Pam's dichotomous behavior continues in this episode! Her dialogue says one thing while her face says another! On top of that, there is hidden meaning in some of her dialogue. It took a while to pick it all apart, but the bottom line is, she is anxiously awaiting Jim's return, (as we all are). Pam not only gave insight into her feelings for Jim, but she also gave us some clues on how she feels about Roy. Needless to say, the JAM optimist is thrilled.
Unfortunately, we have no idea what happened with Pam's text message. I'm still not happy that this loose end was not addressed. The episode itself gives no clues and neither did Pam. The only clue we have comes from John the prop guy in his myspace blog. He says Jim did not lose his phone in the bushes. All he says is Jim missed the call because he was asleep. Don't all cell phones give alerts when there are missed messages. My phone does! I'm guessing he didn't answer it. There is big news in this episode and neither one contacts the other. Pam is probably scared to call him because of the unanswered text. Jim has his own reasons for not calling (or texting back), but I'll get into that in the Jim Paradox later. How's that for a teaser??
I've included at least one producer's cut scene to this analysis. Pam is just amazing in this scene and it deserved to be analyzed. It's up to you to include it in your accepted sense of the storyline. For me, it doesn't interrupt or detract from storyline developments or previously established behavioral patterns.
I may have inadvertently included other producer cut scenes, but the producer cut (PC) episode was the one sent to me on iTunes. The originally aired episode has already merged with the online version in my head. Added scenes are becoming normal to me! Sorry, if that throws anyone off.
Blessing in Disguise:
Pam, like everyone else, seems happy that the branch is closing. For her, the closing means she has a reason to pursue her art ambitions, (we see her make a reference to this later in the episode, it stands to reason that it's on her mind at this juncture as well). She's already in art school and this gives her a reason to make art her primary focus instead of something she does on the side.
Throughout her talking head she's joking around with her imagined departure from Dunder Mifflin to actual events. All the while, her face is bright at the thought of possible future prospects. This is a great example of Fancy New Beesly. She sees a life outside of her current job. Old Pam was stuck in complacency and would be lost at the news of the branch closing.
Roy at Pam's Desk - Art School (Producer's Cut Scene):
The beginning of this scene shows Pam telling Roy that she's not that upset that the branch is closing. Again, she is being nice to Roy, for the sake of being nice. The conversation then turns to Roy encouraging Pam to go to art school. Pam knows exactly what he's up to. He's busy trying everything he can to get into her good graces and win her back. Pam's face has, Oh, brother here we go again, written all over it. Pam is again, too smart for this.
Pam is more than obliged to tell him she already has, "a while ago." She is intent on emphasizing to Roy that she is not the same person he knew. Pam seemed to relish this moment. Roy felt like an idiot and she got the chance to show him what he's missing. This is telling that Pam likes who she's become without Roy. She is entirely finished with him. Although, she does like the attention. Pam likes it that she has the upper hand over Roy; she probably never had that during the relationship.
Jan's News:
After Jan's announcement that the Scranton branch will remain open, the wheels in Pam's head start to turn. She is shocked that still has a job and Scranton is saved. Jan also makes the announcement that Stamford will be absorbed into Scranton. This is where the butterflies in Pam's stomach start to flutter. Her thoughts immediately turn to Jim. She becomes anxious, nervous, and hopeful all at once. The very idea that he may return to Scranton is exciting and frightening all at the same time. She is excited to see him again, but also fearful to find out how he feels about her.
Pam's brain hasn't quite caught up to Pam's emotions nor her mouth when she asks if anyone is coming "back" to Scranton. This is a big slip on Pam's part. She came very close to asking if Jim was coming back. She doesn't want to reveal her excitement at his possible return in front of Jan and everyone else in the office. This is indicative of the fact that she doesn't want anyone to know what happened on Casino Night, or even have an inkling that anything happened between them. But, she can't help but ask, it just flies out!
