Penname: darjeelingandcoke Real name: Joe
Member Since: October 01, 2011

Bio:

Just a guy with Jim and Pam on the brain, trying to get the song out of his head by singing it.

Author of the Month June 2021


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Reviews by darjeelingandcoke
Three Hundred Sixty Turns Should Do It by Maxine Abbott Rated: T [Reviews - 214] 63
Summary:

NOW COMPLETE! and featuring bonus content - enhanced reader notes. BUT DO NOT READ ANY OF THESE CHAPTER/END NOTES ON STEROIDS UNTIL YOU FINISH READING THE ENTIRE FIC - MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT. 

The Office meets Harry Potter. - Sort of, but not exactly, and you don't need to be a fan or really know any HP to follow this fic.

You should enjoy stories about time travel and the magic of love.

Michael discovers a Time Turner and takes Pam on a time-traveling adventure. 

Takes place after The Carpet in season 2 with attempts to be canon-compliant as much as possible for as long as possible considering it is a story that involves the supernatural. But with time travel possible, canon winds up taking some small shifts and even sharp turns. 

 

 

 


Categories: Jim and Pam
Characters: Dwight, Ensemble, Jim/Pam, Michael, Other, Pam, Pam/Roy, Stanley, Toby, Todd Packer
Genres: Dream/Fantasy
Warnings: Mild sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 39 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 181051 Read Count: 33938 ePub Downloads: 35
[Report This] Published: September 05, 2021 Updated: October 14, 2022
Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: July 25, 2022 Title: Chapter 29: Chapter 29 (If I had a) Time Machine

HOLY CRUD. THAT MUSIC VIDEO. THAT IS THE MOST SERENDIPITOUS THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED. (I am forced to admit I was unfamiliar with this Ingrid song, which is too bad since it's a BANGER video or no video.)

"Toby stayed behind, muttering to himself as he stared at the image of a beach on his computer’s screen saver." *sigh* Poor Toby.

I continue to really love the whole premise of this fic being "what if Pam could see herself the same way the audience sees here?" It really is such a different perspective, and her being able to see the cracks in the concrete around her here is a well-chosen metaphor.

Oh, CRUD. Some base level time travel problems here (although it's interesting to see how much altered-timeline Pam is finding herself thinking much the same way...) And having to witness a Dwangela make-out session is just the cherry on top.

Props to Pam for pushing through it all at last... and to Roy, I guess, for doing his best to make it the obvious choice. Look up from the magazine, doofus, and pay attention to what she's saying and not just the measly details you're capable of picking up on.

LOVED her interior monologue here...

Author's Response:

THe song - right? The video- double right?

Toby, at least he can dream- but could you imagine his reaction had Pam come out from her hiding spot upon him?

Thank you for always coming to share your enjoyment of this fic - I know its dragged on so long but we are in the home stretch and many of the the throughlines are about to resurface (and that is a hint).

Thanks again always. 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: August 05, 2022 Title: Chapter 30: Chapter 30 - Peeling Polish / Good Riddance

Another reference to the idea of Pam needing the opportunity to see herself the way we see her here with the mirror scene. Cleverly done.

"And that Dwight wasn’t creeping around in the kitchen like an obsessed fan waiting to descend his idol as he emerged from backstage after the show." This is a spot-on description. Michael is a rock star to Dwight.

Poor Hank. He's just out there doing his thing, dealing with Dunder Mifflin's nonsense, and they can't be bothered to learn his name. And this is before they started denying him his Christmas bonus! (My new theory is that some combination of his various names are actually his stage names, for his music career.)

"but that made her remember there was still a Pam wearing it and that made her wonder what was to happen now that Roy and Pam each had one of the rings." EEEEP

I really enjoy Michael's unabashed, all-timelines love for the MSPC offices. And it's good to see Michael's Golden Ticket excuses pop up here.

In a funny way, Michael's got some advantages as a time travel partner - he's naturally so bizarre that Pam doesn't think anything of it when he's multiple-timelines bizarre.

"Her dreams too of late had been so vivid and quite often involved running into another version of herself, always about to deliver a message but one she never seemed to get in time, awaking in a cold sweat and with a racing heart she imagined was beating so loud, it might wake Roy up." OKAY. HANG ON. IS THIS ACTUAL TIMELINE INTERACTION.

"Attached to the Sebring fob was a plastic saddle shaped advertisement for some dealership which had been sharpied over with the words, World’s Best Driver." Oh, Michael.

"This was the one where she kept the teapot and the doves and the French Onion chips she couldn’t bring herself to ever eat." Okay, the details in this chapter are terrific.

