It was so refreshing to see Pam in such an upbeat mood for an extended period of time. Although her screen time was limited again, Pam still had a few noteworthy scenes to clue us into her state of mind.
She is still keeping a low profile around Jim, with hopes that he will come around. Obviously, Pam has done a good job of letting Jim know the door is open without being too overt. He's starting to come back to her. Pam knows she is walking a fine line with Jim and has to be careful she doesn't scare him off (as she did in The Merger). This hasn't always been easy as we saw her have a momentary lapse of emotional control in Back From Vacation, however she has clearly gained from that experience. She fully realized how she feels about Jim as well as how much she needs and wants him. It gave her the resolve she needs to let him come to her in his own time. Karen poses a bit of a problem, but Pam's moral center won't let her do anything to interfere with that relationship.
For Pam, it's up to Jim and not her. Pam still doesn't get it that she has to at least meet him halfway. However, Pam does understand that she has to take full advantage of each time Jim give her his attention. Nevertheless, she again has to be subtle in how she responds to him. As thrilled as she was to join him in pranking Andy, she was careful to keep many of her emotions masked. It's a balancing act and she hasn't quite figured out how to tip the scales in her favor. That being said, she has learned how important it is to show Jim she's there for him no matter what.
This was a huge episode for the JAM optimist, but I'm again being very careful that I don't set myself up for a huge crash. So once again, I'm practicing tempered optimism. As fabulous as it was to see Jim and Pam colluding on a prank and further reestablishing their connection, it's important to note that it's just a step in a series of many more steps that are necessary for JAM to get together. It was just a mountain instead of a valley this week.
Andy Annoying Jim:
As Andy attempts to impress Jim with his wondrous ring tone, Pam is watching from her desk. She knows Jim is annoyed. She's watching Jim with a little bit of pity on her face. Poor Jim has to sit across from this guy and has no escape. Even though Pam is further away at her desk, she is clearly just as irritated with Andy.
As Andy starts sucking up with his comments of working under Jim, Pam raises her eyebrows with a playful nature. She knows Jim has just about had it. She's thinking C'mon Jim, let's get this guy. However, there's no way she's going to approach Jim about pranking Andy. It would be overstepping her bounds. She learned her lesson when he didn't respond easily to her last proposal with the Dwight CIA prank in A Benihana Christmas. Besides, it is Jim's turn to initiate a prank. He did eventually take Pam up on pranking Dwight. So, the next one is his call.
Jim at her Desk (prank proposal):
It turns out Pam played her cards right, as Jim does eventually come up to her desk and asks if she wants prank Andy. Pam actually plays a little prank on him by initially saying she's too busy to play. She then breaks out of her playful shtick and responds with a spirited "Yes, please!" Her response to his question has some interesting undertones. Her playful response of being too busy, may reflect on the possibility that she saw Jim go to Karen and Ryan before her. Andy was being incredibly obnoxious when Jim went to Karen.
Pam had to be watching. Ryan might be a little tougher to overhear, but it is possible. It seems more than a mere coincidence that her little prank reflects Karen and Ryan's responses to Jim. It might be her playful way of reminding him that she will always be there for him. If this is the case, nicely done Pam! Her "Yes, please" shows not only her enthusiasm to join in the prank, but it also emphasizes her own exasperation with Andy. She wants to get him just as badly as Jim.
Pam is thrilled that Jim came to her. It means a lot to her as she knows their friendship isn't the way it was before. Pulling a prank together can bring some of the old friendship back. The fact that Jim is willing to go back to that time (even if just for the day) is huge for Pam. However, she's careful not to let herself get too excited or emotional in front of Jim. She doesn't want to send him too strong of a cue. It might bring the cold shoulder back.
As Jim brings Andy's phone to Pam, she plays along naturally to his pretense of "messages." It's been a long time since they've worked together in planning a prank, but apparently it's like riding a bike. Neither has forgotten how to work/play with the other.