As if we didn't know already, she misses him and this slip exemplifies that perfectly. She quickly recovers by restating the question without using "back." Jan doesn't give her a straight answer, which leaves Pam perplexed and still anxious. Her face also conveys a look of hope. Pam is already thinking of a reconnection with Jim. She might have a chance if he returns.
With Ryan in the Break Room:
In the break room, Ryan asks Pam if Jim might be coming back. Pam plays it cool and casual by responding a noticeably thin veil of nonchalance. She tells Ryan she hadn't really thought about and then pretends that it never crossed her mind with a high pitched "huh." This is highly reminiscent of high schoolers that respond with detached no's when asked if they like someone when it is entirely obvious the answer should be "yes." (I'm a high school teacher, I see this everyday!). Pam doesn't want Ryan to know she likes (loves) Jim. She doesn't even want him to know she's thinking about Jim. It's a little embarrassing and even a little painful. Not exactly conversation material with a co-worker she's not really close to.
Ryan then makes the statement that he doesn't "want it to be weird" in regards to Jim's possible return. Pam immediately channels her own thoughts on the very same idea. She is contemplating Ryan's statement on two different levels. First, she is panicking that Ryan knows about her and Jim. This is the last thing she wants. As mentioned in prior posts, Pam doesn't want to be part of the rampant rumor mill in the office. She is a very private person who doesn't want personal aspects of her life out in the open. Plus, she doesn't want to have to talk about or explain Casino Night. It's painful enough to think about it by herself, let alone talk about it with someone else. She is noticeably relieved, when Ryan's comments shift to work related issues. Second, she is thinking that she doesn't want things to be weird between her and Jim when he returns. Despite the fact the Ryan is referring to taking Jim's job and desk, she is in a completely different world. However, she is still able to respond to Ryan without giving him an indication that Jim is on her mind, with "yeah, that might be weird."
This is Pam's dichotomous behavior at it's finest. She is almost double-talking! Her response is in reference to Ryan's statement, but is also referring to the inevitability that things will be weird between her and Jim. There is no way around it, the past will come back to haunt no matter how much Pam wants to escape it. She can't escape the fact that she hurt him and she's beginning to know it.
She shifts the conversation back to Scranton and the fact that they all still have jobs. This is not only to snap herself back into reality, but also a way to make sure Ryan has no idea that Jim is on her mind.
Phyllis at Pam's Desk:
At the end of the day, Phyllis comes over to Pam's desk and (very sweetly) tells Pam "I hear Jim is coming back . . . " Pam's face lights up with anticipation, curiosity, excitement, and hope, a true OMG expression. She anxiously waits for Phyllis to tell her more, but the rest of the office is ushering Phyllis along for drinks at Poor Richard's. Pam is let down that Phyllis can't stay to tell her more, but she still can't bottle up her butterflies (they are back from earlier). Her head is spinning at the thought that Jim is coming back. Again, it almost looks like she's thinking she has another chance.
I must stop here for a moment and give Phyllis JAM snaps. She has been a quiet supporter of these two all through season 2 (notably in E-Mail Surveillance and Conflict Resolution). I'm hoping that she will have a role in getting JAM together! What a sweetheart!
Roy at Pam's Desk #2:
Roy decides to come back to Pam's desk in another desperate attempt at small talk. He is again trying gain her favor. Pam is again being nice to him, as always. But this time, she appears to have grown weary of Roy. She looks annoyed. He's already come to her desk once today with a sad attempt to reconnect. Her expression reads almost like a "go away" sign. But, our sweet Pam is too nice to tell Roy to leave her alone.
She is probably still harboring guilt to for leaving him, even though she has no regrets. It's here that we see more of Pam's double meaning dialogue. Her words can be interpreted on more than one level. Roy tells Pam that he is glad she's going to still be working at her job. Really he's telling her he's happy she'll still be around him. Pam picks up on this, as a less obvious, Oh, brother, expression fills her eyes. She responds with "yeah, me too."