This word game to being their day is so very them.

WAIT. THE NOTE????

Hmmmmm. I'm not picking up on the superfan scene... I may need to rewatch the Season 1 superfan episodes, so sad...

Author's Response:

Yup - this is a #8 but in third person POV. 

At least this early in the show he was...this is before Michael starts to lose a little of his luster (to Dwight). He gains a little in this story to Pam.

Poor Hank is right. Good theory, but I thinking they never thought to look at what they had named him when when it was decided to bring him back as a recurring Hank.  But it was fun to play with here.

It's his Eden - Shangri-La and Tinks all wrapped in one.

That is a good point.

I'm not sure what this was- interpret it how you like. But I have these kind of dreams often.

Thanks for noticing. 

Coming in for a landing soon. Just a handful more to go. Thanks for flying with me. And the reviews!  

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: August 24, 2022 Title: Chapter 32: Chapter 32 - Wearing Blue

Randall. Saving. The. Damn. Day. Love it.

This description of Michael's car is fun. "If Michael thought a lake cruise was a good idea in early January, he may have also hit the beach on an unseasonably warm day in December." Write THAT fic.

Lol. The chewed seatbelt. And nice to see a nice moment between OG Pam and New Michael.

THE NOTE FROM JIM. Too sweet. Ugh. I am very nervous as to how the next steps will proceed.

And I love that Michael's first thought upon seeing that room is ALWAYS a cafe disco.

THIS SCENE IN THE KITCHEN. THE CALLBACKS. THE KISS. I AM OVERWHELMED.

Author's Response: In lieu of a lengthy response I'll be working on next chapter but as always thank you!

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: August 28, 2022 Title: Chapter 33: Chapter 33 Caught in a Kiss/ The Bells of Dunder Mifflin

The references to time shifting and stopping and starting during the kiss are a nice touch, and the apparition detail is neat. The magic is love is very Harry Potter appropriate!

"Anyone could walk in at any moment, including another Pam, as she herself was highly aware of." Jim says write that fic.

"You say you time traveled; I one-hundred percent buy it if it means you want to be with me.” HEART EYES.

"He still didn’t understand the fascination with the art thing, but maybe he should have pretended to be more interested and supportive." Oh, Roy. As usual, I think you did well in locating Roy as more immature and selfish than malevolent.

Again, we see Michael's advantage as time travel partner - too bizarre normally for his bizarre behavior to tip people off. Although he gives us his best shot here.

DAMMIT KELLY. I said "oh no" multiple times reading this.

The Boy Scout story is so Michael.

While as you know I was on board with "Stanley knows and just doesn't care," I do like "Stanley is too mad at Michael wasting his time to notice there are two of them."

"“As your boss, I insist we go up the back way. And as your friend, I’ll grant you two more vacation days if you do.” The good old Michael two step!

"And just like he did back on the boat when he noticed Halpert getting a little too close to her, he would have to make it in front of all of her co-workers." You're a douche, Roy.

OH NOOOOOOOOOOO.

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: September 04, 2022 Title: Chapter 34: Chapter 34 - The Aftermath

In all universes, Dwight saves the day, and a darn good thing. Good way to remix the pepper spray incident. And I love that Jim's reaction is basically "would've been worth it tbh." And having this chaos allow for the timelines to merge without anyone noticing the Two Pams and Michaels is a really nice and very natural way to resolve that conundrum.

" That ever since then she'd felt like a ghost had escaped from within her and was hovering about, willing her to look deep inside her soul. That same spirit seemed to have its own set of eyes and would come back to whisper to her all that the phantom vision could see from the different vantage point outside her body." HMMMMMMM.

"the concussion prevention seminar he held the next day" Write THAT fic.

HOLY CRUD WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH NOW. *braces self*

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: September 06, 2022 Title: Chapter 35: Chapter 35 - The Angel that Got Away

HAPPY ARCHIVERSARY! (And I think we can all agree that when you do finish the story, we can fudge the date in honor of its time travel content.)

"And once there, who was to know if she would ever leave." Much as I disagree with you about them sleeping together almost immediately, I really like this line - feels very true to Pam's mindset post-breakup. And Jim being supportive of it is delightful.... and him immediately wanting her to sign the lease near him, in such sharp contrast with his attitude towards Karen! Fun.

"After the magical night it happened, a mere three days after her time travel ended, she became a frequent guest at her new boyfriend's house." Get it girl.

The documentary crew suspension probably should've happened at some point in canon... and maybe explains the strike-produced gap in Season 4, somehow?