Prank Set-Up (Ceiling Toss):
Pam and Jim begin setting up the prank like a well-oiled machine. Both get up and start walking on a cue that's obviously part of a larger plan. Pam is simply gushing. She can hardly hold back her smile. She is thrilled to be part of a prank, but more importantly she's elated to be playing with Jim. There's even a little bounce in her step as she walks. They are doing something together. Karen and the past are not interfering with their relationship at this moment. It's just between the two of them.
Just as she hoped, it felt like the old days. She is his partner in crime as she hands off the phone to Jim. Pam acts as the lookout as Jim tosses Andy's cell phone into the ceiling. She is excited and a little worried about being caught, but she's loving every minute of it. This whole scene felt like a spy movie. Each move was executed with perfection from a team with a plan and perfect communication! It's old JAM at their finest.
*Side Note - Prank Logistics:
I can't help but wonder how the plan of this prank transpired. That walk to the break room was so orchestrated, Jim and Pam must have communicated via IM or e-mail beforehand, (any other mode of communication would have been too suspicious). They totally knew what they were doing every step of the way.
If IM or e-mail was the mode of communication, I'm very encouraged. In Season 2 they IM'd and e-mailed each other. It's another line of communication opening between them, (the more the better!). Pam also had Andy's phone before the ceiling "incident." She must've been the one to get Andy's cell number. She's playing the role of Jim's sidekick very well. It ought to get Jim's attention, especially after Karen refused to play.
Calling Andy's Phone:
Pam is the first one to call Andy's phone. Again, her jubilation at the prank (and playing with Jim) is written all over her face and body language. She was actually "head dancing" to the ring tone! There's also an air of satisfaction with pulling off a beautiful prank. She can barely keep a straight face as Andy's ring tone plays from the ceiling.
Jim Calling Andy's Phone:
As Jim sets off Andy's cell phone again, Pam looks in his direction with a small smile on her face. She again has air of satisfaction with the prank, but there is more to this smile. If Jim turned around and saw her, he'd see a face that says "I love you." She loved watching Jim be Jim.
Andy's Hole:
Jim and Pam inspect Andy's hole, amazed that their prank drove him this far over the edge. Pam makes the statement, "I think we broke his brain," and Jim busts out laughing uncontrollably. Briefly, Pam looks surprised that she made him laugh so hard, but soon joins in. Pam is very encouraged by the fact that she made him laugh. It sparks a major reconnection between them. For those few seconds it felt like the old familiar relationship they shared before. It was a nice "return" for both. Pam probably went home that day feeling a little more hope than she's allowed herself since The Merger.
There is a Season 2 parallel in this scene, but it's more on Jim's end, so stay tuned for the Jim Paradox update!
- - -
JAM Optimist:
1) JAM planned and pulled a prank together!
2) A new line of communication possibily opened
3) Pam is doing a great job of keeping the door open.
JAM Pessimist:
1) It's just one day and one prank. It's not enough to get them together.
2) Pam still doesn't get it that the ball is in her court.
Questions to Ponder:
1) Should Pam have taken more advantage of Jim's attention? If so, what should she have done differently?
2) Do you think Pam saw Jim strike out with Karen and Ryan? Does this have anything to do with how she responded to Jim's prank request?
3) Was Pam aware of Karen's observations?
4) Jim took his turn in pranking. Pam is next, so should she take her turn?
5) What aspects of FNB did Pam show off to Jim? What aspects of FNB have been further developed? What still needs work?
Chapter End Notes:
Commonly Used Acronyms:
PD = Pam Dichotomy,
JP = Jim Paradox,
CN = Casino Night,
FNB = Fancy New Beesly,
QTP = Questions to Ponder
This post was written nine years ago so go easy on me in terms of writing style! I’ve decided not to revise the original posts beyond filling in missing words or fixing wayward punctuation. Call it nostalgia if you will, but there’s something to be said for preserving this little snapshot of fandom.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
PD = Pam Dichotomy,
JP = Jim Paradox,
CN = Casino Night,
FNB = Fancy New Beesly,
QTP = Questions to Ponder
This post was written nine years ago so go easy on me in terms of writing style! I’ve decided not to revise the original posts beyond filling in missing words or fixing wayward punctuation. Call it nostalgia if you will, but there’s something to be said for preserving this little snapshot of fandom.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