Even though her response is geared towards addressing Roy, she is really thinking that she's glad to still be at her job, because Jim is coming back. She says it detached enough so not to give Roy the wrong impression, but also with enough emotion to indicate that she's thinking about Jim. She also avoids giving Roy direct eye contact when she says this. She doesn't want him to think she's glad to still be at her job because of him.
Roy is obviously trying to create a meaningful moment and Pam wants no part of it. She's in her "happy Jim thoughts" anyway. Pam decides to lighten the moment by stating "it'll be a pain to find a new job," as a way to fend off Roy and rationalize her excitement at the merger which will bring Jim back to Scranton. As Roy leaves a small smile graces Pam's face. This smile is in part from Pam's amusement at Roy's lame attempt at connecting with her. However, the biggest part of this smile is the fact she is still giddy from Phyllis's revelation that Jim is coming back.
Talking Head:
Pam's final talking head is wrought with double meaning. She is trying to convey one thing with her words, but she has a double meaning for them in her thoughts. Her face gives her away. Pam again rationalizes her joy at keeping her job by repeating that it would be a pain to find a new job. She goes on and on about the pain of having to learn a new job and getting a new boss in order to justify her internal need to stay. Everything she says is general enough to keep her real feelings hidden. After all, she gives all the reasons why people stay at jobs they hate!
On the inside, Pam knows she is staying because of Jim's impending return. Every word she's saying would be replaced with Jim's name, if we could hear Pam's thoughts. She can hardly keep the joy and anticipation out of her voice. It's almost like she's trying to sound sad (as opposition to her earlier happy talking head when she thought the branch was closing down)! She goes on to say that "there are reasons to stay."
She is telling the camera that Jim is her reason to stay without actually using his name. At first glance, this statement seemingly applied to the reasons she outlined earlier in the talking head, but in reality she is referring to Jim. This is not only a safe assumption from Pam perspective, but also from the episode's scene cut. As she's giving her "reason" statement, we are shifted to a shot of Jim in Stamford. The writers/director obviously want us to see Jim is Pam's reason.
- - -
JAM Optimist:
1. Pam is happy Jim is coming back. Her fears have taken a back seat to her anticipation at his return.
2. Pam is pretty much done with Roy. She is clearly annoyed and tired of Roy's presence at her desk. Probably because it was him instead of Jim. Anyone else notice the parallel between Roy's presence at Pam's desk and Jim? Jim often came to "visit" at Pam's desk. Roy is standing in Jim's place trying to make the same connection and miserably failing.
3. Pam's confidence is high. She isn't letting fear control her possible reconnection with Jim. She is more optimistic of his impending return. It won't be long before she's after him, (I hope)!
JAM Pessimist:
1. Pam may have false hope. If Jim doesn't live up to her expectations of reconnecting she might take it too personally and give up.
Overall, Branch Closing is a smashing JAM optimist victory!
Pam was surprisingly upbeat in this episode. She took a blow in Diwali, but as we all suspected it was a temporary set back. She is obviously hopeful for a real in person reconnection with Jim. This speaks volumes for her confidence level. It is interesting to watch Pam let go of some of her fears in this episode. She seemed more excited than fearful of Jim's return. It's still possible these fears will return once he's back in town, but it seems as though her desire to have him back in her life is overruling her fears. We'll see next week! Woo-Hoo! Jim is coming back to Scranton. I think we are just as excited as Pam!
Questions to Ponder:
1. Will Pam be cautious around Jim or will she immediately try to rekindle their relationship?
2. How will Pam react to Karen's crush on Jim? Will she notice it right away? Explore her possible emotional reactions externally and internally.
3. Pam has always been very private about her feelings for Jim, around everyone from the start. However, in this episode she lets Phyllis see her "real" emotional reaction to Jim's return. Why???
4. Why is Pam still reluctant to talk about Jim in her talking heads? (She has to know the camera caught her talking to Phyllis and her "slip" with Jan, so why is she still tight lipped?)
5. Is Pam suffering from a false sense of hope? Does she really have another chance with Jim? What does she have to do in order to make things right with Jim?
Chapter End Notes:
This post was written ten 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.