OH NO. GABBY disappearing is a twist I did NOT see coming. I mean, it couldn't be Pam's fault, she couldn't have retroactively changed the past farther than she went back, but ooooof. That's a body blow. And like Pam my curiosity as to how the mechanics of this all worked are renewed.

Oh, this all worked out so well for everyone EXCEPT Randall, poor guy. And I'm glad to see Gil isn't a complete douche here and does appreciate her art when she takes some risks. (Also, write the "Gil sees Pam's post-Jim art and likes it" fic.)

"She came back to a future where she could be her truest self and also be in love with Jim. And that made all the difference." And THAT is a good wrap-up on a Pam journey if there ever was one.

THE WARRIOR REFERENCE. Amazing. And I love the image of them joyfully sharing all these stories they've been waiting to share.

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: September 14, 2022 Title: Chapter 36: Chapter 36 - Some Things Are Meant to Be

Holy CRUD. The end of the line! I kinda can't believe it myself.

The Elvis/Ingrid reference in the chapter title!

"He took the after-hours call from her figuring a conversation this late had to be personal in nature." Oh, Michael. Also, him missing Jan telling him not to say yeppers is a nice touch.

The golden hour proposal fakeout was a fun add-on... and the growth in the crack in the parking lot is a good metaphor for Pam's journey here.

Michael feverishly trying to take advantage of the time turner and every other piece of Harry Potter lore he can think of is SO Michael. "“ImpressumoneJanilovelevisnon" feels like it's worth a story all on its own.

And after all that, they didn't stop Packer... and it turned out to help Michael meet Holly! The angels did some WORK on this one. Although I'm hoping they come through to give Randall his happy ending too, dammit.

I always love the club discussion points at the end of books, so I will eagerly await the bonus material. That's why people used to buy DVDs with extras, you know!

Author's Response:

First, thanks for being with me for this whole long, long story. I know I've been lax in responding to the reviews lately -but now that I'm not busy trying to get the rest of this story out...

I'm beyond thrilled you picked up on the juxtapositioning of the lines from the two songs...(we were never meant to be/some things are meant to be) totally what I was going for! 

I'm pleased you liked how it all played out at the end - I know it was a lot to read to get here and I appreciate you kept with it to get to the end.

As for Randall, well...one of the messages layered in the story was the need to rely on yourself, see what's inside you...(more to come on here)...so maybe it is symbolic that Randall's angel takes on his own form...or maybe the alternate version of his life is one that only his angel got to/gets to live...or maybe one day he'll leave the office and find a Delorian idling in the parking lot. I'll leave that open for you to imagine (or write.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: October 06, 2022 Title: Chapter 37: Chapter 37 - Fansplaining

Love getting a look behind the curtain...

The two Randalls was a fun note... natural implication of the reveal, but it hadn't occurred to me before. And the color stuff was fascinating to see laid out!

Author's Response: I loved the color stuff too - ever since I heard that song (Blue Ain't your Color) the blue/green symbolism has been swirling in my brain. Thanks 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: October 08, 2022 Title: Chapter 38: Chapter 38 - Hints and Clues

Hey, if you can solve a writing problem in appropriately symbolic ways, good on you says I.

For the record, I assumed Angela just thought that Kelly and Ryan were hooking up long before they were. That seems in character for her.

"She should have plenty of patience, and to that I say even an angel has her limits." Reasonable point. And Michael would absolutely be capable of trying the patience of an angel.

"Thanks for the line, DJC." D'awww!

"also one I think even young people today still know" Geez, I hope so. I also got curious and went to wikipedia while reading this chapter, and apparently Oh What A Night was originally set in 1933, and was supposed to be about the end of Prohibition. Which. Yikes.

"not all Superfan content is canon (unless it works with my story" I support this contention.

"Gabby seems to have a lot of prior knowledge about Pam and her relationships and about things that hadn't happened yet." BECAUSE SHE'S AN ANGEL. THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE.

"So, who caught the little foreshadowing to Jim's high blood pressure issues, tied in with the nod to buying Cup of Noodles for Kevin together?" HA. Fun.

Author's Response:

Thanks for commenting on my commentary. 

Yeah, no I goofed -and it was big one. But all fixed now..hope you enjoyed the rewrite.

Thanks again for the review and supporting my craziness always.

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: October 16, 2022 Title: Chapter 39: Chapter 39 - Rising Action...Conclusion. FIN

"I agree with Michael too, there ought to be an ex, as in ex-fianc?." Lol.

You do quite well with writing Michael and Pam, and I really enjoyed seeing both the front-of-stage and behind-the-scenes ways it came together.

