheeks." This is just gorgeous.
Oh, this painfully real and heartbreaking. I can't wait to read more. So good, Aly!
1 [Report This]Date: May 03, 2021 08:20 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
oh my god, my heart. this was perfectly painful.
“She’s not happy right now. She’s not happy that he’s in Philly more than he’s at home or that he’s breaking promises he swore he’d keep. She loves him, but she doesn’t love who he’s becoming.”
I love that you touched on the fact that Jim has changed because it’s not something Pam really expresses aloud in the series but is totally present.
Really nice work!
1 [Report This]Date: May 02, 2021 07:23 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
Well, that's just not fair that you can shatter my heart with words like that, lady. Ughhhh when he walked right past her I think I audibly gasped. No. Jimbo. Change her mind, dummy!
I can't wait for the rest of this. As much as it hurts to read, season 9 angst just hits different for me and I'm here for it.
1 [Report This]Date: May 02, 2021 06:44 am Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
See I knew you'd have my heart in pieces. You really got to the emotions Pam was struggling with in Season 9. She'd come so far and to be feeling neglected and "gulp" the way she had with Roy well as you say, love doesn't always take away the pain.
I could see Helene's reaction as a reflection of her own experiences but to be honest it was heartbreaking to hear her give that advice.
But not as much as when she told him to go back to Philly. This is going to be a bumpy ride I can see but I'm looking forward to the angst-fest.
Date: May 01, 2021 11:01 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
Oh my word. This is wonderfully written and the emotions are so perfectly observed, but boy, my heart is breaking with Pam’s right now.
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2021 05:41 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
*Michael voice* Who do you think you are? What gives you the right?
Okay, much as this is a rough read, you’re doing something important here that canon didn’t do, which is let their history as a couple more explicitly inform their issues. Pam pushing back because she's thinking about her history of giving in to Roy makes a lot of sense, and is certainly something she'd be thinking about. (Pam noticing that she'd lost some of her character development is also something I wish the writers had done. I have Season 9 issues.)
Also seems like a strong choice that Helene, who canonically has some doubts about lasting relationships at this juncture in her life, might not be so inclined to give her advice that would help her save her marriage.
And of course you did darn well at letting us feel how devastating this is for both of them.
Looking forward to seeing where you go with this!
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2021 03:50 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
Ooff, that's heavy. I mean just the raw emotion of everything here. I agree that Jim missing the recital and the fight about Pam not getting it on video was tough to watch. Most of S9 is tough to watch to be honest. However you really got into why Pam's feeling the way she is right now.
Her saying she's in a fog feels very apt. Saying she wants to take a break without defining what that break will be like, how long, or anything else really seems to fit. Should be interesting to see where this goes even if it's bound to hurt along the way. Great writing to bring that all out.
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2021 02:59 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
You write beautifully, the conflicted emotions flow off the words so effortlessly. S9 is a tough one, but this is a really good premise. I always felt that in trying to show the not-so-fairytale JAM, the writers kinda butchered thier individual characters arcs, ESP Pam's and all her growth since S3. So yes what I'm saying is wonderful start good luck with this! Can't wait to see how you take this on.
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2021 02:26 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
I’m sure this was difficult for Pam,
but I’m proud that she stood up for herself in
their marriage.I also like how you pointed out that Jim was acting like Roy that season because I felt the same way when I watched season 9.
Both Jim and Roy had a tendency to take Pam for granted.
1 [Report This]Date: May 01, 2021 01:12 pm Title: You Don't Ever Have to Leave, If to Change is What You Need
Well, now I'm sad.
Aly, you KILL with this angst. Please write more, I want you to keep hurting me with this kind of writing.
"But what hurts the most is that, suddenly, loving him isn’t enough for her to be happy." FUUUUUUUUUUDGE that hurts.
Please write more, I need to know what happens next!