"ever since, he began his work day with rolled up sleeves ready to go to war with the machine alongside her when it revolted" - write THIS fic.

"One thing that might have gone unnoticed was how Pam’s grumbling stomach seems to quiet when she’s around Jim." Awwww.

Honestly, I would've forgiven Pam for still not noticing the change. She's got a lot on her mind. So this works for me.

"I did struggle with having Jim believe so easily. We know canonically he is not the type to truly believe in ghosts or other supernatural. But Pam is kissing him and he is just so blown away at what is happening he will accept almost anything." I can accept this explanation.

", I felt it was more appropriate for her to drive a Focus – with her new perfect eyesight and focus on the future." Now THAT's detail work.

All credit goes to Ingrid Michaelson.

Thank YOU for letting us peak behind the curtain on this one! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next, friend.

Author's Response:

Thank YOU for coming along and being so invested in it. Even in my moments of struggle, this one was a thrill to bring to life and just as thrilling was seeing what you thought after each chapter posted (including these notes).

 

Thank you for being such a fan and friend.

 

The Wishing Rocks by WanderingWatchtower Rated: T [Reviews - 12] 16
Summary: A small Christmas gift from Jim becomes a constant companion throughout Pam's life. 
Categories: Jim and Pam
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Fluff, Kids/Family, Oneshot
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 3041 Read Count: 881 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: September 05, 2021 Updated: September 05, 2021
Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 05, 2021 Title: Chapter 1: Souhaitant des Roches

I have been waiting with baited breath for SOMEONE to write a fic based on that reveal from Moroccan Christmas. Thank you for doing it on an as auspicious an occasion as the birth of our own TPB.

Also, I loved this. The dialogue feels so real to both the parenting experience and to Jam ("I swear we were just in the hospital, mixing her up with another baby." STOP BRINGING IT UP JIM.) The way you're playing with sense and memory in this fic is just really skillful writing, and the details are terrific (the Pennsylvania-themed jewelry box!). I love that wishing rocks turned out to be a genuinely thoughtful present, even at the time, and how Pam actually relied on them during the rough moments in Season 3 (not initially for talismanic reasons, but because they keep her connected to Jim) is lovely.

"Because they work." You slay me.

The Start of Something New by Jem4water Rated: MA [Reviews - 24] 43
Summary:

An imagining of Jim and Pam's sexual explorations as they begin their relationship.

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.


Categories: Jim and Pam, Present
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Romance, Steamy
Warnings: Adult language, Explicit sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 3 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 29196 Read Count: 9555 ePub Downloads: 2
[Report This] Published: September 06, 2021 Updated: October 09, 2021
Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 07, 2021 Title: Chapter 1: A Celebrity Sex Tape?

WELL. That's certainly one way to make an MTT debut!

Well, I'm going to need a moment. But welcome to the archive, and wow.

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 12, 2021 Title: Chapter 2: The Things You Can Do With Your Hands

Ha! I love me some drunk Pam, and I think you did right by her. Knowing what we do about drunk Pam, I can see her being particularly uninhibited at this relatively new stage of their relationship. And handsy-ness aside, this seems very much in line with the drunk Pam we see in The Dundies and PDA.

"she’s floppy and exaggeratedly sullen like a toddler who’s not ready to leave play group yet, being led away by their mother... getting her arms through is like threading a needle with cooked spaghetti." There's a lot of quality drunk!Pam description here. You walked the line well between Goofy Happy Drunk Pam and Sex Kitten Drunk Pam.

And the smut!!!!!!

And the smut ending with Pam throwing up is a great comic touch!

Author's Response: My two favourite Pams! Thank you so much for your lovely review.

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: October 09, 2021 Title: Chapter 3: Diving In The Red Sea

That's quite the mojo return!

I loved the lead-in here, and all Jim's observations of Pam and the way he's luxuriating in being *able* to observe Pam. The Dwight dialogue is terrific and very much in his voice, and the details throughout are really solid - the fake business names, the background stuff with Kelly's mouse and Dwight's weaponry. Felt very true to the branch.

I really appreciate your commitment to Pam's emotional as well as physical journey in this one, and the way that having a supportive and loving partner helps her make that journey.

Author's Response: Thank you so much, I really appreciate those kind words. I actually loved thinking up those fake business names, so I’m glad they were noticed, haha.

I Keep On Getting Butterflies by emxgoldstars Rated: T [Reviews - 11] 26
Summary:

Somewhat canon-complicit? 6 or 7 short blurbs of the moments where Jim had butterflies while with Pam. Pure fluff, I apologize!

 

 

 

 


Categories: Jim and Pam, Present, Episode Related
Characters: Jim/Pam
Genres: Fluff, Oneshot, Romance
Warnings: Adult language
Series: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 5325 Read Count: 1208 ePub Downloads: 0
[Report This] Published: September 06, 2021 Updated: September 06, 2021
Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 07, 2021 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Really good job capturing Jim’s sense of joy and astonishment after all these years that he gets to be with Pam!

Honestly, the volleyball game is my favorite for its fair acknowledgement that Jim and Pam *both* are actually eager to get back there and stick it to corporate up until the minute they learn about Cece.

"Nah, you’ll always be Beesly to me.” HEART EYES.

Her falling asleep on his shoulder after having Phillip is just too perfect. And Jim's butterflies having become one of their Things is a lovely note to end on.

Fluff well worthy of our own Madam Butterfly herself!

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!

You are so right about the volleyball game. When I went back and re-watched 'Company Picnic' for this fic, I realized how giddy they both were to go back to the picnic and beat corporate.

I also realize how quickly Pam by-passed the "possibility that you're pregnant" question, and she went right in to get x-rays? Not a chance. Hence, the test.

HE WILL ALWAYS THINK OF HER AS HIS BEESLY. I will die on that hill, as I'm sure many others would too.

Thank you so much! I truly hope our resident fluff admirer loves it too! 

The greatest of these is love by Basscop69 Rated: M [Reviews - 80] 63
Summary:

An AU inspired by Couples Retreat (feat. Jam on a tropical island, under Michael’s expert relationship guidance). 


Categories: Jim and Pam, Alternate Universe
Characters: Ensemble, Jim/Pam
Genres: Humor, Married
Warnings: Adult language, Moderate sexual content
Series: None
Chapters: 14 Table of Contents
Completed: No Word count: 75851 Read Count: 10656 ePub Downloads: 2
[Report This] Published: September 08, 2021 Updated: December 06, 2022
Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 08, 2021 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Well, you're definitely breaking new AU ground here! Don't think I ever actually saw the movie, but Jim and Pam as a seemingly happy couple that finds they actually need renewal more than at least one of them thought they did works well here. (This moment of Jim's hidden Blackberry interrupting them is painful... as is Pam quite deservedly pulling away from him later.) And the idea of Dwight and Angela in couples therapy is too good to miss... very interested in which doctor ordered this...

This seems like great use of Michael - between the characters and the weird obsessions and the genuine desire to help people, no matter how... fundamentally unhelpful he actually he is (definitely shuddering over the group sing-alongs), he fits well into the AU. And I'm excited to see if this is actually Toby running a singles resort. AND HOLLY! ("No, no, no, he remembers. He can’t. Not allowed. Forbidden. It’s like that Beatles song, you can’t always get your satisfaction." That's a line that would fit in canon with zero problem.)

Also, thank you for finally letting the Misabel ship sail... even if it's going through stormy weather.

"Dwight, which Jim instantly adds a second syllable to" HA.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! Ha, I’m not sure it’s necessarily top of anyone’s watch list (think I was going through a Vince Vaughn thing at the time).  I’m really glad you enjoyed the Michael - I think, like his brief foray into matchmaking on the show, it’s one of those things I could see him really trying at. With the best intentions. And not a 100% success rate. But he does have the odd pearl of wisdom on the show, so… 


And lol, yes, I thought Dwangela voluntarily signing up for couples therapy might be a bit of a stretch, but I did want them there. 


Haha, I’m glad you like the Misbael! I was actually briefly considering making this a continuation of It Would’ve Been You (but then I decided I couldn’t put that version of Jim and Pam through even more angst). And the loser singles resort owner will be revealed 😏 


Thanks so much for your review! 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 13, 2021 Title: Chapter 2: Chapter 2

I think you've done well in this chapter finding the balance in the Jam relationship issues - you can see both the deep and still-present affection and love for each other living alongside the problems that are cropping up, and the way they exist in relationship to each other. This is a relationship where you don't have to take their word for it that there's something there worth saving or that they still like each other. And you've found some really interesting ways to bring in a dynamic I think is a HUGE missed opportunity in canon - wherein Jim gets to succeed at his dreams and Pam doesn't get to succeed at hers. (Pam not being able to do a trust fall is surprisingly painful to read. And JFC Jim. LEAVE THE GODDAMN PHONE.)

Definitely thinking a lot in watching Mark and Isabel about the challenges to that type of relationship. If a lot of your communication is cheerfully sniping at each other, it must be difficult to tell when the sniping becomes... not so cheerful. Poor kids. #Misabel4Lyfe And the reveal that the doctor's orders are a requirement of fertility treatments is a really smart choice, I think - a realistic way to get them there and something you can both imagine this kind of cartoonish couple going through and find some pathos in, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you plan to use Oscar.

"The eternal question is whether nurture or nature will help you survive the apocalypse" is absolutely a canon Dwight line that should've happened. And I absolutely love the runner with the musical accompaniment. Well worth making it a running gag.

(Also, thank you for sparing It Would've Been You Jim and Pam from this.)

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! And yes! to the missed opportunity in canon: it really felt like that should have been at least mentioned in season 9. (It’s also why I found Jim helping Pam get an identical office job in Philly a bit jarring. I get it, the Bob Odenkirk gag was funny. But also, ouch).   


Haha, #Misabel4Lyfe will continue, I promise. I was interested in that different relationship dynamic / how two characters who are the opposite of Jam in terms of their ability to communicate could go wrong…so glad you’re enjoying that so far!


It turns out that fine line between cartoonish and pathos for Dwight and Angela, plus Oscar, is a bit tougher to write - but I’m hoping it’ll work out ok, gulp. 


I figured I couldn’t have Andy without some kind of musical accompaniment, it felt too good to miss. 


Thank you so much, as ever, for reading and reviewing!  

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 19, 2021 Title: Chapter 3: Chapter 3

This banter at the beginning is so them and so bittersweet - you can really feel how unusual this very familiar moment is for them right now. And the first date! Ouch. So near and yet so far. It is nice to get a taste of them (and even Mark and Isabel) being on the same side here in the face of Charles Miner, who I thought was well used. (Also, Mark and Jim are right, Major Miner is a joke that needed to be acknowledged.) Much like in canon, it seems a lot more clear that Charles knows what he's doing than Michael on the surface, even as you desperately don't want to be around him.

As always, you've just a really good ear for the voices of these characters, from top to bottom. The entire ensemble sounds on point in this chapter. ("Jim wonders when, exactly, the guy watched a Richard Gere romance. And at what point he’d realised the movie was a romance and not a war film." Again, something that definitely happened to canon Dwight. And Angela being too tight to do yoga is a nice detail.)

Fun use of Charles Miner. (I'm with Mark and Jim, Major Miner is too good a joke to let go.)

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And yeah, having come to the show late, I was 1) shocked to see Idris Elba, but also to your point: shocked at how thoroughly unlikeable he was as Charles, lol. But I love the conflicts his character brought out for different people - I thought it was way more interesting than the ‘here’s a weird senior guy that everyone will just be weirded out by’ for some of the other guest stars. (Basically: I’ve been v keen for an excuse to work Charles into one of my fics for a while, so I’m really glad you enjoyed it here!) And glad you’re enjoying the ensemble too! I feel there must be a list of films Dwight (and Michael, obviously) have watched thinking they were something else… 


Thank you so much for your review! 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: September 22, 2021 Title: Chapter 4: Chapter 4

"Dwight over-shared in graphic detail when Michel asked each of them to rap a truth about themselves to the beat of the bongos." WRITE. THIS. RAP.

No, but seriously, Pam's attitude here is just perfect and such a reflection of both canon and in-universe JAM - two people who love each other so much it's actually creating obstacles to dealing with their problems. So obviously they're going to enjoy Michel's weird exercises and dread the part where they have to communicate like adults. (In many ways, they really could have benefited from couples therapy way before it came up...) In that sense, the combo of approaches might be perfect for them... letting them exercising and get joy from their strengths and having that help confront their weaknesses.

And this is such a gorgeous rendering of their history. They're such cute kids! Oooof, the loss of the Secret Santa sack leading both of them (I'm assuming) to hunt around in the trash and  that ultimately producing their first kiss is lovely... as is the shadow that memory casts over Jim. So nice to see him come through for Pam in this chapter.
I don't know whether the way Mark and Isabel seem to be on the same page about being on a different page should make me hopeful or worried they're just heading towards a relatively uncontested and calm divorce. #Misabel4LYFE

Author's Response:

I nearly posted this as a review of my own instead of a reply to yours, whoops, but thanks very much! And haha - in my head the rap definitely involves Dwight trying to rhyme something with scrotum. That's so true on Jim/Pam loving each other too much actually causing problems, they really could have done with couples therapy sooner. I do sort of wonder how their season 9 drama might have played out if Michael was there and still super invested in their relationship...

I'm glad you enjoyed the backstory in this one! Pam may indeed have been hunting for something similar 😏 And haha, keep the faith on the Misabel4lyfe. Honest. Thanks so much for reviewing! :)        

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: September 25, 2021 Title: Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Awww, man. I love this chapter. Like a lot. A lot a lot.

I'm particularly impressed by how well you managed to find the humanity in the very real struggle of a deeply-cartoonish Dwight and Angela. They feel like fully realized human beings who are still consistent with the judgmental religious hypocrite and crazed beet farmer we see on screen and on the beach. This line about Angela appreciating his rigid resistance to her Christianity really encapsulates a lot of his appeal to her, and you've done well bringing in their very particular ideas of the roles of men and women and how that can cost them.

And as a Misabel shipper, very much appreciate the look behind closed doors. I'm feeling much better about the two of them now, and have a better idea of what made them tick in the first place. They're a couple who has relied a lot on nonverbal communication to express their love for each other beneath the tempestuousness, and that nonverbal communication has been failing them as of late.

Ryan is wonderfully obnoxious. And Jim and Pam really feel like they're headed back on the right track, even if they still clearly have a lot of road ahead of them. A great update!

Author's Response:

Ah, thank you so much - that’s so great to hear! :) I was slightly nervous about getting Angela’s voice right, and about the Mark/Isabel bit - so I’m relieved they came out ok! 


I do find it interesting that Dwight and Angela (as far as I know) never bring up their religious differences on the show, other than that great throwaway line about Dwight driving Angela to church afterwards. Which I thought was pretty sweet. I also really appreciate you being a Misabel shipper, haha. It’s fun (/mildly terrifying) having a bit of a blank sheet for them, so I’m hoping their relationship will feel as realistic as the other ones where all the hard work has basically been done for me…. 


Thank you so much for your review! 

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed 1
Date: October 17, 2021 Title: Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Sorry to hear things have been crazy... but really glad to see this one updated!

You did some really fun stuff in this chapter. The chaos with the envelopes and the ultimate mixing up of Dwight and Angela's with Jim and Pam's to delay another confrontation seemed pretty organic... and also emblematic of Jim and Pam's issues about delaying any confrontation of their problems. You really see clearly again here how they got into this mess... their ability to make each other happy on command shields them from having to address how often they're not doing so. (And simultaneously you managed to humanize Dwight and Angela here... Angela being convinced that Dwight fears nothing even as he worries about infertility is brutal. Also, Angela's favorite color is eggshell, because of course it is.)

On the other hand, I'm feeling a little better about my beloved Misabel ship. They're a nice contrast with Jim and Pam - things look darker for them right now because they're actually starting to get real. It's progress! Slow, painful progress. :/

P.S. POOR SADIQ. Sadiq deserved better, dammit.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! (and sorry for the very slow reply to this review). I'm really glad you enjoyed the envelope chaos - I feel I have a much deeper appreciation for the show's writers' ability to create this kind of chaos and make it feel natural and not contrived, which I slightly struggled with when I was trying to work out how the mix-ups could happen...so I'm relieved you think it worked! 

I do also love some humanised Dwight and Angela. And haha yes on the Misabel (although pls don't hate me for the chapter I've just posted). Sadiq I feel just always deserves better :( On the plus side, he did manage to escape Michael's island, and I'd like to think his marriage is all the stronger for it.

Thank you so much, as ever, for your review! :)  

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: December 23, 2021 Title: Chapter 7: Chapter 7

YAY. Very glad to see this and you back among us. (I actually saw Couples Retreat pop up on cable a week or two ago and nearly watched it. That's how desperate I was for an update to this fic.)

Okay, first, ow? Was that really necessary? #SaveMisabel dammit. Although I felt like this added a lot of depth to the way that Isabel's grief and the legacy of her father is creating/complicating/exacerbating their problems... even as it made that mountain look a heck of a lot harder to climb.

This exercise seems pretty well-founded considering who designed it... although I guess some of that is probably Holly's influence. I don't know if it's necessarily accomplishing its goals, but you can see Isabel and Jim and Pam trying to put themselves in their partners heads in a way that seems helpful... and Ryan refusing to in a way that's classically Ryan ("He’s left two fiancée’s for her now, and that’s without even mentioning the baby." Good lorde, man).

This was a very good Angela voice. Poor Mark. Glad he got through to her a little. And "Some men look hot when they think they’re explaining things she doesn’t know, ok, and she shouldn’t be judged for that" is SUPER Kelly.

Interesting seeing Jim and Pam mostly through other people's eyes in this chapter... very worried about how Jim's waterfall gambit is going to go...

Author's Response:

Thanks very much! And haha, you should have done it (although I did rewatch it recently and had that depressing oh-it’s-actually-another-vaguely-problematic-early-2000s-romcom realisation. Sad times).  

 

I can only apologise for the Misabel, lol - if it helps, they’re further along in their journey than the other couples, rather than necessarily in a worse place…?

 

I like to think Michael occasionally gets things right, even if it is accidental genius - but yeah, I would probably put this one more down to Holly. I was mainly thinking of that episode where she manages to track him down when I wrote it. Glad you enjoyed the Ryan and Kelly, hehe, I think they’re becoming some of my favourites to write. 

 

Thank you so much for the review! 


Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: December 31, 2021 Title: Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Okay. Not going to pretend I'm not finding all of this *extremely* hurtful... but it does feel like we're maybe still a ways and a classic Jim prank or two from wrapping up, and that's good news.

"As he squints along a row of palm trees, Dwight has never felt closer to Sun Tzu." This is just an amazing Dwight line. There is just a little of killer Dwight inner monologue in this chapter. (Seriously. Why are you letting us exploit your talent for free instead of off being a bestselling novelist somewhere?) I particularly enjoy Dwight accidentally triggering Pam's breakdown because he hadn't all thought that it might upset her to be told that her husband had gone to a singles resort and then promptly taking up Pam's cause against the "Athleak" whore. Dwight/Pam duo for life. (You've also got a very clear sense of how their fertility issues might impact the psyche of a together-with-Angela Dwight. Spot on.)

I will freely confess I never saw the "business goes into freefall and Dwight destroys Jim's phone" twist coming, in spite of the fact that you laid plenty of groundwork for it. And what a perfect storm - Pam being delayed from going to the spot she knows he *should* be by her lack of confidence in new Jim, Jim feeling let down by Pam, the business disaster, all combining at once. Ouch. Just ouch.

And MORE ouch. "Although he does know that whoever thought cream and Bacardi was a good combination is a sadist. They’d had pina coladas on their honeymoon, and she’d tasted so good that he hadn’t stopped to think about it. Maybe they only taste good with her." My poor Misabel shipper heart.

VERY impatiently awaiting your next update. And a very happy new year to you.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! And lol yes sorry, I'm not sure if the next chapter will help on the hurtful front...or that Jim's prank will necessarily be a classic. But, um, all part of the journey? 

I'm really glad you enjoyed the Dwight, haha - I think I actually find him the hardest to write. He ended up feeling a bit like Angela in a few parts, which I suppose could be a sign of their compatibility, but...I think he's still that *slight* bit more insane. Cf. the cat killing. But I am fully for the Dwight/Pam duo for life. And Dwight sort of accidentally helping her but triggering her when he's actually trying to help. (My goggling of how to spell Sun Tzu has also led me to believe that he probably sleeps with a copy of that book under his pillow).

And I'm very, very sorry for the continued Misabel angst. It will get better. Promise. :D 

Thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words!    

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: January 14, 2022 Title: Chapter 9: Chapter 9

(He must still do. Surely. You don’t just stop loving that about someone. Do you?) - okay. Devastating. Thank you for that.

I love the mix of despair here, the deeply-hidden notion that things might not work out coming to the surface, with Andy comically stumbling into the moment. This is... very Nard Dog, all the way through.

(Not his bed, really, without Pam in it). Okay, the parentheticals are killing me here. And you've painted a couple of truly lovely pictures of their life together, as lovers and as co-parents and as friends, very effectively heightens the sense of loss.

Ah jeez. The waterfall and then the snorkeling - lot of big moments where they easily could connect slipping by the wayside here.

Ooof at the very well-intentioned and protective Dwight somehow managing to cause problems for himself and irritate everyone else. He's darn funny here though. And Pam *is* badass. Not altogether sure why Jim and Mark thought this prank would be well received. There's such a thing as timing, guess, and it's important for comedy.

*Sigh* Darkness before dawn? Hopefully? Maybe? Please?

Reviewer: darjeelingandcoke Signed
Date: January 17, 2022 Title: Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Always love how well you capture the voices of each character here, and this is really well done Oscar and Holly. Oscar indulging in his wine snobbery is both very in character and very funny and give us a good backstage look at how this all works. And I love Holly - someone who is very Michael, but with enough social graces to not be Michael when it counts.

Love the glances of Kelly here as someone who is paying closer attention than she lets on.

Jim and Pam seem remarkably close to a real breakthrough here. They're starting to say some things that need to be said, even if they're hard to hear and hard to know what to do with. Feels like it's going to get worse before it gets better though.

TOBY. Can't wait to see where you're going with THAT twist.